Junior Drew Beason led the seventh-ranked Ankeny girls’ cross country team to a second-place finish in the Southeast Polk Invitational on Thursday. She was the runner-up in the 5k race, posting a time of 18 minutes 56 seconds.
Beason is a two-time state placewinner for the Hawkettes. She took 11th in Class 4A as a freshman in 2021, then finished 15th last year.
Here is some inside info on Beason:
Congratulations on an outstanding season thus far. What has been the highlight for you?
The highlight of my season has definitely been placing 15th at the Roy Griak meet (on Sept. 22). With (the level) of competition I had and how many people were in the race, it was such a cool experience.
You posted a time of 19:15 at that meet. Did you try to get out fast to avoid some of the traffic, since the field consisted of nearly 400 runners?
I tried to go out and avoid getting stuck behind people. In a race with that many people, I wanted to start out in a good spot.
I know your sister Paige, who is now a freshman at St. Cloud State, was also at that meet, competing in one of the college races. How did she do, and how does she like running for the Huskies?
Paige ran well–it was her first-ever 6k. She loves running for the Huskies, and she has a super close and supportive team. Her hard work and running/ training with me during the summer is definitely paying off as she finished first for her team at that meet.
Were you happy with your race at Southeast Polk?
I was very happy with my race Thursday and how I ran it.
You finished 14 seconds behind the winner, Olivia Verde of Johnston. Were you able to stay with her for awhile?
I started off a little ways behind Olivia, then started getting closer and closer as the race went on. Then she pulled away on the hill the last half-mile.
Your team finished just 15 points behind No. 1 Johnston, last year’s state runner-up. Do you feel like your team is making some good progress?
I think our team is making amazing progress. We really work well as a team. Everyone is so close/good friends, and it really helps in races when they all run together and a have a plan before every race.
Your team has a new head coach this season in Quinn Groff. What has he brought to the program?
Groff has brought good training. He knows exactly what we need for training and has good college experience, which really helps. He really believes in us and pushes us to do our best at every meet.
Are you planning to run in college? Have you looked at any schools yet?
Yes, I am planning on running in college. I’ve only talked to a few schools, but I am still keeping my options open!
You’ve also had a lot of success on the track. Do you like track and cross country equally, or do you prefer one of them over the other?
I love both track and cross country. The atmosphere as a team is different in both sports. I enjoy running with my cross country team and the bond we have, and I enjoy track too, being able to watch my teammates/cheer them on when they’re in different events. All the coaches are very supportive, which also makes me love both sports.
You are currently ranked 12th in Class 4A. What is your goal for the rest of the season?
My goal is to keep getting better and move up in the rankings. I definitely feel I am capable of improving in the rankings.
Do you think your team is capable of a top-five finish at the state meet?
I do believe my team is capable of that!
