Beshore, Ast qualify for state track-and-field meet
Nevada High School entered Saturday’s Class 4 sectional meet in Eldon having qualified in five events. Two Nevada High School student-athletes –– freshman Calli Beshore and sophomore Kayden Ast emerged with the prerequisite top four finish needed to qualify for this weekend’s Class 4 state track-and-field meet in Jefferson City.
Beshore qualified in the 1,600-meter run with a fourth-place finish, clocking a time of 5:20, while Ast placed fourth in the long jump.
“Calli ran very well in a tough ‘distance’ sectional,” said Nevada track-and-field coach Kirk Miller, referring to the talented field of athletes. “Her goal was to make it to state this season and she accomplished that. I am proud of her for battling to get qualified to go to the state meet.”
Miller continued: “Kayden jumped very well at the sectional. All of the jumpers faced adversity as they were jumping into a strong headwind.
“Kayden was able to stay focused and still nearly hit his personal best mark. Many of the jumpers on the boys’ side were upperclassmen and Kayden went toe-to-toe with them as a sophomore.”
Nevada High assistant track-and-field coach Ryan Watts has worked closely with both Beshore and Ast. Watts is also the head cross country coach, as he helped guide Beshore to several first place finishes during the fall XC season.
“Calli is a very gifted runner,” said Watts. “Her ability to push through pain and drive for greatness is as high as any runner I have been around both as a coach and athlete. She magnifies her talent by working as hard as she can every time she steps onto the track. The moment is never too big for her.”
Watts described the 6-foot-2, 165 pound Ast as an “explosive” athlete.
“Kayden is like a spring wound tight ready to launch and he can elevate as well as anyone he competes against –– which is critical for being a good long jumper,” said Watts.
Watts added that Ast has a fantastic work ethic.
“He works hard at practice everyday, to the point that I have to tell him to stop before he overworks himself,” said Watts. “But that drive is what makes him the gifted athlete he’s become.”
Ast said his goal for the state meet, slated for May 27, is to hit 21 feet. At the sectional meet, Ast’s state-qualifying jump measured 20-feet, six inches.
“It’s pretty exciting to make the state tournament as a sophomore,” said Ast. “I get two more years of this.”
Miller said qualifying for state is an accomplishment both Beshore and Ast should cherish long after their high school days are over.
“Missouri Class 4 is a very hard class to qualify for state in,” said Miller. “If an athlete is able to qualify at our level it puts them in a very elite group.”
Added Miller: “There are literally thousands of athletes who begin the season in each event. If you make state you are one of the 16 best.”