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Nevada High senior Beshore commits to UMKC
Nevada High School senior track star Calli Beshore has verbally committed to NCAA Division 1 University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC) Kangaroos.
Beshore has been stockpiling gold medals since her freshman year, including a combined 25 between track and cross country for last years junior campaign.
Beshore had many suitors, with her top five narrowed to UMKC, University of Nebraska Omaha, Pittsburg State University, Missouri State University, and Missouri Southern State University.
At UMKC Beshore will be competing in outdoor and indoor track, and cross country.
"I'm really excited, it's great to finally have it decided, and have the weight off my shoulders," Beshore told the Daily Mail, prior to Tuesday afternoon's NHS cross country practice.
Beshore said she took an unofficial visit to the UMKC campus over the summer, and returned recently for an official visit. Beshore said she was impressed with the program's facilities and training regimen.
"I just really loved the team, and the girls and the coaches," Beshore said of her visits. "They were so welcoming, and I felt right at home. It's a great school too, and I really enjoyed the area."
UMKC track coaches also took into account that Beshore is one of the top prep point guards in Southwest Missouri.
"They liked that I played basketball too," she said. "So, hopefully I can get into longer distances, and be more in shape."
Beshore said her commitment to a D-1 program is the culmination of years of hard work.
"I knew I wanted to run at the next level, but the fact that I can do it at the highest level is just awesome," she said.
With her illustrious prep career winding down, Beshore said her top priority is making further improvements in order to ease the transition to the college level.
"I definitely need to keep working and getting faster — and hopefully, getting in better shape," said Beshore, as she eyes her fourth consecutive berth to the Missouri Class 4 state cross country championship meet.
Nevada High cross country head coach Ryan Watts said he couldn't be happier for his star pupil.
"I'm so proud of her for continuing her running career, and can't wait to see how far she can go," he said. "I think UMKC is a great fit for her. I know she is going to be well coached, and continue to develop and do great things."
Watts said his number one objective as a coach is to instill a passion for running in his student-athletes.
"And, I hope that love for running extends well beyond the athletes' high school career," he said. "Seeing Calli take her love of running, and her talent, and use it to aid in furthering her education and compete at the next level makes me very happy and very excited for her."
Above all else, Watts said he is most impressed by Beshore's drive to improve.
"Looking back over the past four years, that's what I appreciate the most about her," he said. "Calli wanted to improve and get better everyday. She wanted to do what it took to be her best, and as a coach, that's all I could ask for."
Watts continued: "I always want my athletes' passion for the sport to match my own, and I've always wanted my athletes to want to improve as much as I know they can. But few do, few want to do what it takes to be great runners — but Calli does."
Watts coaches Beshore in both track and cross country. Watts' first year as cross country head coach aligned with Beshore's freshman campaign.
"Calli will always be special to me," he said. "Coaching someone of her talent is always special. But since we started together, it makes it that much more special. It's been a privilege to watch her grow, and to work together to shape and improve the program."
Added Watts: "Between summer running, cross country, and track, we've been through a lot together — battled together. We've shared moments of joy, and moments of disappointment. But we've always worked together with one common goal — to compete at the highest level, and to give every ounce of effort to be the best possible on any given day."