Keep checking back to see who makes the Arizona Milesplit 'Watch List" in Track and Field.
Journal Questions:
Name: Monika Beechum (Monika's Milesplit Profile)
High School: Basha High School
Year of Graduation: 2014
Track and Field PR's:
Long Jump: 18'3
100m: 12.5
200m: 27.3
High Jump: 5'1"
When did you first get involved with track and field? How long have you been running:
I first started Track and Field at the age of five. My parents would enter me at both the Hershey and USA track and field meets.
What is a typical training week like for you?
A typical training week for me is on Monday’s, Wednesday’s, and Friday’s I practice with the sprinters. Then on Tuesday’s and Thursday’s I practice with jumpers.
What are your goals for the upcoming track season?
My plans this season is to train hard to become a more powerful and stronger in my sprinting and jumping events.
How do you prepare yourself mentally for a race? Do you have any superstitions?
When I start to prepare mentally for my event I like to visualize what I need to do from start to finish. As for superstitions I believe that if I am angry before my event that I will do better than if I wasn’t.
What message would you tell younger runners who aspire to be at the top?
To any younger athletes, If people don’t doubt your dreams then they aren’t big enough.
If you had to attribute your success to one thing, what would it be?
After all my years of doing track and the success I have had in it is due to my parents. They have always believed in me, pushed me to my best, and never gave up on me. They will always be my number one supporters and I will always appreciate what they have done for me.
Do you have role models or mentors in track and field?
My role model has and always will be my dad. I will always be his number one fan and respect him for what he went through and for what he taught me of never giving up on your dream.
How many events do you compete in and which event is your favorite?
The events I usually compete in are the 100m, 200m, 4x1 and the long jump. However this year I will also compete in the high jump, triple jump, and the 4x4. If I had to choose one, my all-time favorite is long jump, when I am jumping all my problems going away.
What are 3 things we don't know about you?
- I played basketball for about ten years.
- I have an older brother and a younger brother.
- My dream is to compete in the Olympics someday.
Best thing your coach ever said to you?
The one thing I will always remember that a coach said to me was that I am the most talented girl on the team. This made me want to work harder to live up to what he said.
Shout Outs?
To my family, friends, teammates and coaches without them I wouldn’t have the confidence I have in myself.
Quick 6:
Favorite Pre-race Meal?
My favorite pre-race meal is a turkey and egg sandwich, a banana and orange juice!
Favorite Winter Olympic Sport?
My favorite winter Olympic sport is bobsledding.
Favorite Meet?
My favorite meet was the 2013 USA Region 10 meet.
Cross Country or Track and Field?
I prefer Track and Field over Cross Country any day!
Perfect temperature to compete in?
The perfect temperature I like to compete in is 80 degrees.
Favorite song at the moment?