The Hampton Inn Scholar-Athlete of the Month for September, Nicole Beebe set a new personal-best during the month. The junior from Canton, Ill., ran 22:57.0 in the 6K on September 29 at the Roy Griak Invitational. That 63rd-place finish was the best of any Leatherneck runner. Beebe also timed out to a 18:07.7 in the women's three-mile to place 16th on September 14 in the Bradley Intercollegiate.
What is your favorite part about running at Western Illinois?
My favorite part about running at Western Illinois is the close connections I have with my teammates. Our team is fairly small right now, so we get the chance to know each other very well. We all know each other’s strengths, so we use those strengths to our advantage during workouts and meets. We also have a lot of fun together. We are in the process of building up our team, and I think it’s very special to be a part of the building process. I have been able to see improvements in our team every year, and I’m excited to help the team continue to grow.
What is your pre-meet routine?
I never try to overthink my race before hand. Coach Maas knows that I don’t like to know my race plan too far in advance, so he will always wait to tell me until I’m ready to know it. My focus is on doing the best I can during the race, so I try not to get worked up over the little details ahead of time.
What is your favorite thing about Coach Maas?
My favorite thing about Coach Maas is that he knows each of his athletes very well. He sees the potential in each of us, and recognizes our strengths before we even know them ourselves.
What is the best piece of advice you've ever received?
I can’t pick out one piece of advice that I’ve received that stands out above the others. However, my parents have always had the best advice for me. I wouldn’t be where I am today without their guidance.
What has been your favorite part of being in Macomb?
My favorite about being in Macomb is that my hometown is close to the same size. I love being a part of a smaller town, because I feel more at home. At Western, I feel as if I’m a part of the community, not just a student attending a big university.
What are your plans for after graduation?
After graduation, I am planning to go to Physical Therapy School for 2.5 to 3 years to obtain my Doctor of Physical Therapy degree.
What is your dream job?
My dream job is to become a Physical Therapist. When deciding what I wanted to be when I grew up, I always knew I wanted to be able to help people everyday. As a PT, I will be able to help patients improve their quality of life on a daily basis, and I find that very rewarding.
What is your favorite food?
I don’t have one particular favorite food, but a couple of my favorites are Chili-Mac, cheese potatoes, green beans, and most anything cooked on the grill.
What is your favorite hobby outside of sports?
Outside of sports, I love to spend time outdoors. I enjoy kayaking, fishing, going on walks with my dog, and riding dirt bikes.
