Amanda Beach: I'd Rather Place 5th At State, Make It To Nationals

Dec 09, 2016

Amanda Beach started out 2016 with an emphatic statement. The Melbourne Central Catholic senior opened up with a state leading mark of 17:47.60 at the Holy Trinity Cross Country Classic and then proceeded to win both the Astronaut Invitational and UF Mt. Dew Invitational before finishing in the top three in the Flrunners.com Invitational Race of Champions where she again went sub 18 (17:48.79), and at Pre-State.

Beach won her district championship, but finished runner-up at regionals, and 5th at the state meet. Her time of 18:09.70 was one of the best on the afternoon, but still left the Duke bound standout disappointed. She remembers telling her coach afterwards that she still had more to prove.

"I didn't believe state really showed my potential or who I am as a runner. I also hadn't really begun tapering at that point. Having said that, 2A is full of talented girls and state just wasn't my race, but not every race will be."

Sometimes things happen for a reason and maybe the state meet was one of those instances. Beach bounced back the following week and ran the best race of her high school career at Foot Locker South in North Carolina. Not only did she beat several of the best girls in Florida, but the rest of the region as well, clocking a new personal best and state leading time of 17:31.10 on the McAlpine Greenway Park course. She crossed the line in 5th place and a chance to compete against 39 other girls at Foot Locker Nationals. She says making it to San Diego was a goal from the beginning of the year.

"I wanted to make it there and run 17:30. I even noted that I'd rather be 5th at state and make it to nationals than win state. Apparently God took that literally because I was 5th at the Cross Country Finals and made it to Nationals with a 17:31 from Foot Locker South."

Qualifying for a national level meet has given her added confidence because she now realizes that one race doesn't define her as a runner and that she just has to keep looking forward. She says her workout schedule hasn't changed a ton this week.

"It's been mainly focused on speed work and short intervals. I've also been focused on recovering and resting my legs. I did a lot of hill work over the summer when I traveled to North Carolina for a week and Maine for about 2 weeks. I also did a few long runs in Clermont throughout the season, and I've done some speed work on a causeway nearby. I think at this point I've done all I can given the flat Florida terrain, so the rest is going to come down to mental grit!"

Beach won't be making the trip out west alone. Riverview junior and 4A champion Bailey Hertenstein was two spots behind her in 7th, while Bolle sophomore Charles Hicks of Bolles was 9th in the boys race. She's excited to be on Team Florida and keep the tradition going.

"I was super excited when I realized Bailey qualified as well! She's such a talented runner and it's incredible that we get to run together representing Florida. I think there are a couple group runs set up already so I'm sure Bailey and I will get the chance to run together. I don't really know Charles Hicks, but I'm happy for him too. Go Team Florida."

Florida's top ranked runner adds she is prepared as she can be and can't change anything now. She plans to trust in her abilities, pray for a strong race, and just enjoy the moment.

"Of course I want to do well in the race, but no matter what happens I can walk away from the race knowing I had a season I could have never dreamed of. I'm really excited to get to know the South team and honestly, just to have the opportunity to travel to San Diego. I've never been west of Colorado so it's kind of a check off the bucket list to travel out there! I've heard this is "the trip of a lifetime" so I'm just excited to experience it in general."

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