Today we salute Noah Beveridge of Butler.
Beveridge had a terrific career in the distance events. He was a three-time WPIAL champion -- twice on the track and once in cross country. He qualified for states all four years in XC, taking fifth as a junior and second as a senior in AAA. On the track, Beveridge was second at indoor states in the mile and second at outdoor states in the 3,200 meters as a senior.
He closed out his career with PRs of 4:12.58 in the 1,600 meters, 8:44.75 in the 3,000 meters (indoors), 9:07.26 in the 3,200 meters, and 15:27 in the XC 5K.
A 1600m my sophomore year at our state qualifiers. The week before I ran a tactical race with Mike Kolor and Jake Stupak. We ran tactical because the top eight advanced to next weeks state qualifiers. We ran so slow that I ended up tied for 12th out of 24 runners. Logically you would put two runners with the exact same seed time in the same heat but that was not the case here. I was put in slow heat and the other runner was put in the fast heat. My coaches argued to get me in the other heat and we thought I was going to be. When numbers where handed out and I was given a number for the fast heat. Then I warmed up accordingly for my heat. Then mid warm up I hear over the loud speaker, "Noah Beveridge report to the track immediately or you will be scratched". A bunch of people rush over to me and tell me to get to the track asap. I get to the track and I am given a new number for the slow heat. I get to do one stride and then the gun goes off. I ended up winning my heat and earning a spot to states. That race showed me I could solo a personal best and it helped me learn how to better deal with high pressure races. I look back on that race when I need confidence.
Indoor and outdoor nationals always have a lot of great competition and the mile field at the New Balance Grand Prix in Boston was deep. Those races where all out of Pennsylvania. The best PA competition I faced was during my junior year because of the depth we had. Cross country states and the 3200m at outdoor states were two of the best.
I can't really pick one accomplishment. Experiences like racing on TV and meeting pros in Boston was amazing. The feeling of our team qualifying for states in cross country and indoors/outdoors is what I'll remember most. It's easy to just pick out meet records and WPIAL titles or even school records but I pride my self on how our team helped shift our running culture at Butler and that I put myself in the mix as much as possible.
I would make my 9th and 10th grade self more dedicated. Also I would have gone to bigger races. The team was a big focus and our schedule often interfered with me going to big meets and chasing times. I try not to focus on things I can't change.
Having family members and friends pass away is tough mentally. Physically I have had my fair share of injuries with my lower back and hips. Getting mono and hurting my hamstring three days before the state meet was annoying to say the least.
Our team environment and see the team/ Coach D everyday.
Focus on you! People have break throughs and develop at different times. You can't change what other people are doing. Some kids are training like college athletes in high school and are going to big races every weekend. If you stay consistent and love the sport you will end up beating people who have run faster than you and your times will drop. All you can really do is put your self in the mix every race and positive outcomes will happen. It doesn't matter how you started your running career, it matters how you finish it. Most importantly enjoy it.
Coach D the wizard. He is one of the best people I know and I would not trade getting coached by him for anything. He's made me a better runner and person.
I will be running cross country and track at Syracuse University. I am hoping to run competitively for as long as possible afterwards and then coach track and cross country at a high level.
Shoutout to my amazing family, Grooms, big Seybs and Coach Schontz. The Butler Community for all of your support and last but not least the boys.
