Erika Beistle, Big Rapids

2021 Big Rapids ATHLETE YEAR of the

ERIKA BEISTLE Three-sport athlete’s career for Warriors was exceptional State championship season was memorable for Big Rapids thrower

BIG RAPIDS – Big Rapids senior Erika Beistle wasn’t any ordinary female athlete of the year.

She was also a twoevent state champion.

Beistle early in the season beat the school record in both of the throws. But she was far from being done. She won the Division 2 shot put and discus state championship on June 5 at Zeeland High School.

Beistle threw the shot put 42 feet, 10 inches and the discus 147-5 to handily take first in both events.

She scored all 20 of Big Rapids points to put the Cardinals in a tie for 11th place as a team. She was the only BR athlete who qualified.

“I was just looking to throw as long as I could,” Beistle said. “I didn’t want to get too cocky, I guess. I just had a good day.”

Beistle’s shot put PR was 46-2 at a CSAA meet this season.

“The shot put is my favorite, but the discus is starting to grow on me a bit,” Beistle said.

Her PR in the discus was 150-7 which she threw on May 26 at the Michiana Timing Metro Health Scholarship Invitational.

“It was very hot around 80 degrees,” Beistle said. “It was a challenge to stay out of the sun.”

The shot put started early in the morning with Beistle among 22 athletes who had six throws apiece. Her 42-10 was her second throw and one inch longer than her first toss.

“I hoped I could do better but from watching all the other girls throw, I felt I was going to take first,” Beistle said. “My upper body wasn’t the greatest but just being quick through the ring got me through that throw.”

The second-place thrower, Ellie Adrian of Standish Sterling, was at 40-6, more than two feet shorter than Beistle. Ironically, Beistle indicated she wasn’t physically at 100 percent.

“I’ve had a neck issue and have been a little sore so it wasn’t my greatest day,” she said. “I think I was more relaxed and was more relieved to get the shot put out of the way and get it over and done with, and go to the discus relaxed and ready to go.”

The discus was in the afternoon with 26 throwers. Beistle’s 147-5 was her fifth throw.

“I was very relaxed through the whole thing,” Beistle said. “I just wanted to get in there and have fun being smooth, being quick and throwing it out there.”

Adrian was in second but 20 feet behind Beistle’s throw.

“I’ve put in a lot of hard work in four years to get to this point,” Beistle said.

“We are just very proud of her,” Big Rapids coach Michele Selzer said. “She has worked very hard and deserves this honor.”

Beistle will be throwing at Grand Valley. She competed in a national meet in Eugene, Oregon.

Big Rapids’ Erika Beistle relished the state championship moment.

Erika Beistle finished a strong career as a Big Rapids thrower. Erika Beistle will now be attending Grand Valley State University as a thrower.