Har-Ber High School junior Hattie Beshears, a native of Springdale, Arkansas, has been named to the prestigious Nike Elite team. The honor places her among only eight female athletes from across the United States selected for the program.
Family roots in running
Both of Beshears’ parents were collegiate athletes, and they often brought Hattie and her older sister to the track as children. Initially following her sister into soccer, Hattie shifted her focus to running after a freshman‑year soccer injury. Training side‑by‑side with her sister, she quickly developed a deep appreciation for the sport.
Path to elite status
“Whatever you put into it, you get out of it,” Beshears said, reflecting the work ethic that earned her a place on the Nike Elite team. The selection process evaluates athletes not only on race results but also on how they speak, compete, and interact with peers. Beshears learned of her selection while competing at Nike Nationals.
The program offers athletes the chance to represent the Nike brand and to connect with other elite runners nationwide. Beshears described the group as a “big support system” of like‑minded girls who understand the demands of high‑level competition.
Events and goals
Beshears considers the 3,200‑meter run her strongest event, though she favors the 5K distance. She will compete in the 5K during the upcoming cross‑country season, aiming to challenge the state record currently held by her sister, who will run for Brigham Young University this fall. The record stands at 16 minutes, 40 seconds, and Beshears hopes to surpass it in her senior year.
Training philosophy and future plans
Despite her ambitious goals, Beshears maintains a relatively low weekly mileage to allow room for continued improvement. After graduating from Har‑Ber, she intends to run at the collegiate level and eventually pursue a professional running career. The Nike Elite selection has already expanded her network, linking her with athletes from across the country as she works toward those aspirations.
Original reporting: 40/29 / KHBS (NW Arkansas) — read the source article.
