March 19, 2024

UNI’s Beeler saving best for last

DES MOINES — Before she knows it, University of Northern Iowa senior Maddie Beeler’s collegiate track and field career will be over.

But before it ends, Beeler is putting together a memorable close to her career.

The former Interstate 35 prep ran on UNI’s 4x400 and sprint medley relay teams last weekend at the Drake Relays, helping the Panthers to a 12th-place finish in the University Division women’s 4x400 relay and a fifth-place finish in the sprint medley relay.

Beeler led off UNI’s 4x400 relay in Friday afternoon’s prelims with a 55.5-second carry, as the Panthers ran 3:42.77, which was a big season’s best time for the Panthers.

“I felt my leg went pretty well,” Beeler said. “I’ve been starting off the relay this year, which is a little different from years past, but this year I just feel a lot stronger.”

The Panther senior bounced back to run a 54.7 split on the 400-meter leg of the sprint medley relay (200-200-400-800) in Saturday’s rain.

UNI ran 3:56.90 to finish second in heat one and fifth overall in the event.

“This season has been amazing. I’ve just made a lot of changes that I needed to make on and off the track and just relaxing a lot more and having a lot more fun,” Beeler said. “I’ve found you perform so much better when you relax and have fun and just enjoy it.”

Beeler credits getting more sleep and not worrying so much about what she eats with her improved performances this season.

The Panther senior has had a breakthrough this season despite going through a coaching change during the middle of the season.

Beeler ran a PR of 54.51 in the 400 meter dash at the Musco Invitational on April 23.

“That was amazing just to hit a time I haven’t hit in my life. I haven’t gone under 55.6 since my sophomore year,” Beeler said. “My 200, I also ran a PR with a 24.66, so that’s faster than I’ve ever ran in that by half a second. I’m shaving off time.”

After going through the disappointment of not making the awards podium in the 4x400 relay at the Missouri Valley Conference Indoor Track and Field Championships, Beeler has her sights on helping the team get back on the podium at the outdoor conference meet.

“I’d like to get on the podium again, be all-conference in the 400,” Beeler said. “That’s kind of the main thing and get the 4x400 on the podium again, as well. I’d like to make it to regionals in the 400, too.”

But one thing is for certain with the Missouri Valley Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championships coming up May 13-15 in Terre Haute, Indiana — Beeler is running at her best at the right time.

“Hopefully I still have some in the tank for them (conference championships,” she said. “It’s all kind of happening in good timing. I couldn’t be happier.”