Quantcast
skip navigation

Q&A with Eagan's Kyndra Beekman

By Ron Haggstrom, Star Tribune, 04/12/11, 4:32PM CDT

Share

Senior shortstop keeps her father's words close to her heart


Kyndra Beekman

Eagan senior shortstop Kyndra Beekman takes her father’s words to heart  — “play hard, have fun and never give up” — when she takes to the diamond.

Beekman hopes to coach the sports she currently plays in the future while also working in a dental clinic. Here is a closer look at Beekman:

Best movie I’ve seen in the past year: “Toy Story 3.”

Three songs I never skip on my iPod are … “The Show Goes On” by Lupe Fiasco; “Play On” by Carrie Underwood; and any Taylor Swift song.

Three words or phrases my friends or teammates might use to describe me: Supportive/encouraging; competitive; determined.

Favorite meal before a game: Subway.

How do you balance school and sports during the year? My school work always comes first, but I have learned to use sports as an escape. They allow me to have fun and take my mind off of high school and everything else that is going on.

How did you get started in softball? As the youngest daughter in my family, I was always brought along to my sister’s games and tournaments. At home, they would be playing catch and hitting off a tee in the yard with my dad, so I decided to try it and I have loved it ever since.

Who is your school’s biggest rival, and why? Burnsville. They always have a good team that pushes us to be better and it always seems to come down to the two of us at the end of the season.

At my first varsity practice, I felt … extremely overwhelmed, but so excited.

What is your most memorable moment as a high school athlete? My most memorable moment as a high school athlete was being a part of the [Class 3A] state championship softball team as a freshman in 2008. I had so much fun playing with our seniors and being able to see their hard work and determination finally pay off.

What did you work on in the offseason? This offseason I focused on my hitting. I spent a lot of time working with my dad to speed up my hands. My goal is to trust my hands as a hitter, so that when I am at the plate during a game all I have to think about is seeing the ball and driving it.

What are your goals for the 2010-11 school year as an athlete? I want to have fun and enjoy myself because this is the last chance I will have to play with my classmates and friends. As an athlete, I want to leave all my hard work on the field and hopefully  see it pay off.

To get focused for a game, I … listen to my iPod and set goals for myself to accomplish during the game.

I know I have an edge on an opponent when … they don’t throw me strikes that I can hit.

If you could change one thing about high school sports, what would it be? All softball games would be played in 70 degree, sunny weather.

Who is your favorite college or pro sports team and why? Professional: Green Bay Packers … Super Bowl champs. College: Nebraska Cornhuskers … That is where I am going next year, and because I look good in red.

Related Stories