Washington County Enterprise-Leader
Bostain Wins State Championship
BOSTAIN WINS STATE 32OO-METER CHAMPIONSHIP
PRAIRIE GROVE — When Prairie Grove’s Bekah Bostian won the 3200-meter run at the State 4A track and field meet, her coaches couldn’t congratulate her because she was busy.
Prairie Grove girls track and field coach Dana Froud marveled at how the sophomore star was only concerned with cheering on competitors she had just lapped to finish the race.
“Bekah is a credit to how she was raised, we didn’t even get to congratulate her when she won cause she’s still running around the infield encouraging the other girls that she had just beat,” Froud said.
Coaches are not allowed to go down on the infield during the state meet and Froud, along with Bostian’s parents, were anxiously waiting to celebrate a hard-earned victory.
The Tigers competed at the state meet held at Pocahontas May 2. Bostian burned up the track in 11:54.26, ahead of second place Gracie Hyde, of Lonoke, in 12:26.18. Kendall Hays, of West Fork, was third in 12:52.14.
Running Rivalry
Last fall, Bostian finished as state-runnerup, placing second overall at the 4A state cross country meet (a 3.2 mile race), behind Hyde. Bostain won the 2015 race, ahead of No. 2 Jessica Weiss, of Gosnell; No. 3 Mallory Morris, of Gentry; and No. 4 Brynn Elliott, of Gentry. Bostain is a two-time All-State cross country runner for Prairie Grove.
Froud credits Bostain’s father, Keith Bostain, for developing a strategy that propelled her past Hyde, who, according to Froud, had stated prior to the race that she wanted to beat the state record in the event. Bostain heard all that talk, but knew she was prepared for the challenge.
“She knew Gracie doesn’t like to lead the race, she (Hyde) has a big kick at the end,” Froud said. “How Bekah won the race was she wore her (Hyde) out. She ran really fast. She increased her lead every single lap.”
Forced to run at a faster pace than she wanted, Hyde didn’t have enough left to overtake Bostain, who was nearly 32 seconds faster.
“Bekah just has a really strong will, but even more than that I think she is afraid to lose,” Froud said.
There were meets this past season when Bostain didn’t run the 3200 meter. Instead, she concentrated on increasing her speed by running the 800 and 400 meters. The work paid a handsome dividend in the state championship race.
“That is all her daddy, Keith Bostain, he knows every competitor she races against and their strengths and weaknesses,” Froud said. “All the credit for Bekah (winning the state 3200 meter race) is Keith and Bekah Bostain.”
Bostain won the 3200 meter at the 4A-1 Conference meet held at Pea Ridge on April 25.