By Derrick Smith

High school student-athletes do a lot of preparation in order to be ready when it is time for them to compete. No matter what sport or sports they compete in, there is some amount of work that is required in order to compete at their best. Jacob Beebe says that mental preparation is just as important as physical preparation.

“I have put in a lot of hard work in order to be the best athlete that I can be,” he said. “You also have to stay determined and be accountable to your teammates and coaches. Most of all you have to believe in yourself and know what you are capable of.”

Jacob is a senior at Miami High School. He is a dual sport athlete, playing both football and baseball. He is an offensive tackle and a defensive tackle on the Wardog football team, while on the baseball team he plays first base, pitcher, and designated hitter. Both baseball and football have been a part of his life about as long as he can remember.

Beebe has had a number of people that have influenced him along the way, but he says that there is a group of people that has always supported him and helped him become the best person that he can be.

“My mom, dad, Nana, great-grandma, and great-grandpa are all the biggest role models for me,” he said. “They have shown me that if you work hard enough, you can accomplish anything you set your mind to. They have always been in my corner and there is no way that I would be the person that I am today without them.”

Another person that had an impact on Jacob is his math teacher, Kenton Adams.

“He taught me how to have fun and still learn,” Jacob said. “I always enjoyed his class.”

With this being his final season playing high school athletics, Jacob reflects and says that his favorite moment is sharing this season with his teammates.

“Seeing all my hard work pay off over the years is great to see,” he said. “But also is sharing the field for the last time with my fellow classmates.”