Anthony Beacham was part of a highly successful boys track and field program at Oak Park and River Forest High School. Since graduating in 2023, he has continued his athletic career at Triton College, and this spring, he played a large part in helping the Trojans garner All-American status in an event at the season-ending National Junior College Athletic Association Division III Outdoor Track and Field Championships.
Beacham ran the leadoff leg of Triton’s 4 x 100 relay unit at the meet, held May 8-10 in Utica, New York. The Trojans finished sixth in the event with a time of 44.91 seconds. The top nine places in each event automatically merit All-American status, and Beacham is thrilled with the honor.
“Being All-American feels amazing,” Beacham told Wednesday Journal. “I couldn’t believe it when my teammates told us that we had made it, and this made me happy. This wasn’t something I hoped for or thought I could do, but thanks to the optimism of my coaches and teammates pushing me forward, I believed that I could make All-American.”
Beacham believes he and the others on the relay team — Samuel Elusoji, Nathaniel Corpuz, and Khyron Watts — were successful due to a combination of factors, such as communication, acceptance of constructive criticism from each other, and trust in their training.
He admitted needing to relax at the national meet in order to give his relay the best chance for success.
“At first, I felt very nervous,” he said, “but then I realized if I do my job as the leadoff leg, we will be fine.”
Unlike many other college student-athletes who are on scholarship, those in the NJCAA often work part-time jobs in order to help pay for their education. Beacham worked in Triton’s fitness center and said it was an adventure juggling time between work, studies, and his training.
“Maintaining a balanced schedule was very challenging for me at the beginning,” he said, “but as I got used to my schedule and made small compromises, it began to get easier. I’ve learned that things can change fast, but it’s how you adapt to that change that’s important.”
He has managed to keep tabs on OPRF track while at Triton and says he was excited when the Huskies won a share of the 2024 IHSA Class 3A state championship.
“I was incredibly proud when I heard the news. I remember how amazing the team was when I was there, and it’s nice to hear they’re still doing amazing. Being an OPRF athlete alum has prepared me,” he added, “by showing that if you don’t take care of the important things like school work, you don’t get to do the fun things like sports.”
Upon finishing up at Triton this summer, Beacham will enroll at St. Xavier University in Chicago. St. Xavier is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics and competes in the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference. He plans on continuing his track career and said he will make psychology his major.