Iowa Lakes Softball player, Taylor Beane, has recently committed to continue her athletic and academic careers at Graceland University. She will be studying Biology at the University located in Lamoni, Iowa.
"Iowa Lakes is going to miss Taylor next year. She was not only a great softball player but a tremendous person. In the hallways, you could always find Taylor with a smile on her face and telling jokes to those around her. Taylor's peers, as well as staff members, enjoyed having her on campus the past two years."
Beane is the daughter of Mike and Angie Beane and is originally from Dexter, Iowa. She is a graduate of West Central Valley High School, where she had a very successful high school career. Beane was a five-year letter winner for the Wildcats. In her senior campaign, Beane had a .409 batting average with a .744 slugging percentage and a .461 on-base percentage. She had 38 hits, including 11 doubles, one triple, and seven homeruns. For her efforts, Beane was awarded Honorable Mention every season. Beane was also a three-year letter winner in basketball, two-year letter winner in volleyball, and one-year letter winner in track. She was also a member of the Student Council and National Honor Society.
"Taylor was on another level to start this season. I will always wonder what she could have done this year and am bummed we will not get to figure that out. The start she had was all due to the work she put in this year. She had the willingness to try new things, work hard, and be a leader. All of these qualities will allow her to continue to get better and grow at Graceland University. We are very proud of Taylor and cannot wait to continue to watch her athletic career for the next two years!"
Before this season abruptly ended, Beane was on a tear. In the Lakers six games, she was batting .565 with a .583 on-base percentage and a 1.087 slugging percentage. She had 13 hits, including three doubles and three homeruns. She drove in 11 of her teammates while crossing the plate seven times herself. Because of these impressive stats, Beane had been awarded the ICCAC Softball Athlete of the Week for the Week.
"Even though my time at Iowa Lakes was cut short due to the COVID-19 crisis, the memories and the friendships that were made during this time will never be forgotten. Iowa Lakes taught me growth, different perspectives, leadership, and many other things that have made me who I am now. I am thankful for my teammates and the coaches that pushed me to where I am now, without them continuing to play on might not have been possible."
Photo ID: Photo of Taylor Beane attached.
MEDIA: For more information, please contact Head Softball Coach, Katie Larson at (712) 362-8367 or the Iowa Lakes sports information office at (712) 362-7928.
Photography Credit: Cecil Ramsey Photography