BELLEVILLE - Ashley Beutler was relieved that there were enough seats at the Westwood Conference Center in Wausau Sunday night.
A future Badger and one of Wisconsin's most celebrated athletes, the New Glarus senior was again joined by her massive gallery as she collected the most prestigious of prep honors, the WIAA Scholar Athlete Award.
Given to just 16 boys and 16 girls statewide, the honor is given to the 32 student-athletes that dominate both ends of the deal more than all others. Each school can nominate a boy and a girl and all entrants, this year's total being 638, must boast a GPA of at least 3.0 and have earned at least four varsity letters.
"This one is really special athlete because it combined athletics and academics," Beutler said. "It means more because you've gotta work just as hard in school as you do on the track and the cross country course."
The owner of the state record in both the 1,600-meter run (4 minutes, 48.37 seconds) and all divisions in girls cross country (14 minutes, 11 seconds), Beutler is quick to spread the credit around.
A lifelong sports fanatic and a former jack of many trades, she owes a lot of her success to her New Glarus-Monticello cross country coach Steve Wehrley, who saw her incredible gift when she was gleefully gliding past the competition in eighth grade.
"We didn't take it very seriously back then though," Beutler recalls with a laugh.
The 4.0 student said her coaches in the classroom played a vital role.
But, first and foremost, she gives props to the well-traveled crew that's brought a caravan of love and support over the years.
"It seems like you could have our family reunion at our meets," Beutler said.
Her tremendous support system has helped Beutler always keep her priorities in order. Or at least get them back there when the juggling act gets its fiercest.
"Sometimes you get ahead of yourself and you start to worry way too much about how you're doing or where you are in the season," Beutler said. "You have to enjoy it, otherwise it's not going to be a fond experience."
UItimately, she's gotten to where she is by realizing her text books could translate to greater levels of success than she'd imagined.
"They balance each other out," Beutler said. "They both teach you how to deal with success and how to keep up good work ethic."
"This award is something I never expected."
She's won the state cross country meet three times and now takes on her biggest challenge to date as she prepares to wear Badger red at UW-Wisconsin.
"College is what keeps me motivated," Beutler said. "I've reminded myself in high school that it's not going to be like this when I leave."
"As a freshman, I thought it would be very cool to run for the Badgers, but never thought I would be good enough. It's kind of a dream come true."
A future Badger and one of Wisconsin's most celebrated athletes, the New Glarus senior was again joined by her massive gallery as she collected the most prestigious of prep honors, the WIAA Scholar Athlete Award.
Given to just 16 boys and 16 girls statewide, the honor is given to the 32 student-athletes that dominate both ends of the deal more than all others. Each school can nominate a boy and a girl and all entrants, this year's total being 638, must boast a GPA of at least 3.0 and have earned at least four varsity letters.
"This one is really special athlete because it combined athletics and academics," Beutler said. "It means more because you've gotta work just as hard in school as you do on the track and the cross country course."
The owner of the state record in both the 1,600-meter run (4 minutes, 48.37 seconds) and all divisions in girls cross country (14 minutes, 11 seconds), Beutler is quick to spread the credit around.
A lifelong sports fanatic and a former jack of many trades, she owes a lot of her success to her New Glarus-Monticello cross country coach Steve Wehrley, who saw her incredible gift when she was gleefully gliding past the competition in eighth grade.
"We didn't take it very seriously back then though," Beutler recalls with a laugh.
The 4.0 student said her coaches in the classroom played a vital role.
But, first and foremost, she gives props to the well-traveled crew that's brought a caravan of love and support over the years.
"It seems like you could have our family reunion at our meets," Beutler said.
Her tremendous support system has helped Beutler always keep her priorities in order. Or at least get them back there when the juggling act gets its fiercest.
"Sometimes you get ahead of yourself and you start to worry way too much about how you're doing or where you are in the season," Beutler said. "You have to enjoy it, otherwise it's not going to be a fond experience."
UItimately, she's gotten to where she is by realizing her text books could translate to greater levels of success than she'd imagined.
"They balance each other out," Beutler said. "They both teach you how to deal with success and how to keep up good work ethic."
"This award is something I never expected."
She's won the state cross country meet three times and now takes on her biggest challenge to date as she prepares to wear Badger red at UW-Wisconsin.
"College is what keeps me motivated," Beutler said. "I've reminded myself in high school that it's not going to be like this when I leave."
"As a freshman, I thought it would be very cool to run for the Badgers, but never thought I would be good enough. It's kind of a dream come true."
