Photo by Seth Staskey Wheeling Park senior Beighley Ayers signed her National Letter of Intent to continue her track and cross country careers at Division I Eastern Kentucky University. Pictured, from left, are stepmother Carolyn Ayers, father Kevin Ayers, Beighley Ayers, mother Mindy Martin and step father Scott Martin. Standing, from left, are brother Keegan Ayers, Wheeling Park cross country coach Jacob Galik and Athletics Director Dwaine Rodgers.

WHEELING — If you take a ride around Wheeling or any of its suburbs on a given day, there’s probably a good chance you’ve seen Beighley Ayers on the roads pounding mile after mile.

After all, she did step up her workload to some 50 miles a week during her peak.

That work ethic, determination and grit has paid dividends. Late last week, Ayers — a senior at Wheeling Park — formally signed her National Letter of Intent to continue her cross country and track careers at Division I Eastern Kentucky University, which is located in Richmond.

Ayers’ selection process was detailed, but quick. She wanted to be able to sign during the early period, which is ongoing, but she also had to make sure her choice was the correct fit. With Eastern Kentucky, she achieved both.

“I am really excited,” Ayers said. “(Eastern Kentucky) felt like home when I went down to visit. I am a little nervous because it’s five hours away, but the running program will keep me on my toes and the academics are amazing. I am glad it worked out because I didn’t want to wait until the April signing period. It’s nice to have the weight lifted off my shoulders.”

The path that Ayers took to becoming a Division I running signee was a little bit different. She actually played a lot of soccer growing up, but her stepmother, Carolyn, encouraged her to give running a try. It led to a few local road races, eventually the Ogden Newspapers Half Marathon and then a brilliant prep career for Coach Jacob Galik’s Patriot harriers.

“After running some road races, it just flourished into cross country,” Ayers said. “The support my family has given me has been incredible. If you go to the meets, you’ll always see them on the side cheering for me. They really mean a lot to me. Where I am today, as a runner, is because of my coach. I owe so much to him and the foundation he’s helped me build.”

There’s certainly been a lot for Ayers’ family to cheer for during her brilliant prep career, which has saw her set three school records in cross country and track. She’s twice been named all-state in Class AAA.

A two-year captain, Ayers has also earned all-OVAC three times.

“I think my career at Wheeling Park has been very successful,” Ayers said. “I can’t complain. I’ve had great coaches, had some really great success and I’m happy. There are still a lot of goals left I want to accomplish and I’m definitely not content.

At the collegiate level, Ayers will certainly be busy. On top of her studies, she’ll actually be competing basically year round when you factor in indoor track along with cross country and outdoor track.

“There will be lots of running and miles,” Ayers smiled. “My big goal, for college, is the 10K and I’m not sure if I will get there as a freshman, but that’s my goal. After college, I’d love to get into the marathon, too.”

Also a standout in the classroom, Ayers, who plans to major in forensic science, carries an impressive 4.78 grade point average and is ranked in the top 10 of the Class of 2018. She’s also a member of the National Honor Society and still finds time to volunteer at both Ohio Valley Medical Center and Wheeling Hospital’s Safety Town.

“The forensic science program is what originally drew me to Eastern Kentucky,” Ayers said. “We found a list of the accredited programs and Eastern Kentucky was on it and that was one of the first indicators that it could be a good fit for me. Then we found the running program and everything just clicked.”

Beighley is the daughter Kevin and Carolyn Ayers and Mindy and Scott Martin.