When Grand Valley State University senior Erika Beistle released the discus last month, she knew instantly that something special had happened. The throw, measured at 66.63 meters, didn’t just clear the field. It shattered the NCAA Division II record, cementing Beistle’s place among the elite throwers in collegiate track and field history.
Beistle has established herself as one of the most dominant field athletes in NCAA Division II history, with eight of the 10 highest discus throws recorded in the recent event. As a two-time U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) National Athlete of the Week and multiple-time Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) regional athlete of the year, she claimed NCAA DII titles in both discus and shot put.
Her excellence extended to the national and international stage, placing fourth at the 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials and recording the longest discus throw on Colorado soil at the NCAA Championships. Consistently elite across four seasons, Beistle paired historic competitive success with academic excellence, cementing a legacy of sustained dominance.
“The moment I released the disc on my 66.63m throw, I knew it was going to be huge,” Beistle said. “My coach and I had been talking about breaking the NCAA DII record since my fourth-place finish at the U.S. Olympic Trials. I knew it was something I could achieve. However, it happening so early in the season was something I was not expecting.”
The magnitude of the moment didn’t fully settle in right away. Instead, it came in waves: shock, exhilaration and reflection all fueled by years of preparation and trust in the process.
“I was filled with disbelief and total excitement,” Beistle said. “I don’t think I slept for days thinking about that throw.”
Behind Beistle’s big moments is a mentality she has spent years developing: one built on discipline, trust and consistency.
“This sport can be extremely tough, mentally and physically,” Beistle said. “For me, consistency comes from the discipline I have. Shot put and discus are very similar, and yet so different at the same time. In order to be successful at both, I train them equally. There is a lot of carryover, but also differences like space in the ring and how much separation I need to create.”
Beistle’s accolades speak for themselves, but she admitted the awards tied to breaking Division II records carry the deepest meaning.
“I think the two national athlete awards that mean the most to me come from breaking those DII records,” Beistle said. “Those are both huge accomplishments I never even thought were possible.”
This season, she made a conscious shift in her mentality.
“I’m trying to channel the ‘positive vibes only’ mindset,” Beistle said. “I’m not allowing thoughts like ‘I’m not good enough’ or ‘I can’t’ creep into my head. I think that’s where a lot of my success has come from these last few weeks.”
Track and field head coach Jerry Baltes has seen that growth firsthand, describing Beistle as a competitor who has always understood what it takes to perform at the highest level.
“She has an incredible work ethic and (a) willingness to push through training to get to where she is,” Baltes said. “Her loyalty, trust and leadership in the program have been incredible.”
As her collegiate career winds down, Beistle hopes her impact stretches beyond records and podium finishes.
“The legacy I want to leave behind is a positive self-image,” Besitle said. “I want young girls and women to know they can be strong, powerful, lift weights and still embrace their femininity. I want people to see my name and think, ‘She could do it, so can I.’”
For GVSU, Erika Beistle’s legacy is secure, not just in record books, but in the confidence, resilience and belief she will leave behind.
