Laura Beggs

McKissick Scholar/Honors College

As a freshman, Laura was a constant top ten runner for the Gamecocks. She improved her PR by almost 30 seconds, running in the low 19[apos]s during cross country. During her Sophomore season, Beggs was stuck down with an illness, that caused her to miss so much training she was redshirted. With the good summer of training, Coach Rosenthal expects Laura will run in the 18[apos]s during this fall.

Laura earned four varsity letters in cross country and three in track and field. Laura was a member of the cross country conference championship teams in 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2008, and also helped her team earn regional championships in 2006, 2007, and 2008 and a sectional win in 2008. She was a three-time state qualifier in cross country and ran a three mile PR of 18:20. Laura was the cross country team[apos]s MVP her junior year and served as the team[apos]s co-captain her sophomore, junior, and senior years. She also qualified for state in the 3200 meter in track her junior year.

Laura was a Scholar-Athlete, a member of National Honors Society, Pi Sigma Pi, Mu Alpha Theta, and Key Club. She also participated and served as the squad leader on the Poms dance team at her high school both freshman and sophomore years. Laura was named an Illinois State Scholar, and was her school[apos]s nominee for the Illinois State All Academic Team. Her parents are Edward and Emily Beggs.