Morgan Beadlescomb and Annie Fuller: Taking the Lead on the Course
10/30/2019 11:18:00 AM | Cross Country
Beadlescomb and Fuller look to propel their teams into the postseason this week at the Big Ten Championships.
Michigan State junior Morgan Beadlescomb has learned how to be a leader in cross country. He's seen the difference a positive leader can make, and how one person's influence can make a good team better.
Beadlescomb, a native of Algonac, Michigan, is a leader on the men's team, while redshirt-senior Annie Fuller leads the women's squad.
"A leader in cross country is someone who can motivate their teammates, they can associate with different people, and guide and lead people, and help people grow," Beadlescomb said.
He knows that as an experienced runner at Michigan State, it is now his time to take on the role of a leader, and knows exactly what he must do.
"I try my best to work with the younger guys coming up with getting into college with both athletics and academics, and performing as best as they can in both and having a good balance," Beadlescomb said. "I also try to lead the team on the road, making sure everybody has everything they need, and that nobody's freaking out, either being away from home or competing,"
Being a leader is challenging, because some have to go beyond their normal personalities and comfort zones. Being more outspoken, and learning to find the voice of leadership, does not come naturally for Fuller.
But Fuller, a native of Manistee, Michigan, said she is learning, and growing, trying to become an impactful leader.
"I have always been a shy person and lead by example, and part of me maturing has been reaching out and building relationships, it's something that I think is really important in being a leader. Setting an example for people and communicating with people about what that example should be is really important for a leader," said Fuller.
She sees this year's team having potential to be special, thanks to the team's closeness.
"This year, we are so cohesive as a team; the freshmen on this team can go to even just a second year and look at them as a leader. I think that how close we are can be really great for us as a team," said Fuller.
Beadlescomb and Fuller talk about the past great leaders the MSU cross country teams have had, and the traits they want to take from them.
Fuller takes leadership inspiration from a former captain.
"In my eyes, Erin McDonald was a great leader on our team. She led by example and was one of those people who was approachable and easy to talk to, but could be stern and told us when stuff needed to happen, the great leaders on our team led by example," Fuller said.
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"Last year Matt Thomas really helped out, he was an underclassman who stepped up to lead the team, before that it was Max Benoit, they helped keep everything together. They helped lead us to a second place Big Ten finish in cross country which is really big for us, and we've had a lot of strong leaders in the past who helped us be successful," said Beadlescomb.
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Beadlescomb, a native of Algonac, Michigan, is a leader on the men's team, while redshirt-senior Annie Fuller leads the women's squad.
"A leader in cross country is someone who can motivate their teammates, they can associate with different people, and guide and lead people, and help people grow," Beadlescomb said.
He knows that as an experienced runner at Michigan State, it is now his time to take on the role of a leader, and knows exactly what he must do.
"I try my best to work with the younger guys coming up with getting into college with both athletics and academics, and performing as best as they can in both and having a good balance," Beadlescomb said. "I also try to lead the team on the road, making sure everybody has everything they need, and that nobody's freaking out, either being away from home or competing,"
Being a leader is challenging, because some have to go beyond their normal personalities and comfort zones. Being more outspoken, and learning to find the voice of leadership, does not come naturally for Fuller.
But Fuller, a native of Manistee, Michigan, said she is learning, and growing, trying to become an impactful leader.
"I have always been a shy person and lead by example, and part of me maturing has been reaching out and building relationships, it's something that I think is really important in being a leader. Setting an example for people and communicating with people about what that example should be is really important for a leader," said Fuller.
She sees this year's team having potential to be special, thanks to the team's closeness.
"This year, we are so cohesive as a team; the freshmen on this team can go to even just a second year and look at them as a leader. I think that how close we are can be really great for us as a team," said Fuller.
Beadlescomb and Fuller talk about the past great leaders the MSU cross country teams have had, and the traits they want to take from them.
Fuller takes leadership inspiration from a former captain.
"In my eyes, Erin McDonald was a great leader on our team. She led by example and was one of those people who was approachable and easy to talk to, but could be stern and told us when stuff needed to happen, the great leaders on our team led by example," Fuller said.
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"Last year Matt Thomas really helped out, he was an underclassman who stepped up to lead the team, before that it was Max Benoit, they helped keep everything together. They helped lead us to a second place Big Ten finish in cross country which is really big for us, and we've had a lot of strong leaders in the past who helped us be successful," said Beadlescomb.
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