JEFF FIELDER Editor
CHADRON – Isaiah Beye, a senior at Chadron High School, is Nspire Today!’s Male Athlete of the Week, sponsored by Kristy Culek Agency, LLC-American Family Insurance. Beye is one of the top wrestlers in the region. He’s seeking to qualify for the Nebraska state tournament for the third straight year. Beye missed the beginning of this wrestling season because of an injury, but he started wrestling again at 220 after Christmas break. He posted a 4-1 record this past weekend in the Gothenburg Duals. His parents are Kelly Turnbull and Jeff Beye.
Q: Talk about how your wrestling season has been going.
BEYE: “The beginning of the season was kind of rough because the first week we were just drilling in practice, and I sprawled and someone landed on top of me. I ended up breaking a bone [in his hand]. Coming back from that was kind of rough because since I wasn’t able to wrestle, I lost some of my conditioning. But the last couple weeks have gone really good. I’ve had some tough matches, but I think I’ve done pretty good.”
Q: What are your goals for this wrestling season?
BEYE: “My main goal is to qualify for state. I’m also working hard right now just to get back into shape. I feel like I have the tools and knowledge to be able to wrestle at a high level, but I need to improve my conditioning to be able to physically stay in the fight.”
Q: Just how passionate are you about wrestling?
BEYE: “It’s my favorite sport. I’ve been doing it since I was about 5. My brother used to wrestle when he was little, and my dad used to coach him. I love it because other people in my family have wrestled, so they’re really supportive of me doing it. I’ve also made a lot of friends in wrestling.”
Q: What are your plans after you graduate from high school?
BEYE: “I haven’t decided yet what I’m going to do. I got a couple scholarship offers from different schools in Nebraska for wrestling, but I don’t know if I want to go to a four-year school and wrestle, or if I want to go to a trade school. I love wrestling a lot, and I would really like to wrestle in college, but at the same time, I don’t know if I need to go to a four-year school. I think I would rather go to a trade school.”
Q: So what is it that you would like to do for a career?
BEYE: “I really want to get into auto body mechanics or be an electrician.”
Q: What got you interested in those areas?
BEYE: “My dad is a mechanic, so I’ve been growing up around that stuff for a while. It’s kind of exciting to me, learning how stuff works. As far as being an electrician, I like that [job] because it pays good and people say it’s a good job to have.”
Q: How much do you enjoy living in Chadron?
BEYE: “I’ve lived here pretty much my whole life, so all my friends and a lot of my family are here. I’ve really enjoyed living here.”
Q: Outside of sports and school, what do you like to do for fun?
BEYE: “I like to play video games, and I work a lot. I also like to hang out with my friends.”
Q: What is your favorite video game?
BEYE: “I’ve been playing Fortnite a lot lately, but Call of Duty is probably my favorite.”
Q: Where do you work?
BEYE: “I work at McDonalds.”
Q: Which teacher do you feel has made the biggest influence on you?
BEYE: “Probably Jamie Slingsby. He’s probably pushed me the most to be the best I can be. He’s been my weights teacher, and he’s been my wrestling coach. He’s helped me a lot. He’s a great person.”
Q: Who do you think is one of the kindest students at Chadron High School?
BEYE: “Grace Sorenson [a senior]. She’s always nice to people. In the halls, she’s always helping teachers and students.”
Q: What do you think is the coolest attraction in the WyoBraska region?
BEYE: “I would say Fort Robinson State Park by Crawford. I like the history there, and there’s a lot of things to do there, liking going fishing or going to the theater.”
Q: What is one thing you wish people would do more of?
BEYE: “I would say take better care of the community. Chadron is a nice, small town, but some people don’t take care of it like they should, like throwing trash wherever. I wish people would stop littering. That kind of frustrates me.”
Q: Do you have any siblings?
BEYE: “Yes. My younger sister, Emily, is 16. She’s a lot smarter than me. [laughs] She’s a phenomenal writer. I also have two older brothers – Quenton and Michael.”
If you would like to nominate someone for Nspire Today!’s Athletes of the Week, sponsored by Kristy Culek Agency, you may do so by sending an email to jeff.fielder@nspiretoday.comor by mailing a letter to Nspire Today!, P.O. Box 454, Scottsbluff, NE 69363. Nominations may also be submitted by sending a text to 308-220-8865.
In addition to being recognized online, athletes of the week will also be recognized in Nspire Today! magazine. To sign up for a one-year subscription (12 issues) to the magazine, please send $15 to Nspire Today!, P.O. Box 454, Scottsbluff, NE 69363. To pay with a credit card, please call 308-220-8865. If you would like to increase your subscription to $20, Nspire Today! will donate the extra $5 in January to Buckboard Therapeutic Riding Academy.
For all your insurance needs, visit The Kristy Culek Agency, LLC-American Family Insurance, located at 1012 Ave. I in Scottsbluff, or call 308-632-8598.
