Athlete of the Week: Poway High’s Beeson helps all-star team win title
By Michael Bower
Nick Beeson had always pictured himself donning a Poway High baseball uniform during the spring for his four years of high school. But a little taste of lacrosse in the sixth grade changed that path.
“I played baseball throughout elementary school and I liked it so I always thought I would play in high school,” said Beeson, who will be a sophomore at Poway this upcoming school year. “I tried lacrosse my sixth-grade year and it was rough at first, but it was something totally different than anything I have ever done. It was exciting and became a lot of fun.”
Beeson picked up the strategy quickly and said goodbye to baseball. He developed into one of the top midfielders for his age group, making the Titans’ varsity team as a freshman last year.
“It was very intimidating at first,” he said of his experience on the varsity team. “I was really nervous at practices and that is not usually like me. But you have to prove yourself to the seniors and show you deserve to be there. After the first few weeks and games, the nerves started to wear off and it became a lot more fun.”
Beeson was not a starter right away, but he made the most of his chances and eventually found a spot as a starting attacker next to arguably the best lacrosse player to ever come through Poway, Jake O’Donnell.
“Playing with Jake was amazing,” Beeson said. “He would always answer any questions that I had. He was a great teacher.”
Beeson started the final five games of the season. He finished the year with 15 goals and two assists for the Titans. He will likely move back to his normal position as a midfielder next season.
“He is a big strong midfielder,” Poway coach Zack Burke said. “The game is pretty easy if you keep it simple: beat one man and make two guys play you. Nick can do that every time and draw the double team. I didn’t want to put too much pressure on him as a freshman, but I knew he can catch and finish with the best of them.”
The 6-foot, 155-pound Beeson was one of just two players from the 3D Select lacrosse team in Southern California to make the 3D Select U15 National All-Star team.
The squad pulled only the top players from 3D lacrosse teams in Northern California, New England, Canada, Maryland and Colorado.
Beeson helped the all-star team capture the US Lacrosse U15 National Championship in Denver.
The team went 7-0, including a 13-2 victory over Duke’s of Pennsylvania in the title game. Beeson had a goal in that game and finished with two goals and an assist in the tournament.
“It was really fun,” Beeson said. “We stormed the field and had a celebration.”
The tournament gave Beeson a chance to size up the top talent in the country at his age level.
“There were some amazing midfielders out there that really blew my mind with the level they were playing at,” he said. “It will be difficult to get to that level, but it is definitely achievable.”