Wray's Jake Beckman walked away from the Class 2A boys state track and field meet last season with a gold medal in the 400 meters and a bronze in the 200.

But if you ask his coach, he could have walked away with at least one more gold medal.

Before last season, Wray boys track taskmaster Dan Neumann knew Beckman could win the 400 at state and also could compete in the 200, so he tried his best to lobby the then-junior to take part in the 800 at state.

"He was pretty reluctant," Neumann said. "He's a football player, so he wanted to focus more on speed stuff and making sure he kept his quickness."

"I just wanted to be a sprinter last season," Beckman said. "I was trying to get ready for football and didn't want to lose my speed."

The change might benefit the speedy Beckman. He struggled in his other race, the 100, and finished eighth at the state meet.

"He has good speed, but he just isn't 100 quick," Neumann said. "He can really outpace kids in the longer speed events, so I think he could really excel in the 800."

With football out of the way, the senior has taken the necessary steps toward realizing gold in the 800. For Beckman, preparation for the torrid pace that's needed to master the grueling race starts in the mind.

"I see (the 800) as something you have to be mentally prepared for, and you really have to concentrate throughout the entire time to keep pace," Beckman said.

Beckman also runs the anchor leg for the 800 relay team, which placed first at state. With the combination of his individual abilities and the speed of his teammates, Beckman and the Eagles have their sights set on claiming the top team spot.

"We all just keep working hard as a team and we're all very dedicated to winning the gold as a team this year," Beckman said.

As for Neumann, he couldn't be happier with Beckman's change of heart.

"I think he has a shot at doing great things," Neumann said.