MISSOULA — Marshall Beatty has run to plenty of success after only one year in college.
But the Missoula native has proven he is much more than just a track and cross country star.
Beatty knew he wanted to run competitively in college, but didn’t know where. Then one recruitment letter changed everything for the standout Missoula Sentinel Spartan.
“I didn’t actually know what West Point was my junior year,” admitted Beatty. “But then when I brought that home to my family they were all really excited about it. Once I got there, I drank the Kool-Aid. I really digged the esprit de corps, and the meaning of what it means to be a part of the Army.”
Beatty enrolled in a prep school for one year and then entered the U.S. Military Academy last fall. He found instant success with the Black Knights, earning second-team all-Patriot League recognition in cross country. In indoor track, he finished second in the conference in the 5K and fourth in the 3K. And in May at the outdoor championships, he won a Patriot League title in the 10K while finishing third in the 5K.
But the victories didn’t stop there. Beatty attended Cadet Field Training in May and June, and he ranked No. 1 in his company.
“I scored the highest in all of those pillars,” said Beatty. “And so when they had the parade that honored CFT, I was called out and honored for that.”
He followed that at Air Assault School.
“Each physical event I won,” said Beatty. “And then on the 12-mile ruck march I ran 1:34, which if that took place at Fort Campbell that would have been an actual Army record.”
Beatty’s athletic ability gives him an edge, but he credits something else learned from his years of running for the recent success.
“It translates all to discipline,” said Beatty. “Although not every single military event is strictly aerobic based, I can build up a lot of strength through training because I have that discipline of doing miles and miles every week.”
Beatty is aiming to qualify for the NCAA cross country national championships this fall. In the long term, he hopes to join the Army Special Forces.
