By Hayden Swope

Beau Blankenship, a two-sport athlete, has been active all offseason preparing for the busy winter and spring seasons ahead. 

“I prepared for the season mainly by getting back in the pool early,” Blankenship said. “I don’t swim year round so once I figure out when practices are, I try to start swimming on my own earlier than that so I am ready by the start of the season. I also play baseball at Andover Central.”

Heading into the second half of the season, Blankenship is aiming towards meeting his biggest goal, one that many athletes dream about during their senior year.

“The main goal I am focusing on this season is getting state times for the 50 and 100 freestyle,” Blankenship said. “I have just recently set the time for the 50 and I am working hard at getting the 100 time. Getting these times would mean that I fill out my two allowed races to qualify for state, which would be the way I would like to end my senior season. For my last state title, I definitely want the full experience.”

Blankenship is also on the Jaguar baseball team, in which he has big plans to continue after high school.

“Baseball is actually my main sport over swimming, and I am committed to playing baseball at the college level,” Blankenship said. “I am a pitcher only on the team and I really enjoy spending time with my teammates and coaches and getting to play a sport I love and have fun with it. In the future, I will be attending Dordt University to play baseball and study either kinesiology or biology. Afterward, I will continue to medical school to become a chiropractor.”