Student-Athlete Profile: Kjirsten Beckstead
BY TOMMY IZZO
SPORTS WRITER
PETERSBURG PROGRESS-INDEX
The toughest thing for batters facing Virginia State pitcher Kjirsten Beckstead is figuring out how a 5-8 105-pounder can throw a fastball by them.
 Most hitters quickly adjust and are immediately embarrassed by a change up or a knuckle curve that leaves them off balance and heading back to the dugout wondering what happened.
Beckstead, or “KJ” as her teammates call her, said her small frame adds to, “the surprise factor,” but her build wasn’t always an asset.
“It’s helped me more now that I have grown into my body,” Beckstead said. “But when I was young I was the gangly out-of-proportioned one.”
There are a lot of surprises with KJ.
On March 11 and March 13 the sophomore threw back-to-back no hitters. The two no-hit performances were the first in VSU softball history.
In her first no-no against St. Augustine’s, KJ didn’t even know what she had done until told by teammates.
When asked what she had going for her on the mound that day she jokingly said, “A few good pitches apparently.”
VSU coach Torrie Lashley says the pitcher is, “a coach’s delight.”
“She’s very coachable and she’s got a humble attitude,” Lashley explained. “Anything you ask she gives you 100 percent and she’ll try to get it done.”
Beckstead plays every position except for catcher. In an amazing show of humility she learned how to play every position because she didn’t consider herself to be a great player at any one spot on the field.
“That’s a big reason why I’ve made it so far,” Beckstead said. “I’m not a star at any position but since I can play any spot teams want me.”
Most athletes coming off back-to-back no hitters wouldn’t hesitate to deem themselves stars but Beckstead sees herself as a finesse player who glides her way through the game.
She doesn’t care where she’s put on the field as long as it’s not the bench.
“If I have to do it I’ll do it but I’m not a happy bench-warmer,” Beckstead said.
She’s happiest on the mound.
“I really enjoy pitching because whatever frustration I feel, I can let it out,” Beckstead said.
Even more surprising is opening the VSU softball program and reading that Beckstead’s hometown is Saint George, Utah. How does a girl from Utah end up in Ettrick?
Beckstead always wanted to “go away” to college.
With dedication from her parents she would get her wish. Her mom sat at each one of her high school softball games recording every moment of action with a video camera. Beckstead also recorded bull pen sessions. Her and her father then cut up the footage to make a highlight tape to send to colleges across the country.
They sent the tape to about 30 schools. Most of the responses came from schools in Colorado, Idaho and Utah. In her junior year of high school Beckstead took a week-long road trip with her dad through the three states visiting different schools.
The pitcher wanted to make a decision on a university before she graduated high school but that didn’t happen.
It wasn’t until the end of her junior year that VSU showed interest and finally in July after her senior year she signed with the university.
“They gave me a really good scholarship,” Beckstead said. “It offset the being away from home things so that it was really worth it to me.”
Now the girl who had never been passed Colorado was on her way to a Historically Black College on the East Coast. One would think she would go through some serious culture shock but Beckstead was raised in Southern California. Diversity is the norm in California. She had only been in Utah since her sophomore year in high school.
The hard part about coming to VSU wasn’t the change in scenery; it was being across the country from her family. She hears about family gatherings and other things going on at home but she can’t be there.
“If someone in my family is going through something, I can talk to them on the phone but it’s harder to help,” Beckstead said.
The sophomore’s family doesn’t get to the east coast often but Beckstead made sure her family got their money’s worth this year when they made the trip. Both of her no hitters came with her parents and grandparents cheering in the stands.
The distance also keeps Beckstead from watching her younger sisters play softball. Two of her three sisters (ages 9, 12 and 16), play softball and the modest college standout says both are more skilled than her.
“My 16-year old sister has me outweighed and outbulked by a ways,” KJ said. “My 12-year old sister started pitching when she was five so she’ll pass me by a long shot.”
No matter who has more ability, all three of Beckstead’s sisters have a definite role model to look up to. It’s her attitude that’s led to her success.
One thing is for sure, no amount of accomplishment by this Lady Trojan should be a surprise.
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