One of the nation's best distance runners is headed to Tuscaloosa.
Lilly Beshears, last fall's NXR South Regional Champion and Arkansas 6A state champion, announced her commitment to the University of Alabama on Instagram Thursday night.
[From Beshears]: "I am super excited to announce my verbal commitment to the University of Alabama! Thank you @nickstenuf and Coach Waters for this opportunity! I had such a great time on my visit with the Bama girls, and I can't wait to be a part of the wonderful program at Alabama! I'm incredibly grateful to God for guiding me through this journey and blessing me with this opportunity. Thank you to all of my friends, family, and coaches who have supported me along the way and through the recruiting process! Roll Tide"
Beshears, a junior, has appeared just a few times in 2025, but includes a 6th place finish in the 5,000m at New Balance Indoor Nationals and a state record in the 3,200m at the Arkansas Indoor State Championships from this winter.
Outdoors, Beshears has raced just twice, winning the 1,600m at the McDonald's Relays and finishing 5th in the 3,200 at the Texas Distance Festival, and is entered as the top seed in both races for Thursday's 6A State Championships.
Now, the 5th-ranked cross country runner from the class of 2026 will be competing for one of the best women's distance programs in the country in just over one year.
With Beshears' college decision behind her, she and the rest of the history-making Rogers cross country team can focus on winning their third straight state championship and making a trip out to Portland next December.
Congratulations Lilly!
