NEWSLINE STORY

published March-April 2016

Junior Profile: Damon Beatty

Horseshoes with a Smile

by Aleena Lepak, Junior Promotion Director

Not many seniors in high school have their next years planned and want their senior year to never end. Damon Beatty from Sand Springs, Oklahoma, is having his best academic year and is looking forward to his college career. Damon is going to major in sports management, as he has always had an interest in sports. He currently participates in horseshoes, basketball, football, and working out; and loves to make people smile.

Pitching horseshoes is the newest sport for which Damon has found a love. About two years ago, his friend Jacob Fortune, Jr. talked to Damon about horseshoes and took him to his local league. While there, Glenn King gave him some pointers and Damon has been pitching ever since. With his family and friends being supportive and encouraging, Damon is already averaging 30 percent and is increasing that steadily.

So far, Damon has won back-to-back World Tournament Class Champion trophies, two second place Class A trophies at state, and multiple class champion badges. With his many days of practice, he plans to continue to pitch locally after graduation while he attends college.

When asked about what drew him to the sport, he says he loves the competition and thrill, but being able to spend time with so many people from across the country who share this same interest is truly amazing. This is why we love this sport so much. We can all connect to it, which in turn, connects us to each other.

At just one year of age, Damon had a very positive experience of his own and found his hero. "My hero is my father,” he says. “He adopted me out of a terrible family and gave me a chance. I could never thank him enough."

Given his life and the love he has for his family and friends, it only shows how much he cares about everyone he meets and his desire to make everyone happy. Damon sends his love and best wishes to everyone in the horseshoe community!