Hayden Meikle: Where are you?
Joseph Beamish: I'm just at Auckland Airport. I've been up here getting my visa sorted out.
HM: Where exactly are you going?
JB: Indiana. I'm heading to Taylor University. It's in a town called Upland, about 60 miles (100km) out of Indianapolis. It's pretty small - only 2500 students. We should be a tight-knit group.
HM: Is there a bit of a running tradition there?
JB: Yeah, there is. The coach is David Neville, who got third in the 400m at the Beijing Olympics.
HM: Are you on a full scholarship?
JB: It's about 80%. It's an NAIA [National Association of Inter-collegiate Athletics] school, and they don't give out full scholarships.
HM: How did you get the opportunity?
JB: I took this year off to sort out my SAT exam and try to have a good track season. I started emailing colleges in June. Taylor got back to me straight away. We did a Skype session and I was pretty much sold. They have great coaches, and their own indoor and outdoor tracks. It looks pretty awesome.
HM: Are you nervous or excited?
JB: Pretty excited. I've stressed out about a few things. I've been working at Bidvest right up till last Saturday. I was a bit worried about the visa.
HM: All runners battle injuries. How has your body been?
JB: Really good. I had a stress fracture in the fifth metatarsal in my right foot late last year, but this year has been good.
HM: Have you travelled much through running?
JB: Yeah, I went to Sydney earlier this year and competed in the Track Classic. That was awesome. I'd been at the Australian juniors. There were big thunderstorms and a lot of rain. It got transferred to the Sydney Track Classic that night. I got to race against Olympic athletes and stuff.
HM: How is your family feeling about you heading away?
JB: They're pretty excited, I think. Dad's going to help me out with that little bit extra I have to pay, which will be great. I worked about three jobs through high school, so I've got a few savings. Friends are excited for me, so I'd better not let them down.
HM: What's your event?
JB: Mainly it's the 3000m steeplechase.
HM: Have you been to Africa to run with the Kenyans?
JB: Funny you should mention that, but it was the plan a while ago. It fell through. I got the idea to look at the States through Caden Shields. We've got the same coach, Richard Barker.
HM: What's been the highlight of your career?
JB: I won the New Zealand secondary school steeplechase in Hamilton last year. And I've done a 4min 26sec mile.
HM: What are you going to study?
JB: Finance.
HM: What's your major goal?
JB: A few people have mentioned the 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast. That would be pretty cool. And the Otago steeplechase record for a 19-year-old is 9min 19sec, so I want to have a crack at that.
HM: Do you think you'll miss anything about Dunedin?
JB: Family, friends and Ross Creek.
