Lansing Sun

East Lansing, Mich. - Spartan All-American Beth (Rohl) Saylors is among the 2024 inductees of the Michigan State Athletics Hall of Fame.

Saylors joins Jessica (Beech) Bograkos (softball), Anson Carter (ice hockey), Darqueze Dennard (football), Laura (Kueny) Smith (women's golf), and Paul Terek (men's track & field). Additionally, the 1965-1966 football teams will be inducted as the first teams in the Hall of Fame.

The Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and Celebration is scheduled for Friday, Sept. 13. The 2024 MSU Athletics Hall of Fame Class will also be recognized during the Michigan State-Prairie View A&M football game at Spartan Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 14.

The MSU Athletics Hall of Fame, located in the Clara Bell Smith Student-Athlete Academic Center, opened on Oct. 1, 1999, displaying plaques of the previous inductees. The charter class of 30 former Spartan student-athletes, coaches, and administrators was inducted in 1992.

Beth (Rohl) Saylors graduated from Michigan State in 2013 as the most decorated female thrower in school history. When Michigan State Vice President and Director of Athletics Alan Haller informed her about her induction into the Hall of Fame, she was taken aback.

"I knew he (Haller) was looking for me and I had no idea what it was in regard to," said Saylors. "And when he told me, I was just completely in shock at the time and I could not believe it. It's something I never expected."

Saylors won the shot put state title as a senior at New Buffalo High School in 2008 and joined MSU's track & field team as a walk-on that fall. She credits her high school coach Lisa Knoll for introducing her to the sport.

"She's the one who convinced me to try track," said Saylors.

At the 2009 Big Ten Indoor Championships, she won her first conference title as a true freshman in weight throw alongside freshman teammate Rebecca Bucholtz.

"Both events were happening at the exact same time," said Saylors. "And we both won at the same time."

Saylors earned Big Ten Indoor Freshman of the Year honors that season and became MSU's first since 1991 to be named Big Ten Freshman of the Year. She competed at various championships throughout her collegiate career and earned seven First Team All-America honors: three in weight throw and four in discus.

"Throwing on the national stage... that's a whole different experience," said Saylors.

She won four more Big Ten titles – one indoor and three outdoor – during her career. She represented Spartans at multiple national competitions including placing seventh at the 2012 Olympic Trials in discus.

Saylors finished her collegiate career with three school records: discus (59.78m), hammer throw (62.87m), and weight throw (22.31m). Her weight throw record still stands today.

Reflecting on her success, Saylors credited those around her: "Coach John Newell taught me most of what I know about track... The throws group... They became like a family... I'm incredibly grateful to my family for always supporting me no matter what happened."

After graduating from MSU in 2013, Saylors trained at Chula Vista’s Olympic Training Center before moving to Camp Verde, Arizona with her husband and three children: Evan (8), Magnolia (3), and Hank (2).

Her family will witness her name being cemented into history this fall.

"It is such an honor... And to see that, and to know that I am going to be a part of that... is an amazing experience."