Julie (Beekman) Willmert

MARION HIGH SCHOOL | INDIANA WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY

Julie’s love for tennis started at an early age learning to hit tennis balls over the net at the age of three. Her father, Bill Beekman (Grant County Sports Hall of Fame 2010), has been her life-long coach from early childhood through college play at Indiana Wesleyan where he assisted head coach Terry Porter (Grant County Sports Hall of Fame 2010).Coach Porter, a long time family friend, shaped Julie’s tennis career.

Julie played #1 singles for four years at Marion High School, going undefeated during the regular seasons and finished with a 98-4 career record. A three-time state runner-up, Julie won the North Central Conference at #3 singles and was chosen to First Team All-State for four years.

The summer of 1998, Julie won the National High School Tennis Championship in Jekyll Island, Georgia. Following an interview there,she was nominated by journalists from USA Today, and selected, for Female Athlete 1998 All-Star Team. Other females appearing on the list were Olympians Michelle Kawn, Laura Wilkinson, Mia Hamm, and Jackie Joyner-Kersee. That same year Julie received the Joe Saine Northern Indiana Mental Attitude Award and the Midwest Closed Qualifying Tournament Mental Attitude Award – chosen from 128 candidates.

Julie accepted a fill ride scholarship to Ball State University, where she had a 3-1 record at #1 singles, 25-6 at #2 singles, and 25-10 at #2 doubles. She won the MAC Conference fall tournament at #2 singles and doubles with wins over both the #1 singles from Michigan State University and #2 singles from University of Wisconsin.

Julie transferred to Indiana Wesleyan University where she played her remaining three years under Head Coach Terry Porter and Assistant Coach Bill Beekman. She was voted First Team All-American, placing 5th then 4th in singles,and 3rd, 6th, and finally 3rd again in doubles.

Julie presently works part time as Athletic Trainer for Mississinewa High School and as a Nurse Manager for The LIFE Center of Wabash,a pregnancy help center. Tennis remains a favorite leisure activity where she participates in doubles leagues in Greentown, Marion,Ft Wayne, and Muncie. She resides in Jonesboro, Indiana with husband Konrad, and son Kylan.