Charles and Emily Beusse made their parents proud last Saturday as the Dawson County siblings won their respective divisions in the Kiwanis Club’s 5K run through Dawsonville.

Both Charles and Emily, the children of Clark and Edith Beusse, began running during their sophomore years at Dawson County High School.

“I didn’t really like it at first. I was just looking for something to keep me in shape for baseball during the off season,” said Charles Beusse, who graduated high school in 2008 and now competes in cross country and track and field for North Georgia College and State University.

“But Emily … I remember as far back as elementary school, she kind of always wanted to run cross country and track,” Charles Beusse said.

Charles Beusse, who holds two, team relay records at North Georgia, anticipates his younger sister will also take her cross country success to the collegiate level.

So does her coach at the high school.

Brian DeRose, who also coached Charles Beusse during his senior year, said he wouldn’t have anything to worry about if he had “a whole team of Emilies.”

“She is just one of my favorite kids and the hardest worker I’ve got,” said DeRose, who added Emily undoubtedly has the talent to run “varsity at the college level.”

The siblings credit DeRose with much of their success as track and cross country athletes.

Speaking before the Dawson County Rotary Club last week, Emily Beusse said DeRose made her believe in herself and pushed her to achieve success she never before thought she could accomplish.

“He always encouraged us to give 110 percent,” she said.

Charles echoed his sister’s statements about DeRose.

“He came to Dawson County High School in my senior year, and it was then that I started making improvements. He has a great knowledge of running and was able to bring new things that helped everyone on the team,” Charles Beusse said.

The siblings said they plan to begin training for fall cross country within the next few weeks, and both plan to run the Peachtree Road Race this summer. 

“I’ll definitely be running a lot this summer,” Emily Beusse said.

E-mail Michele Hester at michele@dawsonnews.com.