Beard Capped Sensational Year At NCAAs

Celebrating A Century of NCAA Track & Field Championships

Beard Capped Sensational Year At NCAAs

“Almost” had defined Jessica Beard’s efforts at the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships between her freshman year and junior year. Beard finished national runner-up in the 400 in back-to-back years and anchored Texas A&M to a painstakingly close second-place finish in the 4×400 relay in 2010 (0.03 seconds).

“Champion” supplanted that previous characterization in Beard’s senior year. 

Beard, already a three-time NCAA champion from her past efforts at the NCAA Indoor Championships, won her first individual outdoor title when romped to the 400-meter crown. The Aggie standout traversed one lap at Drake Stadium in 51.10 to win by 0.40 seconds, the second largest margin of victory since 2000. 

That actually came after Beard already had a 400-meter effort in her legs from earlier in the morning, when heats of the 4×400 were held due to inclement weather from the day before. 

Beard was just getting warmed up. 

The now 32-year-old native of Euclid, Ohio, returned to the track the following day to anchor Texas A&M in the meet-ending 4×400 relay with plenty on the line. Not only did Beard have some ground to make up on the rest of the field by the time she got the baton in third place; the future winner of The Bowerman had to win – or at least beat Oregon’s anchor – to assure the Aggies a third consecutive outdoor title, something that hadn’t been done since LSU ran off 11 in a row from 1987 to 1997. 

Beard passed Laura Roesler of Oregon (who would eventually win The Bowerman in 2014) for second place as they rounded the second turn and gobbled up the blue track on the backstretch with sights on leader Kai Selvon of Auburn. With 50 meters to go, Beard pulled alongside Selvon and kicked past her to the finish line. 

That was a 49.13 split for Beard, the fastest carry ever recorded in meet history.

Texas A&M ended up winning the team title by four points over the Ducks, 49-45.

posted: January 8, 2021
1921-2021
The NCAA's First Championships

The NCAA and collegiate track & field will mark a momentous milestone in the spring of 2021 -- the 100th anniversary of the NCAA Championships and with that, the NCAA Track & Field Championships. In June 1921, the University of Chicago hosted the first track & field championships in NCAA history.

This point can’t be emphasized enough: Not only was the event the first for NCAA track & field, but the first championships for any sport under the sponsorship of the NCAA.

To celebrate, over each of the next 365 days, the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) will celebrate moments, student-athletes, and coaches that have made a century’s worth of championships special. From humble beginnings to important historical milestones to the modern-day, collegiate track & field has evolved with the American society.

The 2021 edition of the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships begin with preliminary round action on May 27-29 in Jacksonville, Fla., and College Station, Texas. The championships final site and culmination of the celebration is slated for June 9-12, 2021 at the newly rebuilt Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore.

Memorable Moments
Mikkola Set Javelin MR With Huge Win

Esko Mikkola was a two-time JT winner at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships. When Mikkola won in 1998, he set a MR of 81.86m (268‑7) and won by 17 feet!

Little Made Big 400H History
June 11, 2016

Shamier Little won three consecutive 400H titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships between 2014 & 2016. Little became the No. 2 performer in collegiate history with her 53.51 winner in 2016.

Ellerbe Won After Film Review In 1939

Mozelle Ellerbe won back-to-back 100-yard dash titles at the NCAA Outdoor T&F Championships in 1938 & 1939. His victory in the 2nd year was confirmed by a film review.

McCullouch Ran Legendary Times At NCAAs

Earl McCullouch of Southern California won back-to-back 120H titles at the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships and was a member of a WR-setting quarter-mile relay team.

Walton Started It All In The 800

Delisa Walton won the first women’s 800 at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships in 1982. Walton is the mother of Ebonie Floyd, who finished 2nd in the 2007 100.

Gipson, Ugen Made Long Jump History

Whitney Gipson & Lorraine Ugen were the first teammates to win women’s long jump titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships in consecutive years (Gipson in 2012; Ugen in 2013).