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
Plab Reached Lofty Heights In NCAA HJ

Darrin Plab won back-to-back HJ titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships in 1991 & 1992. Plab cleared 2.34m (7-8) in 1992 & tied the 2nd best bar in meet history.

Peoples Made History One Lap At A Time

Maurice Peoples won the 440-yard dash in 1973 & then really turned up the heat. Peoples split 43.4 on the Sun Devils’ mile relay team that finished third in the final.

KU’s Lokedi Set 10K MR In 2018

Sharon Lokedi won the 10K at the 2018 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships in a meet-record 32:09.20. Lokedi led five other women under the old final-site best, too.

Can Ereng Kick It? Yes, He Can!

Paul Ereng won back-to-back 800-meter titles at the NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships in 1988 & 1989. Ereng is still the current indoor record holder in the event.

Dwight Stones Set High Jump WR In 1976

Dwight Stones set a world record in the high jump of 2.31m (7-7) at the 1976 NCAA DI Outdoor T&F Championships. Stones also raised the MR by more than 3 inches!