43 Second Wednesday - Jessica Beard

Few, if any have accomplished as much. Jessica Beard has been exceptional. Brilliant. An integral part of a growing dynasty who helped bring the “sprint” title to Texas A&M.

The A&M senior 400 meter runner walks us down deciding to go to Aggie Land, being teammates with some incredible athletes and looks down the road to the NCAA Outdoor Championships and U.S. Outdoor Championships.

PreRaceJitters: Wow, what a meet you had at Big 12 Outdoor Championships. How awesome is it to win the women’s and men’s team titles while taking the 4×400 relay?

Jessica: The feeling is the best one. Even though I did not win the individual title, coming into the meet knowing that it would take the entire team was a great aspect to focus on and it challenged us under pressure to see what we would do and how well we could perform.

Going out and winning both titles my last year, was a wonderful experience, knowing that the seniors had something memorable we could leave with. When we put different people on the relay, it’s always good to see how we can perform so I was very pleased with the way all the girls stepped up and won.

PreRaceJitters: While we are on the subject of history, did you originally come to College Station with plans on re-writing the Aggie record books while at the same time being part of changing the landscape of college sprinting to Aggie Land?

Jessica: I never had a plan to come in and change or re-write anything, I just came in with high hopes of getting better and improving and trying to one day win my own individual title and most definitely a relay and team title.

I just knew that I was in good hands with Coach Henry’s resume, and Coach Anderson’s personality, and I just wanted to come in and prove that I could make the transition and become a better person and athlete.

PreRaceJitters: Why did you leave Ohio for college?

Jessica: TOO COLD!!! Lol, all of my choices were in the south or somewhere warmer than Ohio.

PreRaceJitters: Do you do any workouts with the Aggie 400m men Tabarie Henry and Demetrius Pinder?

Jessica: Lol. No I don’t. They’re very competitive in practice, I like to work on myself and at whatever pace Coach tells us, so I don’t think I could keep that focus or keep up! They’re two of the world’s best.

PreRaceJitters: The NCAA championships, running with great athletes like Porscha Lucas and Gabby Mayo and for coach great coaches - Texas A&M has worked out for you?

Jessica: Yes, A&M has worked out so well for me. When you come into a program, you are not sure what is in store, or how the people and environment will be. Even in the toughest times and through little disputes, I can say that I always have my teammates and they will always have my back.

We encourage each other and we come together like no other during Championships. I have to say that Coach Anderson, is a Coach like no other. He takes the time to learn who we are as athletes, students, and individuals, and that’s a tough job for an assistant coach! Coach Henry tells you what you need to hear, always there to relieve little stresses and always finds ways to motivate us when needed the most!

From Gabby and Porscha, I’ve mainly learned that injury can not keep a talented woman down for long, they’ve bounced back in more ways than one and that is something I keep in mind when things don’t go as predicted.

PreRaceJitters: Speaking of which, what is Gabby Mayo like as a college teammate?

Jessica: Hmmmmmmm. Lol, no Gabby is the crazy one! Loves to compete and loves to proves others wrong, when she thinks she’s right.

I lived with her my freshman year and she loves Fresh Prince! So that tells you she has that goofy side as well. Sweet girl for the most part (just don’t make her mad on the track, she shows out and performs well! Lol).

PreRaceJitters: You’ve earned three NCAA silver medals in the 400 meters? What would winning an outdoor national championship mean to you?

Jessica: Winning the Outdoor NCAA crown would make the indoor one even better. Along with a faster time or pr would be icing on the cake. I just want my senior year to be as memorable as possible.

I’m just going to go out there and give my last race all I have. And if that aids in becoming 3 time national champions, I know that would be the biggest blessing God could ever grant us!

PreRaceJitters: Another year, another championship banner. What does this team need to do to defend its team title in NCAAs?

Jessica: The team needs to focus on the team. We need to qualify to the best of our abilities and compete with courage and heart. We need to make finals and do the unexpected!

We need to listen to our coaches and to our supporters. We need to do what we’ve been doing all year, just at a deeper level. We need to remember who we are and why we came to nationals. We need to be Texas A&M, and nobody else.

PreRaceJitters: Does being a senior on a team coming off of back-to-back championship change the way you prepare?

Jessica: Not really. I don’t think you can just step up and try to be a different person at NCAA or any other big meet, than you are everyday in front of your teammates or how you act towards your teammates.

I think you just have to come with the mindset that this is a new year, a different combination of people, and everyone who has come this far can make it. You just try to improve the little things that you’ve been working on all year, and put it all together.

PreRaceJitters: In 2009, you earned a gold medal as a part of the Team USA 4×400 meter relay competing in Berlin. How does that experience come into play as you stare down a NCAA Outdoor Championships and a U.S. Outdoor Championships in a World Championship year?

Jessica: Well that happened after NCAA but it does show me that I have a big role when it comes to the 4×4 on the collegiate level and that I’m very capable of fulfilling it.

That experience was my first ever, so it was a learning process and I definitely believe that it will help me this year as I go into another World Championship year.

PreRaceJitters: So far, you’ve run 50.79 in your career. Is a sub-50 second 400 meters is within reach?

Jessica: With God ALL things are possible to him [her] that believe. Sometimes focusing on time could be a hindrance instead of a stepping stone. Indoor I just focused on my goals, and I plan to do that outdoor.

I will just have to wait and see what God has in store for me, and hopefully it’s a new PR.

PreRaceJitters: What do you do to wind down?

Jessica: I really just hang out with my teammates and cook and go to the movies. I like to read also in my spare time, but other than that, I just sleep! Lol.

PreRaceJitters: This is kind of a tough question to toss at you at the very end, but can you somehow give us a glimpse of what it means to represent America on the National Team two years ago, and try for the World Championships this year?

Jessica: That year will always be special. Running at the Olympic Stadium where Jesse Owens won his four gold medals, and him growing up in Cleveland Ohio, I don’t think I could really ever put that experience into words, but it was amazing for me, especially since it was my first team.

Now I want to do the same thing, each year, I just want to get better and improve. I believe if I do that, then my chances at another memorable experience will be just around the corner. Each experience is a lesson and hopefully I continue to learn from them!

PreRaceJitters: Thanks for your time and best wishes with the remainder of your season.

Day 1, Morning: USATF World Champs Quotes

For Immediate Release
Saturday, August 15, 2009

Day 1 Team USA quotes from Berlin - Mornining Session

Adam Nelson, Men’s shot put, Charlottesville, Va.
It was great out there. That’s how you like to get it done, with one throw. I’m in great shape. I’m expecting big things tonight.

Christian Cantwell, Men’s shot put, Columbia, Mo.
We had great weather. I feel good. I did what I wanted to do, and that’s all that matters. (Getting the qualifying mark on the second throw) I typically do that. I have only done it once on my first one. I don’t mind taking two throws. I usually take it safe on the first one, which I did. The second throw was just as easy. I got a little more flick on it. On the warm up track, I was throwing fine. I imagine I will add a little more distance to that tonight.

Dan Taylor, Men’s shot put, Mesa, Ariz.
The first throw was great. It was well over qualifying, but I guess I fouled it on the front. It went all downhill from there. The same thing happened at my first worlds.

Reese Hoffa, Athens, Ga.
It’s awesome to be in the finals. But I have to execute. I can’t just dilly-dally like I did this morning. I got through, and I’m happy about that. I may have struggled a little bit. I have to believe it was there. I don’t know what was going on out there. I think I was thinking too much. At the last couple of major championships, I went out there, first throw and I was gone. To go out there and barely just miss it, maybe it got too technical. It was 30 minutes between throws. That might wear you out just a bit as well.

Lindsay Anderson, Women’s 3,000-meter steeplechase, So. Ogden,Utah
It’s definitely not what I was hoping for. As soon as the gun went off, I felt like I didn’t have it. I didn’t have anything there. It was kind of disappointing. Everything has been running great. It just wasn’t a good day.

Jennifer Barringer, Women’s 3,000-meter steeplechase, Boulder, Colo.
I qualified. I gave everyone a heart-attack, but I qualified. I was a little nervous. With two laps to go, I changed the game plan, don’t try and take control of the race. It was getting a little aggressive up front. We weren’t running especially fast. I calmed down a little bit. I gave myself some room to see and know what I wanted to do. I was really confident with 100 meters that I was going to catch that qualifying pack. I think when I re-watch the race, I’m going to realize I was a little farther behind than I thought. It was a physical race for sure. I was ready for that. It was that way in China. It was that way in Japan. I definitely experienced that before. I got through today. I am really happy with qualifying. I will be ready to go.

Bridget Franek, women’s 3,000-meter steeplechase, Hiram, Ohio
The first few laps, I definitely wanted to put myself in position, be ahead at the end and make finals, and that was the ultimate goal. Unfortunately, I ran out of gas or something. I felt awesome (when the race started). The first five laps, it felt so good. I don’t know what happened at the end. I’m so honored to make it. Nothing has changed. It has been a long season. I didn’t expect this going into the season. I have to make some adjustments. That’s something I will be working on for the future.
Jake Freeman, men’s hammer, Westbury, N.Y.
It was fun, a lot of fun out there. It was a great day to throw, we had great competition. I thought I did pretty good. The second throw was a good one. I just finished it right. That third throw, I needed a little more. But I kind of pulled it too much. I got some experience for my next one. I think I did ok. It gives me a little bit of confidence going into next year, and the next three years.
I would’ve like to have made it to the next day.
A.G. Kruger, Men’s Hammer Throw, Ashland, Ohio
Training, coaching and everything else felt great. I just didn’t put it together. It’s just as simple as that. I’m going to go home and figure out what to do next year. I will figure it out one of these years. When I do, I will throw it far.

Michael Mai, Men’s Hammer Throw, Santa Clara, Calif.
It started off pretty good. I was happy with my first throw. I kind of missed it at the finish. My second throw was really looking great. I just pulled it at the finish. It was a good day for the most part. I had the speed. Everything was ready to go. I just didn’t quite do what I was looking for. I haven’t had a lot of volume this year. I’m trying to work on things. It just takes a long time. Hopefully, I will have some more chances in the next year.

Jessica Beard, Women’s 400 Meters, Euclid, Ohio
I think it went pretty good. I got second in my heat. The top three automatically make it. Of course that was a big goal for me. I have to still work on some stuff in my race. I know that. I felt I ran pretty well, I’m happy with it. I know I have to run something better than I ran at USA Nationals. I think this is a perfect time for me. There is so much experience on this team especially when it comes to quarter-milers with what all they have done and accomplished. I’m just looking at them for experience and words of wisdom. Sanya (Richards) told me, “Jessica, just run your race.” That helped me calm down a lot.

Debbie Dunn, Women’s 400 Meters, Norfolk, Va.
It’s the first round, so the main goal is to go out there and get to the next race. I did that, so I am happy with my time. (Running style with right arm) I know. I have been happy with that for the longest time. I don’t know what to do with it. But I tried to work it. We’ll see for the next round. Hopefully, I will work it better for the next round.
Darvis Patton, Men’s 100 Meters, Grand Prairie, Texas
I miss my daughter Dakota Rae. She was born a little bit before the USA Championships, and my mom’s been doing a great job taking care of her while I’ve been away.

Rae Edwards, Men’s 100 Meters, Kansas City, Kan.
I learned today what it’s like to have to get back into the race.

Tyson Gay, Men’s 100 Meters, Clermont, Fla.
I just had to run and get the kinks out. I just played it safe and got through the=2 0round.

Erica McLain, Women’s Triple Jump, Menlo Park, Calif.
I felt like I was rushing through all three of my phases today. I had a lot of energy in getting ready to compete today, but it seemed like it wasn’t there this morning. In big meets like this, I have to learn how to be more of a competitor.

Sanya Richard, Women’s 400 Meters, Austin, Texas
I was happy that (Christina Ohuruogu) was there. I t gave me a little bit of extra motivation. Today I felt really relaxed. Coach (Clyde Hart) wanted me to go out and run my first 300 a little bit more aggressive. Coach might not be happy with where I was at 300, but my legs felt really strong coming home, and that’s how I like to feel.

I like to win all my races, so I can get the first pick of lanes.
For complete results, quotes and Team USA reports, visit www.usatf.org.
Fans can watch Team USA on national television broadcasts on NBC and Versus, or online via live, daily Webcast at www.universalsports.com. For complete TV listings, visit http://www.usatf.org/events/2009/IAAFWorldOutdoorChampionships/mediaCoverage.asp.
For more information on Team USA at the World Outdoor Championships, visit http://www.usatf.org/events/2009/IAAFWorldOutdoorChampionships/.
About USA Track & Field

USA Track & Field (USATF) is the National Governing Body for track and field, long-distance running and race walking in the United States. USATF encompasses the world’s oldest organized sports, some of the most-watched events of Olympic broadcasts, the #1 high school and junior high school participatory sport and more than 30 million adult runners in the United States.

For more information on USATF, visit www.usatf.org