July 10, 2008
BYDGOSZCZ, Poland- Texas A&M’s Jessica Beard mined a silver medal in the women’s 400 during the 12th IAAF World Junior Championships on Thursday earning her first individual medal in her second appearance at this meet.
“I’m happy with the race and satisfied with the time,” Beard noted. “I’m just happy I won a medal. On my last world team (2006) I got fifth. So, I’m not too upset with that.”
Beard, from Euclid, Ohio, faced a tough challenge in current world junior leader Shade Abugan. The pair held the early advantage while Cuba’s Susana Clement kept within striking distance.
Abugan maintained a lead in the homestretch and won in 51.84 seconds while Beard closed well to grab the silver medal with a 52.09 performance. Clement took bronze in 52.36. The other U.S. runner in the race, Lanie Whittaker of Miami, Florida, produced a solid race and placed seventh with a time of 53.98.
“Because of my previous international experiences I wasn’t as nervous, just focused,” Beard said. “Now I’m looking forward to the relay and then get back to the college experience.”
In placing second Beard joined an interesting group of U.S. silver medalist that includes Maicel Malone (1988), Monique Hennagan (1994), Suzianne Reid (1996), Nakiya Johnson (1998) and Sanya Richards (2002).
“I’ve had fun and it’s been a great experience,” added Beard, who is part of her third international trip with the U.S. Junior team. “I felt like I did everything I told my coach I was going to do. I probably could have done a bit better on the backstretch, maybe be a little stronger there. I felt like I stayed close enough to her.
“This trip has been really impressive and different. It’s a different atmosphere, culture and people. This has been one of my favorite national teams to be on over the past three years. I really enjoyed this trip.”
Beard will be part of the 4 x 400 relay as the meet concludes this weekend.