May 6, 2011
COLLEGE STATION - The Texas A&M athletic department held its annual CHAMPS awards banquet this week in honoring student-athletes for their academic and athletic achievements.
Aggie senior Jessica Beard was named Texas A&M women's Distinguished Letterman of the Year, an award presented to a student-athlete who has exhibited qualities of honor in all areas, including academics and athletics.
Beard, a 14-time USTFCCCA All-American, won her first NCAA 400-meter title in March when A&M hosted the NCAA Indoor Championships. She broke her own school record in winning the race with a time of 50.79 seconds, a mark that was the world leader for the 2011 indoor season.
On all-time lists the 50.79 recorded by Beard ranks second collegiately and third among Americans.
In anchoring the Aggie 4 x 400 relay to a NCAA Indoor victory, Beard ran a split of 51.09 as she moved A&M from fourth to first while the Aggies set another school record, 3:29.72.
Next weekend will be the eighth and final Big 12 Championship for Beard, who has won four indoor titles in the 400 and three outdoor titles, with the fourth yet to be determined.
Beard is currently tied with Suziann Reid of Texas (1997-1999) for the most consecutive titles won in the 400 at the Big 12 Outdoor Championships. Only one other female has achieved a four-year title run at the outdoor conference meet, Lisa Koll of Iowa State in the 10,000 meters.
At the Big 12 Indoor meet she became the first female in conference history to win the same event four consecutive years. Beard, who also placed second in the 200 meters, shared high-point honors with teammate Jeneba Tarmoh as each scored 20 ½ points. Beard ran on the winning 4 x 400 relay for the fourth consecutive year as well.
Post-season indoor honors had Beard being named the Big 12 Indoor Performer of the Year. She has been named to the Big 12 Commissioner's Honor Roll three times and was also selected to the 2009 Academic All-Big 12 first team. Beard participates in community service projects through Aggie Athletics Involved.