Beard collects World Gold in Relay

Texas A&M senior Jessica Beard earned a relay gold medal at the 13th IAAF World Championships on Saturday as she ran the third leg of the United States 4×400 relay that won the final in a world-leading 3 minutes, 18.09 seconds, which is the third-fastest time in the history of this meet.

The US squad defeated Jamaica, which set a national record of 3:18.71 as silver medalist, and Russia, who clocked 3:19.36 for the bronze position. This was the first time three teams ran under 3:20 since the 1988 Olympics, which were held in Seoul, South Korea.

Beard, who previously earned a World Championship relay gold medal in 2009, recorded a split of 49.95 seconds as she ran the third leg against Jamaica’s Novlene Williams-Mills, the older sister of Texas A&M’s 2006 NCAA 400m champion Clora Williams.

The Americans led off with Sanya Richards-Ross, who provided a sizzling 49.30 leg out of the blocks, and then had a 49.33 carry from Allyson Felix. Beard maintained Team USA’s advantage and handed off to Francena McCorory, who anchored in 49.51.

“This is the first time for me to run a World Championships final,” said Beard, who ran in the prelims in 2009. “Me and Francena knew we were the young ones, and the veterans set up so well. I knew with the lead Sanya and Allyson gave us I had to at least maintain it or open it up for Fran. I just wanted to leave everything out there on the track. We just stayed focus on the goal to win the gold medal.

“There was a lot of hype for the final because Russia ran 3:22 in the semis. We just went out there and represented Team USA, and I don’t think anybody can ask for anything more.”

Richards-Ross noted: “We had two youngsters in the team and they represented really well. We had a lot of faith in them, and I‘m really proud of them. We all ran 49 seconds, which has never been done before.”

It was Beard’s fifth time this season to run a split under 50 seconds. Back in April she split 49.6 twice for the Aggies running the prelims and finals of the 4×400 at the Texas Relays. Then at the NCAA Championships Beard anchored A&M to a third consecutive team title with the fastest split in meet history at 49.13 seconds.

During the prelims of these World Championships Beard ran the second leg and posted a 49.8 as the United States controlled their heat with a comfortable 3:23.57. Beard’s split in the prelims was the fastest among the four Americans, which included Natasha Hastings (50.9), McCorory (51.2) and Keshia Baker (51.7).

“I just got out there and ran for the team,” noted Beard of her prelim carry. “I just wanted to make sure that we got the stick in the lead so everyone else could have a great lead and not have to work so hard at the finish.”

McCorory appreciated the effort from the first two legs in the prelim race: “Natasha and Jessica made it extremely easy for me. I just kept the lead, that was my only job. I thank them, they helped me out today.”

The Americans captured its sixth 4×400 title at the World Championships and the gold medal victory was the 10th win for the United States at this year’s edition of the meet with one day remaining.

Faster winning times at the World Championships were set by the United States in 1993 (3:16.71) and 2009 (3:17.83). Jamaica’s time is eighth fastest ever in the World Championships while the Russians were ninth fastest.

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