Beard second in 400 at nationals

Euclid native Jessica Beard was second in the 400 at USATF outdoor nationals June 23 in Des Moines, Iowa.

Beard finished second with a personal-best time of 50.08 seconds to Shakima Wimbley, who recorded a 49.52 to break the stadium record in the event.

“I am SOOOOOO glad that I chose God’s pathway,” Beard wrote on Instagram. “That I chose to stay true to the things I value. That I have the BEST support team. That I serve a GOOD GOOD GOD. I haven’t always understood why I had to experience some of the things along my journey, but they all have made me who I am and brought me to this DAY!

“During the indoor champs, I got LAST PLACE but I said in my post that this would be my BEST YEAR YET! In comparison to the rest of the field, it seemed like I FAILED or FELL SHORT. But in comparison to SELF and all my previous competitions, I knew THIS SEASON would be SPECIAL. And it has been nothing short of AMAZING!”

The four-time Division I 400 state champion for the Panthers and News-Herald High School Sports Hall of Fame inductee had the fifthfastest time out of prelims with a 51.97 and the secondfastest time out of the semifinal round with a 50.65.

In pole vault, Lake Catholic graduate and Akron stalwart Matt Ludwig was sixth, clearing 18 feet, 6 1/2 inches. Ludwig had two misses at 17-10 1/2 before clearing on his third attempt, then made it at 18-2 1/2 on his first attempt.

CHARLIE NEIBERGALL — ASSOCIATED PRESS Shakima Wimbley reacts as she wins the women’s 400 final, with Euclid native Jessica Beard taking second, during the U.S. Championships on June 23 in Des Moines, Iowa.