Olympic hopeful Dylan Beard got his start in Catholic school
Olympic hopeful Dylan Beard got his start in Catholic school
BALTIMORE (OSV News) — Dylan Beard states that his Olympic dreams “begin with God and remain with God.”
Those aspirations of the Olympics, which began in the Archdiocese of Baltimore At Archbishop Spalding High School, are merely a few races away from completion.
Beard, 25, has made significant progress in the realm of track and field since his time as an emerging talent at the school in suburban Severn.
Route to the U.S. Olympic squad
He is optimistic about overcoming his next obstacle and securing a place on the U.S. Olympic squad for the 2024 Games in Paris this summer. He will attempt to qualify for the U.S. team during the Olympic Trials in Eugene, Oregon, from June 21-30.
Beard made headlines across the nation this past February when he shocked the hurdling world with a triumph in a 55-meter event at the esteemed Millrose Games in New York City.
Since that time, he has been featured in an April segment of the “Today Show.” The NBC airing showcased his role as an unsponsored competitor who is employed at a Walmart deli counter to generate money for his training.
Beard is somewhat of a late-starter in his sporting discipline. He didn’t begin competing until his second year at Archbishop Spalding after initially aligning himself with the Cavaliers’ football team.
He’s experienced nothing but remarkable progress since then.
University journey and scholarly accomplishments
Beard secured multiple Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association championships while representing Archbishop Spalding, which led to a scholarship at Wagner University. After spending two years at the Staten Island, New York, institution, he shifted to Hampton University in Norfolk, Va. He obtained his bachelor’s degree in biochemistry from Hampton before concluding his collegiate athletic journey at Howard University in Washington.
At Howard, he obtained a master’s degree in public health with the aspiration of becoming a pharmacist or engaging in public intervention.
Managing professional responsibilities and training
Despite all his education and holding an advanced degree, how did he end up working at a deli counter in Wake Forest, North Carolina, residing with his aunt?
It all revolves around his vision for the Olympics.
He relocated south to collaborate with Reuben McCoy, a coach at North Carolina State University. The position at Walmart provides him with the flexibility to train for up to 12 hours weekly and offers financial support for his living costs.
The personal investment he has made has yielded significant rewards for Beard over the last few months, who previously went to Liberty Christian School in the Baltimore area of Owings Mills before attending Spalding and was raised close to Druid Hill Park in northwest Baltimore.
Following his remarkable triumph in New York, he secured another victory in Power Springs, Georgia, as preparation for the trials. He clinched the 110-meter hurdles in a personal best of 13.10 seconds during a race he claimed wasn’t even his “best” performance.
“I believe I can perform better,” he remarked regarding the win. “I faced several obstacles, so it wasn’t my top performance.”
The significance of belief and learning
He stated that his schooling and the discipline he acquired at Archbishop Spalding have been crucial in his growth as an athlete.
“It truly boosted my self-assurance,” he shared with the Catholic Review, the publication of the Archdiocese of Baltimore. “It equipped me for the dedication and time organization necessary to become a leading athlete. I’m thankful for the chance to be in this role.
“It would be incredible to join the Olympic team,” Beard stated. “At the moment, I’m solely concentrating on reaching that goal.”
He said his faith plays a big role.
“It’s absolutely a consideration,” Beard remarked. “There are moments when I feel like giving up, but I keep my faith in God and remain committed to the process. He consistently reveals to me where I should be.”
Guidance for aspiring athletes
To aspiring athletes pursuing their Olympic ambitions, he offers some advice following seven years of attending college and juggling a night job to allow for three to four hours of training each day.
“Individuals may label you as insane,” he stated, “but continue pursuing that dream.”
It could very well be a shining dream for Beard.
Gerry Jackson is on the staff of the Catholic Review, the news outlet of the Archdiocese of Baltimore.
