He would daydream. 
While slicing deli meat, washing dishes, mopping floors, and preparing hot food, he stood there offering his illuminating smile to customers that lit up track meets and the lives of others, never letting go of what could be.
More importantly, Dylan Beard was never going to let go.
The Howard graduate's life has been a whirlwind since earning his master's degree in public health last May. Beard's journey could be transformed into a made-for-television movie. What started as working at Walmart as a deli associate has culminated into a significant track triumph, winning the 60-meter hurdles at the Millrose Games earlier this month in a sterling time of 7.44 seconds, the fastest of his career.
The work, long hours, dedication, and belief yielded a massive moment for Beard.
"A couple of days after the race, when reflecting, the time stood out the most to me," Beard said. "I couldn't believe I dropped an entire second and ran a fast time. I realized that I ran fast, and it was a big deal. I was also thankful that I had a lane. I also was focused on winning some prize money, which you did if you finished first through sixth. I talked to (Howard head coach David Oliver), who mentioned that this was a great opportunity to get my name out there."
Beard knew he would have a strong performance.
"I had a decent warmup," Beard said. "When it was time to do run-throughs, I felt smooth. We had one minute before we were live on television, and even though I rushed through it, I felt perfect. I was aggressive and not too excited. I hit that first hurdle cleanly and came up with a lot of speed, which set me up for the second hurdle. I had a good head of steam running through the finish line."
When he moved to Wake Forest, North Carolina, in October to stay with his aunt and started working at Walmart, Beard always believed a moment like that was possible. He just had to roll up his sleeves and do what he had to, which meant practicing during the morning and working at night. Beard credits the coaching of Ruben McCoy and his training partner, Cameron Murray.
"I knew I wasn't going to have much of a social life," Beard said with a laugh. "When I started working at Walmart, I didn't realize how long I would be standing and cleaning each night. It was like two to three hours. It was a lot at first, but once I started getting into a routine, training and work became easier to manage."
Beard spent two weeks in late October competing at the Pan-Am Games in Santiago de Chile. He finished sixth in the 110-meter hurdles (14.15 seconds). That effort galvanized Beard and provided confidence to enter 2024 with a different mindset. Before the Pan-Am Games, Beard had ten days to prepare, so he knew he wasn't in his maximum shape and still turned in a quality performance. Beard knew that he would be faster and stronger with more focused training and an enhanced routine.
Beard has finished first in four of the five 60-meter hurdle events he participated in 2024. Five days after winning the Millrose Games, Beard competed in the USA Championships in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where he was fifth (7.65 seconds).
"It was a good experience to run at the Pan-Am Games," Beard said. "I got a lot more out of it than I expected. I felt like my training was the only thing holding me back, and others had a better day. My mindset going in was I wanted to medal. However, I spent time out of the country and formed amazing bonds. It was an honor and a big accomplishment to represent Team USA." 
The 25-year-old Baltimore native never envisioned this opportunity when he started the sport at 14. Beard earned his undergraduate degree from Hampton in biochemistry and enjoyed a solid two-year career at Howard.
Oliver recognized Beard's brilliance and talent.
"Dylan's mindset and ability to do exactly what he's asked to do are the things that make him the most special and what I believe sets him apart from his peers," Oliver said. "I knew that early on in my time assisting his career. Watching him win the Millrose Games was beyond a special moment.
"We were in the Burr Gym parking lot watching his race on the phone after we arrived back from traveling ourselves. The reaction was so joyous and exuberant that campus police came out thinking something serious was going on. Seeing someone you know have that type of successful breakthrough feels great. I have no doubt he'll continue to represent himself and Howard in a great fashion."
Last spring, Beard was named to the 2023 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Outdoor All-Academic Team and won MEAC Track Athlete of the Week (April 19). He had four top-five finishes in the 110-meter hurdles. He was a two-time All-MEAC First Team selection after winning the 110-meter hurdles (13.43) and 4x100 relay (school record 40.00) at the MEAC Outdoor Championships.
Another of Beard's accomplishments last year was breaking a 19-year school record in the 110-meter hurdles at the Tom Jones Memorial Invitational in Florida, running the event in 13.31 seconds.
Beard wouldn't allow anything to deter his dreams of being an elite hurdler. He knew there was a purpose for those late-night Walmart shifts. He embraces the grind, which includes catching the least expensive flight from Albuquerque to Raleigh, an itinerary that includes layovers in Dallas and New York.
"Every shift at Walmart was my pushing force," Beard said. "I didn't have to work at Walmart, but it was the most realistic thing to do to get some financial support, and it was the most lucrative way to get ahead. I don't want to waste any more opportunities. Hopefully, I can inspire some to follow their dreams no matter how hard it'll be."
Rob Knox is an award-winning professional. A member of the Lincoln (Pa.) Athletics Hall of Fame, Knox currently serves as the Senior Director of Strategic Communications for the Thurgood Marshall College Fund. Knox enjoyed a distinguished career as an athletics communicator for Lincoln, Kutztown, Coppin State, Towson, and UNC Greensboro. He also worked at ESPN and for the Delaware County Daily Times.
