Wake Forest Olympic Candidate Wins $20,000 to Achieve Dreams on Today Show

Wake Forest, North Carolina — Olympic coverage begins in Paris in just 91 days, and athletes are gearing up to perform on the world's biggest stage.

The North Carolina State University athlete and Wake Forest native hopes to be a part of that.

Hurdler Dylan Beard scored a monster victory at a major track and field meet in New York City in February. The 25-year-old dominated the competition, breaking records and becoming the third fastest hurdler in the world. He punched his ticket to the U.S. Olympic Track and Field Championships in June.

Beard is trained at North Carolina State University. When she's not training or competing, she works in the deli section of a Walmart in Forest.

Beard was shocked when The Today Show's Craig Melvin, along with a team of supporters, threw him this special surprise.

“Thanks to our friends at Walmart, we have decided to give you $20,000,” Melvin said. “I would like to ask all of you to support us.”

Beard needed time to gather his thoughts.

“I'm grateful, I'm so grateful, it was so unexpected and I'm grateful,” Beard said.

Beard had no sponsor and was unable to qualify for the NCAA Outdoor Championships while earning a master's degree at Howard University.

But he qualified for the Olympic trials! We wish him the best of luck at his trial in Eugene, Oregon in June.