Writing HERstory: Running with resiliency

As a young girl growing up in Canada, Krystalann Bechard's love for track and field was ignited by a single moment — watching Usain Bolt blaze to victory at the 2008 Olympics. Inspired by her Jamaican-born mother's own international running career, the now Hokie grad student was captivated by the energy and excitement of the sport. 

Bechard, an Ontario native, had always been an active kid, playing tag and soccer among peers, but lacked hand-eye coordination. Track proved to be the perfect outlet for her endurance. Nothing felt better than the release of endorphins, the sensation of escaping life's stressors. 

"For me, focusing on running the 400m or 800m was very methodic and rhythmic — I could just immerse myself in the sound of the spikes on the track and count my steps," Bechard explained. "It was almost meditative, allowing me to just relax and be present in the moment, rather than worrying about the outcome. There were so many other elements to focus on, like positioning and strategy, that it became an escape from everything else."

An excellent student and perfectionist in every aspect of her life, Bechard never let herself become complacent with her performances. When she lost a race, she'd replay videos and strategize on how she would improve next time, never repeating her mistakes. 

Her efforts paid off.  

Bechard set her high school's 100m, 200m and 400m records. She won the gold medal at the 2019 OFSAA Track Championships, and on top of that, graduated as her high school's valedictorian. 

Most exciting, however, was the chance to compete as part of the Athletics Canada U18 Canadian Track team. Bechard lists the meet that qualified her for the team as one of her favorite memories involving the sport. 

"That was the first time I ran like a mature athlete, the first time this meet was properly televised, and I realized how incredible it was to represent my country," Bechard said. "I won silver in the 400-meter final race, and my current [Virginia Tech] teammate, Caitlyn Bobb, won gold." 

Bechard had the chance to compete internationally in Mexico with runners from all over the world, learning from her teammates' diverse backgrounds, and honing her speedwork and form under new coaches. 

Little did she know that the sport she loved would take her from her small town of Windsor, Ontario, to Miami, Florida, where Bechard committed to running for the Hurricanes. In addition to the well-renowned coaching staff, one of the deciding factors for this move was, in fact, the weather. 

"You just can't beat it," she laughed. "The warm climate is great for keeping muscles loose and healthy as a sprinter. I also knew that Hall of Fame Track & Field Coach Amy Deen was one of the best sprinting coaches in the country, so I decided it was a place where I could grow and succeed." 

Bechard's collegiate chapter as a Hurricane began in fall 2020. Although she felt prepared for the demanding training required of Division I runners, the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic was not something she could have planned. 

Moving to a new country and starting college was already a challenging transition, but Bechard had to do so in the midst of a pandemic. Due to the new safety measures, she departed Canada for school a month earlier than planned, and her parents were unable to join for her move-in day. 

"I remember going to Target to get dorm supplies and seeing all the other freshmen with their parents," Bechard said. "My coach kindly drove me but had to leave for practice, so I was on my own for a couple of hours. While I had the maturity to be independent, it didn't hit me until that moment, picking out a cute pink throw pillow, that I didn't have my mom there to share that experience. Those little moments I took for granted suddenly felt so meaningful and influential." 

Although she missed her family and friends, Bechard eventually adapted to college life, aided by support from her coaches and teammates. Her coaches allowed her to spend a month at home over Christmas due to a missed Thanksgiving and extended time away from loved ones. 

Bechard's time at the University of Miami proved transformative, teaching her invaluable lessons about herself as both an athlete and a person. She learned the importance of communicating openly about her struggles, rather than trying to hide her failures. 

Bechard also developed a deeper understanding of mental health and how to process disappointment in a healthy way. 

"Sometimes collegiate track can be like a business, and it's very hard if you have all the heart and there's an injury or other factors that don't allow you to achieve what you want. When I failed to meet expectations, I learned how to process and accept those setbacks and began to think to myself, is it as serious as I thought it was?" 

At the end of her 2024 outdoor season, Bechard had a decision to make — use her remaining year of eligibility or retire from collegiate track. A serendipitous encounter with Virginia Tech associate head coach Alan Dunson sealed her fate. 

While warming up for the distance medley relay at the 2024 ACC Indoor Track and Field Championships, Bechard accidentally sprinted into Dunson at full speed. He made a few jokes, and that was their only interaction until Bechard decided to enter the transfer portal a few months later. 

"I remember getting into the portal at 5 p.m. on a Thursday, and two minutes later he was calling me," she laughed. "My phone screen showed that it was a Blacksburg, Virginia caller, so I answered it, and he said, 'Hey, like, I know you ran me over, and we've only really talked about one time, but how would you like to come to Virginia Tech?'" 

Bechard felt a strong rapport with Dunson, who emphasized the importance of commitment to personal happiness in order to achieve athletic success. Dunson wanted Bechard to have fun and find the joy she'd been missing from the sport. 

The warm, community-oriented environment in Blacksburg also won her over. 

Bechard further resonated with the family-like culture of the Virginia Tech track team, appreciating the emphasis on support and respect for one another. The community built off the track, she emphasizes, translates into the consistent success and numerous conference championships won over the past few years. 

As the oldest sprinter among a primarily freshman sprint unit, she's stepped into an important leadership role. While jokingly referring to herself as the "grandma" (which became, in fact, her Halloween costume), Bechard leads her teammates through limitless positive encouragement and unwavering dedication during even the most challenging workouts. 

"Krystalann’s commitment to her craft and her devotion to her student-athlete experience have been noticed by both our staff and the team as a whole," Dunson said when asked about her impact. "We are excited to be a part of her continued growth both on and off the track. The best is yet to come." 

Bechard's fresh start at Virginia Tech means everything. As a first-generation undergrad who loves learning, she can't wait to add a master's degree and potentially a doctoral degree down the line. There's no telling what her future holds — she'd love to compete for her country on an Olympic stage or help young athletes develop confidence as a track coach. 

As for this year, Bechard simply wants to cross the finish line with a sense of relief and pride. 

Writing HERstory Campaign 

Tech Athletics launched a multi-platform brand campaign celebrating the incredible achievements of its female student-athletes, both past and present, while inspiring the next generation of women who aspire to achieve their dreams through athletics. Tech will share stories of its past and current female student-athletes over the course of the calendar year. Ranging from podcast interviews to feature stories and more, the incredible moments and achievements by women over the years in Virginia Tech Athletics will be celebrated. To make an impact on female sports at Tech or to sign up for the monthly Writing HERstory newsletter.