Stewart Leads Women's Track and Field on Day one of Texas Relays

AUSTIN -- Freshman Nachelle Stewart led the No. 3 BYU women’s track team on the first day of competition at the Texas Relays in Austin, Tex.

Stewart became the 800-meter Texas Relay Champion on Wednesday with an NCAA Regional qualifying time of 2:08.98. Her first-place time is the second fastest of her career and the best as a BYU athlete.

“Nachelle ran great today,” said BYU women’s head track and field coach Craig Poole. “It was really exciting to see her earn the top spot.”

Also competing well for the Cougars on day one was Amy Menlove. Menlove sits in second in the heptathlon going into the second day of competition.

Menlove took first in the 100-meter hurdles (13.66) and 200-meter dash (24.44) and placed in the top five in both the high jump (5-05.25) and shot put (38-09.75) events helping her to a total of 3,422 points.

“I was very pleased with our start,” Poole said. “Amy still has some of her best events left. We’re starting to compete at a high level again, which is exciting.”

Menlove will look to gain ground on Michigan’s Bettie Wade, who leads the competition with 3,575 points. The Michigan standout took fifth in the pentathlon at the 2009 Indoor National Championships, the same event Menlove won earning her the National Championship trophy.

The heptathlon will resume on Thursday with the 800-meter run. For live results go to http://www.texassports.com/livestats/m-track/relays/index.htm.