Natalie Stewart finishes second in 400 to lead BYU at Aztec Invitational

SAN DIEGO – Senior Natalie Stewart finished second in the 400-meter run during the final day of the Aztec Invitational Saturday with a time of 53.85 seconds, a time only .46 off her personal best.

Due to an ACL injury in 2011, Stewart has not run this fast of a time since the 2010 Robison Outdoor Invitational where she finished with a time of 53.91.

“This was a outstanding meet for an opener,” head coach Patrick Shane said. “Natalie (Stewart) turned a corner this week in practice, and it showed in her race today. If she keeps it up, she’ll run under 53.00 this year.”

Nicole Rudd Bringhurst finished 18^th in the same race with a time of 56.87.

The other standout performer was Sarah Yingling in the 800-meter run. For the second time during the meet, Yingling finished first in her heat and first overall with a time of 2:09.45. She also finished with a new personal-best time. The other race Yingling won was the 1,500-meter run, which took place on Friday.

Jessica Hilton, who finished third overall in the 1,500-meter run on Friday, placed third in her heat in the 800 and sixth overall with a time of 2:12.02.

In the 400-meter hurdles, freshmen Allysa Hansen and Kaylee Packham went one and two in their heat, fifth and sixth overall. They finished with times of 1:01.44 and 1:01.87, respectively.  

In the discus, freshman Madison Pachner finished seventh overall with a throw of 44.50m. Brittany Critchfield and Deezbaa Whaley finished 12^th and 14^th with throws of 42.67m and 41.96m, respectively.

“This is a great way to start the year,” Shane said. “The event coaches are very happy. We all feel we are poised for a great year.”

Final results for the invitational can be found here.

Next weekend, the Cougars return to California for the Trojan Invitational on Friday and Saturday.

Day 1 recap