McClurkin Sets School Record, Cramer Advances in 800

FAYETTEVILLE -- The No. 20 BYU women’s track and field team competed in day one of the NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships Friday night, with six athletes competing in four different events.

“Overall we had a really good day today,” head coach Craig Poole said. “Everyone performed really well, and the 800, 200 and DMR we had some really great marks.”

Three Cougars competed in the 800-meter preliminary race, making BYU the most represented school in the event. Freshman Lacey Cramer raced towards a chance at defending her 2009 National title in the event, qualifying in fourth place in 2:04.83.

Sophomore Nachelle Stewart came in just under two seconds behind Cramer, at 2:06.62, but finished in 11th place, missing the finals by three places. Senior Angela Wagner finished .03 after Stewart, placing 12th in 2:06.65.

Three-time MWC Athlete of the Week Mindy McClurkin competed in two events Friday, the 200-meters and the long jump. In the 200, McClurkin missed the finals by .07, finishing 11th in 23.52.

In the long jump, McClurkin exceeded career and BYU bests. In her last jump of the day, McClurkin leapt a lifetime best and set a school record at 6.69-meters (21-11.75).

“The long jump was really exciting,” Poole said. “Mindy only got one warm-up jump between her 200 race and the long jump, and then really came through with a great jump in her last attempt of the finals.”

The final event of the day for the Cougars was the distance medley relay, consisting of a 1200-meter leg, 400-meter leg, 800-meter leg and 1600-meter leg in that order. Cougars competing in the relay were Cramer, Natalie Stewart, Nachelle Stewart and Wagner.

The four athletes finished the race in 11:16.93, good enough for ninth place.

Action resumes Saturday morning, as senior defending national champion Amy Otis competes in the pentathlon, beginning at 10:30 a.m. MST with the 60-meter hurdles. Also competing for the Cougars Saturday will be freshman Rachel Fisher in the pole vault at 4:00 p.m. MST and Cramer in the 800-meter final at 6:45 p.m. MST.

Athlete Event

Mindy McClurkin long jump 6.69m 2nd

200-meters 23.52 11th

Lacey Cramer 800-meters 2:04.83 4th

Nachelle Stewart 800-meters 2:06.62 11th

Angela Wagner 800-meters 2:06.65 12th

Cramer, Stewart, DMR 11:16.93 11th

Stewart, Wagner