Hyter qualifies for hurdles event final

FAYETTEVILLE - In her first race of the outdoor season, senior Brittany Hyter posted a qualifying run in the preliminary heats of the 400-meter hurdles Thursday afternoon at the 85th Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays in Austin. Day two also featured the conclusion of the heptathlon which saw junior Makeba Alcide finished in 11th place with 5,182 points. The Texas Relays is the outdoor season opener for the No. 5 University of Arkansas women's track and field team.

Running in heat six, Hyter finished third and ninth overall with a time of 59.57. The result is the fastest season-opening time of her career by nearly three seconds. The event final for the 400-meter hurdles is scheduled for Saturday at 12:15 p.m. (CT). Hyter is the school-record holder in the event with her time of 56.46 run last season at the NCAA Championships.

Alcide began day two of the heptathlon with a mark of 5.31m/17-5 in the long jump, adding 645 points to her total. In the javelin, she had a best throw of 27.64m/90-8 which was worth 432 points. Alcide closed out the two-day, seven-event competition with a time of 2:17.63 in the 800 meters. The time, the second fastest of her career, was good for fourth place in the event and 856 points toward her final score.

Competition at the Texas Relays continues Friday with preliminary heats of the 100 meters, 100-meter hurdles and 4x100 and 4x400 relays. The schedule for day three also includes the sprint-medley relay and field action in the 'B' sections of the long jump, triple jump and pole vault.

Arkansas is a two-time Texas Relays champion in the sprint-medley relay, including a victory at last year's event. For more information regarding Razorback track and field or University of Arkansas athletics, please visit ArkansasRazorbacks.com.

Texas Relays Results - Day 2

400m Hurdles (prelim)
9. Brittany Hyter - 59.57q

Heptathlon (final)
11. Makeba Alcide - 5,182 points
    21. Long jump - 5.31m/17-5, 645 points
    18. Javelin - 27.64m/90-8, 432 points
    4. 800m - 2:17.63, 856 points

q - qualified for event final