Augusta, Ga. - Most collegiate student-athletes grew up playing multiple sports. Many times it wouldn't be until late in their high school career they decided which sport to focus all their attention to. In college, other than runners in cross country and track, very few do more than one sport. For Augusta University's Nadiyah Byard, she not only competed in basketball for the Jaguars, but is focusing on the high jump.

In high school, Byard not only played basketball, but excelled on the track in many different disciplines. She had a successful high school career in the high jump and her love of the sport never left her.

"I was just pretty good at the high jump," said Byard. "Once I started winning in high jump, I decided to put all my energy in this, after basketball season."

Before coming to Augusta Univeristy, Byard was at Appalachain St. where she did both basketball and the high jump for two years. It was a major commitment but had the blessings from both of her coaches since she was able to keep her grades up and was able to separate the two sports. 
 
This year, her senior season, Byard was thinking about going immediately from basketball to the track since she wanted to compete in as many meets as possible. With the Jaguars making it to the NCAA Regional, her high jump season was put on hold for a bit. She ended up playing in every game for coach Celeste Stewart and the Jags and started 23 of them. 

She first talked to track and field coach Jacob Burgamy during the basketball season and he was more than welcome to the idea of her jumping for the Jags when she finished up on the court, especially after seeing what credentials she had at App. St.  

Once she got going here in the spring, it's been full steam ahead. She won the high jump in the Electric City Invitational, her first meet as a Jaguar and was just a couple of inches off the school record. With the Peach Belt Conference Championship up next, Byard has her sites on the record and more.. 

"I want to win. They talk about Emery Riddle and they have a girl that's good. But it's about who comes out and shows up the best. It's my last meet to set the school record, so I need to come out with a big jump which is doable," said Byard. 

While she's only spent one year at Augusta University, she calls the experience "amazing."  Once she got here and stated to play basketball for Stewart, that's when she fully understood what Division II was all about. She's also been very appreciative of the chance Stewart gave her to suit up for Augusta. 

"I got here, I was like, oh, this is actually perfect for me," said Byard. "We won the Peach Belt Conference Championship in basketball, I have another shot at it here in track, so it's been perfect, honestly. I've enjoyed the coaches, the teammates, the people and everything like that."

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