Associated Press

Special to the News

BEIJING — Former Auburn track and field star Kerron Stewart opened her quest for a second individual medal at the Olympic Games on Tuesday, competing in the first two rounds of the women’s 200 meters.

Stewart, who won a silver medal in the 100 meters Sunday, advanced through the first two rounds into the semifinals.

Stewart breezed through the opening round, cruising home in a time of 23.03 seconds to finish third in her heat and 10th overall.

Stewart, who ran a personal-best time of 21.99 seconds earlier this season, picked up the pace just slightly in the semifinals, posting a mark of 22.74 seconds to finish second in her heat and tied for fourth overall.

Stewart will run in lane seven in the first semifinal heat today, with the finals of the 200 meters slated for Thursday.

Auburn’s only other track and field athlete to compete on Tuesday was Shamar Sands of the Bahamas, who ran in the semifinals of the men’s 110-meter hurdles.

Sands did not reach the finals, placing seventh in his heat and 19th overall in the quarterfinals with a time of 13.55 seconds. He missed a spot in the semifinals by just .04 seconds.