Boulder, Colo. ? For the third consecutive year, Kansas University’s Egor Agafonov won the hammer throw at the Big 12 Championship – becoming the first athlete to do so in conference history.

After Friday’s first day of the league meet, KU’s men were in third place and the women seventh.

Agafonov won with his throw of 67.65 meters (221-feet, 11-inches).

“I’m really happy that I won in my last year,” the Togliatti, Russia, native said. “I am competing against big guys in the biggest conference. I’m really happy. Now I have to work very hard and go compete for a national championship.”

Junior Zlata Tarasova’s 59.98 meters (196-9) placed third in the women’s hammer. It was her best toss of the season and was bested only by the top two competitors in the Big 12. Tarasova came into the meet ranked seventh in the conference.

In the final event of the day, senior Paul Hefferon placed eighth in the 10,000-meter run in 31:15.08.

The second day begins with multi-events at 11 a.m. today.