Austin, Texas ? Kansas University sophomore Alena Krechyk owns the country’s top collegiate mark in the women’s hammer throw after her 64.57 m (211-10 feet) toss on Thursday at the Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays.

Krechyk also broke the KU school record of 62.94m (206-06 feet), previously held by Zlata Tarasova since 2007.

Although it’s still early in the 2010 outdoor season, Krechyk’s throw at the Texas Relays leads all Div. I marks by 10 inches.

A native of Grodno, Belarus, Krechyk came to Kansas in December 2009 after competing one year for Yanka Kupala State University in Belarus.

She was the U-23 Belarus National Champion in the hammer throw with a personal-best 68.61 m (225-01 feet).

Also on Thursday at the Texas Relays, KU freshman Taissa Makhmayeva qualified for the finals of the women’s 400-meter hurdles after running the fifth-fastest time of 1:00.42 in the preliminary round. Sophomore Sasha Cunningham also competed in the prelims of the 400-meter hurdles, recording a time of 1:03.74.

On the men’s side, Ryan Hays, on his first attempt, cleared 4.91 m (16-01.25 feet) in Section B of the pole vault, a new personal record for the KU senior.