Columbia, Mo. ? Kansas University sophomore Alena Krechyk claimed the hammer throw title in the first day of action at the Big 12 Outdoor Track and Field Championships on Friday.

Krechyk, who won the weight throw title at this year’s Big 12 Indoor Championships, led the KU women to second place with 14 points after Day 1.

Iowa State held the lead with 32 points.

“It is a great feeling to win at a meet this big,” said Krechyk, a native of Grodno, Belarus. “After winning indoors, I put a lot of pressure on myself to win here. I am glad I was able to pull it off.”

Krechyk recorded her winning toss on her first throw of the day, registering a mark of 62.96 meters (206-07 feet). She fouled on her second throw during the prelims, before recording a mark of 61.99m on her third toss.

Once in the finals, Krechyk fouled on her first two attempts before heaving a 62.12m throw on her final toss of the competition. All three of her marks would have won the meet.

KU sophomore Iain Trimble finished ninth in the men’s javelin with his toss of 60.69m (199-01 ft).

The Jayhawk men and women will return to action this afternoon at Audrey J. Walton Stadium with the completion of the heptathlon at 11 a.m. Track events will begin at 1 p.m.