Alena Krechyk Claims Hammer Title At 2010 Big 12 Outdoor Track And Field Championships

May 14, 2010

COLUMBIA, Mo. –

Live Results

Kansas sophomore Alena Krechyk claimed the hammer throw title to lead the Jayhawks on the first day of action at the 2010 Big 12 Outdoor Track and Field Championships here Friday. Krechyk, who also claimed the weight throw title at the 2010 Big 12 Indoor Championships, helped put the KU women in second place with 14 points after the first day of competition.

“It is a great feeling to win at a meet this big,” said Krechyk, who is 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 62.96m (206-07 ft). 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 throw of 62.12m on her final throw of the competition. All three of her marks would have won the meet.

Jayhawk freshman Rebecca Neville sits in sixth place in the heptathlon after the first day of action. Neville opened the event in a tie for third place after clocking in at 14.41 in the 100-meter hurdles. Neville collected 921 points for her time in the hurdles.

Neville then cleared 1.57m (5-04.25 ft) in the high jump, tallying 701 points as she moved into sixth place. Neville had a tough outing in the shot put as she turned in a mark of 8.11m (26-07.25 ft), garnering 406 points. She then finished up strong in the 200 meters as she was clocked in at 24.95, which marked a new personal best for the Merrillville, Ind., native. Neville collected 891 points for the 200 meters, giving her a total of 2,919 points after four events.

“I was really disappointed in my first three events,” said Neville. “My 200 meters more than made up for it though. I told myself before the race that I was going to run in the 24’s and I went out and did it. Now I feel much better about making a push on Saturday and hopefully moving up in the standings.”

KU sophomore Iain Trimble finished ninth in the men’s javelin with his toss of 60.69m (199-01 ft). Trimble narrowly missed making the finals, as he was short three feet of advancing.

Kansas freshman Allie Marquis quickly got the Jayhawk women on the board as she finished fifth in the 10,000 meters Friday morning.

Marquis and fellow Jayhawk junior Amanda Miller hung tight with a pack of Iowa State runners throughout much of the race, making their initial move into the pack between laps six and eight before Marquis solidified her spot in the race with about four laps remaining.

“This is my first 10,000 meters this season,” said Marquis, who hails from Prairie Village, Kan. “Every time I passed the timer I checked to see if I was on pace with what the coaches had given me as a game plan. I tried to do my best to stay at the front and then with about four laps to go the pace picked up and that is where the race really took place.”

Marquis finished with a time of 35:00.22, which ranks fourth all-time in KU history. Her fifth-place finish gave the Jayhawks four team points to start the meet off on a good note.

“I am really excited with my finish,” said Marquis. “It is a great feeling to be able to help the team and not just be on the team.”

Miller hung with Marquis for nearly the entire race and was in seventh place prior to collapsing on the track with about 15 yards to go. She was unable to finish the race.

Sophomore Josh Baden and junior Nick Caprario competed in the 10,000 meters for the Kansas men. Baden came in 15th place with a time of 30:47.73, while Caprario finished right behind him in 16th place with his time of 30:50.09.

The Jayhawk men and women will return to action Saturday afternoon at Audrey J. Walton Stadium with the completion of the heptathlon beginning at 11 a.m. Track events will begin at 1 p.m., with the running of the 1,500m prelims.

Big 12 Track & Field Championships Agate

Day 1 — Friday, May 14, 2010

KANSAS RESULTS ONLY

10,000m Run Women

5. Allie Marquis, FR, 35:00.22, 4 points for team

— Amanda Miller, JR, DNF

10,000m Run Men

15. Josh Baden, SO, 30:47.73

16. Nick Caprario, JR, 30:50.09

Heptathlon

100m Hurdles 3. Rebecca Neville, FR, 14.41, 1.3 wind, 921 points

High Jump 6. Rebecca Neville, FR, 1.57m (5-01.75 ft.), 701 points (1622 points)

Shot Put 13. Rebecca Neville, FR, 8.11m (26-07.25), (8.11m, 7.90m, 7.74m), 406 points (2028 points)

200m Dash 2. Rebecca Neville, FR, 24.95, wind 0.4, 891 points (2919 points)

Hammer Women

1. Alena Krechyk, FR, 62.96m (206-07 ft.), (62.96m, FOUL, 61.99m, FOUL, FOUL, 62.12m), 10 points for team

Javelin Men

9. Iain Trimble, FR, 60.69m (199-01 ft.), (FOUL, 60.69m, 59.52m)

Day 1 Team Standings–Women

1. Iowa State, 32

2. Kansas, 14

3. Nebraska, 13

4. Texas Tech, 8

5. Texas A&M, 6

6. Kansas State, 2

6. Missouri, 2

8. Texas, 1