Agafonov, Hefferon, Young Garner All-America Honors
June 9, 2006
SACRAMENTO, Calif. –
The University of Kansas men’s and women’s track and field teams added three more All-America honors to their total on Friday at the 2006 NCAA Championships in Sacramento. Sophomores Egor Agafonov and Paul Hefferon and senior Denita Young all earned the award for their performances to join senior Charisse Bacchus who was tabbed on Thursday in the long jump.<?xml:namespace prefix=”o” ns=”urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office”?>
Agafonov is now a two-time All-American in just his first year on the squad. The Togliatti, Russia, native placed fifth in the hammer on Friday to cap his first collegiate season as a Jayhawk. Agafonov, who was also a weight throw All-American at the 2006 NCAA Indoor Championships, had a best toss of 219-3 in the hammer competition. In addition to his All-America honors, Agafonov was also the Big 12 and regional champion in the event this season, as well as the new school record holder.
Though Young finished 10th in the javelin on Friday, her position as one of the top-eight American competitors secured her All-American status. The Liberal, Kan., native had a toss of 158-7 to give her the result. Young finished as an All-American at the 2001 NCAA Championships as well while at the University of Tennessee. She finishes her career as a Jayhawk at third on the school’s all-time performance list.
Hefferon notched a 14th-place finish in a time of 14:28.37 in the 5,000-meter finals in his first NCAA Championships. Like Young, Hefferon finished as a top-eight American to give him the All-American honors. The Overland Park, Kan., joins Mark Menefee and KU great Wes Santee as the school’s only All-Americans in the 5,000m.
The 2006 NCAA Track and Field Championships will wrap up on Saturday for Kansas when senior Sheldon Battle will compete in the shot put and go for his second-straight year earning All-America honors. Fans can catch live coverage of the meet on CBS from 2:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. (CST).
