Weight thrower earns national title

Monday, March 12, 2007

After finishing second in the weight throw at the 2006 NCAA Indoor Championships, junior Egor Agafonov admitted that he was not the best competitor on that day. On Friday, Agafonov left no doubt who was the best in 2007.

The 2006 and 2007 Big 12 Conference champion used his second throw to toss a career-best 77-05.25, good enough to give Agafonov his first national championship.

“This is the biggest win of my life. I can’t really describe how I am feeling right now,” Agafonov said in a press release. “I haven’t let it set in yet, but I am very glad that I have won such a big event.”

Agafonov and the Jayhawks’ assistant throws coach, Andy Kokhanovsky, knew that setting an early tone could make the difference. The mental edge of getting his winning throw early gave Agafonov an advantage against Auburn’s Cory Martin, who finished second at 76-04.25.

Kate Sultanova set a personal record and tied a Kansas record with her vault of 14-01.25, but clearing the height on her second attempt kept her in third place.

pullquote

This is the biggest win of my life. I can’t really describe how I am feeling right now.

-junior Egor Agafonov

Colby Wissel used his finishing kick to finish seventh in the 3,000-meter, but overall the 2007 Big 12 champion wasn’t satisfied with his performance Saturday. The school record-holder in the event finished with a time of 7:58.42.

“Today’s events will definitely serve as motivation for the outdoor season,” Wissel said in a press release. “You only get a day or so to lick your wounds and then you have to get back out there.”

Agafonov and Wissel teamed for 12 points to put the Jayhawk men in 12th place, while Sultanova’s six points were good for a tie for the women’s 34th place.

Kansas will take a week off before starting the outdoor season March 25 in Tulsa, Okla., for the Hurricane Invitational.

Kansan sportswriter Taylor Bern can be contacted at tbern@kansan.com.

— Edited by Lisa Tilson

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