When Egor Agafonov was a boy in Russia, he walked by a stadium one day and noticed men throwing weights. He had tried basketball, swimming and skiing previously and didn't find much success in those endeavors. He decided throwing was something in which he might find a future.

When Kayla Wilkinson was a young girl growing up in Kansas, she noticed she had a knack for throwing softballs and footballs and just about anything else she picked up. Eventually she got her hands on the javelin.

Agafonov and Wilkinson each won the third Big 12 conference championship of their careers Friday at the Big 12 Outdoor Track and Field Championships at Potts Field.

Agafonov, a senior at Kansas who grew up in Togliatti, Russia, came into the hammer throw competition as the Big 12 record holder and ranked No. 3 in the nation. From his first throw, it was clear he was the man to beat.

Most prep track and field teams in the United States do not compete in the hammer throw, giving foreign throwers such as Agafonov a distinct advantage when they choose to attend American colleges because they usually already have mastered the technique that is critical in the sport.

Agafonov's technique allowed him to heave the 16-pound hammer 221 feet, 11 inches, beating Jason Morris of Missouri, who threw 212-07. Tyler Dailey of Missouri was third with a throw of 201-2.

Four different men broke the Potts Field record during Friday's competition. The record had been only 197 feet.

"I'm really happy that I won my last year," Agafonov said. "It's really nice to be here and win again. These are big guys from biggest conference in the United States."

The Potts Field record also was broken in the women's hammer throw, won by Kansas State junior Loren Groves, who threw 212-4. Colorado's Kaity Kark finished 16th.

While Agafonov was clearly the best thrower in the field, he acknowledged not feeling confident to start the day. He said a long, hard week of finals in the classroom last week got the best of him and sapped his energy.

"I didn't sleep well all week," he said. "I'm glad it's over."

Morris was the only man in the field who appeared to have the stuff to challenge the 6-4 Russian, but he was also coming off a difficult week. He battled through strep throat last week to compete Friday.

"I actually couldn't be happier with it," Morris said of his second-place finish. "The only thing that could have been better would have been beating Egor. But I'm very happy he got his third title."

Wilkinson was forced to watch the Big 12 championships from the stands at her home track in Nebraska last spring after undergoing shoulder surgery. She said it was a miserable experience watching others win "my title."

Wilkinson's winning throw of 182-10 Friday was more than 20 feet longer than her nearest competitor and established a new Big 12 outdoor meet record. It also was a personal record, showing the championship clearly does belong to her.

Wilkinson is ranked among the top four in the javelin in the nation and has her sights sets on a national title next month at the NCAA championships. Her best competition comes from women she is familiar with at Minnesota, Purdue and Oregon.

"We're all close," she said. "It's all going to depend on that day."

Half the field in the women's finals in the javelin were from Texas A&M and half the field were freshmen. All four Aggies finished in the four spots directly behind Wilkinson, led by Jessica Wingfield, who threw 161-8.

Wilkinson got her start in the javelin in high school in Kansas. She realized she had a talent for throwing softballs and footballs growing up and decided to give the javelin a try.

"I've always had an arm on me," she said.

Big Red trio in lead

Three Nebraska women finished the first day of competition in the heptathlon atop the leader board with four of seven events completed. Megan Wheatley leads teammates Chantae McMillan and Rachel Butler with a score of 3,407 points. McMillan is 222 points behind.

Colorado junior Chelsea Haverty is in eighth place in her first year competing in the event. She is just 14 points behind the fourth-place finisher and is solid in all the second-day events.

Athletes completed the 100-meter hurdles, high jump, shot put and 200-meter run Friday. A champion will be decided today after the long jump, javelin and 800-meter run.

Notable

Five of 10 events in the decathlon were completed Friday, with Nick Adcock of Missouri holding a one-point lead over Rok Derzanic of Kansas State. Skyler Reising of Nebraska is third. The 110-meter hurdles, discus, javelin and 1,500-meter run will conclude the decathlon today. ... Relatively few people attended Friday's competition during the day, but that was expected, considering the state high school track meets were taking place in Denver and it was the final day of the work week. At least 1,000 fans were in the stands for the two 10,000-meter races in the evening. Officials expect attendance to pick up today. ... Colorado defensive tackle George Hypolite is serving as a volunteer this weekend, taking tickets at the Potts Field gate.