Des Moines, Iowa — Three Kansas University track and field athletes captured championships at the NCAA Midwest Regionals on Friday, while three more qualified for today's finals.

Egor Agafonov won the regional hammer throw crown for the second straight year with a winning throw of 223 feet. He was joined by freshman Jordan Scott, who won pole vault with a leap of 17-5; and Barrett Saunders, who took the long jump title with a jump of 25-9 1/4.

All three won at the Big 12 outdoor championships earlier this month.

"I just hope to carry the momentum from today to nationals," Saunders said. "I feel like I have some bigger jumps still left in me."

In addition, Julius Jiles (110-meter hurdles), Ashley Brown and Janiece Gaston (400 hurdles) all qualified for today's finals.

Also, senior Eric Babb took third place in the long jump, and senior Cody Roberts placed fourth in the discus. Both have qualified for the NCAA Championships next month.

After day one, the KU men's team has 41 points and is in first place. The women had yet to compile any points.

The NCAA Championships will start June 6 in Sacramento, Calif.