ASU's Stevens starts pursuit of 3 NCAA track and field titles

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (AP) -- Arizona State's Sarah Stevens has qualified for the finals in the hammer throw and shot put, beginning her pursuit of three titles at the NCAA track and field championships.

Stevens -- who competes in the discus qualifications and the shot put today -- needed only one toss to qualify in the shot put. She used three attempts in the hammer throw earlier in the day but had no problem reaching the finals at Fayetteville, Ark. The hammer throw finals are tomorrow and the discus finals are Saturday.

Stevens is the defending national champion in the discus, and she won the indoor title in the shot put in 2007. She's a big reason the Arizona State women are expected to contend for the team title this week. Last year at this event, Stevens finished first in the discus, third in the hammer throw and sixth in the shot put.