UTEP’s Nina Schvedoff defended her title in the hammer to open the Conference USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Houston, Texas, Thursday.

Schvedoff had a best of 186-6 (56.85) to top Gail Lee of Memphis, who had a throw of 185-7 (56.57). Miner senior Alina Joaca-Bine gave UTEP six valuable points taking third with a throw of 178-1 (54.27).

The UTEP leads the competition following one event with 16 points, followed by East Carolina with 11.

On the men’s side, Daniel Lujan stands in seventh place in the decathlon after five events. He scored 3,096 points on day one.

The rest of the competition was halted after the men’s qualifying round of the hammer due lightening in the area. UTEP’s Hans Eriksson was sitting in fourth place going into the finals.

The C-USA Championships run through Saturday.