TRACK AND FIELD / NCAA CHAMPIONSHIPS : Nearly Fouled Out, USC’s Kiss Rallies to Win Hammer

Hammer thrower Balazs Kiss, troubled by an injured hip and in danger of not qualifying for the final, Wednesday became the first USC athlete in 26 years to win consecutive titles at the NCAA track and field meet.

The sophomore from Hungary won his second consecutive hammer throw championship with a heave of 246 feet 5 inches, despite injuring his right hip on his first throw.

Kiss, the heavy favorite, fouled on his first two throws and was in danger of not making the nine-man final from the original field of 17. But his third throw of 225-9 moved him into sixth place, and after that he improved on each try.

He took the lead in Round 4 at 239-10 and went 242-3 on his fifth attempt, before making his winning throw.

After the second foul, Kiss had a reassuring talk with throwing coach Dan Lange.

“I told him, ‘Don’t worry, you’ve got it,’ ” Lange said.

“I know,” Kiss said. “I just wanted to hear it.”

However, Kiss said, “I was definitely worried. I was a nervous wreck.”

The last USC athlete to win two consecutive titles in the NCAA championships was 110-meter hurdler Earl McCullouch in 1967-68.

Kiss believes he can surpass 260 feet this summer, if he can maintain his composure.

“I’m on the doorstep of making it big time,” said Kiss, who has been surpassing 250 feet during practice, “but I’m too nervous to do it just yet. A big throw scares me. I’m scared of throwing well.”

Alex Papadimitriou of Texas El Paso finished second at 237-7, beating third-place finisher Roman Linscheid of St. John’s by two inches.

John Godina of UCLA, who injured his right pectoral muscle this year, won the men’s discus title at 198-5, the shortest winning throw since 1986. He will try for a meet double Saturday in the shotput.

Debbie Ann Parris of Louisiana State, the defending champion in the women’s 400-meter hurdles, gave the Tigers a start toward their eighth consecutive team title, winning her semifinal in 56.60 seconds, best in the three heats.

LSU, the two-time defending champion in the women’s 400 relay, also won its heat in 43.92.