BROOKINGS, S.D. --- It may have been cold in Brookings, South Dakota, during the South Dakota State Indoor Classic this past weekend, but that didn't slow down the South Dakota School of Mines men's and women's indoor track teams from posting some fast times and getting some quality things done.

The Hardrockers broke six SD Mines school records, had five Top 5 finishes and registered 27 personal best records during the two-day meet.

Andrew Ferris had an outstanding day for the Hardrockers breaking three school records. He bettered his own school record in the men's 800-meter run and then notched a new best mark in 600-meter run and was a member of the men's 4x400 relay team, which also set a new record.

Ferris finished fourth in the 600 run, clocking a time of 1 minute 21.08 seconds and a new school record on Friday. The old record was held by Garrett Shaal in 2013 (1:23.17).

Ferris came back on Saturday and registered a new school record in the 800 run with a 1:53.78. He held the old record in the 800 at 1:55.13 from a year ago.

Ferris also ran the second leg of the 4x400 relay team which took fourth in the event for a new school record on 3:18.17. Also on the squad were Korder Cropsey, Kevin Ptak and Jonathon Murray. The old record was 3:20.95.

Erica Westerman also had a solid weekend bettering two SD Mines school records. She clocked a time of 2:15.96 during the women's 800 run and nearly shaved off eight seconds from her previous school record of 2:23.10.

Westerman also broke the school record during the women's 600 run, posting a new Hardrocker faster time of 1:38.58. The old record was held by Katie Croell at 1:39.54 from 2016.

Adeline Straatmeyer also bettered one of her own school record this past weekend during the women's mile run. She clocked a time of 5:13.04 which was almost 10 second better from her old mark of 5:23.16.

Other Hardrocker highlights included: Erica Keeble took third place in the women's pole vault after clearing a height of 3.68 meters; Casey Skillingstad secured fourth place in the men's pole vault registering a height of 4.50 meters.

"We had a pretty good meet this weekend. With 27 PRs, we were very competitive," said Hardrocker track and field head coach Steve Johnson. "The middle distance athletes were right in the thick of it as they helped account for all 6 of our school records. The 4x4 was a great cap to the weekend as the women ran their best time of the season and the men capped it off with a school record. Erica, Andy and Addie looked terrific this weekend as they combined for 5 school records."
 
Coach Johnson added, "Kevin Ptak had a great 400m race and really did a great job eating up the field in the 4x4. We were really happy with what we accomplished this weekend. Now, we have to put the finishing touches on and try to get a few more people into the RMAC meet."