The South Dakota Mines indoor track and field team got off to a great start on the first day of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference championships.

"It was a great day for us," said head coach Steve Johnson. "Tomorrow's a big day as well, hopefully we can keep things rolling."

In the men's 800 meter run, Andrew Ferris took his place on the podium with a third place finish with a time of 1:56.18. Isaac Orozco had a personal best time of 1:59.81 to finish in 11^th place. Dakin Nolan placed fifth and Warren Minerich finished eighth in the men's weight throw. Nolan had a throw of 16.18m and Minerich's throw of 15.78m was a personal best for him.

In the women's weight throw, Jenna Sayler placed second with a throw of 17.01m, a personal record for Sayler. Macy McClure was sixth with a personal best throw of 16.22m.

Jonathan Hopkins is currently in third place after today and is slightly ahead of his record setting pace he set in January.

In the men's pole vault, Ty Nickerson placed fourth with a provisional qualifying mark of 4.81m. That jump moves Nickerson into 2^nd all-time. Jared Wilson also had a person best jump of 4.51m to finish sixth overall. Wilson's jump moves him into sixth all-time for indoors.

The RMAC championships continue Saturday and Sunday.