Gunnison, Colo. – The Grizzly Track & Field squad had a successful first day on Friday at the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Indoor Track & Field Championship.

Samuel Dirkes led the way for the Grizzlies. He secured first place in the shot put on his last throw of the competition, with a mark of 18.61m. This becomes the fourth time that he has taken home the conference title in the event.

Isila Apkup got the job done in the qualifying rounds of the sprints. She placed 2nd in the 60m prelims, tying her personal best of 7.46. She then placed 3rd in the 200m prelims, with a season best time of 24.85.

The women's 5000m runners put up some points for the Grizzlies. Léa Navarro and Keira Damron placed 3rd and 4th in a grueling race at 7,750 feet above sea level. Their times were 17:59.37 and 18:19.24, respectively.

In the last track event of the day, the Adams State women's distance medley relay team brought home the gold. The team of Lieke Hoogsteen, Isila Apkup, Marie Garret, and Ava O'Connor won the race by more than five seconds in 11:50.05, breaking the Western Colorado fieldhouse record.

The Grizzlies turn their sights toward the second and final day of the conference championship on Saturday.