AKRON, Ohio -- The Western Michigan track and field team had four student athletes compete on day one of the MAC Outdoor Track and Field Championships, with Brooke Soper getting the Broncos on the board with an eighth-place finish in the 10,000-meter run. 

Soper was not among the top eight seeds heading into the 10,000-meter run timed finals, but she was able to complete the race in a time of 38:10.69. That finish earned WMU a point toward the overall team total.

Ashley Shipps and Elli Stender kicked off the day by competing in the javelin. Both earned personal best marks, with Stender moving into sixth place in program history. Stender finished 11th with a throw of 32.34 meters, while Shipps was able to collect 15th with a mark of 28.01 meters. 

Claira Gilchrist was the fourth Bronco to compete on day one of the MAC Championships, as she raced in the 400-meter hurdles. She finished fifth in her heat and 16th overall in the event by crossing the finish line in a time of 1:05.08. 

The Broncos will compete again tomorrow, with the action kicking off in the morning. WMU will have athletes competing in the hammer throw, shot put, long jump, 100-meter hurdles, 800-meter run and 3,000-meter steeplechase.