MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. -- The Western Michigan track and field team sits in eighth place with eight points through three events at the first day of the 2012 Outdoor Mid-American Conference Championships on Thursday.

The Broncos trail first place Toledo and Kent State, who are tied at the top with 22 points. Western Michigan earned points in the javelin and the 10k but missed out on scoring in the hammer throw.

In the 10k senior Amber Brunmeier finished in third place to earn six points with a time of 35:47.47, just over five seconds shy of second place.

"I was really proud of Amber," said head coach Kelly Lycan. "For her to not even be on the radar screen a few years ago and to finish in the top three and get a medal at the MAC Championships is amazing. She was determined to get it done and she did a great job."

Freshman Lindsey Hufnagel took seventh place in the javelin to score two points with a distance of 115-10. Hufnagel, along with Kathryn Pickett and Amanda Fenton also competed in the first half of the heptathlon.

Pickett currently sits in seventh place after the 100 meter hurdles, high jump, shot put and 200 meter dash. Hufnagel, who holds the school record in the heptathlon, currently sits in 11th but is just shy of eighth place by 86 points. Pickett sits just 33 points out of third place.

The heptathlon wraps up on Friday, while the Broncos run in several preliminary races beginning at 11 a.m.