Mankato, Minn. ---  Minnesota State sophomore pole vaulter Dan Novak vaulted 16’8” to claim the 2010 NSIC pole vault crown as the Mavericks opened the championships Friday.

Minnesota State scored a meet-high 59 points in the opening day.

Novak’s height was good enough to reach the automatic qualification standard for next month’s national championships.

The Mavericks also won the distance medley won with a time of 10:29.54.  The relay team was made up of senior Denise Mokaya, junior Lucas Torres, freshman Edward Van Pelt, and senior Jonathan Stoltman.

Several Mavericks advanced to Saturday’s finals including:  Mokaya (mile, prelim time of 4:44.87; 800-meter run, prelim time of 2:00.14), Stoltman (mile, prelim time of 4:34.51; 1,000-meter run, prelim time of 2:28.88), freshman Austin Eliason (400-meter run, prelim time of :50.96), senior Sam Lance (400-meter run, prelim time of :49.95), junior Adam Endres (400-meter run, prelim time of :50.42), freshman Eric Anenson (600-meter run, prelim time of 1:23.06), junior Todd Reed (600-meter run, prelim time of 1:24.09), senior Kelvin Rodgers (60-meter dash, prelim time of :06.94; 200-meter dash, prelim time of :22.18), Van Pelt (800-meter run, prelim time of 2:01.03), junior Nick Ramberg (1,000-meter run, prelim time of 2: 32.14).

Stoltman’s 1,000-meter time of 2:32.14 established a new NSIC record, breaking Steve Webster of Minnesota State’s record of 2:30.60, a time he shared with Jeff Streich of MSU Moorhead.

In the field events, senior Chris Nowlin finished sixth in the long jump with a leap of 22’5 ¾”.  Sophomore Matt Masloski was second in the pole vault with a provisional height of 16’0”, while junior Nick Yenser was sixth with a height of 15’00 ¼”.

In the men’s shot put junior Todd DeJong finished second with a provisional toss of 54’5 ½”, while senior Michael Robinson was fourth with a throw of 51’5 ½” and sophomore Tyler Velzke was fifth in 51’00”.