HUNTINGTON, W.Va. - Agata Forkasiewicz set a new Toledo record in the 60-meter dash and added a first-place finish in the 200-meter dash to lead the Rockets in the Thundering Herd Invitational on Saturday.

Forkasiewicz won the 60m in a time of 7.30 seconds to break a 24-year school-record set by Sherrell Wimbs in 1992. Her time was also fast enough to set a new meet record and a new facility record. Forkasiewicz is now tied for 10th fastest time in the country this season.

The Wroclaw, Poland native doubled down on her record-setting day as she set new meet and facility records in the 200-meters. Forkasiewicz won the event in 24.08 seconds, which qualifies her for the MAC Championships and ranks her third all-time in the Toledo indoor record books.
 
"Agata ran great in the 60m," said Toledo head coach Linh Nguyen. "7.30 is a big time run that puts her top 10 in the nation. Then she came back and set records in the 200m as well."

Two events later, Petronela Simiuc earned the Rockets third victory of the day in the 800-meter run. Simiuc cruised to the win in a time of 2:11.71, besting the field by almost three seconds. Toledo teammate Maja Pacaric (2:14.55) was the closest competition, finishing in second.

Athena Welsh finished runner-up in the mile and qualified for the MAC Championships with a time of 4:52.70. Caroline Lambert (4:53.35) finished one spot behind Welsh and just missed automatic qualification by 13 hundredths of a second.

"Petronela ran a strong opener in the 800m without much competition," continued Nguyen. "I was also happy with the runners in the mile and their control of the race."

Stephanie Barlow and Janelle Noe ran to third and fourth-place finishes, respectively, in the 3000-meter run. Madeline Pacella also turned in a fourth-place performance in the high jump, clearing a height of 1.65  meters.

On Friday, Maddie Jarrett (pole vault) and Madison Pierce (long jump) each recorded personal-best marks.

Jarrett was able to clear 3.65 meters on her third and final attempt at the height. Her successful attempt marks a new personal record for Jarrett and moves her into a tie for 11th-best performance in the Mid-American Conference this season. She finished in seventh place, while fellow Rocket Alissa Jenkins placed 12th.

Pierce posted a career-best distance for the second-straight week. A 5.94-meter jump in her final attempt was good enough to win the third flight and take second place overall.

"(Madison) still has room for improvement," continued Nguyen. "I'm excited to see what happens when she really puts a jump together."

Katie Dewey led the Rocket throwers with a throw of 14.88m in the weight throw to take 21st place. Anna Bellman (14.73m) finished 25th and Gabbi Jett (13.52m) finished 32nd.

"Overall, the meet went pretty well," said Nguyen. "We're continuing to take steps in the right direction and putting together some strong meets."

The Rockets look to put together another strong meet in the Meyo Invitational on Friday, Feb. 3 and Saturday, Feb. 4 in South Bend, IN.


Thundering Herd Invitational
60m
1. Agata Forkasiewicz - 7.30 (Finals)
20. Christina Johnson - 7.84 (Prelims)

200m
1. Agata Forkasiewicz - 24.08
13. Christina Johnson - 25.30
26. Tori Thompson - 25.80

400m
10. Dandadeua da Silva - 57.25
38. Kristiana Collins - 1:00.30

800m
1. Petronela Simiuc - 2:11.71
2. Maja Pacaric - 2:14.55
13. Julia Mendiola - 2:18.25
20. Emily Wyrick - 2:19.80

Mile
2. Athena Welsh - 4:52.70
3. Caroline Lambert - 4:52.25
6. Olivia Chinn - 4:58.65
13. Joan Jepkirui - 5:05.92
14. Theresa Warsecke - 5:06.81

3000m
3. Stephanie Barlow - 10:02.67
4. Janelle Noe - 10:07.61
8. Nina Bendixen - 10:12.54
14. Stephanie Sherman - 10:20.44
26. Amanda Bakley - 10:41. 59

5000m
23. Natalie Camardo - 18:36.85

60m Hurdles
39. Madison Pierce - 10:57 (Prelims)

High Jump
4. Madeline Pacella - 1.65m

Triple Jump
6. Ty'Shai Freeman - 11.84m
26. Deja Martin - 10.35m

Shot Put
10. Katie Dewey - 13.08m
16. Sally Frank - 12.19m
31. Kallie Strauss - 10.82m

Pole Vault
7. Maddie Jarrett - 3.65m
12. Alissa Jenkins - 3.35m

Weight Throw
21. Katie Dewey - 14.88m
25. Anna Bellman - 14.73m
32. Gabbi Jett - 13.52m

Long Jump
2. Madison Pierce - 5.94m