Toledo, Ohio - The Toledo women's track and field team will send seven athletes to Tampa, Fla. for the NCAA Preliminary East Round this weekend. Competition runs May 24-26 at the University of South Florida Track and Field Stadium.
 
The seven Rockets heading to the Sunshine State include: seniors Janelle Noe, Petronela Simiuc, senior Joan Jepkirui and Stephanie Barlow; juniors Jennifer Lichter and Yana Khabina; and sophomore Athena Welsh.
 
The seven qualifiers tie the program record for most UT representatives sent to the NCAA East Preliminary Round. The last time Toledo sent seven down south was in 2015 during head coach Linh Nguyen's second season with the Rockets.
 
"First of all, I would like to recognize the amazing season these seven women have had," Nguyen said.  "Equaling the largest number of NCAA Prelim qualifiers in school history is a great testament to the hard work and dedication of not only these seven, but the whole team.
 
"I think we're heading into the meet with a chance to send a few on to the final round in Eugene," Nguyen added. "The heat and humidity will be a factor but it's something everybody will deal with this week. We would love to get some through to finals but regardless, this season has been a big success."
 
Six of the seven Rockets reached the NCAA qualifying mark for their respective event at the Mid-American Conference Championships hosted by University at Buffalo May 10-12. The conference final was highlighted by UT taking the top two spots in the 1,500m thanks to Noe and Simiuc. Noe set the conference record after winning in 4:17.01, Simiuc finished right on her heels in 4:18.73.
 
The weekend also saw Welsh hit the NCAA qualifying mark in two events. After finishing the 3,000m steeplechase in 10:14.33 on Friday, the sophomore came back on Saturday in the 5K where she crossed the line in 16:28.35. Welsh is expected to race in both events while in Florida.
 
Toledo wrapped up the MAC Championships in third place with 74 points, claiming the second-best championship finish in program history (second place-2012). The Rockets set 12 personal-records throughout the competition, and fourth-year assistant coach Samantha Bluske was named MAC Assistant Head Coach of the Year following the meet.
 
 
Back for more
Jepkirui and Lichter will each be running at the NCAA East Prelims for the second time in their careers. Jepkirui qualified last season after running a 16:28.53 in the 5K at the Hillsdale "GINA" Relays where she finished fourth. She finished 19th in the prelims after crossing the line in 16:39.32.
 
Lichter first made an appearance in the competition during the 2016 season. She qualified with a 34:38.83 time in the 10K at the Raleigh Relays where she took ninth. At the national competition, Lichter came in 14th place after finishing in 34:39.40.
 
 
Last time at the NCAA East Regionals
Toledo sent four Rockets to the NCAA East Prelims in Lexington, K.y. last season. Aside from Jepkirui, Caroline Lambert, Madeline Pacella and Danda da Silva represented Toledo.
 
Jepkirui took 19th in the 5K after finishing in 16:39.32. Lambert ran the 10K and finished 24th in 34:57.01. Pacella competed in the high jump and finished 33rd after leaping 1.69m. The Midnight Blue and Gold were rounded out by da Silva's 34th place (1:00.65) finish in the 400m hurdles.
 
 
Toledo's NCAA performances under Linh Nguyen
Twelve Rockets have reached NCAA national competition while under Nguyen, with three advancing to the championships. Kyesha Neal recorded the best field-finish out of any of Nguyen's athletes, taking 17th in the discus in 2016 after throwing for 52.11m. Liz Weiler is the top track finisher. She took 18th in the 3,000m steeplechase finals in 2016 after finishing in 10:18.18.
 
 
Follow the NCAA Preliminary Rounds Live
Live results of the meet can be followed for free here.

Fans can watch a live stream of the NCAA Division I East and/or West Preliminary Championships as FloTrack Pro subscribers. The subscription will include access to all FloTrack live broadcasts, video on-demand from all events, documentaries, technique videos and more. Coverage of the preliminary competitions will be available May 24 - 26 at www.FloTrack.com. 
 
 
Up Next
The qualifiers out of the East and West regions will compete in the NCAA Division I Men's and Women's Outdoor Track and Field Championships June 6-9 in Eugene, Oregon.
 
 
Toledo 2018 NCAA Preliminary East Round Seed Times
1,500m prelims
Janelle Noe - 4:17.01 - No. 1 in UT record book
Petronela Simiuc - 4:18.73 - No. 2 in UT record book
 
3,000m steeplechase prelims
Athena Welsh - 10:14.33
Stephanie Barlow - 10:26.48
 
5K prelims
Athena Welsh - 16:28.35 - No. 6 in UT record book
 
10K prelims
Jennifer Lichter - 34:22.82
Joan Jepkirui - 34:38.72
 
400mH prelims
Yana Khabina - 59.01
 
 
Past NCAA Competitors Under Linh Nguyen
Liz Weiler
NCAA DI Championships
2016 - 3,000S 10:18.18 - 18th
 
NCAA DI East Prelims
2016 - 3,000S 9:59.73 - 10th
2015 - 3,000S 10:04.04 - 17th
2014 - 3,000S 10:26.09 - 23rd
 
Mackenzie Chojnacky
NCAA DI Championships
2014 - 3,000S 10:24.85 - 21st
 
NCAA DI East Prelims
2015 - 3,000S 10:03.22 - 15th 
2014- 3,000S 10:07.87 - 6th
 
Kyesha Neal
NCAA DI Championships
2016 - Discus 52.11m - 17th
 
NCAA East Prelims
2016 - Discus 52.92m - 9th 
 
Caroline Lambert
NCAA East Prelims
2017 - 10K 34:57.01 - 24th
 
Danda da Silva
NCAA East Prelims
2017 - 400mH 1:00.65 - 34th
 
Madeline Pacella
NCAA East Prelims
2017 - High jump 1.69m - 33rd
 
Joan Jepkirui
NCAA East Prelims
2017 - 5K 16:39.32 - 19th
 
Jennifer Lichter
NCAA East Prelims
2016 - 10K 34:39.40 - 14th
 
Brooke Tullis
NCAA East Prelims
2016 - 10K 35:35.72 - 30th
2015 - 10K 34:36.85 - 13th
2014 - 5K 16:36.23 - 26th
 
Megan Wright
NCAA East Prelims
2015 - 5K 4:27.25 - 35th
 
Carly Molls
NCAA East Prelims
2015 - Javelin 42.61m - 39th
 
Cassie Vince
NCAA East Prelims
2015 - 10K 35:23.41 - 28th
 
Cara DeAngelis
NCAA East Prelims
2015 - Scratched due to injury