TOLEDO, OH - Toledo wrapped up the Mid-American Conference Outdoor Track & Field Championships on the UT campus on Saturday, May 14. Toledo finished seventh in team scoring with 46 points, and picked up 28 points on day three.
 
"We scored in almost every event we competed in," head coach Linh Nguyen said. "The MAC is a competitive conference in every event. Overall, I'm pretty happy with the results. The athletes competed hard and went after points."
 
The home track gave UT athletes an advantage.
 
"It was great for the athletes, parents and fans to host this meet at home," Nguyen said. "I think it added a little motivation for the ladies."
 
Junior Maja Pacaric placed in both the 800m and 1,500m for the Rockets. Pacaric earned two points with a seventh-place finish in the 800m and one point with an eighth-place finish in the 1,500m. Pacaric ran the 800m in 2:16.61 and 1,500m in a time of 4:33.35.
 
"Maja unfortunately lost her shoe with 500m to go in the 1,500m," Nguyen said. "It's difficult to kick as hard as you need to without a shoe."
 
Assistant coach Samantha Bluske is impressed with the improvement of Pacaric.
 
"Maja had an incredible meet and an incredible outdoor season," Bluske said. "She barely made the conference meet a few months ago, and she made the podium in two races. It shows how strong she has become."
 
Senior Julia Pusateri also placed fifth in the 1,500m with a time of 4:33.35 and picked up four points for UT.
 
In the 5,000m, senior Brooke Tullis and freshman Jennifer Lichter placed fourth and sixth and picked up a total of eight points for the Rockets. Tullis finished with a time of 16:53.69, while Lichter finished with a time of 17:03.14.
 
"I'm pretty happy with the race," Tullis said. "It started a little slow, but there was a pretty big change and I had to switch gears. It was nice to be on the home track."
 
Both Tullis and Lichter will run the 10,000 in the NCAA East Region Prelims in two weeks.
 
The field events saw 13 points scored for UT on day three. Senior Kyesha Neal recorded two third-place finishes during the meet. Today saw Neal throw the discus 49.21m and earn the Rockets six points. Neal also finished third in the shot put yesterday with a toss of 15.31m.
 
"Just a fantastic performance by Kyesha," assistant coach Trevor Stutzman said. "Two third-place medals is unbelievable."
 
Neal did not let the poor weather hurt her.
 
"The conditions were a little testy," Neal said. "I just had to go with it no matter the weather. That's track & field."
 
Junior Madeline Pacella added four points in the high jump with a 1.66m mark, and Ty'Shai Freeman added three points in the triple jump with an 11.88m. Pacella will compete at the NCAA meet in two weeks.
 
Yesterday, two Rockets scored in the 3,000m. Senior Liz Weiler earned five points in a fourth-place finish, while sophomore Stephanie Barlow earned three points in a sixth-place finish. Weiler ran the event in 10.24.82, while Barlow ran the event in 10:43.43.
 
"Coming in, we were hoping for two to score," Nguyen said. "I'm pretty happy with this event. Championship racing is different from invitational racing. The athletes get fired up for it."
 
Weiler was happy to run the championship meet at home.
 
"I'm so thankful that today was at home," Weiler said. "It means a lot to compete here and score for the team."
 
After lightning delayed the event on Thursday night, the 10,000m was completed this morning. Senior Priscilla Timmons wrapped up her UT career with a great race, scoring four points for the Rockets with a fifth-place finish. Timmons ran a season-best 35:50.65. Sophomore Delainey Phelps also finished her first MAC meet with a time of 37:38.92.
 
"I couldn't be more proud of Priscilla," assistant coach Samantha Bluske said. "She ran a perfect race and took control with 600 meters to go. This was a great way for her to go out."
 
Student-athletes in the top 48 of each event will compete in the NCAA east regional preliminary round on May 26-28 in Jacksonville, FL.
 
Team Scores
1. Eastern Michigan, 152
2. Akron, 130
3. Northern Illinois, 110.5
4. Kent State, 104.5
5. Central Michigan, 67
6. Bowling Green, 52
7. Toledo, 46
8. Miami, 45
9. Western Michigan, 38
10. Ohio, 32
11. Buffalo, 27
12. Ball State, 14
 
FINAL RESULTS (Points)
800m
7. Maja Pacaric, 2:16.61
 
1,500m
5. Julia Pusateri, 4:30.62 (4)
8. Maja Pacaric, 4:33.35 (1)
 
3,000m
4. Liz Weiler, 10:24.82 (5)
6. Stephanie Barlow, 10:43.43 (3)
13. Olivia Chinn, 11:23.48
 
5,000m
4. Brooke Tullis, 16:53.69 (5)
6. Jennifer Lichter, 17:03.14 (3)
 
10,000m
5. Priscilla Timmons, 35:50.65 (4)
14. Delainey Phelps, 37:38.92
 
4x100m
10. Toledo, 47.45
 
4x400m
12. Toledo, 3:56.75
 
Shot Put
3. Kyesha Neal, 15.31m (6)
13. Katie Dewey, 13.30m
 
Discus
3. Kyesha Neal, 49.21m (6)
9. Katie Dewey, 45.21m
17. Anna Bellman, 37.87m
 
High Jump
5. Madeline Pacella, 1.66m (4)

Triple Jump
6. Ty'Shai Freeman, 11.88m (3)
18. Deja Martin, 10.96,
 
Javelin
14. Anna Bellman, 35.62m