Jepkirui Holds NCAA Qualifying Spot After Hillsdale GINA Relays

Thursday, April 27

HILLSDALE, MI

TBA

University of Toledo

Hillsdale GINA Relays

Joan Jepkirui took fourth place in the 5,000m in the Hillsdale GINA Relays

Jepkirui Holds NCAA Qualifying Spot After Hillsdale GINA Relays

4/29/2017 9:04:00 PM | Women's Track and Field

HILLSDALE, Mich. - Joan Jepkirui placed fourth in the 5,000-meter run with a time of 16:28.53 at the Hillsdale GINA Relays this weekend. Jepkirui's time clinches her a spot in the NCAA East Regional at the moment.

"We dealt with a variety of weather," said Toledo Head Coach Linh Nguyen. "We had to scratch most of our sprinters today but still recorded season and lifetime bests."

The NCAA Regional round takes the top 48 qualifiers in each individual event. Jepkirui currently holds the 48th transfer spot by 0.04 second.

"Joan ran a very strong 5k," continued Nguyen. "It looks like she has done enough to qualify for NCAAs."

The Rockets had a trio of 1,500-meter runners that ran season-best times in the event. Petronela Simiuc reaches the fifth spot in the Mid-American Conference with a time of 4:25.50, while Janelle Noe qualifies for the conference championships with a 4:30.11 mark.

In the 5,000-meter run, Toledo finished in first and third with Jennifer Lichter and Stephanie Barlow, respectively. Lichter ran a 17:06.55 for the win while Barlow crossed the tape in 17:10.76. Lichter missed MAC qualification time by just over 10 second.

"Overall we had a good weekend heading into our home meet next week and into the MAC Championships," stated Nguyen.

The Rockets host the Toledo Invitational on May 4-5 before the MAC Championships the following weekend.

Hillsdale GINA Relays
5,000m
1. Jennifer Lichter - 17:06.55
3. Stephanie Barlow - 17:10.76
37. Stephanie Sherman - 18:04.63

Long Jump
8. Madison Pierce - 5.54m

Shot Put
8. Sally Frank - 12.18m
10. Kallie Strauss - 12.05m

High Jump
5. Ty'Shai Freeman - 1.63m

100m
6. Josie Yesmunt - 12.40
10. Deja Martin - 12.57

800m
12. Theresa Warsecke - 2:17.29
17. Julia Mendiola - 2:18.73
23. Emily Wyrick - 2:21.93
34. Roma Lucarelli - 2:26.45
46. Maja Hill - 2:33.96

200m
8. Josie Yesmunt - 25.54

Pole Vault
6. Alexa Jarrett - 3.72m
-- Maddie Jarrett - NH

1,500m
9. Petronela Simiuc - 4:25.50
18. Janelle Noe - 4:30.11
20. Theresa Warsecke - 4:34.90
23. Olivia Chinn - 4:35.67
31. Zita Molnar - 4:40.72

5,000m
4. Joan Jepkirui - 16:28.53

10,000m
14. Natalie Camardo - 40:30.39

Discus
2. Anna Bellman - 45.80m

Pole Vault
4. Alissa Jenkins - 3.46m

Javelin
12. Kallie Strauss - 26.05m

Triple Jump
8. Deja Martin - 10.80m

4x100m
2. Collins, Hill, Johnson, Thompson - 46.74

1,500m
22. Marissa Rossetti - 4:57.34

800m
11. Petronela Simiuc - 2:13.81