Raleigh, N.C. - The Toledo women's track and field team rounded out the first day of competition at the Raleigh Relays on Friday with one new school record, seven top-10 finishes and six personal-bests. Junior Athena Welsh posted a school record of 15:58.95 in the 5000m, landing in third place and becoming the first Rocket to break the 16:00 mark. Freshman Rebecca Snyder also posted a personal-best in the 5000m, clocking a time of 17:58.34.

"Today was a solid day overall," said head coach Linh Nguyen. "The first meet is always a bit of a mixed bag, but I think there's a lot of positives moving into day two. Petronela Simiuc ran a strong opener in the 1500 meters and should have an NCAA first round qualifier with that time."

"The highlight of the day was Athena Welsh's huge run in the 5000 meters," said Nguyen. "We came in with the goal of breaking 16:00 and she executed the race perfectly to take 26 seconds off her best and ten seconds off the school record. Breaking the 16:00 barrier is a huge deal and with all the great distance runners that have come through this program, to be the first one ever is really an accomplishment."  

The 5000m record was previously held by Brianna Shook, who posted a time of 16:08.40 in 2004. 
 
In the 1500m, senior Petronela Simiuc came within three seconds of her personal-best, clocking a MAC automatic qualifying time of 4:20.22 and placing sixth. Junior Stephanie Sherman posted a personal-best of 35:55.06 in the 10,000m, taking off an entire minute from her previous PR. 
 
Seniors Shanice Williams and Nautica Hill finished second and third, respectively, in the 100-meter dash. Williams clocked a time of 11.90 and Hill clocked an 11.95. Senior Christina Johnson took 23rd place with a time of 12.36. 
 
In the field events, senior Katie Dewey landed ninth in both the discus (45.43m) and the shot put (14.30m). Classmate Sally Frank was 25th in the shot put with a throw of 12.74m. Junior Atalia Lima landed 10th in the high jump with a jump of 1.58m. In the long jump, senior Deja Martin took 14th with a leap of 5.52m, while sophomore Janell Rowe landed 22nd, posting a leap of 5.47m.
  
Day Two
Saturday's track events are slated to begin at 9:30 a.m. with the men's 10,000 meters, and field events will begin at 9:45 a.m. with the women's hammer throw. A full schedule of events can be found here. 

Follow Along 
The Relays will also be available to watch live on the ACC Network Extra. More information about the Raleigh Relays can be found here. 
 
Toledo Results
Friday, March 29
 
Field  Events
Shot Put
9. Katie Dewey - 14.30m
25. Sally Frank - 12.74m
 
High Jump Invitational
10. Atalia Lima - 1.58m
 
Long Jump 
14. Deja Martin - 5.52m
22. Janell Rowe - 5.47m
 
Discus
9. Katie Dewey - 45.43m
 
Track  Events
100m
2. Shanice Williams - 11.90
3. Nautica Hill - 11.95 *PR*
23. Christina Johnson - 12.36
 
400m
31. Rayna Horner - 57.76 *PR*
 
1500m
6. Petronela Simiuc - 4:20.22 - MAC Automatic Qualifying Time
 
3000m Steeplechase
36. Olivia Chinn - 10:57.33
48. Amanda Bakley - 11:14.07

5000m
3. Athena Welsh - 15:58.95 *PR* - MAC Automatic Qualifying Time
132. Rebecca Snyder - 17:58.34 *PR*
 
10,000m Invitational
34. Jennifer Lichter - 35:19.48
37. Claire Steigerwald - 35:36.25 *PR*
 
10,000m
11. Stephanie Sherman - 35:55.06 *PR*
 
Toledo Schedule of Events
Saturday, March 30 
 
Field  Events
12:00 p.m. - Triple Jump
Janell Rowe
 
Track  Events
1:00 p.m. - 400m Hurdles
Rayna Horner
 
2:05 p.m. - 800m 
Janelle Noe, Petronela Simiuc
 
2:40 p.m. - 4x200 Relay
Nautica Hill, Rayna Horner, Shanice Williams, Christina Johnson, Atalia Lima
 
3:55 p.m. - 200m 
Nautica Hill, Shanice Williams