Napoli, Italy - University of Toledo senior Petronela Simiuc represented the University of Toledo and her home country, Romania, in the 800 meters and 1500 meters at the World University Games in Napoli, Italy this week. 
 
On Monday, Simiuc competed in the first round for the 800 meters, clocking a time of 2:08.16 to place 19th, a qualifying mark for the semifinal. On Thursday, Simiuc clocked a time of 4:27.36 to finish eighth in her heat and 15th overall in the first round of the 1500 meters. 

"It's exciting to see Petro representing not only Romania, but our track and field program internationally," said associate head track and field coach Adrian Ghioroaie. "We are looking forward to have Petronela back on campus this fall and see her finish an already great student-athlete career on a high note."
 
The Bacau, Romania native earned silver in the 1500 meters with a time of 4:27.86 at the Mid-American Conference Outdoor Championships last season. Simiuc recorded a season-best 4:19.28 in the 1500 meters at the Bryan Clay Invitational and a season-best 2:08.27 in the 800 meters at the Raleigh Relays to take second. Simiuc also earned a spot at the NCAA East Prelims qualifier in the 1500-meter event.
 
During the 2018 outdoor season Simiuc posted a personal-best of 4:17.50 in the 1500m at the NCAA East Prelim. Simiuc clocked the second-fastest time in school history for the 1500m at the 2018 MAC Championships, her time of 4:18.73 was a mere second from the MAC record (4:17.01) that teammate Janelle Noe set in the same race.
 
Simiuc holds the top two fastest times at Toledo for the 800 meters: 2:07.89 set in 2017 and 2:08.27 set in 2019. 
 
Simiuc earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Toledo and is currently pursuing a masters degree in public health. She will return this fall on the cross country course and will be back on the track this spring.