ALLENDALE, Mich. / BOSTON, Mass. – Senior Petronela Simiuc continued her record-breaking season by breaking her own record in the mile with a time of 4:34.59 to place fifth at the David Hemery Valentine Invitational hosted by Boston University. The Bacau, Romania native was the first collegiate runner across the line today and had previously broken the record on Jan. 24 with a time of 4:38.40 at the John Thomas Terrier Classic, also hosted by Boston University. Simiuc's time is a Mid-American Conference best. 
 
"Today was a terrific day. Petronela was superb in her race and really took advantage of the opportunity tonight," said head coach Andrea Grove-McDonough. "She had tremendous poise and raced with a ton of confidence. That time should solidify her a place on the start line at the NCAA Championships in March. It's been a long time coming, and I couldn't be more proud of her." 
 
Junior Meltem Yasar posted a personal best in the mile, clocking a time of 4:54.20. In her debut with the Rockets, junior Semra Karaslan notched a personal best in the 3,000 meters with a time of 9:26.88. Karaslan's time puts her at third in Toledo's all-time list for the indoor 3,000m. 
 
"Semra also had a terrific debut after about 10 days without training," said Grove-McDonough. "She never doubted herself and really had a terrific race effort and a big personal-best. Meltem showed consistency and toughness and is really close to the big payoff."
 
At the GVSU Big Meet in Allendale, Mich., the Rockets posted a total of six personal-bests. Senior Stephanie Sherman took five seconds off her 3,000-meter personal-best, stopping the clock at 9:53.38 to place 16th. Freshman Madeline Vining also posted a 3,000m PR, with a time of 10:22.05. In the 600 meters, junior Kennedey Glover clocked a time of 1:37.75. Sophomore Maya Hannagan, junior Hannah Sponaugle and senior Amanda Bakley all posted personal-bests in the 5,000-meter event.
 
"All around it was a great day with some really good personal-bests," said assistant coach Nick Stenuf. "The women's 5,000 meters started us off on a great note and from there the team really rode the wave. The team is coming into form just in time for conference, and we are excited to watch them continue to improve their times. The women are confident and fit; two very good attributes to combine as we gear up to finish the indoor season." 
 
Up Next 
The Rockets will close out competition at the GVSU Big Meet on Saturday. Both track and field events begin at 10:00 a.m. with track events following a rolling schedule. 
 
David Hemery Valentine Invitational
Boston, Mass.  | Friday, Feb. 14
 
Toledo Results
5:30 p.m. -  Mile
5. Petronela Simiuc – 4:34.59 **PR** **Toledo School Record** **MAC Conference Record**
51. Meltem Yasar – 4:54.20 **PR**
 
8:30 p.m. - 3,000m 
25. Semra Karaslan – 9:26.88 **PR**
 
GVSU Big Meet
Allendale, Mich.  | Friday, Feb. 14
 
Toledo Results
Track Events
600m
16. Kennedey Glover – 1:37.75 **PR**
 
Mile 
37. Emily Vining - 5:09.19
77. Riley Kwiatkowski – 5:22.66
 
3,000m
16. Stephanie Sherman – 9:53.38 **PR**
49. Madeline Vining – 10:22.05 **PR**
 
5,000m
Maya Hannagan, - 17:19.41 **PR** | 9th in Heat #2
Claire Steigerwald – 17:39.29 | 20th in Heat #1
Hannah Sponaugle – 17:41.74 **PR**  | 4th in Heat #3
Michelle Hostettler – 17:44.47  | 20th in Heat #2
Amanda Bakley – 17:51.52 **PR**  | 11th in Heat #3
 
GVSU Big Meet
Allendale, Mich.  | Saturday, Feb. 15
Toledo Schedule of Events
 
Field Events
10:00 a.m. - Weight Throw
Lauren Johnson, Chloee Kleespies, Kallie Strauss
 
10:00 a.m. - Shot Put (following men's)
Lauren Johnson, Chloee Kleespies
 
10:00 a.m. - High Jump 
Holly Nation
 
10:00 a.m. - Triple Jump (following Long Jump)
Raynesha Lewis
 
Track Events | Rolling Schedule
10:00 a.m. - 60m Hurdles | Prelims
Holly Nation
 
60m | Prelims
Ava Moran, Allison Vogl
 
60m Hurdles | Finals
 
60m | Finals
 
400m 
Ava Moran, Allison Vogl
 
800m
Yana Khabina