AKRON, Ohio – The Toledo women's track and field team closed out the first day of competition at the Mid-American Conference Indoor Track and Field Championships on Friday in third place with 26 points, five top-10 finishes, and four podium appearances. Highlighting the Rockets' day was a gold medal performance in the distance medley relay with a time of 11:38.11 posted by junior Meltem Yasar, sophomore Rayna Horner, junior Semra Karaslan, and senior Petronela Simiuc.

Senior Raynesha Lewis, senior Stephanie Sherman and sophomore Claire Steigerwald also appeared on the podium for their respective events. Lewis recorded a leap of 6.10m in the long jump to earn silver. In the 5,000 meters, Sherman placed fourth with a 20-second personal-best (16:59.99) and Steigerwald took sixth (17:03.77). 

Simiuc posted the fastest time in the 800-meter trials (2:09.46) as well to advance to the finals on Saturday. 

"We had a fantastic day with the team sitting in third place after the first day of competition," said head coach Andrea Grove-McDonough. "Petronela qualified for the 800 meters and ran a monster anchor on the distance medley relay after Semra brought us all the way back into it with a big leg in the 800m. Stephanie and Claire also had strong performances in the 5,000 meters to land on the podium for the first time in their careers."  
 
"Great performance by Raynesha today," said associate head coach Adrian Ghioroaie. "It's a mark that is third all-time in our Toledo records. Now we shift our focus to qualifying her to the outdoor NCAAs."
  
The Rockets resume competition tomorrow afternoon with the high jump at 1:00 p.m. and mile at 1:25 p.m. 
 
Ways to Watch
Saturday, Feb. 29
ESPN3 | Available at 1:00 p.m. 
Digital Zips Network | Available Saturday Morning 
Digital Zips Network | Field Events Only | Available from 1:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. 
 
*During the ESPN Broadcast window of 1:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m., field events shown on the Digital Zips Network will only be available to viewers in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, and New York. 
 
MAC Indoor Championships
Akron, Ohio | Day 1 Results
 
Team Standings
1. Northern Illinois – 35 points
2. Eastern Michigan – 27 points 
3. Toledo – 26 points
4. Akron – 23 points
5. Central Michigan – 23 points
6. Ball State – 18 points 
7. Bowling Green - 18 points
8. Miami (Ohio) - 14 points
9. Ohio – 8 points
10. Buffalo – 2 points
11. Kent State – 1 point
 
Toledo Results 
Field Events
Pentathlon | Final
10. Atalia Lima – 3407 points
18. Holly Nation – 2932 points

60m Hurdles
19. Atalia Lima – 9.96
20. Holly Nation – 9.97

High Jump
3. Atalia Lima – 1.67m
13. Holly Nation – 1.55m

Shot Put
6. Atalia Lima – 10.92m
19. Holly Nation – 7.43m

Long Jump
4. Atalia Lima – 5.40m
20. Holly Nation – 4.80m

800m
9. Atalia Lima – 2:32.10
14. Holly Nation – 2:36.94 
 
Long Jump | Final
2. Raynesha Lewis – 6.10m **PR**
13. Yana Khabina – 5.54m **tied PR**
 
Track Events
800m | Prelims
1. Petronela Simiuc - 2:09.46 *Qualifies for the final

5,000m | Final
4. Stephanie Sherman - 16:59.99 **PR**
6. Claire Steigerwald – 17:03.77
16. Maya Hannagan – 17:40.03
 
Distance Medley Relay | Final
1. Meltem Yasar, Rayna Horner, Semra Karaslan, Petronela Simiuc – 11:38.11

 
Toledo Schedule of Events
Saturday, Feb. 29
 
Field Events
1:00 p.m. -  High Jump | Final
Atalia Lima
 
2:00 p.m. -  Triple Jump | Final
Janell Rowe, Raynesha Lewis
 
2:30 p.m. -  Shot Put | Trials & Final
Chloee Kleespies
 
Track Events
1:25 p.m. -  Mile | Final
Petronela Simiuc, Meltem Yasar, Emily Vining
 
3:10 p.m. - 800m | Final
 
3:50 p.m. -  3,000m | Final
Semra Karaslan, Meltem Yasar, Stephanie Sherman
 
4:30 p.m. -  4x400m Relay | Final
 
5:00 p.m. - Awards Ceremony