TOLEDO, Ohio— Toledo's track and field team wrapped up its indoor season on Feb. 29 with the MAC Indoor Championships and was preparing for its outdoor season when the coronavirus pandemic put a halt to all NCAA spring sports.
"Our women's track & field program had come off a really good indoor MAC championship meet," first-year head coach Andrea Grove-McDonough said. "I was really excited for the momentum this group of athletes had heading into the outdoor season."
One student-athlete in particular was enjoying an excellent season. Senior Petronela Simiuc was on the track in Albuquerque on Thursday, March 12 when the news arrived that the MAC had canceled the remainder of its spring sports seasons. Twenty-four hours later she was supposed to compete in the mile at the NCAA Championships. Her spectacular senior season was suddenly over.
"I was heartbroken for her," said Grove-McDonough.
Simiuc had just wrapped up a terrific indoor season, earning Most Outstanding Female Track Performer from the MAC after winning three gold medals at the indoor championship meet. The Bacau, Romania native won MAC titles in the mile, 800 meters, and distance medley relay, breaking the school record in the 800 in the process (2:07.46).
Simiuc was entering the NCAA Championship meet as the No. 5 seed and her qualifying time was less than two seconds behind the No. 2 seed.
"Petronela's exploits have been widely reported on, but dropping eight full seconds in a mile in one season is pretty rare and impressive stuff," Grove-McDonough said. "To be one of only 16 athletes to qualify for an event at the NCAA championships in indoor track & field is an incredible feat."
Senior Stephanie Sherman also saw success during the indoor season. The Sylvania, Ohio native finished in fourth in both the 3,000m and 5,000m at the MAC Indoor Championships, posting personal-best times in both events. Distance runner Claire Steigerwalt also performed well in the 5,000m in what Grove-McDonough called a breakout performance.
"It was a big confidence boost for Claire," Grove-McDonough said. "She will be a big part of our success next season in both indoor and outdoor."
A couple jumpers also ended their indoor seasons on a high note. Raynesha Lewis finished second in the long jump at the conference championship meet, posting the third-best performance in program history (6.10m). Janelle Rowe finished fifth in the triple jump (12.17m), the seventh-best mark in school history.
Despite the unfortunate end to the year, Grove-McDonough sees a bright future for the Toledo track and field team.
"We have so much to look forward to and I'm very excited to see what our staff and student-athletes can accomplish in our second year," she said. "I know how eager all our athletes will be to get back out there. We really believe we can be a top-three program in the MAC in indoor and outdoor track & field"
