TOLEDO, Ohio - The University of Toledo women's track and field team hosted the Toledo Rocket Invitational on Saturday, May 15 as a last chance qualifier for the NCAA East Preliminaries, and several Rockets posted personal-best marks.
 
Sophomore Emily Vining ran a personal-best time in the 3000m steeplechase, finishing third with a time of 10:17.68. Vining's time ranks 64^th in the NCAA, which puts her in contention to qualify for the NCAA prelims.
 
"There were some great times ran out here today," said Head Coach Andrea Grove-McDonough. "Several track records were broken today and we had a number of athletes run NCAA Prelim qualifying times from both our school and other institutions. The highlight of the day was Emily Vining running a 15 second personal-best in the 3000m steeple, which is likely to hold up into the NCAA prelims. 

"We are really excited about the event that took place today, and we are excited about the future of the program." 

Six Rockets also ran a personal-best times in the 1500m. Junior Semra Karaslan ran a personal-best time in the 1500m invite, finishing second with a time of 4:21.53. In the open 1500, freshman Madeline Vining led the team with a first-place finish clocking in at 4:35.49, following closely behind was Meltem Yasar in third (4:41.55),  Riley Kwiatkowski in fourth (4:43.35), Rebecca Synder in fifth (4:44.24), Hannah Sponaugle eighth (4:49.02), and Paige Embaugh ninth (4:56.70). 

The meet concluded with the Rockets honoring seven seniors and four graduates from the track and field and cross country teams. From the women's track and field, honorees were: Yana Khabina, Riley Kwiatkowski, Roma Lucarelli, Janell Rowe, Stephanie Sherman, Petronela Simiuc, and Meltem Yasar. 2020 graduate Kallie Strauss was invited back to receive recognition as well. Honorees from the 2020 men's cross country team was Matthew Gibbons and Dismas Koech.
 
Next up for the Rockets, senior Petronela Simiuc will be competing in the 1500m at the NCAA East Prelims on May 27-29 in Jacksonville, Florida. Simiuc currently ranks 14^th in the NCAA after running a time of 4:13.62 at the West Coast Relays. Awaiting final results and registration, Stephanie Sherman may be qualified to compete in the 10,000m and Semra Karaslan in the 3000m steeplechase.
 
Toledo Rocket Invitational - Final Results (PDF)
Toledo, Ohio
Saturday, May 15

Toledo Results

5000M – Invite
3. Claire Stegierwald  - 17:12.34
7. Maya Hannagan  - 18:02.30
 
3000M Steeplechase
3. Emily Vining – 10:17.68 *PR*
 
5000M
7. Megan Burmeister – 19:30.55
8. Roma Lucarelli -  19:32.69
 
1500M – Invite
2. Semra Karaslan  - 4:21.53 *PR*
 
1500M
1. Madeline Vining – 4:35.49 *PR*
3. Meltem Yasar – 4:41.55 *PR*
4. Riley Kwiatkowski – 4:43.35 *PR*
5. Rebecca Snyder – 4:44.24 *PR*
8. Hannah Sponaugle – 4:49.02 *PR*
9. Paige Embaugh – 4:56.70 *PR*
11. Nichole Foor – 5:24.08
 
100m Dash
7. Ava Moran – 12:64
 
400m Dash
6. Allison Vogl – 1:00.19
7. Shianne Johnson –1:00.80
 
400m Hurdles
2. Yana Khabina – 1:02.57
 
200m Dash
6. Rayna Horner – 25.63