TOLEDO, Ohio - The University of Toledo women's track & field team will send five athletes to the NCAA East Regional Championships in Jacksonville, Fla. this weekend.

The competition begins Thursday evening with three Rockets competing: senior Petronela Simiuc (1500m qualifying), senior Yana Khabina (400m hurdles qualifying) and senior Stephanie Sherman (10,000m). On Saturday, junior Semra Karaslan and freshman Emily Vining will compete in the 3000m steeplechase while Sherman will run in the 5000m. Finals in the 1500m and 400m hurdles will also run on Saturday.

The top 12 finishers in each event will join the top 12 finishers from the West regional for a field of 24 at the national championships. The NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field National Championships will take place June 9-12 at Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore. Head Coach Andrea Grove-McDonough is optimistic about her team's chances to send athletes to the nationals.

"We have a couple of women who also have a realistic shot of advancing into the NCAA finals so that's really exciting," said Grove-McDonough. "The athletes are in a great place mentally and are as fit as they can possibly be so that's exactly what you want at this time of year. Having as many entries into the NCAA first round as we do is a great testament to the direction of the program, especially for some of our younger athletes like Emily, who is only a freshman in eligibility, and Semra, who will be back for a full year in the fall."

All events can be followed via live streaming video or live stats (see schedule below).

NCAA East Regional Outdoor Track & Field Championships
Jacksonville, Fla.
Thursday-Saturday, May 27-29
 
Toledo Schedule of Events

Thursday, May 27

6:30 p.m. - 1500m (qualifying)
Petronela Simiuc

8:20 p.m. - 400m Hurdles (qualifying)
Yana Khabina

9:10 p.m. - 10,000m
Stephanie Sherman

Saturday, May 29

5:45 p.m. - 1500m (if qualified)
Petronela Simiuc

6:10 p.m. - 3000m Steeplechase
Semra Karaslan, Emily Vining

7:55 p.m. - 400m Hurdles (if qualified)
Yana Khabina

8:30 p.m. - 5000m
Stephanie Sherman

LIVE STATS: https://dt8v5llb2dwhs.cloudfront.net/OutdoorRegionals/2021/East/index.htm
 
TICKET LINK: https://www.ticketreturn.com/prod2/team.asp?sponsorid=14682#.YKf8rJNue3K
 
STREAMING LINKS:
Day 1 | https://team1sports.com/unfospreys/?path=gen&bfplayvid=271356
 
Day 2 | https://team1sports.com/unfospreys/?path=gen&bfplayvid=271357
 
Day 3 | https://team1sports.com/unfospreys/?path=gen&bfplayvid=271358

Day 4 | https://team1sports.com/unfospreys/?path=gen&bfplayvid=271359