OXFORD, Ohio – The Toledo Rockets took fifth place at the 2021 Mid-American Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Oxford, Ohio on Saturday behind the strength of its distance crew, most notably a pair of championship runs by senior Petronela Simiuc.

The Rockets ended up with 82 team points, just behind fourth-place Akron (83.5). It was the Rockets' highest team score at the MAC Championship Meet since 2012.Kent State took first place at the meet with 102 points, followed by Eastern Michigan (90) and Miami (89).

Simuic brought home the gold in both the 800m and 1500m, setting a school record in the 800 with a time of 2:05.73. In the 1500m, Simiuc was bolstered by junior teammate Semra Karaslan, who took third with a time of 4:26.39.
 
Senior Stephanie Sherman continued the Rockets' dominance in distance events as she finished second in the 5,000m with a time of 16:30.71, scoring eight points for the team. The Vining sisters followed closely behind with Emily Vining finishing fourth (16:46.54 – 5 points) and Madeline Vining taking fifth (16:53.14 – 4 points).
 
Yana Khabina finished third in the 400m hurdles, crossing the finish line with a time of 1:00.20 (6 points).
 
The Rockets return to the track on Saturday as they host the Rocket Invitational, a last-chance qualifier, on May 15. This will be the last chance for the Rocket women to secure a spot in the NCAA East Preliminaries. Simiuc has already secured her spot in the 1500m with a time of 4:13.62 at the West Coast Relays.
 
MAC Outdoor Championships
Oxford, Ohio
Friday-Saturday, May 7-8
 
Final Team Scores – Women
1. Kent State – 102
2. Eastern Michigan – 90
3. Miami (Ohio) – 89
4. Akron – 83.50
5. Toledo – 82
6. Northern Illinois - 78
7. Bowling Green - 74
8. Ball State – 60
    Central Michigan - 60
10. Buffalo – 42.50
11. Ohio - 33
12. Western Michigan - 24
 
Saturday, May 8
Field Events
Heptathlon
Promise Cross
7. Final Standing - 4454
8. Long Jump – 4.94m
9. Javelin Throw – 25.29m
10. 800m Run – 2:42.72
 
Track Events
400m Relay - (Final)                                                                                                      
8. Allison Vogl, Shianne Johnson, Ava Moran, Rayna Horner – 48.22

1500m - (Final)
1. Petronela Simiuc – 4:21.97
3. Semra Karaslan – 4:26.39

800m Dash - (Final)
1. Petronela Simiuc – 2:05.73 *Toledo School Record* *PR*

400m Hurdles - (Final)
3. Yana Khabina - 1:00.20

5000m - (Final)                                                                                                         
2. Stephanie Sherman – 16:30.71
4. Emily Vining – 16:46.54
5. Madeline Vining – 16:53.14

1600m - Relay                                                                                                  
8. Shianne Johnson, Rayna Horner, Ava Moran,  Yana Khabina – 3:49.81
 
Toledo Results
Friday, May 7
Heptathlon
Promise Cross
3. Day One  - 3014 pts
2. 100m Hurdles – 14:27 **PR**
1. High Jump – 1.63m
4. Shot Put – 10.14m
4. 200m Dash – 26.40
 
Track Events
10,000m (Final)                                    
2. Stephanie Sherman – 34:40.40  * 8 pts
5. Claire Stegierwald – 36:05.42 * 4 pts
12. Maya Hannagan – 36.55.11 **PR**
 
1500m (Prelim)
1. Petronela Simiuc – 4:30.98 *Advanced to Finals
2. Semra Karaslan – 4:32.44 *Advanced to Finals
18. Meltem Yasar – 4:48.76
 
100m Hurdles (Prelim) 
18. Alexia Moehling -15:01
 
100m Dash (Prelim)      
15. Ava Moran – 12:29
 
800m (Prelim)
1. Petronela Simiuc – 2:10.72 *Advanced to Finals
 
400m Hurdles
2. Yana Khabina – 1:00.59
 
3000M Steeplechase  (Final)
1. Semra Karaslan – 10:17.40 – 10 pts
3. Emily Vining – 10:33.62 – 6 pts **PR**
12. Roma Lucarelli -  11:23.95