NEW YORK - Led by another strong effort from the distance team and the jump group, the University of Toledo track and field team placed second at the 26-team Great Dane Classic, hosted by the University of Albany at the Armory Track.

Toledo scored 92 points, just a shade behind Big East power Seton Hall (98) and well in front of third-place Penn (68.83).

"Today was a huge meet for us," Kevin Hadsell, head coach, said. "This team could possibly be the best team in school history. I'm so proud of where we are, and we didn't get greedy at all for points, so we have more to show by the time the MAC Championships come around."

Junior Ari Fisher (Lebanon, OH) claimed a win in the mile run with her time of 4:59.93, while the Rockets distance medley relay team of juniors Karen Sovacool (Lakewood, OH), Danielle Jacoby (Carey, OH) and Fisher and freshman Sarah Woodrum (Marion, OH) won the event by over 10 seconds in 12:09.33. The DMR time is the best in the MAC this year and sixth in school annals.

The day started with a runner-up showing in the 5000 meter run from senior Dagna Sztykiel (Bytom, Poland), who was followed in third place by junior Audra Brown (Ayersville, OH) and in fifth by Sam Condron (Miamisburg, OH). Their times are all top-20 on the Toledo indoor list, and when combined with Fisher's effort in the 5000 earlier this season, the Rockets have the top-four times in the MAC this year.

"The 5k really got the meet going for us," Hadsell said. "We sold out and Sam Condron stuck herself behind the lead pack and practically set a personal-record at 3K en-route."

Junior Lindsay Toussant (Minerva, OH) was the runner-up in the 3000 meter run in 10:02.87, while Sovacool placed fourth in the mile and freshman Kristal Studer (Bright, IN) finished seventh to also score points. Danielle Thomas (Perrysburg, OH) took seventh in the 1000 meter run in 3:05.52 to round out the scoring for Rocket runners.

In the field events, junior Alexandra Afloari (Deva, Romania) won the triple jump in 40-01.50 and was fifth in the long jump at 18-03.75. Afloari's triple jump is a personal-best and ties her for third on the school's all-time list. Sophomore Jaime Gittens (Wallaceburg, ONT) took fourth in the triple and freshman Yuhong Fu (Beijing, China) was sixth.

Senior Michelle Sutherland (Maumee, OH) was runner-up in the high jump with a leap of 5-08.75, the second-best in school history. Sophomore Julie Snyder (Celina, OH) was right behind in third at 5-05.00.

The Rockets will look to carry their momentum forward next weekend as the team travels to Lexington, KY for the Rod McCravy Invitational on Friday and Saturday.

Contact: Scott Miles
scott.miles@utoledo.edu