Runner Named All-American by U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association

---

Senior distance runner Petronela Simiuc was named an All-American May 26 by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA).

Simuic made the Indoor Track & Field All-American Team for her performance in the mile. She qualified for the NCAA Indoor Championships in Albuquerque, N.M., but she never got to compete as the meet was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“This has been a long time coming for Petra to reach All-American status, and I’m so glad the USTFCCCA and the NCAA chose to recognize these athletes,” said Head Coach Andrea Grove-McDonough. “I look forward to watching her continue her career in her final outdoor season in 2021.”

Simiuc had a tremendous indoor season, breaking UToledo’s all-time record in the mile and 800 meters twice each. On Jan. 24, Simiuc clocked a time of 4:38.40 in the mile at the John Thomas Terrier Classic in Boston, smashing the previous record of 4:39.81 set by Megan Wright in 2014. She later broke her own record with a time of 4:34.59 to place fifth at the David Hemery Valentine Invitational Feb. 14 in Boston.

She closed out the regular season by breaking Toledo’s 800-meter record at Michigan’s Silverston Invitational Feb. 21 with a time of 2:08.23, surpassing the previous record of 2:09.20 held by Janelle Noe.

At the Mid-American Conference Indoor Championships, Simiuc re-broke the 800-meter record, posting a time of 2:07.46 in the final to place first.

At the MAC Indoor Championships in Akron, Ohio, Simiuc clinched gold in the 800m (2:07.46), mile (4:46.93), and distance medley relay (11:38.11). She also was named First Team All-MAC for her performances in all three of her events, and she helped the Rockets to a sixth-place team finish with 60.5 points, a half of a point ahead of Miami (Ohio).

On March 3, Simiuc was named the MAC Most Outstanding Female Track Performer.