Courtesy: Toledo Athletics

Four UT Track Athletes to Compete in NCAA Qualifying Round

Courtesy: Toledo Athletics
Release: 05/18/2012

Toledo, OH - In a continuation of the success the University of Toledo women's track program has enjoyed during the 2011-12 campaign, the team will send four student-athletes to compete in the first round of the NCAA Championships from May 24-26 in Jacksonville, FL.

Distance runners Emma Kertesz, Ari Fisher and Megan Vogelsong, as well as long jumper Katie Bollin, are the Rockets who earned qualifying marks at various regular-season meets. The group of four represents the largest group that Toledo has taken to the first round since the qualifying format changed in 2003.

The three runners all qualified in the 10,000-meters event. Kertesz and Vogelsong both hit their marks at the Stanford Invitational on April 6. In that race, Kertesz placed 25th in a time of 33:28.58, a time that made her the new Mid-American Conference all-time record-holder in the event. The time also qualified her for this summer's Olympic Trials in Eugene, OR. Vogelsong's finishing time of 34:15.00 was also one of the best in MAC history, ranking as the sixth-fastest time recorded in conference history.

Fisher clinched her spot with a first-place finish in the 10,000 meters at the prestigious Penn Relays on April 27. With a finishing time of 34:41.55, Fisher became just the third woman in MAC history to win a championship at the Penn Relays.

Bollin added her name to the NCAA qualifier list after she recorded a first-place finish in the long jump at the Toledo Invitational on May 3, jumping a distance of 6.05 meters (19-10.25). The mark was the best produced out of all MAC women for the entire season.

"We're very excited about our four women who have the opportunity to compete in the qualifying round of the NCAA Championships," said head coach Kevin Hadsell. "Particularly in the 10,000-meters, I believe that all three girls have a chance to make it to the NCAA finals in Boise in a couple weeks."

The Rockets are continuing their exciting season, fresh off a runner-up finish at the outdoor conference championships, in which they were narrowly edged by Kent State, 134.3-132. The point total and second-place finish are UT program-highs. The Midnight Blue and Gold also placed second at the indoor championships.

The NCAA track and field championships will take place at Drake Stadium in Des Moines, IA, from June 6-9.

Contact: Brad Pettiford
E-Mail: brad.pettiford@utoledo.edu