Posted: Jan 16, 2026

Simpson kicks-off 2026 indoor season with three first place finishes

PELLA, Iowa - In the opening meet of 2026, Simpson claimed three first place finishes at the Central Dutch Classic on Friday.

"We are pleased with the start of the 2026 indoor season," said head coach James Hoffman. "Per usual with our first meet after a long break, we had some ups and downs on the day but overall I thought the student-athletes competed well."

MEET HIGHLIGHTS

Simpson took home the top spot in three different events including the 600m with Ava Carder, Olivia Merrill in the shot put, and the 4x400 relay team.
Carder's performance in the 600m not only won the event but was the 10th fastest time in school history at 1:43.01.
Maddy Berg placed third in the weight throw with a mark of 12.43m, putting her seventh in school history.
Molly Moore earned her spot in the school's top-ten history, finishing the 300m in 45.15 seconds.

TOP PERFORMERS

60m Prelims - 4th - Emma Cooper - 7.92
60m Finals - 3rd - Emma Cooper - 7.89
60m Hurdles Prelims - 2nd - Gabby Akin - 9.85
60m Hurdles Finals - 2nd - Gabby Akin - 9.57
200m - 3rd - Aubrey McDaniel - 27.11
300m - 3rd - Nicole Middents - 44.65
600m - 1st - Ava Carder - 1:43.01 (10th best time in school history)
1 Mile - 5th - Kalia Stover - 5:58.25
High Jump - 8th - Anna Parrott - 1.37m
Long Jump - 3rd - Emma Cooper - 5.15m
Shot Put - 1st - Olivia Merrill - 12.44m
Weight Throw - 3rd - Maddy Berg - 12.43m (Tied for seventh best in school history)
4x400 Relay - 1st - Middents, Carder, Winther, Metzgar - 4:17.44