Simpson relays shine in USTFCCCA All-Region selections

NEW ORLEANS - Headlining Simpson's selections to the USTFCCCA All-Region team included Olivia Merrill in shot put, Gabby Akin in the heptathlon, along with the 4x100 and 4x400 relay teams.

The top-8 individuals in each event from each region on the year-end Athletic.net Descending Order Lists earned All-Region distinction, in addition to each member of the region's top-8 relay teams.

Merrill, a sophomore from Armstrong, Iowa, earned her first All-Region honor after placing fifth overall with her best mark in the shot put coming at the final last chance meet. Merrill's 13.53m mark not only earned her all-region but shot her up to third in school history.

Back in January at the start of the outdoor season, Akin scored 3,984 points in the heptathlon, a mark that held all year in top-eight of the region as she finished seventh to earn All-Region for the first time.

Along with Merrill at the Midwest Twilight Final Qualifier, the 4x100 relay team once again broke the school record in the event. Emma Cooper, Aubrey McDaniel, Molly Moore, and Jenna Thornburg became the first team in school history to break the 47-second barrier, finishing fourth in the region at 46.96 seconds.

Rounding out the All-Region selections was the 4x400 relay team of Calli Seehase, Chloe Wierson, Nicole Middents, and Thornburg. The team posted a season-best time of 3:53.41, ranking sixth in the region, and third all-time in program history.

USTFCCCA ALL-REGION SELECTIONS
Shot Put - Olivia Merrill
Heptathlon - Gabby Akin
4x100 Relay - Emma Cooper, Aubrey McDaniel, Molly Moore, Jenna Thornburg
4x400 Relay - Nicole Middents, Calli Seehase, Jenna Thornburg, Chloe Wierson