Simpson Storm Shine at Darren Young Classic

Emma Cooper breaks own school record, Gabby Akin sets top-10 time in 60m hurdles

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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The Simpson College women's track and field team had a standout performance at the Darren Young Classic on Saturday, with several athletes setting school records and achieving top-10 program marks. Sophomore Emma Cooper broke her own school record in the 60-meter dash, while also winning the 200-meter dash and long jump. Gabby Akin won the 60-meter hurdles with a time that placed her 10th in school history.

Why it matters

This meet showcased the depth and talent of the Simpson Storm women's track and field team, as they continue to build momentum heading into the conference championships. The school records and top-10 program marks demonstrate the team's commitment to excellence and their ability to compete at a high level.

The details

Emma Cooper shattered her own school record in the 60-meter dash, posting a time of 7.77 seconds, which ranks 38th in NCAA Division III this season. She also won the 200-meter dash and long jump, earning two of Simpson's four first-place finishes. Gabby Akin won the 60-meter hurdles with a time of 9.32 seconds, placing her 10th in school history. Other top performers included Emma Lueck, who finished runner-up in the long jump with a mark that ranks 10th in school history, and Ava Carder, who posted the 10th-best 800-meter time in program history.

  • The Darren Young Classic was held on Saturday, February 18, 2026.

The players

Emma Cooper

A sophomore at Simpson College, Cooper is a standout sprinter who broke her own school record in the 60-meter dash and won the 200-meter dash and long jump at the Darren Young Classic.

Gabby Akin

A member of the Simpson College women's track and field team, Akin won the 60-meter hurdles with a time that placed her 10th in school history.

Emma Lueck

A sophomore at Simpson College, Lueck finished runner-up in the long jump with a mark that ranks 10th in school history.

Ava Carder

A member of the Simpson College women's track and field team, Carder posted the 10th-best 800-meter time in program history.

Simpson College

The women's track and field team at Simpson College, located in Indianola, Iowa, had a standout performance at the Darren Young Classic, setting school records and achieving multiple top-10 program marks.

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What’s next

Simpson has one final tune up before the A-R-C Indoor Championships, heading to the Liz Wuertz Invite in Waverly on Saturday, Feb. 21.

The takeaway

The Simpson Storm women's track and field team demonstrated their depth and talent at the Darren Young Classic, setting multiple school records and achieving top-10 program marks. This performance showcases the team's commitment to excellence and their ability to compete at a high level as they prepare for the upcoming conference championships.