USA-based Cumbrian Tara Simpson-Sullivan has been described as one of the greatest athletes in her university’s history.

The Lowther athlete was hailed by coaches are producing her best-ever finish at an indoor championships.

Former British hammer champion Simpson-Sullivan was 12th in the weight throw at the NCAA Indoor Championships.

It earned her All-American honours and high praise from Rice University head coach Jim Bevan.

"Tara had the best career finish at an indoor championship while battling through an injury and just continues to show what a tremendous athlete and competitor she is,” he told Rice Owls.

“She has now earned her third indoor and sixth overall All-American honour, which is a true testament to all the hard work she has put in over her career.

“She is the greatest weight thrower in Rice history and I am incredibly proud of all she has accomplished."

Her strong display at the NCAAs in Boston, Massachusetts, followed a gold medal in the weight throw at the 2024 American Athletic Indoor Track and Field Championship.

Simpson-Sullivan, who attended Ullswater Community College in Penrith, has been studying at the Texan university since 2019, and in 2021 became British hammer champion on her debut at the national championships.

Last year she took bronze in the hammer at the British Senior Championships.