Simpson breaks school record in the heptathlon

Joplin, Mo. -- Missouri Southern junior Brandy Simpson set a new school record today and finished ninth in the 2010 MIAA Heptathlon held at Fred G. Hughes Stadium on the campus of Missouri Southern. 

Simpson was eighth after day one and moved as high as sixth place today and despite breaking the school record with 4,397 points in the event, placed just outside of scoring a team point for the Lions. 

The previous school record was 4317 points set by Rachel Carlin in the MIAA Championships in 2000. Simpson just missed provisionally qualifying for nationals by three points. 

Central Missouri's Lindsey Lettow won the event with 5167 points, as Northwest Missouri's Emily Churchman and Central's Angela Selby placed second and third. Each athlete earned an automatic bid to nationals in the event. 

The Lions will be back in action next week, participating in the 2010 MIAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships at Pittsburg State.