The Drake Relays announced their 2022 Hall of Fame class on Monday, and among the members of this year’s Hall of Fame Class is Webster City-born Olympic distance runner Jenny Simpson. Simpson did not graduate from Webster City High School, rather Oviedo High School in Oviedo, Florida, but still was a frequent runner at the Drake Relays.
Simpson is one of the most decorated American distance runners since the turn of the millennium, competing in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, 2012 London Olympics and 2016 Rio Olympics, earning a bronze medal in the 1500 meter run in Rio. Simpson was also claimed a World Championship in the 1500 meter run back in 2011 and is the former American record holder for the 3000 meter steeplechase, set in 2009 in a time of 9:12.50.
Simpson ran college track for the Colorado Buffaloes, then members of the Big 12 Conference, and was a 3-time national champion in the 3000 meter steeplechase and a 3-time Academic All-Big 12 selection and has won 6 Drake Relays titles, and never losing a race on the Blue Oval.
Simpson will be inducted with former Indiana State hurdler Aubrey Herring and current Kentucky head coach and former Purdue head coach Lonnie Greene.