The News & Star readers have responded to Cumbria's Tara Simpson-Sullivan being described as one of the best athletes ever to compete for her university in America.

Simpson-Sullivan, from Lowther, has been named Conference USA female field athlete of the week.

It followed a starring performance at the Triton Invitational at UC San Diego.

That saw Olympics hopeful Simpson-Sullivan, 22, claim the hammer throw title with a season’s best of 64.52m.

That puts her first in Conference USA, first in the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) and 11th in the overall NCAA.

Here's what you had to say. 

Marion Roberts said: "An amazing young lady, flying the flag high for Cumbria. Congratulations Tara keep improving those distances we are all behind you."

Jane Brierley said: "Brilliant, what an amazing role model."

Joanne Hall said: "This is brilliant, watched Tara at many sporting events as our own children grew up. Massive well done and good luck for the future."

Simpson-Sullivan attends Rice University in Houston, Texas, where coaches are hugely impressed with the Cumbrian.

"Tara is an awesome competitor, an awesome leader, an awesome student and an awesome teammate," women's track and field head coach Jim Bevan told Rice Owls.