Cumbrian athletics star Tara Simpson-Sullivan has picked up a major accolade in the USA.

She has been named the Conference-USA female field athlete of the year.

Simpson-Sullivan, who competes for Rice University in Texas, has enjoyed a superb season in throwing competitions.

The 22-year-old won her latest C-USA titles in the hammer and weight throw at meetings this year.

Her feats include a new C-USA meet record with her personal best of 22.18m in the weight throw.

Simpson-Sullivan, who won the British hammer championship in 2021, has been saluted by coaches at her university.

Speaking to Rice Owls, head coach Jim Bevan said of the star from Lowther: "Tara is such an outstanding person and she is so very deserving of this award.

"She is an outstanding competitor, teammate, student and role model for our team.

"It has been a joy to watch her grow and improve in her time at Rice. I am so very happy and proud of her."

Simpson-Sullivan's award citation said: "Simpson-Sullivan earned First Team All-American honors after a fifth-place finish in the weight throw at the NCAA Championships in Austin.

"She also had a fourth-place finish at the NCAA West Prelims and swept the weight/hammer titles at the indoor/outdoor C-USA meets while breaking the Rice and C-USA meet records at the indoor meet.

"The junior from England holds Second Team All-American honors after a 14th-place finish at the NCAA Indoor Championships while winning nine event titles on the year."

The C-USA awards were voted on by the league’s head coaches, taking into account the student-athlete’s performances from the 2023 indoor and outdoor seasons.