Rice track and field athletes Michelle Fokam, Tara Simpson-Sullivan and Grace Forbes recorded first-team All-American performances at the NCAA Outdoor Championships last week in Eugene, Oregon.
Fokam, a senior who has qualified for this month's U.S. Olympic Trials, placed third in the triple jump with a best of 14.04 meters, which broke Rice's school record. It was the best finish by an Owl at the NCAA outdoor meet since 2006.
Forbes, a freshman who also will run in the U.S. Olympic Trials, placed seventh in the 10,000-meter race in 32 minutes, 38.91 seconds, her second-best performance of the season. She is one of two athletes this year to earn All-American honors in the indoor 5,000 meters, cross-country 6K and outdoor 10,000 meters, and she is the first Owl since 2008 to achieve first-team status in the latter.
Simpson-Sullivan, a freshman, finished fourth in the hammer throw thanks to her final attempt, which soared 68.78 meters, her second-best distance of the season. Prior to Fokam claiming her bronze medal, it was the best finish by an Owl at the NCAA outdoor meet in any event since 2016. She will compete in the British Athletic Championships later this month.
Rice had not had three first-team All-Americans at the NCAA outdoor meet since 2001. As a team, the Owl women tied for 21st place with 13 points, their most since 2001.
On the men's side, Rice senior James McNaney placed 20th in the javelin with a best of 63.96 meters.
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