Ottumwa, IA – Aliyah Simmons, a former National Champion with the Indian Hills Women's Track & Field team, will return to the Warriors as an assistant coach on Brent Ewing's staff. Simmons will assist with the women's track & field distance and middle distance groups.

Simmons returns to Ottumwa after a standout collegiate career on the track. Simmons, who began her college career at Northwest Missouri State University, starred for the Warriors during the 2021-22 campaign. Simmons set five school records, four that stand to this day, on her way to becoming the program's first-ever female national champion. Simmons captured the 2022 National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Women's Indoor Track & Field National Championship in the 800m in Pittsburg, KS. In one season with the Warriors, Simmons was a four-time NJCAA All-American and was recognized as the Indian Hills Student-Athlete of the Year.

"Aliyah is arguably the most recognizable face in the history of our women's program," stated Ewing. "Having a former national champion and Indian Hills Student-Athlete of the Year on staff is a game changer. Her positive attitude and compassion for helping people will make an instant impact on our program. We are entering a new phase of our program where the women's middle distance will become a key area of our success. I couldn't think of a better person to bring on staff to help us during such an exciting transition."

After completing her tenure at Indian Hills, Simmons was a member of the Iowa State University Women's Track & Field team before finishing her collegiate career at Texas State University.

"I'm extremely excited to be able to return back to Indian Hills," Simmons stated, "a place that became a fostering home away from home where I was able to become the first women's National Champion in the 800-meter while balancing my academics and athletics."

Simmons was a two-time Iowa Community College Athletic Conference (ICCAC) Academic All-Region selection and was named to the Big 12 Commissioner's Honor Roll at Iowa State.

"This amazing opportunity to return back as a coach and give back is what warms my heart the most," added Simmons. "In addition to being a coach, I get the opportunity to train and share the experience with Coach Ewing once again. I am super grateful for this opportunity and cannot wait to see what the future holds. I love to remind myself to be where my feet are and remain present and I'm happy that my feet are here."

Simmons received an Associate of Science degree in Psychology at Indian Hills and is currently working to a degree in Applied Arts & Sciences from Texas State.

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