PRIOR TO MSU: Simpson (nee Gabbard) enters MSU after a successful high school career. A native of Nicholasville, Ky., and graduate of East Jessamine High School, his team won three regional crowns in both cross country and outdoor track and field. As a senior, he finished 20th in the state cross country championship, helping the Jaguars to a fifth-place finish. As a junior, he finished 29th, while the team placed 10th. He also won the regional title in 2025. In addition, he was 49th at the state in 2023. He earned three all-region honors and was all-conference as a junior harrier. On the track, Simpson holds the EJHS indoor 3,000-meter record and was on the 4x800-meter relay team that placed eighth, while also finishing 17th in the 3,000m, at the 2024 state indoor meet. Outdoors, he finished eighth in the 4x800m relay, 11th in the 3,200m and 13th in the 1,600m at the 2026 state championships. He also competed in two events at the 2025 state championships.