INDIANAPOLIS — Jenny Simpson (Boulder, Colo.) has been named USA Track & Field’s Athlete of the Week after winning the women’s 1500m at the Monaco Herculis Diamond League meet on July 19.Simpson pushed the pace from the start to win the 1500m race in a season’s best time of 4:00.48. She ran her final 400 meters in 59.28 seconds. Simpson now sits fifth on the current world list.

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“It’s always a good feeling to win no matter what the venue,” Simpson said. “Monaco is a special stage though. Having a strong finish against some of the toughest 1500m competition in the world gives me loads of confidence.”

Simpson led as the bell sounded for the final lap, but Kenya’s 1500m national champion Hellen Obiri took the lead from Simpson on the back stretch. But Simpson unleashed a furious kick to regain the lead and achieve her first Diamond League win of the season.

While Simpson finished first, her U.S. contemporaries also fared well. Brenda Martinez, Shannon Rowbury, and Gabrielle Anderson took four of the top five spots. The four Americans all ran under 4:01.50.

“The strength and depth the U.S. middle distance women showed in Monaco was impressive,” Simpson said. “This is the most competitive time for the 1500m I can ever remember. I feel honored to be a part of it.”

The reigning world champion sets her sights on defending her crown in Moscow in just over two weeks.

“This is exactly the momentum I wanted going into World Championships,” Simpson said. “Moscow will require so much focus to get through the preliminary rounds in order for me to even have a shot at defending my title, but I’m excited for the challenge.”

Now in its 12th year, USATF’s Athlete of the Week program is designed to recognize outstanding performers at all levels of the sport. USATF names a new honoree each week and features the athlete on www.usatf.org. Selections are based on top performances and results from the previous week.

2013 Winners: January 9, Bobby Mack; January 16, Mary Cain; January 22, Ajeé Wilson; January 30, Duane Solomon; February 6, Chris Derrick; February 13, Jeremy Taiwo; February 20, Alysia Montaño; February 27, Galen Rupp; March 6, Jenn Suhr; March 13, Tia Brooks; March 20, Bridget Franek; March 27, Ben True; April 3, Darvis “Doc” Patton; April 10, Octavious Freeman; April 24, Erik Kynard; May 1, Queen Harrison; May 8, Tyson Gay; May 15, Jon Olsen; May 22, Mary Cain; May 29, Michael Tinsley; June 5, Mary Cain; June 12, Brianna Rollins; June 26, Brianna Rollins; July 3, Thomas Burns; July 10, Ryan Whiting; July 17, William Bell. Sr.; July 24, Jenny Simpson