CHENEY, Wash. - When "Egypt"
Caitlin Simmons entered the transfer portal, she wasn't just looking for a new school—she was searching for the right
fit. A place that saw her not only as a gifted athlete, but as a whole person. She found all of that—and more—at Eastern Washington University.
"I think it's after we got on the phone call," Egypt recalls. "I was most definitely just observing, just listening, hearing it out. And Coach Jo was talking some good stuff—and she was able to back that up too. So yeah, just taking a chance here… it just felt like we had a connection instantly."
That instant connection turned into something electric.
A New Chapter Begins
When Simmons first arrived in Cheney, Washington, the vibe changed. Teammates and coaches alike felt it. She brought a rare combination of elite ability, joyful energy, and a disarming authenticity.
"She cracked a joke with Coach Tuck during the recruiting process," jumps coach
Jonina Brinson said, smiling. "And I was like, okay. The personality is there."
But Egypt wasn't all jokes and good vibes—she came to
win. And from her very first meet in the Big Sky Conference, she made it clear that she was going to rewrite the record books.
Dominance in the Big Sky
Her indoor season in 2024 was a statement: Gold in both the long jump and the triple jump, igniting the conference and putting everyone on notice. Then came the 2024 outdoor championships—another gold in the long jump, and a silver in the triple jump, narrowly missing the top spot.
She wasn't done.
In 2025, Simmons cemented her legacy.
At the Big Sky Indoor Championships, she soared to first place in the triple jump with a 13.28m (43-7) — a performance that put her among the top jumpers in the nation and earned second in the long jump with a mark of 6.26m (20-6.5). Then came spring. At the 2025 outdoor championships, she claimed gold again in the long jump, proving her dominance in back-to-back years.
"I remember Coach Jo showing me the record board," Egypt said, laughing. "And I was like, 'We're going to take all these off.' So, I think it's fun to look back now and just be like, dang. We really did that."
More Than Medals
But Simmons' legacy at Eastern Washington goes far beyond the sandpit. She became a leader, a mentor, a sparkplug. On meet days, it was easy to find her—dancing between jumps, cracking jokes, hyping up teammates and even competitors.
"She brings the wigs, the fun, the personality," said Coach Jo. "She'll come up and push me, celebrate with me, and then lock right back in. That's who she is—joyful, but focused."
That joy was infectious. Egypt made track
fun. She gave permission for others to enjoy the moment, even under pressure. But she also carried a quiet depth—
humble,
reflective, and incredibly grateful.
"This scholarship… it took a big weight off of me and my parents," she said. "It allowed me to focus. Like, really hone in on track and not worry about anything else. They took care of me."
She also found her voice in Cheney.
"I think, for sure, I found my voice," Egypt shared. "There were a bunch of areas where I had to learn to do that… being put in roles where I had to speak up. And Coach Jo helped with that. We've had ups and downs, and I think that's where I really grew. She was a big part of that."
The Bond Between Athlete and Coach
If Egypt was a first for many things in Coach Jo's career, their relationship was more than just coach-athlete—it was
transformative for both.
"Jo's sarcastically motivating but loving," Coach Jo said. "And real. Our relationship is complex, unique, and real. People say we're kinda the same person… and I think we've both had to learn how to deal with that. It's like dealing with yourself sometimes," said Egypt.
Coach Jo laughed when asked about their dynamic: "She's the first female for me to hit a lot of those marks—over 20, then 21, then 41, 42, 43. She's a first in a lot of ways. And I tell all my athletes—whether they commit or not—you get me for four years
and the rest of your life. Egypt knew that from the jump."
A Lasting Legacy
As Egypt Simmons closes out her collegiate career, her name now sits atop leaderboards—but more importantly, her energy lingers in the air at Eastern Washington. Teammates look to her example. Competitors remember her encouragement. Coaches talk about the way she changed the culture.
She didn't just transfer schools. She
transformed one.
And true to her name, Egypt Simmons took flight—and brought a whole program with her.
Join the Eagle Athletic Fund for as low as $50 per year! Support Eagle student-athletes on and off the field while enjoying exclusive EAF perks such as season ticket and tailgating priority, invitations to special events, exclusive access and more. Visit goeags.com/eaf for more information.
ABOUT EASTERN WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS
Eastern Washington University Athletics sponsors 14 intercollegiate sports, six for men and eight for women, both as learning opportunities for its most athletically talented students and as an enhancement to student and community life. Eastern is affiliated with Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and is a member of the Big Sky Conference, an association of 10 regional schools with comparable enrollments and academic goals.
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