Nia Akins, the nation’s top collegiate 800m runner this year, has signed with the Brooks Beasts. Akins ran 2:00.71 for Penn during the indoor season, the second-fastest indoor time in NCAA history, and was a large favorite to win the NCAA Indoor Championships before the meet was canceled. Akins will be coached by Danny Mackey in Seattle, Washington.

In 2019, Akins placed second at both the indoor and outdoor NCAA Championships and took seventh at the USATF Championships in July.  Her outdoor personal best is 2:01.67.

Akins joins Dani Jones and Alicia Monson as other high-profile female NCAA runners who have announced their professional plans. Akins is believed to be the first to announce a shoe sponsor.