Division III Week Profile - Joe Farrand

The NCAA celebrates the second annual Division III Week on April 8-14. In honor of the event, SimpsonAthletics.com will take a close look at five individuals who personify what it means to be a Division III student-athlete.

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Today, we take a close look at the career of sophomore cross country and track athlete, Joe Farrand. Riddled by injury early in his career, Farrand has certainly made up for lost time this season. The Kansas City native ran at cross country nationals in the fall and earned Most Valuable Track Performer honors at the IIAC Indoor Track & Field Championships after pulling off an impressive double, winning the 3,000 and 5,000 meters. Joe is also active in opera productions, and earlier this year he played the lead role in the Beggar's Opera the night before turning in an all-region performance at the Central Region Championships.

Bio Blast

Name - Joe Farrand
Sports - Cross Country, Track & Field
Major - Music Education
Athletic Honors - All-Conference (CC), All-Region (CC), National Qualifier (CC), IIAC Indoor MVP (T&F)
Academic Honors - USTFCCCA Division III All-Academic honoree, IIAC All-Academic honoree
Off the Course/Track - Opera, treasurer of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia (Simpson's music fraternity)

Why Division III and why Simpson?

I chose to go Division III mainly because of the positive attitude I felt from the school and coaches here. My dream was to run at a school like Kansas State or Nebraska, but when I visited those schools, the coaches wouldn't talk to me. They had major ego problems, and that is something that I didn't experience here at Simpson. The goal of the track program here at Simpson is to continually improve, regardless of ability. I also feel like there is a much more personal aspect at the Division III level. The program is tailored to the individual athlete's needs. 

What opportunities have you had as a Division III student-athlete that have made your experience special?

I think the most valuable opportunity that I have had here at Simpson is the chance to build a close relationship with not only my teammates, but my coaches as well. Dave Cleveland and Heath Moenck are two very important and influential people in my life, and I believe that they have designed their program with the athlete first. Of course, they still care about team success, but they are also strongly focused on creating the best environment for each athlete.   

What has been your favorite memory as a Division III student-athlete?

My favorite memory as a Division III athlete was this past indoor season. Last year at this time, I had no idea whether I would ever run again. I was so close to giving up the sport forever, but because of Cleveland and Moenck, I stuck to it. Over the summer, I thought I would be lucky if I was able to be healthy enough to race for the indoor season. Instead, I ran a best time nearly every race, and won the conference 3k and 5k. That was a big moment for me, but I think a bigger one for our team and program. It showed recruits that if they come to Simpson and follow our training program, they will continue to improve and be on a successful team. My goal is to have a team that is full of National Qualifiers and All-Americans by the time I graduate, and I want to help build that program from the ground up.

What does being a Division III student-athlete mean to you?

To be a Division III athlete, you must be self-motivated. You don't have multi-million dollar fields and arenas to play in, you don't have full athletic scholarships to fund your every need, and you don't have professional athletic careers waiting for you. Your goals and successes must be built from within. You must also be able to balance your lifestyle. Academics is a huge focus of my life, and I know for many of my friends who went to bigger schools that is not the case.