Cross Country teams earn academic honor

INDIANOLA, Iowa – The Simpson College cross country teams were recently recognized for academic excellence by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA), earning NCAA Division III All-Academic Team honors for the 2013 season.

To qualify, progrms must compile a cumulative GPA of 3.10 or greater and compete in at least five different meets with at least five different runners representing their schools at each.

Both the women’s and men’s team met the qualifications. The women’s team posted a 3.31 GPA while the men had a 3.19.

A total of 220 programs throughout Division III were recognized, including 141 that had both their women’s and men’s teams earn the honor. Simpson was one of four Iowa Conference schools to have both teams recognized, joining Dubuque, Luther and Wartburg.

Both teams placed sixth at the Iowa Conference Championships in 2013 under third-year head coach, Heath Moenck.