Simpson checks in at 11th in national rankings

NEW ORLEANS - The Simpson College men's track and field team checked in at 11th in the USTFCCCA National Rankings.

The Storm earned 63.10 points and were one of five American Rivers Conference teams that appeared in the rankings. The Storm also were ranked eighth in the USTFCCCA Midwest Regional Rankings, unchanged from the previous week.

Spencer Moon accounted for 35.29 of the Storm's point total, being ranked in the top five in the country in both the 3,000 and 5,000 meters. Moon defended his indoor titles in both events in last week's conference championships.

Max Cleveland earned another 17.68 points for the Storm, with his time of 7.95 in the 60 meter hurdles good for third in the country.

The distance medley relay team of James Murray, Brenden Godbout, Adam Gruhn, and Moon also are ranked seventh in the country in the event, collecting another 9.36 points after a time of 9:59.06 (9:51.04 converted).

Two multi athletes also helped the Storm's total, with Ulysses Patterson being ranked 20th in the country in the heptathlon with his school record 4,835 points. After his performance at the conference championships, Clarke Latcham is ranked 33rd in the country with a mark of 4,640 points.

The Storm will send multiple athletes to this weekend's Wartburg Qualifier in hopes of cementing national championship spots. Patterson and Latcham will get the action started Friday afternoon at 2 p.m.

To view the complete rankings, please click here.