Simpson trio to compete at nationals

INDIANAPOLIS - Three members of Simpson College cross country teams were named as individual qualifiers to next weekend's NCAA Division III Cross Country Championship.

Spencer Moon and Ean Warrick will compete for the Storm men, while Lara Kallem earned a spot for the Storm women. Moon set a season-best en route to a seventh-place finish at the NCAA Midwest Regional, while Warrick claimed the final all-region spot in 35th place in a career-best time. Kallem took 15th for the women and is the first Storm woman since Catie Ellingson in 2010 to qualify for the national meet, and just the second since 1991.

"I am incredibly proud of our three national qualifiers," said Storm director of cross country and track and field Heath Moenck. "They have given so much to this sport and team over the years and it is great to see them rewarded. It's always great to have the Simpson jersey represented on the biggest stage."

Moon will race in his third straight NCAA Championship. After becoming the first runner in program history to earn four all-region honors, Moon will now aim to become the second in school history to earn multiple all-American honors. Warrick has had a terrific season, clocking three straight 8K times under 26 minutes going into the national meet, including his new career-best.

Kallem went under 22 minutes in the 6K for the first time in her career, becoming the first Storm woman to earn all-region honors since 2010, also by Ellingson. Kallem has beaten her previous career-best in five of the six races she has competed in this season.

The meet will be held on Saturday, Nov. 18, in Newville, Pa. Dickinson College will serve as the host and the course will be at Big Spring High School. The men's race is scheduled for 10 a.m., while the women's race will be held at 11 a.m.