Five Storm softball players tabbed Academic All-District

INDIANOLA, Iowa – Five members of the Simpson College softball team received Academic All-District honors, as announced by the College Sports Communicators on Tuesday.

Alexis Ehlers, Karlie Hill, Kate Kriegel, Maddie Luderman, and Madeline Petersen all received the prestigious honor after the Storm wrapped up its season less than two weeks ago.

The College Sports Communicators, formerly known as College of Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA), recognizes the nation's top student-athletes for their combined performances on the field and in the classroom. To qualify, all nominees must be a sophomore in academic standing, a starter or key reserve, and have a cumulative GPA of 3.50 or higher. The full team can be viewed by clicking HERE.

Ehlers, a native of Bryant, Iowa, receives her first career Academic All-District honor. The sophomore is majoring in health and exercise science and had a hugely successful year on the diamond. The dynamic shortstop hit .419 with nine home runs and 40 RBIs, being named the American Rivers Conference Position Player of the Week once in the season.

Originally from Ames, Iowa, Hill was also given the Academic All-District nod. The junior first baseman majors in sports administration and appeared in 38 of 40 games for the Storm. Hill launched four home runs on the year and had an impressive fielding percentage of .985.

Kriegel, an all-conference selection in her first season last year, earns another accolade to her resume as well. A double major in health and exercise science and health services leadership, the Grinnell, Iowa product appeared in all 40 games for the Storm, driving in 15 runs and drawing a team-leading 24 walks.

Luderman was named to her second consecutive Academic All-District team, after being the lone Storm recipient last season. The Bellevue, Neb. native is majoring in neuroscience and was a massive force at the plate for the Storm . The senior catcher tied the Simpson single-season record with 45 RBIs and led the conference in home runs (12) and doubles (15).

A first-year member for the Storm, Petersen nabs the final Academic All-District honor for the Storm. A native of White Bear Lake, Minn., Petersen is a double major in political science and Spanish. The sophomore pitcher appeared in 15 games on the mound, making 11 starts for a 6-4 overall record. Petersen recorded 37 strikeouts in 47.2 innings of work and collected an ERA of 3.97.

All five honorees will now be placed on the Academic All-America ballot with first-, second- and third-team honorees slated to be announced in early June.