Nielsen named First Team Academic All-American

INDIANOLA, Iowa – Simpson women's basketball player Kate Nielsen earned a place on the 2012-13 Capital One Academic All-America® Division III Women's Basketball First Team, as selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA).

A senior forward from Urbandale, Iowa, Nielsen becomes the second Academic All-American in Simpson women's basketball history and first since Michelle Mackie made the first team in 1992.

An exercise science major with a 3.89 GPA, Nielsen is second in the Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (IIAC) in scoring at 21.9 points per game. Nielsen was a first team All-IIAC selection last season and is a two-time Capital One Academic All-District® First Team honoree.

Nielsen is one of six players in Simpson history with 1,000 points and 500 rebounds, and is one of only two with 1,000 points, 500 rebounds and 150 steals. A seven-time IIAC Player of the Week in 2012-13, Nielsen has led the Storm to a 23-2 record, a number six national ranking and an Iowa Conference Championship.

Nielsen closed the regular season with 526 points, currently the fourth-highest total in Simpson history.

Since transferring to Simpson for her sophomore year, Nielsen has been named to the President's List (4.0 GPA) three times and the Dean's List (3.7 GPA) twice. After graduation, she will enroll in the doctor of physical therapy program at Des Moines University.

Joining Nielsen on the first team are Katelyn Fischer (Marymount), Dori Gyori (Messiah), Joanna Snyder (Ohio Northern) and Carissa Verkaik (Calvin).

To be eligible for Academic All-America consideration, a student-athlete must be a varsity starter or key reserve, maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.30 on a scale of 4.00, have reached sophomore athletic and academic standings at his/her current institution and be nominated by his/her sports information director (SID).