Bak, Degen take home All-America honors

DELAWARE, Ohio - The Simpson women's track and field team sent two athletes to the NCAA Division III Track and Field Championships this weekend, and both will return as All-Americans.

Junior Kinsey Bak (Hinton, Iowa) placed sixth in the high jump and senior Chelsey Degen (Algona, Iowa) took eighth in the discus throw for head coach Dave Cleveland's team on Saturday at Ohio Wesleyan's Selby Field and George Gauthier Track.

Simpson finished with four points.

"It was fun to bat 1.000 and have two athletes come home with All-American certificates," Cleveland said. "It was very gratifying to see them both come home with hardware."

For Degen, it was her first All-America honor in four trips to nationals. Battling breezy conditions, the Iowa Conference champion's best toss went 143 feet, 7 inches (43.76 meters).

"I am really happy for Chelsey," Cleveland said. "It was fun to watch her win her first conference title earlier this year and become an All-American today.

"Having a senior go out as an All-American, you can't beat that."

Bak became a high jump All-American for the fourth time in her career after clearing 5-5 3/4 (1.67 meters).

"Kinsey had an early miss but hit her next two heights," Cleveland said. "She had a great first jump at 5-7 and just nicked it in her second jump. If she makes that, she is fourth; she was that close.

"Kinsey has been very consistent throughout her career. She's right there and threatening to make that next step. She's already hungry for next year."