Women's cross country earns team academic honor

INDIANOLA, Iowa – The Simpson women's cross country team was recently recognized for academic excellence by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA), earning NCAA Division III All-Academic Team honors for the 2014 season.

To qualify, progrms must compile a cumulative GPA of 3.10 or greater and compete in at least five different meets with at least five different runners representing their schools at each.

The women's team achieved a 3.46 GPA, easily surpassing the requirement to take home the honor for the eighth year in a row. Simpson has been recognized as an All-Academic Team 12 times.

Four members of the team - sophomore Maria Claussen, senior Lauren Doocy, junior Breanna Gaster and sophomore Briana McCloskey - were Iowa Conference all-Academic performers in the fall.

A total of 211 programs throughout Division III were recognized.

Under fourth-year head coach Heath Moenck, the Storm women placed sxith at the IIAC Championships in 2014. The team went on to make a seven-place improvement from the previous season at the Central Region Championships, placing 19th.