Posted: Oct 28, 2023

Simpson women claim third at A-R-C Championship

PELLA, Iowa - The Simpson College women's cross country team claimed third place at the A-R-C Championship behind three all-conference performers at the Central Cross Country Course.

The Storm recorded its best finish at the conference meet since 1994. Simpson also had at least three all-conference runners for the first time since 2009, with all-conference honors being expanded from the top 15 to the top 20. "I am thrilled for our women's program," said Storm director of track and field and cross country Heath Moenck. "All these women have made huge strides these past few years and were rewarded with an outstanding conference finish."

Lara Kallem led the Storm with a ninth-place finish, her second straight all-conference honor. She is the first Storm runner with back-to-back all-conference honors since Catie Ellingson in 2009 and 2010. Teghan Booth and Ashley Rockhold also won all-conference honors with finishes inside the top 20. "Lara, Teghan and Ashley have run great all year and today was no different, earning all-conference accolades," said Moenck.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Kallem stayed with the lead pack of runners for the majority of the race, before a few broke away over halfway through. However, Kallem recovered to run a time of 22:40.5 and finish ninth, the best individual finish since Ellingson in 2010.
Booth (23:03.1, 12th) and Rockhold (23:23.4, 16th) clocked career-bests to earn their first career cross country all-conference honors.
Kaya Young ran a career-best 24:12.6 to enter the Storm's scoring lineup, beating her previous best by almost 20 seconds.
The Storm had 92 total points to take third, the team's best finish since 1994.

STORM LINEUP
9. Lara Kallem - 22:40.5
12. Teghan Booth - 23:03.1
16. Ashley Rockhold - 23:23.4
33. Emily Erhardt - 24:12.2
34. Kaya Young - 24:12.6
47. Elise Wieland - 24:34.5
56. Mya Whitaker - 24:54.5