Simpson track and field seniors recognized
INDIANOLA, Iowa -- The Simpson track and field teams were going to host the 15th annual Kip Janvrin Open this spring and planned to honor their seniors near the conclusion of the two-day event, but are unable to with the cancellation of spring events.
Outdoor competition was slated to begin this weekend at the Central Invitational for the Storm. The past indoor season resulted in two all-conference selections at the American Rivers Conference Indoor Championships for the Simpson men to highlight the 2019-20 campaign.
Comments from head coach Dave Cleveland
"I want to thank these seniors for their leadership, commitment and accomplishments throughout their careers. Their guidance and involvement on our team and in our campus community speaks to their future successes. Our coaching staff and your teammates are grateful for all you have done for us. You make us and Simpson College proud!"
Madison Anderson | Throws
• Senior from Des Moines, Iowa
• Had a career-best distance of 9.83 meters in the weight throw at the Wartburg Select this season
• Tallied a personal-best toss of 8.57 meters in the shot put at the 2019 A-R-C Indoor Championships
• Majoring in social justice with a double concentration in cultural and ethnic studies and environmental studies and minoring in environmental science
Sam Adeniyi | Sprints/Hurdles
• Senior from Roseville, Minn.
• Won the heptathlon (4,667 points) at the 2020 A-R-C Indoor Championships to end his career with three all-conference honors
• Finished third in the heptathlon in 2018 and in the 55-meter hurdles in 2017 at the conference indoor championships
• Currently 10th in program history in the 300-meter race with a time of 39.44 set on Dec. 6, 2019 at the Pioneer Indoor Preview Meet
• Majoring in computer science and computer information systems
• Plans to attend the University of Minnesota to obtain a doctorate in computer science
Tyler Combs | Middle Distance
• Junior from Indianola, Iowa
• Earned all-conference honors at the 2018 league indoor championships with a second-place nod in the distance medley relay
• Third all-time in program history with a time of 10:27.83 in the DMR that was set at the 2018 conference indoor championships
• Competed in the 600, 800, 1,000, 1,500 and mile events during his time on the track and field squad
Luke Evans | Distance
• Senior from Chariton, Iowa
• Ran a personal-best 4:47.42 in the indoor mile at the Dutch Classic on Jan. 19, 2019
• Finished the 3,000 meters in 9:36.22 at the 2020 A-R-C Indoor Championships for 25th place
• Majoring in business administration and minoring in coaching
• Plans to continue working at JB Hunt Transport Inc. after graduation
Jonathan Facio | Distance
• Senior from Clinton, Iowa
• Delivered a personal-best time of 8:50.12 in the 3,000 meters at the 2020 A-R-C Indoor Championships
• Finished fourth in the steeplechase at the 2019 A-R-C Outdoor Championships to miss out on the program's first all-conference performer in the event since 2012
• Named all-region after finishing 32nd at the 2018 NCAA Central Region Championships in cross country after running a career-best 25.39.8 in the 8K
Austin Greenwalt | Hurdles
• Senior from New Prague, Minn.
• Ended third in the heptathlon to achieve all-league status at the 2020 indoor championships
• Tallied second place in the decathlon to earn all-conference at the 2019 outdoor championships
• Majoring in management with a minor in human resources
• Plans to pursue a human resources position in the Minneapolis, Minn. area after graduation
Levi Lefebure | Middle Distance
• Senior from Fairfax, Iowa
• Finished fourth in the distance medley relay at the 2019 A-R-C Indoor Championships
• Ran a 1:59.14 time in the outdoor 800 meters for his best finish in the event on April 21, 2018
• Majoring in political science, mathematics and history
• Plans to begin work in politics after graduation or receive a postgraduate research position
Josh Paulson | Middle Distance
• Senior from Grimes, Iowa
• Finished fourth in the 4x800-meter relay and fifth in the distance medley relay at the 2020 A-R-C Indoor Championships to miss out on two all-conference selections
• Tallied a 1:56.49 in the 800 meters at the Dr. Tucker Open on May 3, 2019 for a career best in the race
• Majoring in accounting and business management
• Plans to work at McGowen, Hurst, Clark & Smith after graduation
Caleb Striegel | Throws
• Senior from Nashua, Iowa
• Currently ranks fourth in the hammer throw, and fifth in the indoor and outdoor shot put events in program history
• Tossed the hammer 43.52 meters for his career best on April 19, 2019
• Finished with his indoor personal best in the shot put of 15.35 meters at the Wartburg Qualifier this past season
• Ended fourth in the discuss at the 2019 A-R-C Outdoor Championships to fall short of an all-conference nod
• Majoring in sport administration and business management with a minor in coaching
• Plans to attend Illinois State University to obtain a master's in sport administration after college
Connor Warrick | Throws
• Senior from Prairie City, Iowa
• Finished fourth at the 2019 Kip Janvrin Open in the javelin with a toss of 47.07 meters
• Had a personal-best result in the discus of 31.50 meters
• Tallied a distance of 12.43 meters in the shot put for a sixth-place finish at the Central Open on April 22, 2017
Emmitt Wheatley | Sprints
• Senior from Adair, Iowa
• A four-time indoor conference champion for the Storm in the 55 meters, 4x200-meter relay and twice in the 4x400 relay
• Part of the 4x100-meter relay that won gold at the outdoor conference championships in 2016
• Named indoor all-conference on eight occasions and twice during the outdoor campaign
• Currently holds the 200-meter indoor school record with a time of 22.02 set at the Darren Young Invite on Feb. 11, 2017
• Part of the 4x200-meter relay that holds the school record with a mark of 1:28.79
• His time of 6.94 in the 60-meter dash is third all-time in program history
• Has top-five results in the 100, 200 and 4x100-meter relay events during outdoor competition
• Majoring in exercise science with a minor in coaching
• Plans to work on his family farm, train athletes and coach youth sports after graduation in hopes of opening his own training facility to provide resources to small town athletes
