Storm ranked seventh in USTFCCCA Midwest Region Rankings

NEW ORLEANS -- The Simpson College men's cross country squad sits seventh in the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) Midwest Region Preseason Rankings, the organization announced Tuesday.

"We're thrilled to be recognized as one of the top teams in the region," head cross country coach Heath Moenck said. "We're looking forward to the season and competing in one of the top conferences and regions in the country."

The Storm are one of six programs from the American Rivers Conference that are ranked inside the top 10 in the region. Wartburg holds the top spot, while Loras (fourth), Luther (sixth), Central (eighth) and Nebraska Wesleyan (10th) are listed in the poll as well.

Simpson is coming off one of its most impressive seasons in recent memory due to its best finish at the league championships since 1990 with a third-place result. The Storm also had three runners capture all-league honors, the most for the program since 1988.

Junior Spencer Moon returns after tallying fourth place at the league championships, the best individual finish for a Simpson runner since Dave Halferty won the meet in 1989. Moon was joined by senior Harry Dudley (10th) and junior Eric Baldus (12th) as all-conference recipients.

The Storm begin their season Friday, Sept. 3 on their home course with the Bill Buxton Invitational. The women will begin the meet at 5 p.m. and the men follow at 5:30 p.m. at Pickard Park.