Sophomore Lara Kallem (photo by Kylie Macziewski)

Posted: May 13, 2023

Storm women conclude A-R-C Championships

DECORAH, Iowa - Spencer Moon became the first athlete in Simpson track and field history to sweep the indoor and outdoor conference MVP awards, after claiming victory in the 5,000 meters on Saturday afternoon.

Moon continues to add on to one of the most illustrious careers in Simpson history, claiming his fifth career track and field conference title and his 11th career all-conference honor. Moon shared the Track MVP award with Wartburg's Christopher Collet, etching his name in Simpson and conference history.

Unlike his previous three conference titles this season, Moon attacked in the 5,000 meter race quicker. Moon opened up a gap of over five seconds before the first mile and won by over 30 seconds. His time of 14:23.63 is also a new championship and facility record.

"Once again, Spencer put together two outstanding conference races," said Storm director of track and field Heath Moenck. "Shattering the conference championship 5K record was a great accomplishment and anytime you can break a record like that, it is special."

The Storm had one more all-conference performer on the final day, with Max Cleveland taking third in the 110 meter hurdles in a time of 14.69. The honor is Cleveland's third all-conference award in his career.

The Storm duo of Maddie Hays and Maddax DeVault competed in the 400 meter hurdles final, with both athletes moving into the all-time Simpson list. Hays took fourth in a time of 1:03:48, which is the third-fastest time in school history. DeVault also ran a career-best, clocking a time of 1:05.35, good for seventh all-time.

Troy Galloway had a successful meet in the javelin throw, setting a career-best throw of 49.99 meters. The throw is good for 10th all-time in school history.

Three of the four Simpson relay teams set new season-bests as well. To start the day, both teams in the 4x100 meter relays accomplished a new season-best. Amy Kish, Bianca Clemons, Aryss Forbes, and Anna Parrott ran a time of 49.74, putting the quartet inside the top 10 in Storm history. Shaymus Santiago, Joseph Sams, Dillan Gulley, and Kendrick Achebe ran a 43.42 in their race, lowering the previous season-best by half a second. Sams also competed in the 4x400 meter relay, joining a trio of teammates in Blake DePhillips, Adam Gruhn, and Kyler Peck to run a 3:30.36, a new season-best by seven seconds.