Simpson cross country teams receive highest preseason regional rankings in program histories

NEW ORLEANS - The Simpson College men's and women's cross country teams received their highest-ever preseason regional rankings, as announced by the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) on Tuesday.

The Simpson men were voted sixth in the Midwest Region, after coming in seventh in the final 2021 poll. The Storm ranked third across all American Rivers Conference programs, with Wartburg taking the first overall spot and Loras capturing fifth. Other A-R-C programs included Central (seventh) and Luther (eighth).

The Simpson women also earned their highest-ever preseason regional ranking, coming in at seventh position after finishing the 2021 season ranked ninth. The Storm are one of four A-R-C programs that appeared in the poll, with Wartburg (first), Loras (fourth), and Central (fifth) making up the other three teams.

"We are thrilled to be back together for what should be an exciting fall of running," said head coach Heath Moenck. "Both squads return terrific student-athletes and we are equally excited for our newcomers as well."

On the men's side, Simpson is led by junior Spencer Moon, who placed sixth at last year's A-R-C Championships. Moon earned his second straight all-conference honor and qualified for the NCAA Division III Cross Country Championships, placing 118th, the highest placing for a Simpson runner since 1989. In addition to his fantastic running year, Moon was named to the A-R-C All-Academic Team.

Louden Foster is the other returning Storm runner that was named all-conference last year. The Stuart, Iowa native set career-bests in back-to-back important races last season, the A-R-C Championships and the NCAA Division III Midwest Region Championships. Foster was also named to the A-R-C All-Academic Team.

While the women lost their leading runner for most of the year in Cat Lucht due to graduation, the Storm return three runners that finished in the top five in team standings last year at both the A-R-C Championships and the NCAA Division III Cross Country Midwest Region Championships.

Teghan Booth set her career-best at the NCAA Regionals, while Lara Kallem and Emma Angus both turned in strong performances at the regional meet, finishing within five seconds of their previous season-bests. With the core of the team returning, the Storm look primed to improve on their fourth-place finish a year ago at the A-R-C Championships.

2022 USTFCCCA Men's Division III Midwest Region Preseason Poll

1. Wartburg
2. Washington (Mo.)
3. North Central (Ill.)
4. Chicago
5. Loras
6. Simpson
7. Central (Iowa)
8. Luther
9. Miliken
10. Cornell College

2022 USTFCCCA Women's Division III Midwest Region Preseason Poll

1. Wartburg
2. Chicago
3. Washington (Mo.)
4. Loras
5. Central (Iowa)
6. Millikin
7. Simpson
8. Wheaton (Ill.)
9. North Central (Ill.)
10. Elmhurst