Multiple Storm runners earn all-academic honors

NEW ORLEANS - The Simpson College men and women's cross country teams received All-Academic honors from the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA), represented by four total individual runners.

In order to qualify for All-Academic distinction, teams must have a cumulative GPA of 3.1 on a 4.0 scale, including the most recent grading period, among other qualifiers. The women, who finished seventh out of 29 teams at the NCAA Midwest Regional, the team's best finish since 1991, boasted a GPA of 3.494. The men finished with a team GPA of 3.419 after taking eighth place at the regional meet, the team's third consecutive finish inside the top 10 at the regional phase.

Individually, two athletes from each team were named as an All-Academic Individual. In order to qualify for All-Academic distinction, student athletes must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.30 on a 4.0 scale and finish in the top-25 percent of their respective regional championship meet. The women's team was led by Lara Kallem and Ashley Rockhold. Kallem had the highest individual finish in over a decade at the regional meet, while Rockhold ran her second-fastest 6k time in her career at the meet to qualify.

The men were represented by Spencer Moon and Ean Warrick. Moon's selection makes this his third career All-Academic Individual honor, as he took third overall at the regional meet to qualify for his second straight NCAA Division III Championship. Warrick receives his first All-Academic distinction after finishing third on the team for the Storm at the regional meet, clocking the second-fastest 6k time of his career.