Simpson athletes get early praise

by Sara Sonderman

The IIAC named two Simpson College athletes, sophomore golfer Janelle Claiborne and senior soccer player Matt Edgington, athletes of the week for the week ending Sept. 2.

Claiborne led the Storm as she tied for fourth place at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Invitational. Her score of 168 was just one stroke behind the winner. The team finished third.

“I could have done better at that tournament but that was a pretty good way to start out the year,” Claiborne said. “As a team we are getting back into the groove of things which is going to hopefully help us make it to the national tournament.”

Claiborne was also the IIAC women’s golfer of the week for the week ending Sept. 8.

Edgington, who is the goalkeeper for the Storm, helped lead his team to a 1-0-1 record for the week. Edgington had two shutouts, which makes his career shutout record 18. He saved 14 shots in two games.

“I really don’t understand why I got the award,” Edgington said. “They should have named the entire defense players of the week.”

According to Edgington this year’s soccer team has the personnel, talent and team chemistry to be conference champions and to get back to the playoffs.

Each week, IIAC announces individual athletes of the week in each sport. One female and one male athlete receive the overall top athlete of the week.