Bak, Degen represent Simpson at nationals

INDIANOLA, Iowa - Junior high jumper Kinsey Bak and senior discus thrower Chelsey Degen, both ranked in the top five in the nation in their respective craft, look to bring home All-American accolades at the 2011 NCAA Division III Outdoor Track & Field Championships in Delaware, Ohio this weekend.

Already a three-time All-American in the high jump, Bak (Hinton, Iowa) enters the weekend with the No. 2 jump in the nation. She cleared 5 feet, 7 1/4 inches (1.71 meters) at the Monmouth Fighting Scots Invitational on May 7, tying her own school record. 

Bak placed fifth in the high jump at last year's outdoor nationals and collected Most Valuable Field Performer honors at the 2011 Iowa Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championships.

No stranger to the national meet, Degen (Algona, Iowa) makes her fourth trip in 2011. Degen placed ninth in 2009, her highest finish in three appearances on the sport's highest stage. In 2010, she missed a top-five finish by inches when her longest throw landed out of bounds. 

This year, Degen enters the final weekend of the season with the nation's third-longest throw. She broke her own school record with a toss of 154 feet, 9 inches (47.18 meters) at the Augustana Midwest Twilight Qualifier on May 20. She also claimed her first Iowa Conference Championship in the event May 14.

Both athletes will compete Saturday, with the high jump beginning at Noon and the discus at 3 p.m.

For a complete list of participants, schedule of events, ticket information and more information on the Championship, visit ncaa.com.