TWINS EXCEL IN CROSS COUNTRY TRACK & ACADEMICS

Lauren and Kristen Simpson began their running career at Waynedale Elementary School. The year was 1992 and both were in second grade, competing in a Waynedale event called The Wonder Mile. The entire school came out to watch Lauren finish first and Kristen finish third. Each year the winners would get their name on a plaque. Lauren won again in third and fourth grade and Kristen won in fifth grade. In 1994-95 Waynedale Elementary had their first basketball team and Lauren and Kristen were the only two girls to make the squad.

The twins moved on to Kekionga Middle School for their 1995-96 school year. Both participated in cross-country, basketball and track where they were the number one and two runners. In 1996-’97 they again participated in three sports, both making the varsity basketball team. By eighth grade they were not only excelling in sports, they also made high honor role.

Both girls moved on to Northrop High School and in their freshman year they made varsity XC (Cross Country). Their team won the SAC (Summit Athletic Conference), the Woodland Sectional, Bellmont Regional, the Manchester Semi-State and finished sixth in the state meet. In high school track (1998) their team came in first in SAC, Sectionals, Regionals and 3rd in State. The next three years the twins helped the varsity track team to first place finishes in SAC, Sectionals, Regionals and State. Lauren and Kristen also competed in high school, basketball, swimming and indoor track. Both girls graduated in 2002; Lauren with a GPA of 4.0 and Kristen with a GPA of 3.94 out of 4.33.

Lauren and Kristen continued their winning ways through college. At IPFW Lauren has set records in the 3K, 5K and steeplechase. Kristen has set a record in the 10K. Currently Lauren is ranked third and Kristen is fourth for All-Independent Division 1 colleges in the 3000 Meter Steeplechase. If their rankings hold they will run in the All-Independent Championships in California in May.

They have been on the Dean’s List for all five completed semesters at IPFW. In the summer of 2005 they will both be studying abroad for six weeks in Salamanca, Spain. There they will be living with a local family and taking two Spanish classes. In 2006 they hope to graduate with a Bachelors Degree in Marketing, and a minor in Spanish. After graduating they are planning on being graduate assistants for their coach, Michael Fruchey, and attaining their Masters Degrees.

From the Wonder Mile at Waynedale Elementary, and hopefully, to the All-Independent Championships in California, these young women continue to be amazing. Their mother, Karen Honer, of Pinewood Avenue and their grandfather, Dick Young, of Clayburn Court, as well as, the other members of their family are very proud of these two young athletes from the southwest side of Fort Wayne.