Anna simonson named second team all-American

May 18, 2009

Anna Simonson, a 2006 graduate of Gale-Ettrick-Trempealeau High School, has been named a 2009 Louisville Slugger/ National Fastpitch Coaches Association Division III Second Team All-American. Louisville Slugger and the NFCA annually announces the first, second and third All-America teams, that have 15 student-athletes on each team. The student-athletes that received this honor, were selected from eight regions and were all first team all-region honorees. The announcement was made at the start of the Division III National Championships that is being hosted by Montclair State University, Montclair, New Jersey May 15-19. With this honor, Simonson became the 13th Luther softball player to be named a Division III All-American.

Simonson, who earlier this year was named first-team all-conference and first-team all-Midwest Region, completed the 2009 campaign batting .351 with 21 RBI, as the lead-off hitter in the Norse line-up. She finished second on the squad with 44 runs scored and was tied for the team lead with seven sacrifice bunts. Defensively, she was credited with 95 putouts, 45 assists and eight errors while starting all 46 games at second base.

As a team, Luther qualified for the NCAA Division III National Tournament for the tenth time in school history. The Norse finished fourth at the first round regional, completing the season with a record of 35-11.

The Norse are coached by Renae Hartl, who earlier this season recorded her 200th career victory. During her eight seasons at the helm, Luther has posted an overall record of 206-114, captured the Iowa Conference championship in 2007, has made two appearances in the past three years in the national tournament and she has coached five All-Americans.

Simonson is the daughter of Barbara and Bradley Simonson of Galesville, Wis.