Two Crusaders Named to NAIA II All-America Team

March 19, 2008
Contact: Evangel University Athletics 865-2815, Ext. 7282

Evangel’s Jackson Capel (6-3, Jr., G) and Todd Simon (6-7, Sr., F) are members of the 2007-08 NAIA II All-America team. Capel is a second team selection and Simon is an honorable mention pick. The honor is Capel’s second (third team in 2006-07) and the first for Simon.

Capel led the 2007-08 Crusaders with his 20.9 points per game average. He also averaged 4.7 rebounds, made 46.8 percent of his 3-pointers, and connected on 83.3 percent of his free throws (125-150). On the 2007-08 NAIA II national stats report, Capel ranks No. 7 in 3-pointers made per game (3.7) and No. 9 in 3-point percentage (.468).

An Erlanger, Ky., product, Capel established six Evangel 3-point field goal records this season. Capel nailed nine 3s versus Missouri Valley on Jan.12 to set a new single game mark. He set single season 3-point records for most made (130), attempted (278) and best percentage (.468). Capel also put his name at the top of the career 3-point record list with most made (300) and attempted (672). He has made 44.6 percent of his treys as a Crusader and could break the career record for best career 3-point percentage next season. The current record is 39.1 percent by Grant Curtis (2000-04).

Simon ended his senior year with averages of 10.1 points and 5.9 rebounds per game. His rebound average was the best on the team and he also led the team with 24 blocks. Simon was a steady force inside for the Crusaders, making 59.5 percent of his field goals, and he shot well from the perimeter, hitting 13 of 22 from 3-point range (.591). A versatile player, Simon also tallied 86 assists (2.5) and had 26 steals.

Simon, who hails from Bellevue, Neb., ranks No. 14 on the all-time scoring list at Evangel with 1,391 points. He totaled 799 rebounds during his Evangel career and that total ranks No. 3 in the EU record book. Simon’s name also appears at the No. 4 spot for career blocks (62) and he ranks No. 16 in career assists (249).

Evangel finished its 2007-08 season with a 28-7 record, won its fourth Heart of America Athletic Conference championship (tied with MidAmerica Nazarene) and won the conference postseason tournament for the fourth time. The 2007-08 Crusaders also made the program’s seventh overall and third straight appearance in the NAIA II national tournament. EU defeated Menlo College (Calif.), 73-48, in the first round. In the second round, EU lost 72-63 to the eventual national champion, Oregon Tech.