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Covert and Simmons Named to All American Squad

Jun. 3, 2007

The Men's Collegiate Lacrosse Association has announed the 2007 Divsion A and Division B All American Teams. Rising Seniors,  Ryan Covert  (St. Louis, MO/Chaminade) and Curt Simmons (Wilmington, DE/Tatnall) both earned first team All American Honors for Division B. Both players were first team SELC-B all conference and all tournament team selections as well this year. The pair of juniors have set a new milestone for Emory Lacrosse as they are the first All Americans in the history of the Eagles program to attain first team honors. 

Covert, a two time team captain and three year starter at defense marked every opponent's top attacker this year. As a freshman in 2005 he shared the team's Rookie of the Year award with defensive midfielder Michael Kowalczyk (River Forest, IL/Oak Park and River Forest). Last season as a sophomore, he was a first team all conference honoree as well as being named an All American Honorable Mention and Academic All American. In addition to being a dominating defender, Covert is also an offensive threat as he often sees time as a short sitck middie on Emory's extra man unit; he tallied six points on three goals and three assists this year. Many of Covert's teammates felt as though he was short changed when the conference's defensive player of the year award for this year was given to Steve Ruane of UNC-Charlotte; a 2007 second team All American.

Simmons has been considered one of the SouthEastern Lacrosse Conference's top offensive players since his freshman year when he lead the team in scoring. Last season Simmons received All Conference Honorable Mention honors as a face-off specialist. In 2007 the Delaware native finished third on the team in scoring with 33 points, netting 24 goals and dishing out nine helpers.

A few other SELC players were selected to the MCLA Divison B All American Squad as well as Covert and Simmons. In addition to UNC's Ruane earning second team honors, John Healy of SCAD was selected to the first team at the attack position while Elon's Barrett Risley was named a third team All American midfielder. Risley is joined on the third team by SCAD Goalie Seth Jones.

Although wounded by the blow of losing five outstanding seniors, Emory returns both Covert, Simmons, and a majority of star players back for 2008. Stay tuned as the "Dirty Birds" defend their conference title in addition to making yet another run for a national championship at the MCLA National Tourney.

To view the the 2007 MCLA All America Teams click here.