Simpson's Taylor and Loras' McGowen Named American Rivers Conference Athletes of the Week

Performers of the Week Announced in Two Sports

1/3/2022 12:01:08 PM

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - The American Rivers Conference (A-R-C) announced that Simpson College women’s basketball player Jenna Taylor (Creston, Iowa/Creston) and Loras College men’s basketball Rowen McGowen (Wheaton, Ill./Wheaton North) have been named American Rivers Conference Athletes of the Week for the two weeks ending Sunday, January 3, 2022.
 Female Athlete of the Week - Women’s Basketball – Player of the Week16737
Jenna Taylor, Simpson College
Gr., F, Creston, Iowa/Creston
  • Taylor led the Storm to 4-0 over the holiday season with wins over Westminster (MO) (99-66), Alfred (94-57), Wisconsin-La Crosse (85-82), and Bethany Lutheran (89-76).
  • The graduate student averaged 21.5 points and seven rebounds over winter break.
  • She had a pair of 26-point and 11-rebound performances, which brought her double-double mark to 19.
  • Simpson’s forward shot for 60 percent overall (36-60) and a team-best 47.8 percent from three (11-23).
  • Over the two-week span, she totaled 86 points, five steals, five blocked shots, and 28 total rebounds in 96 minutes played.
  • The Storm improved to 12-0 overall and 8-0 in league play.
  • Taylor is a two-time All-Conference Performer and was named league Most Valuable Player in 2020-21.
  • This marks Taylor’s third this season and nineth career women’s basketball Player of the Week accolade (1/3/22, 11/29/21, 11/15/21, 2/22/2021, 2/1/21, 2/10/20, 12/17/18, 11/19/18, 11/12/18).
  • She is also collecting her sixth career Athlete of the Week Accolade (1/3/22, 11/29/21 2/1/21, 12/17/18, 11/19/18, 11/12/18).
Male Athlete of the Week – Men’s Basketball – Player of the Week16893
Rowan McGowen, Loras College
Gr., G, Wheaton, Ill./Wheaton North
  • McGowen helped the Duhawks to a pair of wins at the Loras Holiday Tournament over Bethany Lutheran (93-72) and Lawrence (101-83).
  • The graduate student averaged 29 points and 3.5 rebounds over winter break.
  • He scored 26 points in the Duhawks win over Bethany Lutheran and added 32 in the win over Lawrence.
  • McGowen shot 51% from the field and 55% from behind the arc.
  • The Duhawks improved to 10-2 overall.
  • McGowen is a two-time First-Team All-Conference performer along with being named honorable mention for his performance in the 2017-18 season.
  • The Wheaton, Illinois native is collecting his second-career men’s basketball Player of the Week honor (1/3/22, 12/10/18).
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