CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - Results of the American Rivers Conference Softball Preseason Poll (as voted on by the league's head coaches): 
 

2023 American Rivers Conference Softball Preseason Coaches' Poll
Rank	School (1st place votes)	Points	2022 Record
1.	Wartburg (7)	63	30-14 overall, 9-7 A-R-C
2.	Coe (2)	45	22-13 overall, 9-7 A-R-C
3.	Central	38	21-17 overall, 7-9 A-R-C
4.	Luther	36	21-14 overall, 8-8 A-R-C
5.	Loras	35	22-10 overall, 7-9 A-R-C
6.	Dubuque	31	24-8 overall, 10-6 A-R-C (Conference Co-Champions)
7.	Nebraska Wesleyan	30	24-16 overall, 8-8 A-R-C
8.	Buena Vista	29	27-15 overall, 10-6 A-R-C (Conference Co-Champions)
9.	Simpson	17	19-18 overall, 4-12 A-R-C

The Wartburg College Knights stand at the top of the coaches' poll to win the 2023 American Rivers Conference (A-R-C) regular season title. The Knights, who were the champions of last year's conference tournament, earned 63 points in the poll, recording seven first-place votes (coaches cannot vote for their own team). Coe College picked up 45 points, including two first-place votes, to finish second in this year's preseason coaches' poll. Season previews for all nine teams follow below.

NFCA Poll: After finishing the season at the Super Regionals of the NCAA Tournament, the Wartburg Knights open the 2023 season ranked No. 14 in the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Division III Top 25 poll. The Kohawks of Coe College are receiving votes in this year's preseason poll.

New Coaches:

• Sarah Richardson, Buena Vista University -- Richardson was named the interim head coach for the 2023 season for the Beavers after serving as an assistant coach last season. Richardson came to BVU after spending a season as an assistant coach at Cottey College in Nevada, Missouri. Prior to that, she spent nearly seven years as a private softball instructor in Evansville, Indiana. In 2013, Richardson spend a season as a volunteer coach with the University of Evansville. She earned her bachelor of science degree in sociology from the University of Evansville where she was a member of the softball program.
• Jake Koolbeck, Coe College -- Koolbeck was promoted to head coach of the Kohawks after serving as an assistant coach since 2016. While an assistant coach with the Kohawks, Koolbeck took on the responsibility of being the head coach at Iowa City Regina for three seasons. Prior to his position at Regina, Koolbeck directed the Cedar Rapids Jefferson High School program from 2010-2017. Previous to that, he was a varsity assistant at Solon and Clear Creek-Amana High Schools. Koolbeck graduated from Coe College in 2017 with a degree in Physical Education and Fitness Development.
• Josh Keener, University of Dubuque -- Keener joined the University of Dubuque Spartans as the head softball coach after completing five seasons at Rockford University. While at Rockford University, Keener was the head softball coach for the past five seasons. Prior to that, Keener spent five years as an assistant baseball coach at Rockford University and for two years before that, he was an assistant at Rock Valley College. He earned his associate's degree from Rock Valley College before earning his bachelor's degree in economics with a minor in accounting and his MBA from Rockford University.

The Schedule: The 2023 season kicked off last weekend with Buena Vista playing at the Dordt University Dome Games in Sioux Center, Iowa. Simpson College will begin their season tomorrow, February 17th in Abilene, Texas where they will take on Hardin-Simmons University in a doubleheader.

Two more conference teams will open their season on Saturday, February 18th with the Nebraska Wesleyan Prairie Wolves and the University of Dubuque Spartans playing at the Bethany Kwik Trip Invitational in the dome in Mankato, Minnesota. The Prairie Wolves will take on St. Catherine University and Saint Mary's University on Saturday while the Spartans will face off with the College of St. Scholastica and Bethel University.

On Saturday, February 25th, Central, Coe, Luther and Wartburg will begin their seasons. The Central College Dutch are heading down to St. Ann, Missouri to take take on Webster University and DePauw University. Coe and Luther are heading north to Mankato, Minnesota where they will compete at the Bethany Lutheran Dome Invite. The Kohawks are set to take on St. Catherine University and Gustavus Adolphus College while the Norse will take on Bethel University and University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. The Wartburg Knights are traveling to Montgomery, Alabama where they will play Mount St. Joseph University and Huntingdon College.

The Loras Duhawks will begin their 2023 campaign on Thursday, March 2 at the Blue Angel Invite in Peoria, Illinois. Loras will face the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point and Northland College.

A-R-C play is set to begin on Saturday, April 1st as the Coe Kohawks and Nebraska Wesleyan Prairie Wolves kick it off with a doubleheader in Lincoln, Nebraska. Two more teams will begin conference play on Tuesday, April 4th with the Dubuque Spartans traveling to Cedar Rapids for a doubleheader against Coe and the Simpson Storm traveling to Lincoln to take on the Prairie Wolves. Central and Wartburg will begin their conference seasons on Friday, April 7th in Waverly, Iowa. On Saturday, April 8th, the Buena Vista Beavers will travel to Decorah to take on the Luther Norse. Loras begins their conference slate on Tuesday, April 11th when they host Luther College.

Conference Tournament: The 2023 American Rivers Conference tournament will be held May 12-13 with the tournament's top seed serving as host. The tournament is a single-elimination format, consisting of six schools. The top two seeds from the regular season standings will receive first-round byes. The two opening-round games are played on Friday with semifinals and the final on Saturday. The tournament champion will receive the leagues' automatic qualifier bid to the NCAA Division III Tournament.

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1st		Wartburg College Head Coach: Jamie Mueller (8th season, 149-97) 2022 Conference Finish: t-3rd 2022 Record: 30-14 overall, 9-7 Conference NCAA Tournament (Last Appearance/Total Appearances): 2022/10 2022 NCAA Tournament: - Defeated Illinois Wesleyan 5-2 [Regional] - Defeated Nebraska Wesleyan University 2-0 (14 inn.) [Regional] - Defeated College of Saint Benedict 6-5 [Regional] - Lost to Millikin University 5-9 [Super Regional] - Lost to Millikin University 6-10 [Super Regional] Position Starters Returning/Lost: 6/2 Pitchers Returning/Lost: 4/3 Letter Winners Returning/Lost: 15/7 All-Conference Returning: Sydney Illg (5th Year, SS), Ella Link (Jr., UTL), Kaylie Springer (Jr., OF), Tarah Wehde (Jr., UTL) All-Conference Lost: Olivia Brecht (2B) Jamie Mueller - "We are entering the 2023 season as hungry as ever. We've got a killer schedule ahead of us, and we'll do our best to focus one game at a time, prioritizing family and growth along the way. Our expectations are high, and we'll continue to put in the work that'll allow us to rise to each challenge put in front of us."
	Players to Watch: (Returners Only)	2022 Statistics
	Sydney Illg (5th Year, SS)	44-games started // .303 BA // 43 runs scored // 8 HR // .568 SLG% // 24-26 stolen bases
	Hannah Happ (Sr., UTL)	40-games played // .318 BA // 12-12 stolen bases
	Lauren Frerichs (Sr., UTL)	44-games played // .313 BA // 32 runs scored // 5 HR // 34 RBI // 30-32 stolen bases
	Ella Link (Jr., UTL)	40-games played // .353 BA // 39 runs scored // 12 HR // 51 RBI // .748 SLG%
	Ashley Nelson (Jr., P)	27-appearances // 2.89 ERA // 13-5 record // 2 shutouts // 70 K // .265 BAA
	Tarah Wehde (Jr., P)	10-appearances // 18.1 IP // 11 K

 

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2nd		Coe College Head Coach: Jake Koolbeck (1st season) 2022 Conference Finish: t-3rd 2022 Record: 22-13 overall, 9-7 Conference NCAA Tournament (Last Appearance/Total Appearances): 2021/17 2022 NCAA Tournament: N/A Position Starters Returning/Lost: 8/1 Pitchers Returning/Lost: 3/1 Letter Winners Returning/Lost: 13/7 All-Conference Returning: Heather Boeckenstedt (Sr., SS), Abbie White (So., P) All-Conference Lost: None Jake Koolbeck - "We are looking forward to the 2023 season and the challenge that is the American Rivers Conference. The conference will once again be tough and very competitive from top to bottom. As always, we have high standards and big goals for our team. We know the work that is required to succeed and will continue to strive to be better every day. Our team is motivated, experienced, and excited for another year of A-R-C softball."
	Players to Watch: (Returners Only)	2022 Statistics
	Heather Boekenstedt (Sr., SS)	29-games started // .370 BA // 30 runs scored // 6 2B // 3 HR // .556 SLG %// 13-14 stolen bases
	Abbie White (So., P)	21-appearances // 2.56 ERA // 10-3 record // 3 shutouts // 3 saves // 67 K
	Ellie Thurow (Sr., P)	6-appearances // 0 runs allowed // 1 shutout // .150 BAA
	Skyler Stookey (Sr., C)	33-games played // 6 2B // 15 RBI
	Madi Parson (Sr., INF)	27-games started // .317 BA // 5 HR // 30 RBI // .549 SLG% // 9-10 stolen bases
	Hannah Ausenhus (Sr., P)	18-appearances // 2.96 ERA // 1 shutout // 28 K // .266 BAA

 

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3rd		Central College Head Coach: George Wares (39th season, 1,199-426-3 overall record) 2022 Conference Finish: t-7th 2022 Record: 21-17 overall, 7-9 Conference NCAA Tournament (Last Appearance/Total Appearances): 2019/30 2022 NCAA Tournament: N/A Position Starters Returning/Lost: 7/2 Pitchers Returning/Lost: 3/1 Letter Winners Returning/Lost: 13/2 All-Conference Returning: Emma Johnson (Sr., CF), Franie Burnett (Jr., RF/3B), Megan Doty (Sr., LF) All-Conference Lost: Lauren Birt (DP) George Wares - "Motivated would be an understatement. First time ever not making the conference tournament and worst record in over 40 years, makes us anxious to start. Our hope is to stay healthy which was something we couldn't do last year and put ourselves in position for an NCAA tournament bid at the end of the season. Playing in this league is always difficult. The strength of depth in this league is second to none."
	Players to Watch: (Returners Only)	2022 Statistics
	Franie Burnett (Jr., RF/3B)	38-games started // .425 BA // 29 runs scored // 25 RBI // .528 SLG% // .488 OB% // 24-25 stolen bases
	Sydni Huisman (Sr., P)	9-appearances // 3 CG // 1 shutout // 12 K
	Emma Johnson (Sr., CF)	38-games started // .462 BA // 27 runs scored // 16 RBI
	Haley Bach (So., 2B)	38-games started // .322 BA // 41 runs scored // 17 RBI // 20-27 stolen bases
	Madison Farrington (Sr., C)	38-games started // 6 2B // 14 RBI

 

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4th		Luther College Head Coach: Renae Rost-Hartl (22nd season, 647-220 overall record) 2022 Conference Finish: t-5th 2022 Record: 21-14 overall, 8-8 Conference NCAA Tournament (Last Appearance/Total Appearances): 2018/20 2022 NCAA Tournament: N/A Position Starters Returning/Lost: 5/4 Pitchers Returning/Lost: 2/1 Letter Winners Returning/Lost: 11/7 All-Conference Returning: Sydney Schultz (Sr., 3B), Kendra Cooper (5th Year, P), Sam Thompson (Sr., P), Abby Spore (Jr., C), Belle Berg (Sr., SS) All-Conference Lost: Emily Versnik (1B), Emily Fell (OF) Renae Rost-Hartl - "We look forward to the 16 conference games in April but are focused on the first half of our season right now with the dome games and Florida being right around the corner."
	Players to Watch: (Returners Only)	2022 Statistics
	Kendra Cooper (5th Year, P)	24-appearances // 2.48 ERA // 9-8 record // 7 shutouts // 118 K // .220 BAA
	Sam Thompson (Sr., P)	20-appearances // 2.09 ERA // 12-6 record // 4 shutouts // .276 BAA
	Abby Spore (Jr., C)	35-games started // .347 BA // 9 2B // 3 HR // 28 RBI // .531 SLG%
	Sydney Schultz (Sr., UTL)	35-games started // .319 BA // 27 runs scored // 19 RBI // 3-3 stolen bases
	Belle Berg (Sr., SS)	35-games started // .327 BA // 7 2B // 24 RBI // 5-5 stolen bases

 

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5th		Loras College Head Coach: Ashley Winter (14th season, 196-245-1) 2022 Conference Finish: t-7th 2022 Record: 22-10 overall, 7-9 Conference NCAA Tournament (Last Appearance/Total Appearances): N/A 2022 NCAA Tournament: N/A Position Starters Returning/Lost: 10/2 Pitchers Returning/Lost: 3/1 Letter Winners Returning/Lost: 15/5 All-Conference Returning: Ashlyn Hemm (So., P) All-Conference Lost: Ellie Schill (OF) Ashley Winter - "Last year was an exciting season within the American Rivers Conference. Proving again why this is one of the top softball conferences in the nation. Each day is an opportunity for us to bring our best. Our team has a core group of returners mixed with an athletic incoming class. We like our experience and depth. We are excited to compete and have some fun together this season."
	Players to Watch: (Returners Only)	2022 Statistics
	Ashlyn Hemm (So., P)	30-appearances // 1.49 ERA // 18-4 record // 8 shutouts // 214 K // .157 BAA
	Grace Houghton (Sr., DH/1B)	28-games played // .375 BA // 3 HR // 16 RBI // .569 SLG%

 

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6th		University of Dubuque Head Coach: Josh Keener (1st season) 2022 Conference Finish: t-1st 2022 Record: 24-8 overall, 10-6 Conference NCAA Tournament (Last Appearance/Total Appearances): N/A 2022 NCAA Tournament: N/A Position Starters Returning/Lost: 2/7 Pitchers Returning/Lost: 2/1 Letter Winners Returning/Lost: 11/15 All-Conference Returning: Cayla Cavanagh (Sr., C), Megan Wolff (So., P) All-Conference Lost: Rachel Trader (UTL), Emily Bloomer (OF), Lauren Brown (INF), Callie Dutton (INF) Josh Keener - "We're excited about our mix of returners and new players. The program reached new heights in 2022 and we will work to continue pushing the bar higher for UD Softball this spring. I believe the A-R-C is one of the best softball conferences in Division III and I'm eager to see where our group stacks up!"
	Players to Watch: (Returners Only)	2022 Statistics
	Cayla Cavanagh (Sr., C)	31-games played // .304 BA // 6 2B // 7 HR // .646 SLG%
	Dariann Diorio (Sr., OF)	33-games started // .360 BA // 21 runs scored // 12 2B // 26 RBI // .560 SLG%
	Megan Wolff (So., P)	15-appearances // 2.97 ERA // 13-2 record // 3 shutouts // 59 K // .260 BAA

 

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7th		Nebraska Wesleyan University  Head Coach: Mary Yori (8th season, 130-110 overall record) 2022 Conference Finish: t-5th 2022 Record: 24-16 overall, 8-8 Conference NCAA Tournament (Last Appearance/Total Appearances): 2022/1 2022 NCAA Tournament: - Defeated College of Saint Benedict 4-0 [Regional] - Lost to Wartburg College 2-0 (14 inn.) [Regional] - Lost to College of Saint Benedict 8-0 [Regional] Position Starters Returning/Lost: 6/2 Pitchers Returning/Lost: 2/1 Letter Winners Returning/Lost: 13/3 All-Conference Returning: Val Gerlach (Jr., C) All-Conference Lost: Kailey Meyer (P), Taylor Styskal (1B) Mary Yori - "It should once again be an exciting year with such parity in the A-R-C. We graduated three seniors who were major contributors but look forward to reloading with a lot of young talent."
	Players to Watch: (Returners Only)	2022 Statistics
	Val Gerlach (Jr., C)	39-games started // .331 BA // 8 2B // 26 RBI // .426 OB%
	Emma Alfieri (Sr., 3B)	39-games played // .287 BA // 21 runs scored // 10 2B // 22 RBI
	Hanna Roth (Jr., OF)	39-games started // .370 BA // 27 runs scored // 12 2B // 26 RBI // .551 SLG% // .484 OB%

 

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8th		Buena Vista University  Head Coach: Sarah Richardson (1st season) 2022 Conference Finish: t-1st 2022 Record: 27-15 overall, 10-6 Conference NCAA Tournament (Last Appearance/Total Appearances): 2022/6 2022 NCAA Tournament: - Lost to Washington University in St. Louis 7-0 [Regional] - Defeated Bethany Lutheran College 8-0 [Regional} - Lost to Bethel University 3-2 [Regional] Position Starters Returning/Lost: 7/6 Pitchers Returning/Lost: 1/2 Letter Winners Returning/Lost: 10/5 All-Conference Returning: Nattie Murillo (Jr., 3B), Chloe Wells (So., OF) All-Conference Lost: Ashtyn Miller (P/1B), Peyton Gross (P), Carlee Guyett (OF) Sarah Richardson - "With 10 returning letter winners, 6 freshmen, and a new coaching staff, we are looking forward to a strong 2023 season. With our experience in the field, we feel confident the returners will be able to lead our young pitchers in the circle. We are excited for another year of competitive play in such a strong conference."
	Players to Watch: (Returners Only)	2022 Statistics
	Nattie Murillo (Jr., 3B)	42-games started // .366 BA // 8 2B // 6 HR // .575 SLG%
	Chloe Wells (So., OF)	42-games played // .363 BA // 35 runs scored // 15 2B // 5 HR // 36 RBI // .630 SLG%
	Rylee Cain (Jr., C)	41-games started // .285 BA // 17 RBI
	Jamie Wendt (Jr., 2B)	42-games played // .312 BA // 24 runs scored // 19 RBI // 6-10 stolen bases