CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - The American Rivers Conference (A-R-C) announced that Luther College women’s swimmer Hayley Crosland (Hanover, Minn.), Coe College women’s diver Megan Norris (Cedar Rapids, Iowa/Linn-Mar, Wartburg College women’s track and field athlete JoJo Tyynismaa (Tama, Iowa/South Tama), Loras College women’s track & field athlete Grace Alley (Seneca, Ill./Seneca), Nebraska Wesleyan men’s swimmer Cael Dice (Lincoln, Neb./Lincoln East), Luther College men’s diver Jack Bell (Madison, Wis./Madison Memorial), Simpson College men’s track & field athlete Spencer Moon (Lake City, Iowa/South Central Calhoun), and Loras College men’s track & field athlete Holden Murphy (Benton, Wis./Benton-Scales Mound) have been named American Rivers Athletes of the Week for the week ending Sunday, February 25, 2024. The Conference also announced Performers of the Week in baseball, men’s and women’s basketball, softball, men’s and women’s swimming & diving, men’s tennis, men’s and women’s indoor track & field, and wrestling. Female Athlete of the Week – Women’s Swimming & Diving – Swimmer of the Week
Hayley Crosland, Luther College
Fr., Hanover, Minn.

• Crosland and the Luther College Norse competed at home this weekend for the A-R-C Swimming & Diving Championships.
• Crosland began her successful championship run in the 500-yard freestyle setting a new championship record with a time of 5:10.41 to finish first.
• The freshman led the 400-yard medley relay off as the team posted a new championship record time of 4:00.95.
• In the 200-yard medley relay, Crosland jumped off first for the Norse to just barely grab the gold medal and a new championship record with a time of 1:50.10.
• Individually in the 200-yard freestyle, Crosland set a new championship record while standing atop of the leaderboard with a time of 1:55.99.
• In the 200-yard freestyle, Crosland saw the wall first again with another championship record time of 1:56.92.
• Leading the Norse in another freestyle, Crosland and the quad finished the 800-yard freestyle relay with a time of 7:58.26, a new championship record.
• Winning the 1650-yard freestyle relay by over 30 seconds, Crosland posted a time of 17:38.52, good enough for another championship record.
• Crosland finished the championship with Swimmer of the Meet honors on the women’s side following her excellent performance in the water.
• The Norse women won their second consecutive A-R-C Championship title with 778 points, a new championship meet record.
• This is the Hanover, Minnesota native’s second time earning Performer of the Week honors (1/22/24, 2/26/24).

Female Athlete of the Week - Women’s Swimming & Diving – Diver of the Week
Megan Norris, Coe College
Sr., Cedar Rapids, Iowa/Linn-Mar

• Norris was named Diver of the Meet for the second consecutive season after winning both individual titles in the 3-meter and 1-meter diving events.
• Both of Norris’ finishes in the diving events met the NCAA Regional Diving qualifying marks as she prepares to head to San Antonio, Texas for the NCAA Regional Diving event this upcoming weekend.
• In the 1-meter diving event, Norris posted a new championship, all-time, and pool record at Luther with a total of 481.75 points.
• In the 3-meter diving event, the senior hit a new championship, all-time, and pool record at Luther with a total of 501.95 points.
• The Coe College Kohawks finished the championship in third with 318 points.
• This is the second time the Cedar Rapids, Iowa native is earning Performer of the Week honors (2/18/23, 2/26/24).

Female Athlete of the Week - Women’s Indoor Track & Field – Track Performer of the Week
JoJo Tyynismaa, Wartburg College
So., Tama, Iowa/South Tama

• Tyynismaa and the No. 3-ranked Wartburg College Knights competed at the 2024 A-R-C Indoor Track & Field Championships, hosted at the University of Dubuque over the weekend where Tyynismaa was named the Women’s Track Most Valuable Performer.
• The sophomore picked up a gold medal in the 60-meter hurdles, second-place finish in the 400-meter, and a third-place finish in the 200-meter dash. Additionally, Tyynismaa was the lead-off leg of the 4x400-meter relay that finished second.
• In the 60-meter hurdles, Tyynismaa finished with a time of 8.89.
• She set a new personal best mark in the 400-meter as she crossed the line in 57.69 to take home the silver medal.
• Tyynismaa ran the 200-meter in a season best time of 25.76 to claim All-Conference honors.
• The Wartburg 4x400-meter relay team ran 3:56.84 to finish runner-up in the final event of the championships.
• This is the Tama native’s first-time garnering Women’s Indoor Track Performer of the Week honors.

Female Athlete of the Week - Women’s Indoor Track & Field – Field Performer of the Week
Grace Alley, Loras College
Sr., Seneca, Ill./Seneca

• Alley and the No. 2-ranked Loras College Duhawks traveled across town to the University of Dubuque to compete in the 2024 A-R-C Indoor Track & Field Championships where Alley was named Field Most Valuable Performer following her performances.
• Alley picked up the gold medals in three events at the championship.
• Her first top finish was in the pentathlon, where she finished with 3,604 points.
• Pentathlon events included the 60-meter hurdles (9.30, third place), high jump (1.74m, first place), shot put (12.05m, first place), long jump (5.48m, first place), and the 800 meter run (2:47.03 fourth place).
• Her second gold medal came in the high jump where she cleared 1.71 meters.
• The senior’s final gold medal of the championship was in the triple jump, where she had a mark of 11.84 meters.
• Additionally, Alley had a third-place finish in the 60-meter hurdles (9.11) and the long jump (5.53m) as well as a sixth-place finish in the 400m run (58.34).
• Alley was also a member of the Loras 4x400-meter relay team that finished third with a time of 4:00.92.
• This is the second year in a row Alley has been named Women’s Field MVP at the conference championship.
• The Seneca, Illinois native is picking up her fourth career Women’s Indoor Field Performer of the Week honor (2/26/24, 2/5/24, 2/28/22, 12/13/21). Additionally, she has collected three Outdoor Field Performer of the Week honors in her career (4/3/23, 4/25/22, 5/17/21).

Male Athlete of the Week – Men’s Swimming & Diving – Swimmer of the Week
Cael Dice, Nebraska Wesleyan University
Sr., Lincoln, Neb./Lincoln East

• Dice and the Nebraska Wesleyan Prairie Wolves competed at the A-R-C Swimming & Diving Championships this past weekend.
• Swimming the second leg of the 200-yard freestyle relay, Dice and his teammates finished first with a new championship record of 1:25.53.
• He set another championship record in the 50-yard freestyle with a time of 21.21 to hit the wall first and claim gold.
• In the 400-yard medley relay, Dice and his teammates earned the gold medal finish with a time of 3:24.55. This now stands as the championship, all-time, and pool record at Luther. Additionally, Dice set the championship, all-time, and Luther pool record in his 100-yard backstroke of the relay with a time of 49.88.
• Dice swam the opening leg of the 200-yard medley relay, where the quad posted a time of 1:32.50 to finish first. This is now the championship, all-time, and pool record at Luther.
• The senior finished found the wall first in the 100-yard butterfly with a new championship record time of 49.75.
• The senior broke another championship and all-time record in the 200-yard backstroke posting a time of 1:49.74.
• Finishing out his championship run in the 400-yard freestyle relay, the P-Wolves hit the wall first with a new championship record time of 3:08.96.
• The Nebraska Wesleyan Prairie Wolves were crowned as conference champions, posting a team score of 627.5.
• Dice was named Swimmer of the Meet on the men’s side following his outstanding performance over the three days.
• The Lincoln, Nebraska native is earning his fourth career Performer of the Week honor (10/23/23, 10/20/23, 1/22/24, 2/26/24).

Male Athlete of the Week - Men’s Swimming & Diving – Diver of the Week
Jack Bell, Luther College
Jr., Madison, Wis./Madison Memorial

• Bell and the Norse competed at the A-R-C Swimming & Diving Championships over the weekend in their home pool.
• Bell took home gold medals in both the 3-meter diving and 1-meter diving, hitting NCAA Regional Diving Qualifying marks in each event.
• In the 3-meter diving prelims, Bell posted a new championship record point total of 505.95 while finishing the finals with 500.70.
• In the 1-meter dive, the junior continued to show success posting a finals score of 498.25 to set a new championship record.
• Luther finished the championship in second place with 578 points.
• Bell will travel to San Antonio, Texas with teammate Colin Halverson this upcoming week for the NCAA Regional Diving competition hosted by Trinity Texas.
• This is the first time Bell has been named Performer of the Week.  

Male Athlete of the Week - Men’s Indoor Track & Field – Track Performer of the Week
Spencer Moon, Simpson College
Sr., Lake City, Iowa/South Central Calhoun

• Moon and the No. 7-ranked Simpson College Storm competed at the 2024 A-R-C Indoor Track & Field Championships, hosted at the University of Dubuque over the weekend where Moon was named Track Most Valuable Performer.
• Moon finished atop the podium in both events he competed in at the championships.
• The Lake City native earned his first gold medal of the championship after he crossed the finish line first in the 5,000-meter run with a time of 14:49.07.
• The senior broke the facility record and set a new championship record in the 3,000-meter run, finishing with a time of 8:16.11.
• This is the second year in a row he has earned Indoor Track Most Valuable Performer.
• This mark’s Moon’s third Indoor Track Performer of the Week honor (2/26/24, 2/12/24, 1/22/24). Additionally, Moon has been named Outdoor Track Performer of the Week twice in his career (5/15/23, 4/24/23) and Cross Country Runner of the Week three times (9/11/23, 9/5/23, 9/6/21).

Male Athlete of the Week - Men’s Indoor Track & Field – Field Performer of the Week
Holden Murphy, Loras College
Sr., Benton, Wis./Benton-Scales Mount

• Murphy and the No. 16-ranked Loras College Duhawks traveled across town to the University of Dubuque to compete in the 2024 A-R-C Indoor Track & Field Championships where Murphy was named Field Most Valuable Performer.
• The senior scored 20 points for the Duhawks as he finished with two gold medals in both events he competed in.
• In the shot put on Friday, Murphy put up a mark of 16.89 meters to sit 10^th on the NCAA Division III performance list this season.
• He continued his success on Saturday with a throw of 19.73 meters to set a new championship record in the weight throw. This mark is now ranked No. 6 on the Division III performance list.
• Murphy is earning his fourth-career Indoor Field Performer of the Week honor (2/26/24, 2/20/23, 1/23/23, 1/24/22). Additionally, the senior has been named Men’s Outdoor Field Performer of the Week twice in his career (4/17/23, 4/11/22).

Baseball – Pitcher of the Week
Harry Blum, Luther College
Fifth Yr., P, Fridley, Minn./Fridley

• Blum and the Norse opened their 2024 campaign at home on Sunday with two wins over Carleton.
• The fifth year pitched in game one of the Carleton doubleheader in the 14-1 (7 inning) win.
• He pitched a complete game while only allowing one hit.
• Blum recorded eight strikeouts and one walk.
• At one point in the game, Blum retired 12 batters in a row.
• The Norse are back on the field today when they travel to Winona, Minnesota to face Saint Mary’s University (Minn.).
• The Fridley, Minnesota native is garnering his first career Pitcher of the Week accolade.

Baseball – Position Player of the Week
Zack Beekmann, Buena Vista University
Fifth Yr., 1B, Grimes, Iowa/Dallas Center-Grimes

• Beekmann helped guide the Beavers to a 3-0 weekend over Bethel.
• All three wins came over Bethel (11-10, 18-10, and 14-1).
• Game 1: RV Buena Vista 11, Bethel 10 – 3-for-3 (1.000), 2B, three runs, two walks, 13 putouts,
• Game 2: RV Buena Vista 18, Bethel 10 – 3-for-5 (.600), 2 2B, five RBI, three runs, five putouts
• Game 3: RV Buena Vista 14, Bethel 1 – 1-for-5 (.200), 2B, two RBI, ten putouts
• Bethel knocked the Beavers out of the NCAA Tournament a season ago.
• Buena Vista is now 5-1 overall.
• Beekmann and the Beavers will be back on the field Saturday in sunny Florida as they begin their spring break trip.
• The Grimes, Iowa native is collecting his second career Position Player of the Week honor (4/24/23, 2/26/24).

Men’s Basketball – Player of the Week
Ali Sabet, Loras College
Sr., G, Glenview, Ill./Main East

• Sabet and the RV Loras College Duhawks won their third A-R-C Tournament title after going 3-0 throughout the tournament last week.
• The Duhawks began the week with an 86-62 win over the Beavers of Buena Vista.
• Sabet posted nine points, two assists, one block, and one rebound in the win.
• In the semifinals Loras picked up a win over co-regular season champion No. 19-ranked Coe, 76-73.
• The senior recorded 14 points, four rebounds, and one assist to send them to the championship game for the second season in a row.
• In exciting fashion to cap off the A-R-C season, the Duhawks defeated the No. 17-ranked Nebraska Wesleyan Prairie Wolves in overtime, 85-76.
• Sabet had his best game of the week when it mattered most with 24 points (shooting 58%), four assists, and three rebounds to propel the Duhawks to the NCAA Tournament.
• Sabet and Loras now await their destination for the NCAA Tournament today at Noon (CST).
• Loras’ record sits at 23-5 overall and 11-5 in the A-R-C heading into the big dance.
• This is the Glenview, Illinois native’s second Player of the Week accolade of his career (2/12/24).

Women’s Basketball – Player of the Week
Jaedon Murphy, Wartburg College
Sr., F, Alleman, Iowa/North Polk

• Murphy helped guide the No. 6/6-ranked Knights to a conference tournament title over the past week.
• Wartburg took down the Dubuque Spartans in the semifinal round, 46-42.
• Murphy recorded 10 points, five rebounds, four assists, and two blocks in the win.
• The Knights took on the No. 17-21-ranked Duhawks in the championship game for the second year in a row, but this year Wartburg came out on top 57-51.
• Murphy posted ten points again with seven rebounds, three blocks, and one assist to send the Knights back to the NCAA Tournament.
• Wartburg is 25-2 overall and 16-0 in the A-R-C heading into the big dance.
• The Knights advanced to the Sweet 16 a season ago and will find out their first round destination later this afternoon.
• Murphy has earned first-team All-Conference honors the last two seasons.
• The Alleman, Iowa native is collecting her second career Women’s Basketball Player of the Week honor (11/22/21, 2/19/24, 2/26/24).

Softball – Pitcher Player of the Week
Kennedi Claycomb, Buena Vista University
Sr., P, Eagle, Neb./Waverly

• Claycomb went 2-0 this past weekend with a pair of complete game victories.
• Overall, on the week, the Beavers went 2-2.
• Claycomb’s first trip to the mound resulted in a 5-1 Buena Vista win over College of St. Scholastica.
• In her seven innings of work, she allowed eight hits and one run score.
• Additionally, she struck out eight batters, only giving up a .296 batting average.
• In the Beavers 4-3 win over Gustavus Adolphus on Sunday, Claycomb pitched all eight innings.
• Allowing only a .185 batting average, the senior struck out four batters while giving up five hits.
• Claycomb is now 3-1 on the season with a 1.91 ERA over 25.2 innings pitched with 17 strikeouts already.
• Buena Vista has been out and running for a few weekends now with their record sitting at 4-6 overall.
• They will be back on the field next Monday, March 4 as they play in sunny Florida.
• Claycomb is picking up her first career Pitcher of the Week recognition.

Softball – Position Player of the Week
Skyler Stookey, Coe College
Fifth Yr., C, Solon, Iowa/Solon

• Stookey began her fifth-year season with a statement as the Kohawks grabbed two wins.
• Game 1: #4 Coe 5, Saint Mary’s 4 – 2-for-4 (.500), two putouts
• Game 2: #4 Coe 2, Bethany Lutheran 1 – 1-for-3 (.333), 1 HR, five putouts
• Stookey hit her first home run of the season against Bethany Lutheran for her 27^th home run of her career.
• Stookey was a 2021 and 2023 All-Conference Performer.
• The Kohawks are back on the field this weekend in Decatur, Illinois for the Millikin Invite.
• This is the Solon, Iowa native’s third time picking up Position Player of the Week honors in her career (4/5/21, 4/3/23, 2/26/24).

---

Men’s Tennis – Player of the Week
Luke Westholder, Luther College
Jr., Edina, Minn./Edina

• Westholder had a successful 4-0 weekend of competition.
• The Norse first grabbed a win from Wisconsin-Superior, 7-2.
• Westholder paired in No. 1 Doubles with Max Loen to defeat Superior’s Igor Chaves and Ren Kurachi, 8-3.
• At No. 1 Singles, Westholder took down Kurachi 6-3, 7-6 (7-3).
• The second team win of the weekend came against Macalester, 9-0.
• Pairing with Loen again in No. 1 Doubles, they took down Liam Lynch and Jordan Doi of Macalester, 8-3.
• The junior found his fourth win of the weekend at No. 1 Singles over Alec Sargent, 7-5, 6-3.
• Luther is now 8-2 overall and 2-0 in the A-R-C.
• The Norse will be back on the courts this Saturday when they travel up north to face Gustavus Adolphus.
• Westholder was the 2022-23 Most Valuable Player.  
• The Edina, Minnesota native is collecting his fourth career Men’s Tennis Player of the Week honor (9/26/22, 2/20/23, 3/27/23, 2/26/24).

Wrestling - Wrestler of the Week
Alonzo Smiley, University of Dubuque
Jr., 165lbs./Carol Stream, Ill./Glenbard North

• Smiley and the No. 19-ranked Spartans completed their regular season on Saturday with a 40-3 victory over Simpson College.
• Smiley is ranked No. 12 nationally heading into regionals this upcoming weekend.
• The junior defeated Isaiah Burney of Simpson by tech fall (17-0) in 1:35.
• Smiley and the Spartans are gearing up to travel to Cedar Rapids, Iowa for the 2024 NCAA Lower Midwest Wrestling Regional hosted by the American Rivers Conference this Thursday and Friday.
• The Carol Stream, Illinois native is collecting his first Wrestler of the Week honor.