CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – Decorah, Iowa, is a small town with a population of about 7,700 residents that is home to Luther College.
The school has an enrollment of around 2,000 students and is known for its top-tier academics and a strong commitment to its Division III athletics programs.
Senior Kevin Kretz is a student-athlete at Luther College and a member of the American Rivers Conference.
Kretz is a member of the men’s swimming & diving team and is a double major in Accounting and Business Management.
When Kretz arrived at Luther College, he was immediately impressed by the community on campus and in the town and how well they meshed together.
He has taken full advantage of all that Luther College has to offer and has enjoyed every second of his time as a student-athlete in the American Rivers Conference.
A family feel
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The recruiting process can be overwhelming at times. With so many schools to choose from, it can be challenging to narrow the list down to a select few.
While each student-athlete has a different set of criteria they look for when choosing a college or university, the one thing that remains constant is the people.
For Kretz, it was the people at Luther College that made his decision to attend an easy one.
“I chose Luther because it felt the most like family when I stepped on campus,” Kretz said. “The most important thing to me has been the people. Coach Aaron was incredibly accommodating and made sure that my visit worked smoothly. Team members were always friendly and willing to help out and answer questions. To me, it was important to be part of a group that supported each member of itself. Not only was that apparent on the swim team, but also across campus. I got to see other sports practices and visit classes. That feeling of closeness and care never left.”
The American Rivers Conference is one of the best NCAA Division III athletic conferences in the country and is home to some of the best student-athletes and programs in the nation.
Kretz has enjoyed every second of his time in the conference and is grateful for the opportunity to compete at such a high level while also pursuing his academic goals.
“Competing at the Division III level is a great blessing,” Kretz said. “It is incredible to be able to participate in a sport at a school that takes academics seriously. Everyone that participates in our sport does it because they love it. Everybody wants to be there, get better, and help the team. There are numerous opportunities for every single person on any team to make a difference and a serious impact. I have met some of my greatest friends through not only swimming, but also across different sports on campus. We really are One Team!”
A conference championship
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When Kretz looks back on his time at Luther College, the first thing that comes to mind is the conference championship meet in 2022.
The men’s swimming & diving team had a fantastic showing and finished in second place, the highest finish in program history.
It was a weekend that Kretz and his teammates will never forget.
“My favorite sports memory so far would be our conference championship meet this past season,” Kretz said. “It was a great experience getting to compete at the beautiful facilities that we have at Luther and it was a blast hosting swimmers and divers from other schools. Our team was able to come together in a way that was truly meaningful over the course of last season, and I felt that it was on display during each session. I am proud of our team and the way that we handle ourselves in high pressure situations!”
Kretz has had the opportunity to serve as the President of the Luther College Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.
The committee sponsors events on campus that bring residents of Decorah and the surrounding communities together to help give student-athletes opportunities to serve and give back to the communities that already do so much for them.
Kretz has enjoyed every second of his time on the committee and takes great pride in being able to make a positive impact on the communities that have given him so much in his time at Luther College.
A strong support system
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If there is one thing that Kretz has learned during his time at Luther College, it is the importance of getting uncomfortable.
Doing things on your own can sometimes be very challenging. Kretz has been able to learn so much from his teammates, professors, and coaches, not just about sports or academics, but also about life.
It is important to navigate challenges you face with good people around you.
Kretz has been very blessed to be surrounded by so many great people at Luther College.
“These past four years have been the best of my life,” Kretz said. “I have met some of my best friends and made memories that will last a lifetime. When you are surrounded by such a great group of people, you learn that you are able to accomplish a lot more with people than you are without. I have been truly blessed to have the support system that I have, and I plan on never taking them for granted.”
If there is one thing that Kretz wants the world to know about Luther College, it is the community. Not only is it prevalent on campus, but across the entire town.
The town and the college really go hand in hand, and it is a super special connection to have.
“I think one of the first things that comes up when discussing Luther is the community,” Kretz said. “There are Norse flags hanging from local businesses. Students often take team trips down to different areas on the square to get food or hang out. The town and the college really go hand in hand, and it is a super special connection to have. The Luther Network is real! It feels like every time my family and I travel, we’ll run into someone with a Luther shirt on. The connections that you get to make through the school are so valuable.”
When Kretz is not competing in the pool or studying for class, you can find him at Preus Library.
It is his favorite place to study and work on group projects.
He also loves to go hiking and tubing and take in all of the beautiful scenery that Decorah has to offer.
With his final season of competition just around the corner, Kretz is grateful for all of the memories and friendships that he has made during his time at Luther College.
He is thankful for the opportunity to be a student-athlete in the American Rivers Conference and looks forward to what the future holds.
“I plan to obtain my CPA license after graduating and begin working in public accounting,” Kretz said. “Luther College has given me so much, and I am excited to see where my degree takes me in the future. I will always be proud to represent the Norse and will forever be grateful for the opportunity to compete in the American Rivers Conference. It truly has been an honor.”
Don't forget to become a fan of the American Rivers Conference on Facebook @AmericanRiversConference, X (Twitter) @AmerRiversConf, and Instagram @AmericanRiversConference.
About the American Rivers Conference
The Conference dates back to December 8, 1922, when representatives from 12 colleges got together and formed the "Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Association." Honoring its heritage in Iowa and its expansion outside the state, the American Rivers Conference brand was established on August 9, 2018, to build on the academic and athletic success provided by its legacy, the Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. The A-R-C has nine full-time members: Buena Vista University, Central College, Coe College, University of Dubuque, Loras College, Luther College, Nebraska Wesleyan University, Simpson College, and Wartburg College.
