Female Athlete of the Week – Women’s Basketball Player of the Week – TAYLOR BRUNSON, Coe College
Brunson continued her excellent season for the Kohawks averaging 26.0 points, 4.7 rebounds, 4.0 steals, 2.3 assists, and 0.7 blocks per game as Coe went 3-0 with two non-conference wins and a conference victory over Central during the holiday break. She recorded 24 points against the North Central Cardinals in a dominant win, adding six rebounds, four steals, one assist, and one block. She ended 2024 with her third 30-point performance against Monmouth with 33 points and adding four steals, two rebounds, and two blocks. She capped off her impressive three week performance with 21 points, six rebounds, four assists, and four steals against Central, playing just 24 minutes.
Coe defeated North Central (Ill.) 74-58
Coe defeated Monmouth 91-50
Coe defeated Central 81-39
Male Athlete of the Week – Men’s Basketball Player of the Week – BENNETT SHERRY, Coe College
Sherry played a crucial role for the Kohawks during the holiday break averaging 21.3 points, 6.5 rebounds, 2.8 steals, 2.5 blocks, and 2.3 assists. He opened up with 19 points, eight rebounds, three assists, one block, and one steal in 22 minutes against Knox. He followed up with 15 points, six rebounds, four blocks, three assists, and one steal in a 22-point comeback win over MSOE. He turned in a career-high 32 points against Gustavus, adding eight steals, six rebounds, five blocks, and three assists in the lone loss during the three week stretch. He ended the stretch with 19 points, six rebounds, and one steal in conference action against Central.
Coe defeated North Central (Minn.) 80-69
Coe defeated Knox 83-70
Coe defeated MSOC 69-65
Coe lost to Gustavus Adolphus 78-75
Coe defeated Central 88-74
Men’s Wrestler of the Week – CLAYTON MCDONOUGH, Luther College
Luther competed at the Gator “Boots” Duals in Nashville, Tennessee to close out 2024. McDonough wrestled in the 157lbs weight class and finished with a perfect 4-0 record. He scored a team-high 21 points over the four duals. Against Muskingum, McDonough defeated Zeke Poulos by fall in 1:37. His next match came against Dante Monaco of Ursinus and he picked up a 22-3 tech fall victory. McDonough earned another fall in 2:40 over Mount Union’s Hunter Newell and he closed out action against Delaware Valley’s Charlie Robson with a major decision victory.
Luther defeated Muskingum 53-4
Luther defeated Ursinus 36-10
Luther defeated Mount Union 39-8
Luther defeated Delaware Valley 26-14
Women’s Wrestler of the Week – ANNELISE OBERMARK, Simpson College
Obermark picked up two wins and a forfeit victory for the Simpson College Storm. On December 20, she picked up a tech fall (11-0) victory over Emmanuel’s Gianna Dibendetto. Later that day, she grabbed a 9-5 decision win over Delaware Valley’s Olivia Kinder. Her forfeit victory came in a dual versus Cornell on January 3.
Simpson lost to No. 12 Emmanuel 33-19
Simpson defeated Delaware Valley 53-2
Simpson defeated Cornell 49-0
Weekly Report
As 2025 kicks off, the conference basketball season deepens. On the men’s side, Buena Vista and Loras remain on a hot start with 3-0 conference records. On the women’s side, Coe and Wartburg have begun the conference slate 4-0.
The men’s wrestling season ramps up as six A-R-C teams prepare for NWCA National Duals this weekend ahead of the conference dual pods on January 25.
The inaugural women’s wrestling championship is slated for January 25 at Loras College.
The A-R-C partnered with FanWord earlier this summer, an AI storytelling platform, and will be using the platform throughout the academic year to enhance the storytelling of student-athletes, alumni, coaches, and many others. Fans, student-athletes, and coaches are encouraged to contact Ali Wilson, A-R-C Assistant Commissioner, if they have a compelling story.
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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.
