WAVERLY, Iowa -- Competing in arguably the toughest region in NCAA Division III, the American Rivers Conference (A-R-C) cross country student-athletes left no doubt about their abillity to contend on the national stage, as teams and individuals.
In the men's race, the Wartburg Knighs were led to the regional title by a runner-up finish by A-R-C Runner of the Year, Isaiah Hammerand. Hammerand crossed the finish line in 24:08.4. Loras College's Isaac Bourne finished in third with a time of 24:15.0. The Knights took fifth and sixth with Lance Sobaski (24:26.0) and Jack Kinzer (24:31.1). Central's Jack Brown finished in seventh in a time of 24:31.4) and Wartburg snagged eighth and ninth with Eli Larson (24:31.8) and Tyler Schermerhorn (24:36.4). Eric Rutherford finished in 12th for the Duhawks in a time of 24:40.2, Central's William Wadsley finished in 17th (24:48.4), and the University of Dubuque's Anthony Carney finished in 18th (24:52.8). Wartburg's Ander Julian finished in 23rd (25:04.2) to round out the top-25 finishers at the regional event.
In the women's race, Keelee Leitzen continued her postseason run finishing fourth, the top A-R-C finisher in the women's race, with a time of 21:46.1. Central's Peyton Steffen finished sixth with a time of 21:51.2 and Wartburg's Haley Meyer finished tenth (22:06.3). Maddie Merna finished in 22:15.2 for the Knights and Central's Maddy Stevens followed at 14th (22:18.9). Central's Teah Miller finished in 19th (22:30.0), Karle Kramer of Wartburg in 20th (22:33.9), Lydia Maas of Wartburg in 22nd (22:39.7), and Delisha Davis of the University of Dubuque in 23rd (22:43.1) to round out the top-25.
As in previous years, the automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Cross Country Championships will go to the top team from each gender at each of the ten regionals. There will be an additional 22 teams per gender that receive an at-large bid to head to the championships. A student-athlete that is not selected as a member of a qualifying team, automatic or at-large, and finishes in the top seven, will receive an automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Championships.
The NCAA Division III Cross Country Championships will be run Saturday, November 22 in Spartanburg, South Carolina. A preview of the national meet will be available on Friday, November 21 ahead of the races on Saturday.
| 2025 Midwest Regional Men's Team Finishes |
| School |
Place (Points) |
| Wartburg College |
1st (30) |
| Loras College |
4th (128) |
| Central College |
6th (189) |
| Simpson College |
7th (225) |
| Nebraska Wesleyan University |
8th (239) |
| University of Dubuque |
10th (285) |
| Luther College |
11th (322) |
| Buena Vista University |
19th (643) |
| Coe College |
26th (751) |
| 2025 Midwest Regional Women's Team Finishes |
| School |
Place (Points) |
| Wartburg College |
3rd (91) |
| Central College |
4th (136) |
| Loras College |
7th (224) |
| Luther College |
13th (398) |
| Nebraska Wesleyan University |
14th (403) |
| University of Dubuque |
16th (416) |
| Simpson College |
18th (570) |
| Buena Vista University |
22nd (667) |
| Coe College |
24th (753) |
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About the American Rivers Conference
Nationally respected for excellence in NCAA Division III athletics, the American Rivers Conference (A-R-C) has a tradition dating back to its founding in 1922 as the Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Association and adopted its current name in 2018 to reflect its strong Iowa roots and growing regional footprint. The A-R-C is a collaborative community that champions the holistic development of student-athletes, uniting member institutions in a shared commitment to academic achievement, athletic distinction, and leadership.
The A-R-C is home to nine full-time member institutions: Buena Vista University, Central College, Coe College, University of Dubuque, Loras College, Luther College, Nebraska Wesleyan University, Simpson College, and Wartburg College. Luther College has announced its departure from the conference, effective at the conclusion of the 2025–26 academic year.
