CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa -- The Wartburg College Knights lead the combined men's and women's All-Sports Trophy standings following the completion of the American Rivers Conference (A-R-C) slate of eight fall championships. The Knights lead the chase for the Elmer Hertel Men's All-Sports Trophy behind men's cross country, football, and men's soccer titles. The University of Dubuque jumped out to an early lead for the Marjorie Giles Women's All-Sports Trophy after picking up titles in women's golf, women's soccer, and women's volleyball this fall. 

Men

School	Points	Place
Wartburg	26.5	1st
Central	20.5	2nd
Loras	18.5	3rd
Simpson	16.0	4th
Luther	12.5	5th
Univ. of Dubuque	12.0	T-6th
Nebraska Wesleyan	12.0	T-6th
Coe	11.0	8th
Buena Vista	6.0	9th

After the completion of three fall championship events, Wartburg finds themselves leading the pack for the Elmer Hertel Men's Trophy with 26.5 points. The Knights were led by conference titles in all three fall championship sports for the men: cross country, soccer, and football. Central followed with 20.5 points, with a top finish, of third place, coming in cross country and football. Loras followed with 18.5 points, which included a runner-up finish in cross country. The Simpson Storm come in fourth with 16.0 points. The Storm are followed by Luther College with 12.5 points to sit in fifth after the fall season. Univ. of Dubuque and Nebraska Wesleyan sit tied for sixth with 12.0 points followed by Coe in eighth with 11.0 points and Buena Vista with 6.0 points. 

At the conclusion of the 2024-25 sport seasons, Wartburg earned the program's 26th Elmer Hertel Men's All-Sports Trophy. Central has won the trophy 15 times while Luther owns 11 trophies, Loras with three, and Simpson with one. 

Women

School	Points	Place
Univ. of Dubuque	37.0	1st
Wartburg	33.5	2nd
Loras	28.0	3rd
Central	27.5	4th
Coe	26.0	5th
Luther	21.0	6th
Simpson	20.5	7th
Nebraska Wesleyan	17.5	8th
Buena Vista	14.0	9th

With five fall championships in the book, the University of Dubuque finds itself atop the Marjorie Giles Women's Trophy standings with 37.0 points. The Spartans were lights out this fall earning conference titles in women's golf, women's soccer, and women's volleyball. The Wartburg Knights follow in second with 33.5 points. The Knights were led by a championship title in women's cross country as well as third place finishes in women's golf and women's tennis. Loras sits in third place with 28.0 points, that included a runner-up finish in women's soccer and third place finish in women's cross country. In fourth is the Dutch of Central with 27.5 points followed by Coe in fifth with 26.0 points. Luther sits in sixth with 21.0 points, claiming the women's tennis title. Simpson finished the fall in seventh with 20.5 points followed by Nebraska Wesleyan in eighth with 17.5 points and Buena Vista with 14.0 points. 

Wartburg leads all schools with 18 total trophies. Central and Luther own a conference second-best with ten. Simpson has won four trophies and Loras owns one. 

Combined All-Sports Trophy

School	Points	Place
Wartburg	17.0	1st
Central	14.0	T-2nd
Loras	14.0	T-2nd
Univ. of Dubuque	12.5	4th
Luther	9.0	T-5th
Simpson	9.0	T-5th
Coe	7.0	7th
Nebraska Wesleyan	5.5	8th
Buena Vista	2.0	9th

With three men's and five women's American Rivers Conference championships decided, Wartburg owns first place in the Combined All-Sports Trophy standings with 17 points. The Knights claimed four titles during the fall season. 

About the Trophies
Each school’s finish in each sport is determined and given a numerical worth by inverting the finish (i.e.) first place is worth nine points, second place is worth eight points, third place is worth seven points, etc). In case of ties, the worth of all places involved are totaled and divided by the number of teams in that tie. Each school’s finish in all sports is then totaled, and the school with the largest number of points shall be awarded the respective Championship Trophy. The Marjorie Giles Women’s All-Sports Trophy, first awarded in 1982-1983 (at the time named the Women’s Sports Championship Trophy), is presented annually to the Conference member that accumulates the most points in women’s sports. The Elmer Hertel Men’s All-Sports Trophy was first awarded in 1970-71 (at that time named the Men’s Sports Championship Trophy) and presented to the Conference member that accumulates the most points in men’s sports. The school displaying overall excellence in men’s and women’s sports is awarded the American Rivers Conference All-Sports Championship Trophy. 
 
Marjorie Giles is a former Faculty Athletics Representative (FAR) from Central College serving from 1981-98. During her tenure as a FAR, she participated in writing of the Conference Constitution to include women’s athletics and to establish women’s championships. She was the first female to serve as President of the Conference and was actively involved with the NCAA serving on several committees and on the Management Council. 
 
The Elmer Hertel Men’s Sports Championship Trophy was renamed in 1981 to honor the former Wartburg College coach. Dr. Hertel served as the Conference secretary-treasurer from 1944-1981. 

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