Female Athlete of the Week – Women’s Tennis Performer of the Week – Maddie Schultz (Jasper, Ga./James Madison), Coe College
Schultz capped off her successful career in style for Coe College last week. She posted a 3-1 record as the Kohawks won its first A-R-C title since the 2018 season. Schultz was 2-0 against Loras in the semifinal, winning 7-6 at No. 3 doubles with Cosette Gaines before a dominant 6-0, 6-1 victory at No. 3 singles to help clinch the match. In Saturday's title winning match against Luther, Schultz secured the point that won the trophy, defeating her opponent at number three singles 7-6, 6-0.
Coe defeated Loras 4-0
Coe defeated Luther 4-1
Male Athlete of the Week – Men’s Outdoor Track & Field – Field Performer of the Week – Colin Wojtkiewicz (Plainfield, Ill./Plainfield), Nebraska Wesleyan University
Wojtkiewicz won the hammer throw at the Prairie Wolf Outdoor Invitational with a school record mark of 59.22m. He won by 4.81m and his new school record surpassed the previous by over one meter. This mark currently stands ninth in Division III this season.
Baseball - Pitcher of the Week – Theo Hughes (Seward, Neb./Seward), Nebraska Wesleyan University
Hughes propelled Nebraska Wesleyan to a win over Wartburg. He pitched nine innings, allowing two hits, no runs, and posted 13 strikeouts. He faced 31 batters and only allowed four baserunners. He held the Knights to a .068 batting average.
Nebraska Wesleyan lost to Simpson 1-5
Nebraska Wesleyan defeated Simpson 5-3
Nebraska Wesleyan lost to Wartburg 3-9
Nebraska Wesleyan defeated Wartburg 4-0
Nebraska Wesleyan defeated Wartburg 4-3
Baseball – Position Player of the Week – Nate Cagley (Jesup, Iowa/Jesup), Simpson College
Cagley batted .560 (14-for-25) across a busy 4-2 week for the Storm. In the series win over Central, he went 9-for13 with two walks, three doubles, and six RBIs. He posted a .607 on-base percentage.
Simpson defeated Buena Vista 7-4
Simpson defeated Nebraska Wesleyan 5-1
Simpson lost to Nebraska Wesleyan 3-5
Simpson defeated Central 15-2
Simpson lost to Central 6-9
Simpson defeated Central 6-2
Men’s Tennis Performer of the Week – AJ Wilkins (Grinnell, Iowa/Grinnell), Central College
Wilkins went 6-0 on the week, helping the Dutch finish the regular season with three road wins to clinch a third place finish in the league ahead of the tournament. He grabbed two wins at No. 3 singles (6-0, 6-1 and 6-1, 4-6, 6-0) and one win at No. 2 singles (6-1, 6-4). At No. 1 doubles with Ayden Fletcher they picked up three wins (6-0, 7-5, and 6-4).
Central defeated Buena Vista 7-0
Central defeated Univ. of Dubuque 6-1
Central defeated Loras 5-2
Men’s Outdoor Track & Field – Track Performer of the Week – Gunner Meyer (Fairbank, Iowa/Wapsie Valley), Central College
Meyer competed at the 115th showing of the Drake Relays. He competed in the 110-meter hurdles and shuttle hurdle relay. In the 110-meter hurdles, he posted a time of 14.21 to finish 15th out of 28 runners. In the shuttle hurdle relay, they finished with a time of 58.18 to finish fourth out of 13 teams. He moved up to No. 8 in Division III this season in the 110-meter hurdles. He anchored the Dutch shuttle relay team to a school record time while defeating three Division I schools.
Women’s Outdoor Track & Field – Field Performer of the Week – Avery Decker (Fremont, Neb./Fremont), Nebraska Wesleyan University
Decker competed at the famous Drake Relays. She competed in the javelin throw and recorded a mark of 46.04m to finish third out of nine competitors, in a dominant Division I field. She remains No. 1 in Division III this season with a lead by 3.26m.
Women’s Outdoor Track & Field – Track Performer of the Week – Peyton Steffen (Marion, Iowa/Marion), Central College
Steffen ran at the 115th showing of the Drake Relays. She competed in the 5000 meters and recorded a time of 16:42.09 to finish tenth out of 18 runners. She finished second among Division III runners in the event. She moved up to No. 10 in Division III this season.
Softball – Pitcher of the Week – Natalie Hitt (Davenport, Iowa/Bettendorf), Coe College
Hitt made three appearances for Coe in a perfect 4-0 week. She pitched a total of 11 innings while allowing just three earned runs and 12 hits. She went 2-0 with a save, adding 12 strikeouts, and posted a 2.55 ERA.
Coe defeated Buena Vista 8-0
Coe defeated Buena Vista 12-5
Coe defeated Simpson 8-5
Coe defeated Simpson 4-3
Softball – Position Player of the Week – Taylor Drayfahl (Moscow, Iowa/Wilton), Coe College
Drayfahl hit .500 during Coe's perfect 4-0 in conference action. She recorded seven hits, seven RBIs, four runs, and her first collegiate home run. She scored the eventual game-winning run over, at the time, league leading Simpson in game two.
Coe defeated Buena Vista 8-0
Coe defeated Buena Vista 12-5
Coe defeated Simpson 8-5
Coe defeated Simpson 4-3
Weekly Report
Spring seasons are nearing the end. Check out the American Rivers Conference website (www.rollrivers.com) to see schedules and standings.
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.
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.
