CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – The American Rivers Conference (A-R-C) has released its 2025 Women’s Golf Preseason Coaches’ Poll, and defending champion University of Dubuque has been tabbed as the favorite to repeat at the championship. The Spartans collected 64 points and eight of nine first-place votes. Central College claimed the runner-up spot with 49 points, edging Coe College (48 points) and Wartburg College (47 points, one first-place vote) in a tightly contested top four. 

The 2025 season kicks off on Saturday, August 30 and Sunday, August 31, with seven teams competing at the Kohawk Invite at Pheasant Ridge in Cedar Falls, Iowa. The conference championship will conclude the fall season in October. 
 

2025 American Rivers Conference Women’s Golf Preseason Coaches’ Poll
Place	Team (First-place votes)	Points
1.	Univ. of Dubuque (8)	64
2.	Central	49
3.	Coe	48
4.	Wartburg (1)	47
5.	Buena Vista	39
6.	Loras	28
7.	Simpson	26
8.	Nebraska Wesleyan	15
9.	Luther	8

The University of Dubuque enters 2025 as the defending A-R-C champions, bringing back key contributors Leah Balsbaugh and Drew Hoffer. Balsbaugh, an All-Conference performer, is expected to provide veteran leadership, while Hoffer adds depth to a roster looking to reload after the graduation of Morgan Hawkins and Brianne Arzbaecher. Head coach Dustin Bierman, now in his 11th season, said the program is eager to see which players step up in the lineup as UD aims to defend its title.

"Looking forward to the fall season to see who is going to step up within our program,” said Bierman. “We will look to Leah Balsbaugh for leadership and direction within this group and as well from Drew Hoffer both were great last year for us. Should be an exciting fall season in the American Rivers Conference and can’t wait to get the season started.” 

Central College, which finished runner-up at last year’s championship, enters a new era under first-year head coach Mackenzie Biggs. With a young roster highlighted by All-Conference and Rookie of the Year returner Allie Pfantz and junior Mickey Martens, Central is looking to stay in the hunt for the league crown despite graduating standout Lydia Grond. 

"We are a much younger group this year with only one junior and everyone else being underclassmen,” added Biggs. “Although I wouldn't count us out of the A-R-C Championship as we have women who have stepped up to the plate and are eager to play this season at such a high level. I already see so much potential in what our team can do this year even with a smaller roster."

Coe College posted a third-place finish in 2024 and will look to senior leadership to carry the program forward. Returning All-Conference golfers Kye Daywitt and Morgan Witte headline the roster, bringing valuable experience. Despite graduating a large senior class, seventh-year head coach Eric Karius is confident the Kohawks have the right pieces in place to remain among the league’s top contenders this fall.

"We are excited for this fall season,” said Karius. “With losing four seniors that played a lot of rounds of golf in their career, we are going to look a little different. But we believe we have the pieces and leadership to keep the program on the right track.”

The Wartburg College Knights return a strong and balanced group in 2025. With key players including Brenna Bodensteiner, Reagan Mulder, Makenna Conrad, Madelyn Bender, and Emma Smock, Wartburg has the depth to compete from top to bottom. Head coach John Thompson believes this is the most competitive roster he has had in his five years at the helm, setting sights on a push toward the conference title.

“This is going to be the most competitive team we’ve had from 1–7,” said Thompson. “We are going to have a young, hungry team. Our goal is to win the conference championship, so we’re going to push towards that in a really competitive fall."

After one of the program’s best seasons in recent history, Buena Vista University is eager to build on its fourth-place finish. Veterans Brooke Stellmaker, Hailey Bistodeau, and Noelle Hamand return as All-Conference honorees, alongside fellow starter Riley Haschke. Head coach Joe Powell, entering his seventh season, is excited about the mix of experience and newcomers, believing the team is poised for another strong year.

"The BVU Women’s golf program is excited to continue to build upon our success in the 2024 – 2025 season which turned out to be one of the best seasons in recent history,” said Powell. “After a strong fourth-place finish in conference play last season and multiple all-conference honors, our team returns with experience and welcomes a talented freshman class ready to make an impact this fall.”

The Loras College Duhawks aim to improve their standings in 2025 after finishing sixth a year ago. All-Conference performers Julia Busch and Jenna Bistline return to lead the way, joined by experienced starters Elle Pechan and Elish Flynn. Head coach Will Arndt, in his third season, is optimistic about the program’s continued growth and development.

“We are incredibly excited to embark on this fall season,” said Arndt. “After a good season last year, we are looking to improve once again!”

With a strong returning core, Simpson College is prepared to build on last year’s conference tournament finish. Veterans Kristen Roe, Kaylin Long, Tessa Rounds, and Addison Brink bring stability to the lineup. Head coach Jeremy Johnson enters his fifth season with high expectations, pointing to a challenging schedule designed to prepare the Storm for the A-R-C championship. 

"I’m excited for this season to start!” said Johnson. “We have a great core of women back with the addition of a couple new faces to the roster. Every year we continue to take steps to improving the program and I believe this year will be no different. We have a strong schedule that I hope will prepare us for the conference championship.”

Nebraska Wesleyan University enters 2025 with a refreshed culture under first-year head coach Kean Kontor. A large group of returning starters, including Haley Blackstone, O’Brasia Amos, Lauren Hays, Delani Harper, Cece Cronin, and Shea Meredith, will look to move the program upward after an eighth-place finish. With a new outlook in place, NWU is eager to make strides this fall.

“We are ready to rock and roll here at Nebraska Wesleyan with a new team culture and different mindset moving forward this year!” said Kontor.

Luther College aims to continue its development to move up the standings at the championship. The Norse return veterans Annemarie Schloo and Maci Doty, bringing experience to a young roster. The Norse will be led by former Luther men’s golf standout, Haakon Rustad, as the interim head coach in his first season. 

"I am very happy with the progress that this team has made through our pre-season practice and we are looking forward to competing against some of the top competition around the Midwest during the fall season," said Rustad. The A-R-C Conference Championship at the end of our season will be an exciting opportunity for us to see all of our hard work pay off."