Wartburg Claims Second A-R-C Women's Wrestling Championship

1/24/2026 4:55:00 PM

By: Ali Wilson, A-R-C Assistant Commissioner

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa -- The women's wrestling teams from the American Rivers Conference (A-R-C) took the mats in Pella, Iowa on the campus of Central College for the 2026 A-R-C women's wrestling championship. Wartburg claimed the team title with 173.5 points. 

The Knights claimed their second conference championship title in the second season of women's wrestling in the league. Simpson finished in second (137.5), Univ. of Dubuque in third (123.5), Luther in fourth (51), Central in fifth (47), Buena Vista in sixth (44), and Loras in seventh (15.5). 

The Most Valuable Performer, Rookie of the Year, and Coach of the Year will be voted on following the completion of the national tournament and will be released on April 1, 2026 at Noon on www.rollrivers.com. 

2026 A-R-C Women's Wrestling Championship All-Conference Honorees
Name Weight School
Grace Murphy 103lbs University of Dubuque
Emaline Hicks 103lbs Simpson College
Chloe Sheffield 103lbs Wartburg College
Sara Schroder 110lbs University of Dubuque
Afftyn Stusse 110lbs Wartburg College
Ava Gardner 110lbs Wartburg College
Gable Hemann 117lbs Wartburg College
Layla Phillips 117lbs Simpson College
Shea Reisel 117lbs University of Dubuque
Leah Chandler 124lbs Wartburg College
Ashley Cannon 124lbs Simpson College
Sophie Bowers 124lbs Wartburg College
Vanessa Aguirre 131lbs Simpson College
Kendra Bliss 131lbs Simpson College
Mackenzie Childers 131lbs Wartburg College
Savannah Freifeld 138lbs Buena Vista University
Rachel Fode 138lbs Wartburg College
Kylie Rule 138lbs Wartburg College
Noa Arnold 145lbs Simpson College
Alex Harswick 145lbs Wartburg College
Aniyah Kelly 145lbs Wartburg College
May Prado 160lbs Wartburg College
Alex Hofrichter 160lbs University of Dubuque
Keeley Kehrli 160lbs Simpson College
Kylie Miller 180lbs Luther College
Merin Yates 180lbs University of Dubuque
Jenna Joseph 180lbs Simpson College
Lucy Read 207lbs Loras College
Ella Brown 207lbs Buena Vista University
Rewa Chababo 207lbs Wartburg College
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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.