CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa -- The Wartburg College Knights claimed their 17th national title and second consecutive this weekend in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. National titles were won by Wartburg's Kade Blume, Central's Cade Siebreitch, and Wartburg's Kasey Ross.
In an exciting two days of wrestling in the City of Five Seasons as the American Rivers Conference (A-R-C) proudly hosted the championship. The Knights 17th title, which is the most in Division III history.
The A-R-C had 16 All-Americans this year. 16 All-Americans ties the most the league has had since 2017.
Central's Sam West was honored with the Elite Scholar Athlete Award with a 4.00 GPA.
American Rivers Conference Results (by team):
Central College:
3rd place at 141lbs: Pierre Baldwin
National Champion at 149lbs: Cade Siebrecht
Competitor at 197lbs: Sam West
Coe College:
National Runner-Up at 125lbs: Brayden Parke
Competitor at 141lbs: Dresden Grimm
7th place at 165lbs: Bo Koedam
Competitor at 197lbs: Jean Ngoma
Competitor at 285lbs: Wyatt Smith
University of Dubuque:
Competitor at 157lbs: Colton Weiler
Competitor at 184lbs: Zane Pannell
Loras College:
Competitor at 125lbs: Aidan Gruenenfelder
Competitor at 133lbs: Connor Fiser
Competitor at 149lbs: Chase Fiser
5th place at 157lbs: Eric Kinkaid
3rd place at 174lbs: Dustin Bohren
Competitor at 184lbs: Landry Barker
3rd place at 285lbs: Jonah Clark
Luther College:
Competitor at 133lbs: Connor Kidd
6th place at 165lbs: Clayton McDonough
National Runner-Up at 174lbs: Bryce McDonough
Wartburg College:
7th place at 125lbs: Brett Birchman
5th place at 133lbs: Patrick Mullen
National Champion at 141lbs: Kade Blume
Competitor at 149lbs: Caleb Olson
3rd place at 157lbs: Charlie Dojan
Competitor at 174lbs: Mike Slade
National Champion at 184lbs: Kasey Ross
7th place at 197lbs: Cal Dorota
National Runner-Up at 285lbs: Mitch Williamson
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.
