Athletes of the Week & Weekly Report Announced by A-R-C - March 9, 2026

3/9/2026 3:55:00 PM

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

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – The American Rivers Conference (A-R-C) announced that Wartburg College women’s track & field student-athlete Alexis Larson and Luther College baseball student-athlete Brody Van Berge have been named American Rivers Conference Athletes of the Week for the week ending March 8, 2026. The A-R-C weekly awards are nominated and voted on by the league’s sports information departments. The conference office then selects the female and male athletes of the week based upon sport performers of the week. 
Female Athlete of the Week - Softball - Position Player of the Week - Alexis Larson (Jesup, Iowa/Jesup), Wartburg College
  • Larson helped lead Wartburg to an 8-2 week, including ending on a six-game win streak. 
  • She hit .466 and posted a .933 slugging clip over the ten game span. 
  • She tallied 14 RBI, two homeruns, two triples, and four doubles to help fuel Wartburg’s 9.9 runs scored per game over the week. 
  • She was a perfect five-for-five on stolen base attempts. 
Male Athlete of the Week - Baseball - Pitcher of the Week - Brody Von Berge (Hudson, Wis./Hudson), Luther College
  • Von Berge pitched a no-hitter, complete game in game one of the four game series versus St. Olaf. 
  • He only gave up two walks and had nine strikeouts in 26 batters faced. 
Baseball - Position Player of the Week - Ike Swanson (Bettendorf, Iowa/Pleasant Valley), Luther College
  • Swanson went 6-of-16 over the weekend. 
  • He recorded three runs, three doubles, and four RBI. 
Softball - Pitcher of the Week - Jillian Panter (North Liberty, Iowa/Iowa City Regina), Wartburg College
  • Panther made six appearances in the circle and went 3-0 in decisions for the Knights. 
  • She allowed just three earned runs over 18.2 innings pitched. 
  • She pitched one complete game shutout this week and was apart of a combined shutout. 
Men’s Tennis - Performer of the Week - Anthony Schulte (Cedar Rapids, Iowa/Prairie), Coe College
  • Schulte was 2-0 in a non-conference win over Augustana. 
  • He started with a 6-2 win at No. 2 doubles with teammate Daniel Rohlman. 
  • He picked up a 6-4, 5-7, 6-1 victory at No. 1 singles. 
Weekly Report
The winter season is nearing an end in the A-R-C. Coe women’s basketball grabbed a win in the opening round of the NCAA tournament, but fell in the second round. The Loras men’s basketball team battled back in their opening NCAA tournament game, but fell just short. 
 
The A-R-C was represented by 11 women’s wrestlers at the inaugural NCAA NC Women’s Wrestling Championship in Coralville, Iowa over the weekend. Five All-Americans emerged, with Wartburg’s Rewa Chababo placing the highest at 3rd.  
 
The A-R-C is sending a record 29 men’s wrestlers to the NCAA Division III Men’s Wrestling Championship this weekend in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The regional action was highlighted by Loras College’s Eric Kinkaid being named Most Outstanding Wrestler of Region VI. 
 
The American Rivers Conference nears the 2026 NCAA Division III Men’s Wrestling Championship in Cedar Rapids on March 13-14 at Alliant Energy PowerHouse. More information can be found here about the championship event.
 
Championship Central: The A-R-C takes a pause now from conference championships until late April. The full 2025-26 championship calendar can be found here: https://tr.ee/xwew1v
 
Winter Sport Standings: Men’s Basketball | Women’s Basketball | Men’s Wrestling 
 
Spring Sport Standings: Baseball | Softball | Men’s Tennis
 
Watch all A-R-C action on the American Rivers Sports Network. 
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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.