WAVERLY, Iowa -- The Simpson College Storm defeated Loras College by a score of 6-1 in the championship game to claim the 2026 American Rivers Conference (A-R-C) softball tournament title. Simpson will be the league's automatic qualifier to the NCAA Division III Softball Tournament. The field is set to be announced Monday, May 11th.
This was the Storm's first tournament crown in program history.
It continues to prove it is better to go on the road in the A-R-C softball tournament than play at home. The last team to host and earn the tournament title was Central in 2019. The league continues to show its depth in the sport of softball, a predicted multi-bid league again to the NCAA Tournament.
Friday, May 8
Game 1 - 2:00 p.m. - No. 4 Loras (5) vs. No. 5 Central (0)
Game 2 - 4:30 p.m. - No. 3 Luther (4) vs. No. 6 Coe (8)
Saturday, May 9
Game 3 - 11:00 a.m. - No. 1 Wartburg (4) vs. No. 4 Loras (9)
Game 4 - 1:30 p.m. - No. 2 Simpson (5) vs. No. 6 Coe (4)
Game 5 - 4:00 p.m. - No. 4 Loras (1) vs. No. 2 Simpson (6)
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.
