CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa -- The coaches have selected the 2026 American Rivers Conference (A-R-C) Softball postseason award selections. These outstanding student-athletes have distinguished themselves throughout the conference's doubleheader series regular season.
Head coaches from the conference nominated and selected this year's all-conference team, recognizing the top performers. In addition to the all-conference team, the announcement also recognizes the Pitcher of the Year, Position Player of the Year, Rookie of the Year, and Coach of the Year.
The A-R-C proudly announces today that Simpson College's Ashlyn Steen has been selected as the Position Player of the Year for the 2026 season. Loras College's Kaili Henning has been named Pitcher of the Year and Wartburg College's Katelyn Klever was selected as the Rookie of the Year. Jamie Mueller, Wartburg College head coach, was voted by her peers as Coach of the Year. In addition to the major awards, the conference announced its 2026 all-conference team.
Steen led the league with a stellar .600 batting average. She went 27-for-45 from the plate with 15 RBIs recorded. She blasted four out of the park. Steen was aggressive on the base path too, going 18-for-19 on stolen bases. Steen led the league in slugging percentage (1.067), on base percentage (.672), OPS (1.739), runs scored (27), hits (27), and stolen bases (18). She recorded a 94.4% fielding percentage this season with 14 putouts, three assists, and just one error.
Henning is earning Pitcher of the Year honors after earning Rookie of the Year honors last season. She was a consistent threat from the circle this season for the Duhawks. She posted a 2.68 ERA and a 6-1 record, which included a perfect game. Henning recorded a league-best four saves. She tossed 49.2 innings allowing 24 hits, 19 earned runs, walked 27 batters, and struck out 51. She held opponents to a .140 batting average, which led the league.
Klever is picking up Rookie of the Year honors after an impressive freshman campaign. She was consistent from the plate, the field, and from the circle. From the plate, she posted a .280 batting average on 25 at bats. She drove in nine runs. From the field, she posted a fielding percentage of 92.9% with two put outs. From the circle, she held opponents to a .250 batting average and posted a 3.60 ERA.
Mueller, in her 11th season leading the charge of the Knights softball program, led Wartburg to a 14-2 conference record to claim the outright regular season title. The 2026 title was the Knights fifth regular season title in program history, including back-to-back seasons. Mueller is earning her first career Coach of the Year honor and the first for Wartburg since 2008. Mueller joins the company of Robin Hoppenworth (1994), Randy Schneider (2001), and Kara Kehe (2006 and 2008).
| 2026 All-American Rivers Conference Softball Team |
| Position Player of the Year - Ashlyn Steen, Simpson College |
| Pitcher of the Year - Kaili Henning, Loras College |
| Rookie of the Year - Katelyn Klever, Wartburg College |
| Coaching Staff of the Year - Jamie Mueller, Wartburg College |
| First Team |
School |
Year |
Pos. |
Hometown/High School |
| Rylee Dunkin |
Central College |
Jr. |
C |
Hamilton, Iowa/Twin Cedars |
| Hannah Higgins |
Central College |
Sr. |
3B |
Macomb, Ill./Macomb |
| Natalie Hitt |
Coe College |
Jr. |
P |
Davenport, Iowa/Bettendorf |
| Kaili Henning |
Loras College |
So. |
P |
Fort Dodge, Iowa/Saint Edmond |
| Kiya Steger |
Loras College |
So. |
UTL |
Dyersville, Iowa/Western Dubuque |
| Raven Allen |
Luther College |
Sr. |
SS |
Birmingham, Ala./McAdory |
| Mya Larsen |
Luther College |
So. |
OF |
Elkhorn, Neb./Elkhorn |
| Alexa Stevermer |
Luther College |
So. |
P |
West Des Moines, Iowa/Valley |
| Jenna Kimberling |
Nebraska Wesleyan University |
Sr. |
2B |
North Platte, Neb./North Platte St. Patricks |
| Megan Heidelbauer |
Simpson College |
Sr. |
1B |
Marion, Iowa/Marion |
| Brielyn Ginnaty |
Simpson College |
Jr. |
DP |
Great Falls, Mont./Charles M Russell |
| Emma Lafave |
Simpson College |
Sr. |
P |
Clive, Iowa/Valley |
| Ashlyn Steen |
Simpson College |
Sr. |
OF |
Mount Vernon, Iowa/Mount Vernon |
| Carley Bredar |
Wartburg College |
Jr. |
OF |
Eldridge, Iowa/North Scott |
| Reagan Hassel |
Wartburg College |
Jr. |
SS |
Le Claire, Iowa/Pleasant Valley |
| Second Team |
School |
Year |
Pos. |
Hometown/High School |
| Emma Anderson |
Central College |
So. |
OF |
Forest City, Iowa/Forest City |
| Sarah Stufflebeam |
Central College |
Jr. |
SS |
Macomb, Ill./Macomb |
| Maddie Harris |
Coe College |
Sr. |
1B |
Peosta, Iowa/Western Dubuque |
| Grace McCarty |
Coe College |
Jr. |
OF |
Marion, Iowa/Linn-Mar |
| Marisa Vodicka |
Coe College |
Sr. |
2B |
Schaumburg, Ill./Schaumburg |
| Ava Franklin |
Loras College |
Sr. |
SS |
Westchester, Ill./Montini Catholic |
| Dana Skorich |
Loras College |
So. |
C |
Crystal Lake, Ill./Crystal Lake South |
| Madi Elwood |
Luther College |
Sr. |
DP |
Mason City, Iowa/Newman Catholic |
| Marina Cronin |
Simpson College |
So. |
P |
Kingsley, Iowa/Remsen St. Mary's |
| Mackenzie James |
Simpson College |
Jr. |
OF |
Ankeny, Iowa/Ankeny Centennial |
| Katie Shaner |
Simpson College |
Jr. |
OF |
West Des Moines, Iowa/Valley |
| Caelynn Obleton |
Simpson College |
Sr. |
3B |
Marion, Iowa/Linn-Mar |
| Hannah Hoefer |
Wartburg College |
Fr. |
P |
Peosta, Iowa/Western Dubuque |
| Katelyn Klever |
Wartburg College |
Fr. |
P |
Polk City, Iowa/North Polk |
| Bella Mulder |
Wartburg College |
So. |
UTL |
Grimes, Iowa/Dallas Center-Grimes |
| Honorable Mention |
School |
Year |
Pos. |
Hometown/High School |
| Irelynd Cejka |
Coe College |
Fr. |
DP |
Prairie Du Chien, Wis./Prairie Du Chein |
| Lauren Jacobs |
University of Dubuque |
Jr. |
OF |
Sterling, Ill./Sterling |
| Ellie Baker |
Loras College |
Fr. |
2B |
Norwalk, Iowa/Martensdale-Saint Mary's |
| Madi Urfer |
Luther College |
Sr. |
2B |
Mounds View, Minn./Irondale |
| Jenna Wiebenga |
Wartburg College |
Sr. |
1B |
Maquoketa, Iowa/Maquoketa |
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.
