STORM LAKE, Iowa (Feb. 26, 2023) – Two days of action came down to just a few inches and seconds as the fourth-ranked Loras College women's track and field team edged out seventh-ranked Wartburg College by just 4.5 points to win a second straight American Rivers Conference (A-R-C) Indoor Track & Field championship.

The Duhawks got 14 all-conference performances, including eight championship-winning performances, from their squad between individual and relay events, giving them a final tally of 211.5 points to beat out Wartburg's total of 207. Central College was third in line as it finished with 79.5 points. Head coach Matt Jones and his staff were named as the Coaching Staff on the Year on the men's and women's sides of the championship.

Seniors Grace Alley and Marion Edwards led the Duhawks en route to their championship as the duo each claimed a Most Valuable Performer honor. Alley was named the Most Valuable Field Performer after winning a trio of events in the pentathlon (3,400 points), triple jump (12.10m), and high jump (1.68m). She was also fourth place in the long jump (5.36m). Her triple jump mark sets a new program record and elevates her to a tie for second in Division III this season.

Edwards earned the Most Valuable Track Performer award as she claimed two race wins and earned two runner-up finishes. Edwards was tops in the 200-meter dash (25.34) and in the 4x400-meter relay (3:52.85) with her Duhawk teammates while also taking second in 60-meters (7.60) and 400-meters (57.25). Edwards' 60-meter dash time is fourth-best nationally, and her 400-meter time is ninth best.

Edwards and her teammates Harmony Creasy, Stevie Lambe, and Alyssa Pfadenhauer bookended the meet with their win in the 4x400-meter relay to clinch the title. That was one of two relay championships for Loras as Frankie Chaidez, Emily Jackson, Ellie Osterberger, and Elly Burds claimed victory in the 4x800-meter relay with a 9:28.20.

Pfadenhauer won her third consecutive A-R-C Championship in the 400-meter dash with a 56.10 to help the Loras cause as well.

The final Loras victory came on Saturday in the field as freshman Caitlyn Cox took the top spot in the weight throw. Her 18.77-meter mark set a new program record and a new A-R-C championships record and elevated her to second in Division III this season.

A full list of Loras' all-conference selections is below. The Duhawks have two last chance meets on their schedule next weekend as they get a final chance to improve on any nationally ranked marks heading into the NCAA National Championships on March 10-11.

Loras All-Conference Selections:

Grace Alley (Most Valuable Field Performer)
Pentathlon – 1^st
Triple Jump – 1^st
High Jump – 1^st

Marion Edwards (Most Valuable Track Performer)
200m – 1^st
4x400m Relay – 1^st
60m – 2^nd
400m – 2^nd

Alyssa Pfadenhauer
400m – 1^st
4x400m – 1^st

Caitlyn Cox
Weight Throw – 1^st

Harmony Creasy
4x400m Relay – 1^st
200m – 2^nd
60m – 3^rd
Long Jump – 3^rd
Triple Jump – 3^rd

Stevie Lambe
4x400m Relay – 1^st
DMR – 2^nd

Frankie Chaidez
4x800m Relay – 1^st

Emily Jackson
4x800m Relay – 1^st

Ellie Osterberger
4x800m Relay – 1^st
DMR – 2^nd

Elly Burds
4x800m Relay – 1^st
800m – 2^nd
DMR – 2^nd

Kaylee Osterberger
DMR – 2^nd

Sara Hoskins
High Jump – 3^rd

Brianna Renner
5000m – 3^rd