CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – The 2023-24 American Rivers Conference's athletics season have come to a close and the conference has announced its final standings in the All-Sports Trophy Standings, which saw Loras College place second in the men's and third in the women's sports categories, culminating in a combined third place finish for the Duhawks in the overall standings.
The Purple and Gold had 15 total points, finishing two shy of the first place Wartburg College Knights and one behind Central College.
Overall Standings
1. Wartburg College – 17 points
2. Central College – 16 points
3. Loras College – 15 points
4. Coe College – 11 points
T-5. University of Dubuque – 8 points
T-5. Simpson College – 8 points
7. Nebraska Wesleyan University – 7 points
8. Luther College – 6 points
9. Buena Vista University – 2 points
ABOUT THE TROPHIES
Each school's finish in each sport is determined and given a numerical worth by inverting the finish (i.e. first place is worth nine points, second place is worth eight points, third place is worth seven points, etc). In case of ties, the worth of all places involved are totaled and divided by the number of teams in that tie. Each school's finish in all sports is then totaled, and the school with the largest number of points shall be awarded the respective Championship Trophy. The Marjorie Giles Women's All-Sports Trophy, first awarded in 1982-83 (at the time named the Women's Sports Championship Trophy), is presented annually to the Conference member that accumulates the most points in women's sports. The Elmer Hertel Men's All-Sports Trophy was first awarded in 1970-71 (at that time named the Men's Sports Championship Trophy) and presented to the Conference member that accumulates the most points in men's sports. The school displaying overall excellence in men's and women's sports is awarded the American Rivers Conference All-Sports Championship Trophy.
Marjorie Giles is a former Faculty Athletics Representative (FAR) from Central College serving from 1981-98. During her tenure as a FAR, she participated in writing of the Conference Constitution to include women's athletics and to establish women's Championships. She was the first female to serve as President of the Conference and was actively involved with the NCAA serving on several committees and on the Management Council.
The Elmer Hertel Men's Sports Championship Trophy was renamed in 1981 to honor the former Wartburg College coach. Dr. Hertel served as the Conference secretary-treasurer from 1944-1981.
