CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – The American Rivers Conference (A-R-C) announced American Rivers Conference Athletes of the Week for the week ending December 7, 2025. The University of Dubuque's Alex Hofrichter earned the honors for women's wrestling after winning the 160 lbs. weight class at the Buena Vista University Women's Open over the weekend. 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. Hofrichter (8-2 overall) is currently ranked #8 in the country in the 160 lbs. weight class.

The American Rivers Conference will host its inaugural Women's Wrestling Championship on January 24, 2026 when all A-R-C institutions sponsoring women's wrestling come together. Out of the nine conference member institutions, seven currently sponsor women's wrestling. A-R-C institutions with women's wrestling include: Buena Vista University, Central College, University of Dubuque, Loras College, Luther College, Simpson College, and Wartburg College. 

The tournament will begin at 10:00 a.m. from P.H. Kuyper Gymnasium on the campus of Central College when wrestlers take their positions on the mats. Live streaming will be available, for free, on the American Rivers Conference Sports Network. Following the completion of the tournament, the conference will present a team trophy for the championship team and medals for the top three place-winners in each weight class. The Most Valuable Performer, Rookie of the Year, and Coach of the Year will be voted on following the completion of the national tournament and will be released on April 1, 2026 at Noon on www.rollrivers.com. 

BVU Women's Open Results:

• Champ. Round 1 - Alex Hofrichter (University of Dubuque) won by fall over Kelsey Knief (Luther College) (Fall 2:40)
• Champ. Round 2 - Alex Hofrichter (University of Dubuque) won by fall over Delise Villa (Unattached) (Fall 1:17)
• Quarterfinal - Alex Hofrichter (University of Dubuque) won by fall over Alexandra Grow (Iowa Central Community College) (Fall 0:53)
• Semifinal - Alex Hofrichter (University of Dubuque) won by fall over Evelina Juzenaite (Unattached) (Fall 1:00)
• 1st Place Match - Alex Hofrichter (University of Dubuque) won by fall over Olivia Cotton (Cornell College) (Fall 1:42)

UW-Stevens Point Pointer Open Results:

• Champ. Round 1 - Alex Hofrichter (Dubuque) won by fall over Caitlyn Flaherty (North Central College) (Fall 0:39)
• Quarterfinal - Alex Hofrichter (Dubuque) won by fall over Maryam Ndiaye (Augustana) (Fall 2:29)
• Semifinal - Taylor Graveman (North Central College) won by decision over Alex Hofrichter (Dubuque) (Dec 16-8)
• Cons. Semi - Sydney Perry (North Central College) won by tech fall over Alex Hofrichter (Dubuque) (TF 10-0)
• 5th Place Match - Alex Hofrichter (Dubuque) won by fall over Maryam Ndiaye (Augustana) (Fall 5:50)