DUBUQUE, Iowa - The American Rivers Conference announced on Monday its weekly athletes of the week, as five University of Dubuque student-athletes earned honors this week. Joey Rhomberg and Mike Westbrooks earned football offensive and defensive athletes of the week, respectively; Taylor Bechen and Chloe Reiser swept volleyball honors, while Luka Tomic earned men's soccer defensive player of the week.
Rhomberg (Mount Vernon, Iowa / Mount Vernon) led the Spartans to a win on the road over the Simpson College Storm, 56-27. Rhomberg totaled seven touchdowns, six passing and one on the ground. He completed 22-of-34 pass attempts for 276 passing yards; he also ran the ball eight times for 45 yards. This is Rhomberg's second consecutive weekly honor and fourth of his career.
Westbrooks (Northfield, Ohio / Nordonia) led UD on defense in the dominant win over Simpson. He recorded two sacks for 11 yards and three tackles for loss for 17 yards. Westbrooks made nine total tackles with five solo and four assisted; he got to the backfield often with two QB hurries to accompany his sacks. This is Westbrooks' first career conference athlete of the week honor.
Bechen (Ankeny, Iowa \ Ankeny Centennial) led the Spartans' defense through two five-set wins over Nebraska Wesleyan University and Buena Vista University. She tallied 58 digs total for the week, with 31 against the Beavers and 27 against the Prairie Wolves. Bechen also had four serve aces. This is Bechen's fourth defensive player of the week honor this year and 14th of her career.
Reiser (Decorah, Iowa \ Decorah) led the Spartans' offense this past week over the Prairie Wolves and Beavers. She recorded 36 kills on 98 attempts, posting a career-high of 21 kills over the Prairie Wolves this past Saturday. Reiser also had two serve aces and 21 digs. This is Reiser's first volleyball athlete of the week honor in her career.
Tomic (Sioux Falls, S. D. \ Sioux Falls Lincoln) won men's soccer defensive player of the week after taking down Nebraska Wesleyan University and Central College this past week. Against Central College, Tomic registered two assists in the 5-2 win. In a tight contest against Nebraska Wesleyan, Tomic scored once in the 2-1 win, keeping the Spartans undefeated in conference play. This is Tomic's second career men's soccer athlete of the week.
