Kehrli’s runner-up regional finish leads to A-R-C honor
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – After securing a runner-up finish at the NCWWC Region VII Championships, sophomore Keeley Kehrli has been named the American Rivers Conference Wrestler of the Week.
Ranked No. 10 nationally, Kehrli delivered Simpson's top finish at regionals, securing runner-up honors at 160 pounds and punching her ticket to nationals for the first time. The Storm placed third as a team and qualified an impressive nine wrestlers for the NCWWC Championships in March - the second-most out of Region VII behind powerhouse Iowa.
After an opening round bye, Kehrli needed just 1:15 to pin Wartburg's Alex Harswick, setting up a semifinal showdown with No. 9 Alexandra Hofrichter (Dubuque). Facing Hofrichter for the fourth time this season, Kehrli evened their series at 2-2 with a gritty 9-7 decision. She fell 10-0 to Olympic silver medalist and top-ranked Kennedy Blades of Iowa in the finals, but ultimately advanced to the final site in a few weeks.
This is Kehrli's second time earning A-R-C Wrestler of the Week honors, having previously earned the distinction on Nov. 25.
Kehrli and Simpson's eight other national qualifiers will now set their sights on the NCWWC Championships taking place on March 7-8 in Coralville.
2024-25 PERFORMER OF THE WEEK HONOREES
Keeley Kehrli, Women's Wrestling (11/25/24, 2/24/25)
Kaelyn Tally, Women's Gymnastics (2/11/25)
Molly Lutmer, Women's Basketball (1/20/25, 2/10/25*)
Tristan Blair, Men's Swimming (2/10/25)
Paige Gershmel, Women's Wrestling (2/3/25)
Jake Smith, Men's Gymnastics (1/28/25)
Braxton Jones, Men's Gymnastics (1/22/25^)
Annelise Obermark, Women's Wrestling (1/6/25)
Cam Henderson, Men's Basketball (12/16/24)
Jay Ceperley, Men's Swimming and Diving (12/9/24)
Ashley Cannon, Women's Wrestling (11/18/24)
Savannah Schneider, Women's Soccer (10/14/24)
Maddie Hays, Women's Soccer (10/14/24)
Mitchell Dickson, Men's Soccer (10/14/24)
Cassie Nash, Women's Soccer (9/30/24*)
CJ Hangartner, Football (9/16/24, 9/30/24)
J Jensen III, Football (9/30/24*)
Teghan Booth, Women's Cross Country (9/30/24)
Cole Leggett, Men's Cross Country (9/30/24)
Jordyn Foelske, Women's Soccer (9/16/24)
Ella Meyer, Women's Volleyball (9/3/24)
*also named A-R-C Athlete of the Week
