October 7, 2002

MOUNT VERNON, IOWA . . . The Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (IIAC) announced today its Male and Female Athletes of the Week for the period ending Sunday, October 6. Simpson College golfer Senta Willenborg (Dyersville, Iowa/Beckman HS) was selected IIAC Female Athlete of the Week and Simpson football player Jesse Von Behren (Olin, Iowa/Olin HS) was selected IIAC Male Athlete of the Week.

Willenborg, a junior, was the individual medalist at the Conference Championship shooting a 173 (85-88), one stroke ahead of teammate Amber DeRiemacker. Willenborg’s first round 85 was just one of two first round 80s (teammate Janelle Claiborne shot an 88). Led by five golfers in the top-10, the Storm won its eight IIAC women’s golf Championship in the last 11 years.

Von Behren, a senior wide receiver, had seven receptions for 175 yards and three touchdowns in Simpson’s 38-26 victory over Cornell. He had touchdown receptions of 17 yards, 52 yards and seven yards. Von Behren also recorded three special teams tackles, including on kickoffs following his two fourth quarter touchdowns. In addition, Von Behren serves as the Storms’ short and long snapper. Since moving into the short snapper role, kicker Brett Majors is perfect on PAT and field goal attempts.

The IIAC also announced the Players of the Week for the Conference’s eight sports in competition during the week. Willenborg and Von Behren earned the weekly honor for women’s golf and football, respectively, while the following individuals were recognized for their athletic achievements.

Men’s Cross Country: Buena Vista University freshman Tim Brink (Storm Lake, Iowa/Storm Lake HS) finished 14th of 100 runners at the Dakota State Invitational. He ran a time of 26:09, finishing 2:24 behind the race’s winner.

Women’s Cross Country: University of Dubuque sophomore Melissa Maestri (Hinsdale, Ill./Central HS) won the Upper Iowa Big Rock Classic. She finished the two-mile race in 12:48, eight seconds ahead to teammate Amber Stratton who finished second.

Men’s Soccer: Wartburg College sophomore midfielder Verne Houston (Omaha, Neb./Burke HS) scored four goals and added two assists for 10 points in two games during the week. He scored three goals on seven shots and had an assist in Wartburg’s 6-0 victory over Upper Iowa. In a 7-1 win over Coe, he had a goal and an assist on five shots.

Women’s Soccer: Simpson College sophomore forward Erin Goettl (Burnsville, Minn./Apple Valley HS) scored seven goals and added one assist for 15 points in two games during the week. She scored four goals on nine shots in a 14-0 victory over Upper Iowa. She recorded her sixth career hat trick and also added an assist in a 6-1 victory over Nebraska Wesleyan.

Tennis: Cornell College senior Lindsey Pfalmer (Colorado Springs, Colo./Palmer HS) finished 4-0 during the week with two victories at number one singles and two victories at number one doubles. In singles, she posted a 6-1, 6-2 victory over Luther’s Tasha Allemang and a 6-0, 6-1 victory over Grinnell’s Jennifer Tran. In doubles play, she teamed with Steph Froehlich to post an 8-4 victory over Luther and an 8-0 victory over Grinnell.

Volleyball: Central College junior middle hitter Catie Ruefer (Davenport, Iowa/North HS) was named to the Wisconsin-LaCrosse Invitational All-Tournament Team after recording 39 kills, nine aces, 14 digs and five blocks in 12 games. She led Central to 3-0 victories over Webster University (12 kills, 4 digs), Minnesota-Morris (9 kills, 7 aces) and St. Norbert (7 kills). In the week’s lone defeat, 3-0 to Wisconsin-LaCrosse, Ruefer had 11 kills and eight digs.

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