October 6, 2003

CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA . . . The Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (IIAC) announced today that Simpson College football player Mike Donnenwerth (Sheffield, Iowa/SCMT HS) and Buena Vista University golfer Jen Einck (Primghar, Iowa/South O’Brien HS) were named IIAC Athletes of the Week for the period ending Sunday, October 5.

Donnenwerth, a senior quarterback/punter, completed 28-of-48 passes for 423 yards and three touchdowns in a 28-21 victory over Central. His three touchdown passes give him 44 for his career, a new Simpson school record. Donnenwerth also averaged 41.6 yards per punt as the Storm improved to 4-0 (3-0 IIAC) on the season and defeated Central for the first time since 1997.

Einck, a senior, was the Conference’s women’s golf medalist and Most Valuable Performer after shooting a 328 at the Conference Championship. She shot 159 (82-77) on the final weekend of the Championship to win by two strokes and lead Buena Vista to its third title in the last four years. Einck was also the Conference medalist as a freshman (2000).

The IIAC also announced the Players of the Week for the Conference’s eight sports in competition during the week. Donnenwerth and Einck received the weekly honor for football and women’s golf, respectively, while the following individuals were recognized for their athletic performances.

Men’s Cross Country: Simpson College senior Nick Bowerman (Dubuque, Iowa/Hempstead HS) won his second race of the year with a victory at Simpson’s Buxton Open. Bowerman ran a time of 27:50, finishing 45 seconds ahead of the second place runner.

Women’s Cross Country: Simpson College sophomore Jen Wendt (Bettendorf, Iowa/Pleasant Valley HS) won Simpson’s Buxton Open in a time of 19:33. She finished 1:01 ahead of the second place runner for her second victory of the season.

Men’s Soccer: Loras College senior forward/midfielder Brad Johnson (Dubuque, Iowa/Hempstead HS) scored a goal in each of the Duhawks’ victories during the week – 2-1 wins over Augustana (Ill.) College and Central College. He also added an assist in the Augustana match.

Women’s Soccer: Simpson College senior forward Erin Goettl (Burnsville, Minn./Apple Valley HS) scored nine goals and added one assist in two games during the week. She set a Simpson record with seven goals, 15 points and 16 shots in a 14-0 victory over Upper Iowa University. The seven goals and 15 points are the third-most by a Division III player. Goettl also scored twice in the Storm’s 5-4 overtime loss to St. Olaf College.

Women’s Tennis: Central College junior Tracy Stursma (Pella, Iowa/Pella Christian HS) went 5-0 during the week including three victories at #3 singles and two victories at #2 doubles with partner Kristin Kovar.

Volleyball: Central College senior right-side hitter Catie Brand (Davenport, Iowa/North HS) averaged 4.07 kills, 1.07 digs and 1.13 blocks per game in 15 games during the week. She finished the week with a .438 hitting percentage (61 kills-12 errors, 112 total attacks) in five matches. Brand was also named to the St. Thomas Invitational All-Tournament Team, where Central posted a 3-1 record.

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