Ehlers takes home conference player of the week award

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - Alexis Ehlers of the Simpson College softball team was named the American Rivers Conference Softball Position Player of the Week as well as the conference's overall Female Athlete of the Week.

Ehlers is receiving her second career weekly conference honor and has been one of the driving offensive forces behind the Storm's 15-5 start to the season. Ehlers was a force at the plate for the Storm's four wins last week, going 8-for-11 (.727) overall. The junior shortstop collected nine RBIs and saw seven of her eight hits go for extra bases.

Ehlers hit a home run in back-to-back games in the doubleheader wins over Westminster. The Bryant, Iowa native also scored seven runs, drew four walks, and stole two bases on the week. Ehlers currently leads the conference in RBIs (25), doubles (11), and OPS (1.392), while ranking second in slugging percentage (.847).

"Alexis has done a great job with her bat and her defense. She is really working hard to follow up her First Team All-Region season from last year with another standout campaign," said Storm head coach Brent Matthias. "Offensively, she is really barreling up balls and even most of her outs are hard line drives. Her great glove and athleticism get lost behind her hitting but she plays shortstop as good as anybody. She has a fighting spirit and will do whatever it takes to make the team better. Simply put, she is a winner."

The offensive prowess from Ehlers is a major reason why the Storm are tied for second in Division III with 15 home runs and third in doubles with 49. Ehlers has also been involved in five double plays this season, with the Storm being one of eight Division III programs to record at least 10 double plays. The Storm also rank inside the top 20 nationally in hits (187) and runs (153). The Storm continue play with a road doubleheader at Grinnell on Saturday.

2023-24 PERFORMER OF THE WEEK HONOREES
Alexis Ehlers, Softball (3/25/24*)
Alex Catchpole, Men's Gymnastics (3/19/24$)
Trey Castile, Baseball (3/11/24*)
Sterling Pariza, Men's Gymnastics (1/9/24, 3/5/24)
Spencer Moon, Men's Track and Field (1/22/24*, 2/12/24*, 2/26/24*)
Brian Rollison, Men's Gymnastics (2/13/24^)
Jay Ceperley, Men's Swimming and Diving (12/4/23, 2/12/24)
Jake Smith, Men's Gymnastics (2/6/24^)
Cassie Nash, Women's Basketball (2/5/24)
Ulysses Patterson, Men's Track and Field (1/29/24)
Kate Minette, Women's Swimming and Diving (12/4/23*)
Haley Rasmussen, Women's Basketball (11/27/23*)
Cassie Nash, Women's Soccer (9/5/23, 10/10/23, 10/30/23, 11/6/23)
Mason Little, Football (10/23/23)
Ronaldo Ordaz, Men's Soccer (9/18/23, 10/10/23, 10/16/23)
CJ Hangartner, Football (10/2/23)
Jordyn Foelske, Women's Soccer (9/25/23)
Lani Mears, Women's Soccer (9/18/23)
Spencer Moon, Men's Cross Country (9/5/23, 9/11/23)
Julia Wagoner, Women's Soccer (9/11/23)
*also named A-R-C Athlete of the Week
^named Rookie of the Week
$named Specialist of the Week