Steen, Barrick-Wessels sweep weekly conference honors

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - Ashlyn Steen and Taryan Barrick-Wessels of the Simpson College softball team swept the American Rivers Conference weekly awards after their performances during the past week.

Steen is earning her second straight Position Player of the Week honor, after another strong offensive showing at the plate. The sophomore center fielder went 8-for-11 at the plate, helping the Storm to a 4-0 conference start with sweeps of Buena Vista and Dubuque.

Steen scored a team-leading six runs and also tied for the team lead with four RBIs on the week. She hit one double and one triple while also successfully swiping four bases. Steen also went 3-for-3 in the game two win over Dubuque, making it the third time this season she went 1.000 at the plate in a game. The Mount Vernon, Iowa native currently leads the conference in batting average (.477), hits (41), and triples (5). She also ranks second in stolen bases with 21.

"Ashlyn has been on fire and can come at you in so many different ways," said Storm head coach Brent Matthias. "She can bunt, slap, and hit for power. When on base, her speed is so dangerous and she is an absolute spark plug for our team."

Barrick-Wessels continued her dominant senior campaign by collecting another two pitching wins, receiving her second career pitcher of the week honor. She threw three innings in the five-inning victory in game two against Buena Vista, earning the win while allowing just two hits and striking out five. The Ackley, Iowa native then threw a complete game in the 9-3 win over Dubuque in game two, only giving up four hits and two earned runs while striking out another three batters.

Barrick-Wessels currently ranks third in the conference with a 1.13 earned run average, compiling a pitching record of 7-1. She is currently posting a career-low WHIP (1.07) and has not allowed any home runs across 56 total innings.

"Taryan is pitching at an elite level, attacking the zone well and keeping her pitch count down," continued Matthias. "She is feeling loose and her mobility is much better than last year, allowing her to have a much larger impact in the circle."

The Storm look to keep their unbeaten start to conference play alive by hosting Nebraska Wesleyan tomorrow afternoon.

2023-24 PERFORMER OF THE WEEK HONOREES
Ashlyn Steen, Softball (4/1/24, 4/8/24)
Taryan Barrick-Wessels, Softball (4/8/24)
Max Cleveland, Men's Track and Field (4/8/24)
Spencer Moon, Men's Track and Field (1/22/24*, 2/12/24*, 2/26/24*, 4/1/24*)
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)
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