DECORAH, Iowa — It came down to the final 50 yards of the final race of the meet.

Trailing by three points entering the 400 freestyle relay Saturday night, Nebraska Wesleyan needed a victory to secure the American Rivers Conference championship. Caleb Courtney, Carter Heaton, Mattia Rosatelli and Brodie Hoesing delivered, surging past Luther in the closing stretch to touch first in 3:08.31 and clinch the title by three points.

Nebraska Wesleyan finished with 609 points to Luther's 606. Loras (295), Coe (272) and Simpson (143) completed the standings.

The championship is the second in program history and the second in the last three seasons for the Prairie Wolves.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Day 1
Nebraska Wesleyan announced itself early. Although Luther edged the Prairie Wolves in the 200 medley relay, the Wolves responded with a championship-record performance in the 800 freestyle relay. The quartet of Jaryd Holton, Zachary Cantorna, Carter Heaton and Courtney clocked 6:58.50 to claim gold and give Nebraska Wesleyan an early edge in the team race.

Day 2
The Prairie Wolves held a narrow lead, 212-206, after two days. Rosatelli won the 200 individual medley in 1:53.21, and Cantorna and Holton placed second and third in the 500 freestyle to add crucial points. Nebraska Wesleyan finished second in the 400 medley relay, keeping pressure on the host Norse as the margin remained tight.

Day 3
Momentum shifted Friday, with Luther taking a 420-407 advantage into the final day. Nebraska Wesleyan countered with depth. Holton placed second in the 400 individual medley, and Alec Zurn and Cullen Greyling delivered podium finishes in the 100 backstroke. The Prairie Wolves closed the night with a win in the 200 freestyle relay as Kai Trotman, Courtney, Heaton and Hoesing touched in 1:25.79, setting up a dramatic final session.

Day 4
The teams traded blows throughout Saturday. Cantorna won the 1,650 freestyle in 16:21.74, while Teagan Cleveland captured the 200 butterfly. Rosatelli added a runner-up finish in the 200 breaststroke, keeping Nebraska Wesleyan within striking distance as Luther maintained a slim lead.

That set the stage for the 400 freestyle relay. Neck and neck through three legs, the race hinged on the anchor. Hoesing trailed slightly at the final turn before accelerating over the final 50 yards, overtaking Luther and sealing the victory and the championship in front of a stunned home crowd.

ALL-CONFERENCE PERFORMERS

• Zachary Cantorna
  • (1650 Freestyle) - A-R-C CHAMPION
  • (500 Freestyle) - 2nd Place
• Jaryd Holton
  • (1650 Freestyle) - 3rd Place
  • (400 IM) - 2nd Place
  • (500 Freestyle) - 3rd Place
• Cullen Greyling
  • (200 Backstroke) - 2nd Place
  • (100 Backstroke) - 3rd Place
  • (200 IM) - 3rd Place
• Alec Zurn
  • (200 Backstroke) - 3rd Place
  • (100 Backstroke) - 2nd Place
• Caleb Courtney (100 Freestyle) - 3rd Place
• Mattia Rosatelli
  • (200 Breaststroke) - 2nd Place
  • (100 Breaststroke) - 2nd Place
  • (200 IM) - A-R-C CHAMPION
• Teagan Cleveland (200 Butterfly) - A-R-C CHAMPION
• Jack Bender (200 Butterfly) - 3rd Place
• Carter Heaton (200 Freestyle) - 3rd Place
• Kai Trotman (50 Freestyle) - 3rd Place
• Nebraska Wesleyan 400 Freestyle Relay (Courtney, Heaton, Rosatelli, Hoesing) - A-R-C CHAMPION
• Nebraska Wesleyan 200 Freestyle Relay (Trotman, Courtney, Heaton, Hoesing) - A-R-C CHAMPION
• Nebraska Wesleyan 400 Medley Relay (Zurn, Rosatelli, Cleveland, Courtney) - 2nd Place
• Nebraska Wesleyan 200 Medley Relay (Zurn, Rosatelli, Cleveland, Trotman) - 2nd Place
• Nebraska Wesleyan 800 Freestyle Relay (Holton, Cantorna, Heaton, Courtney) - A-R-C CHAMPION & Championship Record