PELLA— Three event championships helped Central College's Peyton Steffen (junior, Marion) earn a share of American Rivers Female Athlete of the Week honors.
           
Steffen was named the Most Valuable Track Performer at the American Rivers Outdoor Women's Track and Field Championships Saturday at Simpson College Indianola. She shared American Rivers Female Athlete of the Week honors with most valuable field performer Harmony Creasy of Loras College.
           
She set a new Simpson facility record in racing to first in the 3,000-meter steeplechase in 10:33.21 Friday evening. Steffen ranks third on Central's all-time charts in the event.
           
Saturday she won the 1,500 meters in 4:30.41 and raced past the 5,000-meter field in 16:42.09, winning by more than 41 seconds. That also puts her third on Central's all-time list of 5,000-meter runners.
           
It's the fourth time this season that Steffen has received track athlete of the week honors. She was previously cited March 31, April 14 and April 28.
           
Steffen is preparing for the NCAA Division III Championships May 22-24 in Geneva, Ohio.