Three Central College athletes have received American Rivers Conference athlete of the week honors.

Sam Beatty (senior, Mount Pleasant) was selected as the field events athlete of the week for the Dutch men’s track and field squad while Abby Marr (senior, Riceville) was tabbed for the same honor for the women’s track and field squad and Grant Johnson (senior, Waukee, Van Meter HS) was named the men’s basketball player of the week.

Beatty likely earned a trip to the NCAA Division III Indoor Track and Field Championships March 10-11 in Birmingham, Alabama by clearing a personal indoor-best 6 feet, 8.75 inches in winning the high jump at the Dutch Athletics Classic Saturday at H.S. Kuyper Fieldhouse. He’s among just four athletes to reach that height thus far this season.

Marr made a strong early bid for an NCAA berth in the weight throw with a toss of 56-3.75 in taking first place at the Dutch Athletics Classic. It ranks in the top five nationally thus far. She also placed third in the shot put (39-3.25).

Johnson posted two statistical double-doubles as the surprising Central men’s basketball team took over sole possession of first place in the conference with a 79-70 home-court victory over Buena Vista University Wednesday and a 62-60 escape at Luther College Saturday.

Johnson had a game-high 21 points with 10 rebounds, two assists and a blocked shot against Buena Vista, then came back with 12 points, 10 rebounds and a block at Luther. He shot 54.5% from the field for the week and has four double-doubles this season. He ranks 11th in Division III in blocks with 42.