Article by Sidney Love, BuzzStaff Writer
Photo Courtesy of KWQC
St. Ambrose University student-athletes say they are adjusting to tougher competition, longer travel, and new opponents after the university joined The Heart of America Athletic Conference for the 2026-27 school year.
Senior soccer player and business management major Berto Medrano says that the conference has brought tougher competition for his team.
“The conference change has been difficult for us to succeed and compete with bigger college teams—colleges like Grand View University and William Penn University are nationally ranked teams, so it’s hard for us to compete with top players.”
The Heart of America Athletic Conference Council of Presidents approved St. Ambrose as a member of the conference last February. The change has affected several of the university’s athletic programs, including soccer, football, basketball, volleyball, track and field, and other sports.
The transition has required student-athletes to adapt to new expectations both on and off the field. From managing travel demands to preparing for unfamiliar opponents, athletes are learning how to navigate the challenges while making the most of new opportunities.
Sophomore soccer player and accounting major Chloe Travis said the change has required the team to adjust.
“This new conference has brought more challenging competition as well as further away games. I think it is a learning experience, and we are still working hard to get settled into this conference, but it has definitely taken a lot of hard work to get in the loop and make a name for ourselves.”
Sophomore track & field athlete and nursing major Tosin Oshin says the stronger competition is a factor.
“It makes my plate larger as I feel like I need to put more effort into the sport for me to feel like I have a little chance at going to the bigger meets.”
Travel is another adjustment for athletes. Oshin says that longer trips could make competition days more challenging.
“Travel will be a harder pill to swallow, and having the right mindset to travel all day and then competing.”
Junior volleyball player and ESL education major Marta Barriguinha also says athletes have mixed feelings about the additional travel. “I think most of us are excited for the change but annoyed with the travel time.”
Medrano says he wishes more people understood the level of competition athletes face in the conference.
“I wish that people knew more about the conference because of how competitive it is, especially in different sports, and it’s hard to compete, especially when it comes to incoming freshmen or transfers.”
Despite some of the challenges, athletes say the new conference also provides them an opportunity to improve. Sophomore track & field athlete and exercise science major, Kaylee Mowen, says that she believes other athletes feel the same way.
“I think a lot of other athletes have similar feelings to me about the change. They are probably excited for the opportunity to play new teams, but they also realize that they will have to step up their performance.”
Barriguinha agrees. “I think there will be more competitiveness, and we will have the chance to grow a lot more.”
SAU Sports in The Heart of America Conference:
Baseball, Softball, Men’s and Women’s Basketball, Men’s and Women’s Bowling, Men’s and Women’s Cross Country, Football, Men’s and Women’s Golf, Men’s and Women’s Lacrosse, Men’s and Women’s Soccer, Men’s and Women’s Indoor & Outdoor Track and Field, Men’s and Women’s Tennis, Competitive Cheer, Competitive Dance, Esports, Men’s and Women’s Volleyball, and Men’s and Women’s Wrestling.
