DECORAH, IOWA . . . The National Fastpitch Coaches Association has announced that the Luther College coaching staff has been named the Midwest Region Coaching Staff of the Year.

Luther is led by head coach Renae Hartl, pitching coach Tracy Hjelle, assistant coach Teri Olson, assistant coach Danielle Armbruster and student coach Megan Weirather.

Hartl just completed her ninth year at the helm of the softball program and has compiled a record of 248-121.

Luther completed the 2010 campaign with a school record of 42-7, was crowned the NCAA Division III Great Lakes Regional Champions and advanced to the NCAA Division III Championships Finals finishing the eight-team double elimination tournament tied for fifth place.

Luther reached the championship finals first for the first time since 1991 and fourth time in school history. Luther’s appearance in the national tournament was its 11th and third in the past four years. The Norse qualified for the national tournament after capturing the Iowa Conference Tournament championship for the first time in school history.

Luther College is a four-year liberal arts college affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America and is located in Decorah, Iowa. The Norse compete in 10 men's and nine women's intercollegiate sports.

As a member of the Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (IIAC) since 1922, the men have won 150 conference championships. In 1982 the IIAC expanded its championship sponsorship to include women's sports. During this time span, the women have won 59 team titles. Combined, Luther is the first school in the Iowa Conference to capture 209 league titles.