Bulldog Athletic Association Athletes of the Week: Due to the absence of the weekly BAAM meetings, Athletes of the Week will not be announced. When it is determined that BAAM meetings can resume, members will be notified.
News and notes:
Hinckfoot set to join track and field staff: Alum Benjamin Hinckfoot will make a return to Seward as the newest member of the Concordia Track & Field staff. Previously, Hinckfoot earned high praise for his work as an assistant coach at Concordia University, Irvine. During his time as a Bulldog athlete, Hinckfoot earned seven All-America awards and won seven GPAC event titles. He will fill the role on the coaching staff that was vacated with the resignation of Wayne Earney. For more on Hinckfoot, click HERE.
Football makes strides in 2020: Concordia Football made strides during the 2020 season while offering something greater than just on-field performance. Head Coach Patrick Daberkow’s squad finished the campaign at 4-4 while showing marked improvement on the offensive side of the ball. Meanwhile, All-American linebacker Lane Napier eclipsed 400 career tackles. For a season wrap up, click HERE.
Baack to a national level: For a good portion of the past three years, senior Anna Baack has dedicated her athletic pursuits to regaining the form that made her a pole vault national qualifier in just the third meet of her collegiate career. After a couple years of struggles, Anna has returned to a national qualifying level. For more on her perseverance (and what it’s like to have Randy for a father), click HERE.
Women’s Soccer returns to form: Coach Thomas Goines and seniors Lindsey Carley and Michaela Twito discussed what helped Concordia Women’s Soccer trend back upward in 2020 after a dip in the standings in 2019. This fall included signature wins over Hastings and Briar Cliff and a share of second place in the final GPAC regular-season standings. For more details on the team’s run, click HERE.
GPAC announces spring dates for fall championships: Back on Tuesday, Nov. 24, the GPAC announced spring GPAC tournament dates for the sports of men’s soccer, women’s soccer and volleyball. The conference postseason had been postponed for each of those sports in order to accommodate schedule adjustments caused by COVID-19 interruptions. These GPAC tournaments are now set to be played in April. For specific dates, please click HERE.
Update to fan attendance policy: As of Nov. 11, the fan attendance policy regarding indoor sporting events has changed at CUNE. In accordance with Directed Health Measures released by the state of Nebraska, Concordia is limiting fan attendance in indoor facilities to 25 percent capacity. Please note that spectators will not be permitted to attend indoor track and field meets (per GPAC policy). For additional details on how to purchase tickets to Bulldog Athletic events, see the paragraph below regarding HomeTown ticketing.
HomeTown Ticketing and Fan protocols for home events: Fans who plan to attend Concordia Athletics home events are advised to read through our protocols HERE. All fans are expected to self-screen and are required to wear masks while viewing contests in either Bulldog Stadium or Walz Arena. Non-family members are welcome to be present on our campus during these contests. Fans are also encouraged to order advance tickets through HomeTown Ticketing. By purchasing tickets online, fans are guaranteed entrance on game days. Concordia is allowing 75 percent capacity in outdoor venues and 25 percent capacity in indoor venues.
Bulldog Coaches Show airs every Thursday at 5:30 p.m. CT: The Bulldog Coaches Show is underway in its fifth year of existence. The show airs live for a half hour every Thursday beginning at 5:30 p.m. CT on KTMX-FM 104.9 Max Country. The weekly feature can also be heard live via 104.9 Max Country’s website or by downloading the Max Country app. Throughout the 2020-21 season, Bulldog football, men’s and women’s basketball and volleyball contests will be aired live on Max Country. Evan Jones serves as the host of the coaches’ show as well as the play-by-play voice for football and basketball. Frank Greene is in his sixth season calling Concordia volleyball.
Concordia Sports Network: Live webcasts for most home varsity contests can be accessed by visiting https://www.cune.edu/athletics/watch-bulldogs at game time. Beginning in 2019-20, Concordia Athletics partnered with PrestoSports for live video and statistical streaming. For more details on this change, click HERE. Check team schedules/results pages for webcast dates. Scrimmages, exhibitions and junior varsity events are not broadcasted.
Women’s Basketball
· Due to the postponement of the scheduled mid-week game with Mount Marty, the 11th-ranked Bulldogs played just once last week. In a trip to Sioux City, Iowa, on Dec. 12, a rough first quarter had Concordia playing catch up all game. No. 24 Morningside started 14-for-17 from the floor while coasting to an 86-67 win. The Bulldogs had won eight of the previous nine series meetings, including four in a row in Sioux City. Head Coach Drew Olson’s squad has dropped back-to-back conference games and now stands at 6-5 overall (5-3 GPAC). For more information on Concordia Women’s Basketball, click HERE.
· Morningside is the most recent team other than the Bulldogs to win a GPAC title. The Mustangs (7-2, 5-1 GPAC) swept league regular season and postseason championships in 2015-16 before Concordia went on to earn sweeps in four-straight seasons. Head Coach Jamie Sale’s squad has reason to believe it can get back to the top thanks to the presence of stars such as Sophia Peppers and Sierra Mitchell, who put up 24 and 21 points, respectively, last week against the Bulldogs. Morningside shot 50.8 percent from the field and owned advantages of plus-seven in turnovers in plus-nine in rebounding.
· Based on her career to date, sophomore Kayla Luebbe came through with a surprise performance at Morningside. The 6-foot-1 product of Seward High School fully capitalized on her size advantage and went a perfect 10-for-10 from the floor for a team high 20 points. Luebbe had entered the game with eight career points in five games played at the varsity level. The hope is for Luebbe to help shore up an area in need (low post scorer) after the graduation of All-American Philly Lammers. Luebbe helped the Bluejays to three state tournament appearances in her high school career.
· Luebbe’s 10-for-10 performance played a big role in the team shooting a respectable 47.4 percent (27-for-57) from the field at Morningside. It was a big improvement from a week earlier when the Bulldogs went 18-for-78 (.231) from the floor in the 69-59 loss at Briar Cliff. During the six-game win streak that preceded back-to-back defeats, Concordia shot better than 40 percent from 3-point range in four separate outings. Roughly 44 percent of the team’s shot attempts come from beyond the arc.
· Freshman Taysha Rushton went 3-for-6 from long range at Morningside while continuing a fine first collegiate season. The native of Lubbock, Texas, paces the team in both 3-point field goal attempts (71) and 3-point field goal makes (23). She also tops the squad with 38 assists and has been impressively accurate from the foul line (35-for-41). Rushton has reached double figures in scoring in all but one game and is averaging 13.5 points per game.
· Taylor Cockerill’s afternoon at Morningside included uncharacteristic numbers of 3-for-13 shooting and nine turnovers. However, Cockerill led the team with eight assists. On the season, Cockerill is averaging 15.4 points, 7.1 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.5 steals per game. She has pushed her career point total to 1,087, which ranks 23rd on the program’s all-time list. The Waverly High School product put up 33 points in the season opener (seven shy of her career high for a single game).
· Cockerill and Rushton have established themselves as the team’s Nos. 1 and 2 scoring options. Concordia has had others take turns in complimentary scoring roles. The next options in line have been Taylor Farrell (9.3), Mackenzie Koepke (7.5) and Rylee Pauli (7.5). Farrell and Koepke also like to let it fly from deep. In her career Farrell has made 50-fo-110 attempts from 3-point range. Meanwhile, Koepke has sunk 147 career 3-point field goals (10th most in program history).
· Among all NAIA women’s basketball teams, the Bulldogs sport rankings of second in total steals (145), third in 3-point field goals (106), 15th in 3-point field goals per game (9.6), 21st in turnover margin (+7.4), 24th in steals per game (13.2), 36th in scoring offense (79.3) and 38th in free throw percentage (.732). On the individual national leaderboards, Cockerill ranks 19th in total points (169) and rebounds (78) while Rushton ranks 19th in assists (38) and steals (23).
· Two road trips are on the docket this week. First up, Concordia will be at Midland (9-2, 6-2 GPAC) for a 6 p.m. CT tipoff on Tuesday. Then on Friday, the Bulldogs will play at Jamestown (5-3, 3-3 GPAC) at 6 p.m. That will be the final contest in a string of six-straight road games. Concordia is set to return to Friedrich Arena on Dec. 30 to host Mount Marty. The Bulldogs won their first three GPAC road games before the defeats at Briar Cliff and Morningside.
Men’s Basketball
· Last week included one up and one down as GPAC play continued for Concordia. The Bulldogs bounced back from the loss at Briar Cliff with an 82-71 home win over Mount Marty on Dec. 9. Three days later, Concordia struggled in an 86-64 defeat at seventh-ranked Morningside in a battle between last season’s GPAC tournament champion and the GPAC regular-season titlist. Head Coach Ben Limback’s squad remains near the top of the conference standings with a GPAC mark of 6-2 (9-3 overall). For more information on Bulldog Men’s Basketball, click HERE.
· Mount Marty presented a different type of matchup challenge with a small, quick lineup. Concordia took advantage by hammering the Lancers on the boards, 47-26 (largest single-game rebound advantage of the season). Three Bulldogs reached double figures in scoring: Justin Wiersema (25), Ryan Holt (15) and Gage Smith (13). Concordia played solid on the defensive end in holding Mount Marty to 41.0 percent shooting from the floor.
· Smith only played 17 minutes against the Lancers (came out early due to injury) and still managed a double-double (13 points and 13 rebounds). Smith has already recorded six double-doubles this season and is averaging a double-double per game – 12.8 points and 10.9 rebounds. Among GPAC players, Smith ranks behind only Jamestown star Mason Walters (13.3 rebounds/game) in rebounding. Smith returned to the lineup at Morningside, but played only 14 minutes.
· The Bulldogs did not play nearly well enough to knock off Morningside in Sioux City. A rash of early turnovers put Concordia in an early hole. Additionally, the Bulldogs allowed the Mustangs to shoot 58.1 percent (36-for-62) from the floor. Big man Trey Brown burned Concordia for 18 points (9-for-10 from the floor) and seven rebounds. On a positive note, Carter Kent heated up in the second half and equaled Brown’s game high 18 points. Wiersema added 16 points and eight rebounds.
· Wiersema’s 41-point week (25 vs. Mount Marty, 16 at Morningside) boosted his season scoring average to 17.4 (fourth in the GPAC). The Loveland, Colo., native’s efficiency jumps off the page. Wiersema is shooting 61.4 percent from the floor, which is the highest percentage among GPAC guards (fourth overall). He is also shooting 43.8 percent from 3-point range. His consistency has also been impressive. Wiersema has scored at least 11 points in 14-straight games (running his career point total to 678).
· Wiersema, Kent and Smith have been the team’s three most reliable performers in terms of production. After the starting five, the Bulldogs have relied on another wave of capable performers in Klay Uher, Cory Davila, AJ Watson, Grant Wragge and Jackson Hirschfeld. Wragge put together a nice outing versus Mount Marty in posting nine points (4-for-4 from the field) and three assists. Watson provided a bit of a spark in the first half at Morningside with a pair of treys. The Concordia roster features eight players averaging 5.0 points or more per game.
· The home win streak has reached 11 for the Bulldogs, who are 6-0 inside Friedrich Arena this season. Morningside is actually the most recent team to win in Seward (85-72 on Jan. 22, 2020). The home victims this season have included Emmaus Bible College (Iowa), Manhattan Christian College (Kan.), Midland, Northwestern, Dordt and Mount Marty. In this season’s home games, Concordia has outscored its opponents by an average score of 86.7 to 62.0. The opposition has shot just 37.8 percent from the floor.
· Among GPAC teams, the Bulldogs own team rankings of third in scoring defense (70.3), fourth in scoring offense (83.3) and fourth in scoring defense (.427). Concordia is the only team in the GPAC to rank inside the top four in each of these three categories. In the official standings to this point, the Bulldogs are currently in third place behind Dakota Wesleyan (6-0) and Morningside (6-1). Jamestown (4-2) also has just two losses.
· Concordia will continue with a stretch that has it playing nine of 10 games on the road. The Bulldogs will be headed to Midland (3-8, 1-7 GPAC) tonight (Dec. 15) for an 8 p.m. CT tipoff in Fremont, Neb. Concordia will attempt to nail down a season sweep of the Warriors. Then on Friday, the Bulldogs will be at Jamestown (8-3, 4-2 GPAC) for an 8 p.m. tipoff. Concordia defeated the Jimmies twice last season.
Wrestling
· GPAC dual action resumed last week with the Bulldogs making their first home appearance of the 2020-21 season. Concordia dropped six of 10 matches while up against Morningside and fell by a score of 28-12 inside Friedrich Arena on Dec. 10. The Bulldogs then took the weekend off. The junior varsity tournament Concordia had originally scheduled for Dec. 12 was canceled. Third-year Head Coach Levi Calhoun’s squad sports an overall dual record of 2-2 (2-1 GPAC). For more information on Concordia Wrestling, click HERE.
· The Bulldogs carried an active GPAC dual win streak of 10 into last week. The streak included a perfect 8-0 mark during the 2019-20 season. Incredibly, the 10-dual streak was still a long ways off the program’s longest conference win streak during its recent run of dominance. Concordia won 22-straight GPAC duals over the 2014-15 through 2017-18 campaigns. Since the start of the 2014-15 season, the Bulldogs own an impressive conference record of 43-5. The result last week shows Concordia will have a stiff challenge in trying to repeat. It was ranked third in the initial GPAC team ratings.
· In the matchup with the Mustangs, the Bulldogs put four individual victories on the board courtesy of decisions secured by junior Mario Ybarra (141), freshman Jeaven Scdoris (149), junior Issiah Burks (157) and freshman Jacob Telles (285). Scdoris, Burks and Telles each triumphed thanks to takedowns late in the third period. Meanwhile, Ybarra edged out Ethan Sorenson by a 3-2 decision. The Mustangs pulled away in the team scoring while dominating at 125 (technical fall), 174 (technical fall) and 197 (pin). Concordia also forfeited at 133 pounds.
· Telles (16-4) has continued the program’s tradition of strong heavyweights while pacing the team with 16 wins. Seven other Bulldogs have recorded at least five wins this season: Burks (12-5), Mason Garcia (11-5), Ybarra (8-1), Scdoris (8-7), TJ Huber (8-8), Jose Sanchez (6-6) and Carter Willis (5-10). Among these Bulldogs, Ybarra is the highest regarded. The junior from Scottsbluff, Neb., just missed out on All-America honors last season and is currently ranked as the NAIA’s No. 3 133-pounder. Ybarra won the 133-pound title at the York Open and has eight-straight victories since a loss to open the season.
· Based on the rankings, Burks picked up the team’s most significant win in the dual versus Morningside. In a battle with John Diener (ranked 13th in the NAIA at 149 pounds) at 157, Burks came through with a takedown in the final seconds to eke out a 3-2 decision. Five days earlier, Burks was pinned by Diener at the Doane Open. A team captain and native of Hemet, Calif., Burks has improved his career record to 36-30 while showing off the look of a potential national qualifier. He is ranked third in the GPAC at 157.
· Telles has been a great find out of Albuquerque, N.M. He has solidified the heavyweight spot and is a perfect 4-0 in duals. His dual victories have come over Marcus Cave of York College, Kyle Mullaney of Dakota Wesleyan and Derrell Zagurski of Morningside (also credited with a forfeit win versus Midland). In tournament action, Telles has collected place finishes of second at the Dakota Wesleyan Open, third at the York Open and fifth at the Doane Open. His total of 16 wins is especially impressive considering that COVID-19 has limited opportunities to some degree.
· Calhoun has been away from the program following the loss of his mother Joan. Understandably, Calhoun has been absent for duals with Midland and Morningside and for the Doane Open. Assistant coach Tyree Cox took the lead in last week’s dual. Strength and Conditioning Coach Todd Berner has also coached at recent practices and competitions. An assistant for three seasons before his promotion, Calhoun earned GPAC Coach of the Year honors in 2019-20.
· It’s still very early in the GPAC dual season. Six of the nine GPAC wrestling squads have had just one dual. Five teams are currently 1-0 in the GPAC: Briar Cliff, Doane, Hastings, Jamestown and Morningside. Three others are still looking for their first conference victories: Northwestern (0-1), Dakota Wesleyan (0-2) and Midland (0-3). Based on the only GPAC rating of this season, Doane has emerged as an early conference favorite.
· Instead of making a pre-Christmas trip as the program has often done in the past, Concordia will host the Concordia Bulldog Duals beginning at 10 a.m. CT on Saturday. A total of 16 duals will take place in an event featuring eight teams. The Bulldogs will go up against Oklahoma Wesleyan University, Arizona Christian University, No. 12 Montana State University–Northern and Texas Wesleyan University. The full schedule can be viewed HERE.
Track & Field
· A whopping 272 days separated the 2020 NAIA Indoor Track & Field National Championships from the first meet of the 2020-21 indoor season. The long layoff finally ended when the Bulldogs hosted the Concordia Early Bird Meet (Dec. 4-5) inside the Walz Fieldhouse. Head Coach Matt Beisel’s program was joined by athletes from eight other institutions in a meet that was restricted in size to fit under state COVID-19 guidelines. Concordia came away with 23 marks that met the criteria for inclusion on the NAIA national list. For more information on Bulldog Track & Field, click HERE.
· Of those 23 marks put on the board, nine were automatic national qualifiers, another nine were ‘B’ standard national marks and five met the minimum national standard in the heptathlon/pentathlon. Those marks are listed below.
o Men’s 4x400 meter relay, B (3:19.01)
o Women’s 4x400 meter relay, B (3:58.93)
o Anna Baack – pole vault, A (11’ 6 ½”)
o Rachel Battershell – 400 meters, A (56.71)
o Chase Berry – pole vault, B (15’ 3”)
o Jamey Broman – long jump, A (18’ 5”)
o Morgan De Jong – weight throw, A (55’ 2”)
o Sarah Lewis – 60 hurdles, A (8.93); 400 meters, B (58.31)
o Emily Loy – pentathlon (3,146)
o Colton Meyer – 60 hurdles, A (8.17); 400 meters, B (48.91)
o Kennedy Mogul – pentathlon (3,112)
o Cora Olson – long jump, B (18’ 1”)
o Josie Puelz – pole vault, A (12’ 6 ¼”)
o Sarah Ragland – weight throw, B (51’ 11”)
o Jeremiah Reeser – heptathlon (4,449)
o Amy Richert – pentathlon (3,137)
o Xavier Ross – 400 meters, A (48.09)
o Katie Severt – long jump, A (18’ 7 ¼”)
o Cody Williams – pole vault, B (15’ 3”); heptathlon (5,006)
o Chris Wren – weight throw, B (53’ 5”)
· The women’s team expects to be particularly strong coming off a 2020 GPAC indoor title and a fourth-place NAIA national finish. The Bulldogs also swept 2019 GPAC indoor/outdoor championships. Of the nine automatic marks achieved at the Early Bird meet, seven were attained by women. Of course that group includes reigning NAIA 400 meter national champion Rachel Battershell, the school record holder in both the 400 meters and 60 meter hurdles. Battershell got her junior indoor season started by clocking a time of 56.71 (after conversion) in the 400 meters. Battershell was named the 2020 GPAC Indoor Athlete of the Year.
· Battershell and fellow junior Sarah Lewis make for quite the one-two punch in the hurdles and 400 meters. Lewis even made a run at Battershell’s school 60 hurdles record by finishing in 8.93 seconds last week, a bit off the standard of 8.81 Battershell ran at the 2020 GPAC indoor meet. Battershell and Lewis are also key components of what should be an outstanding 4x400 meter relay. They collaborated with Kennedy Mogul and Amy Richert on a 4x4 time of 4:02.01 at the Early Bird. Last year’s 4x4 won the GPAC title and earned All-America honors.
· The pole vault should be an area of major strength for both the men and women. Despite having past All-American pole vaulter Erin Mapson sidelined at the Early Bird, the Bulldogs posted two national qualifying clearances, courtesy of sophomore Josie Puelz and senior Anna Baack. Puelz won the GPAC pole vault title as a freshman and went on to place third at the national championships. Meanwhile, Baack has waited since her freshman year for another shot at nationals. Her performance at the Early Bird made for a feel-good story.
· The men’s team gets a boost simply from having Cody Williams back after he missed nearly all of the 2020 indoor season. Named the 2019 GPAC Outdoor Athlete of the Year, Williams has accomplished a lot individually – other than winning a national title. That achievement could be on his radar this season. The native of Imperial, Neb., placed as the 2019 NAIA heptathlon national runner up. Williams totaled 5,006 points in the heptathlon at the Early Bird meet while taking a very early national lead in the event.
· Assistant coach Wayne Earney has now finished his time with the program. The Early Bird meet served as a last hurrah for Earney, who was hired on staff in June of 2017. Since then, Earney has worked specifically with the vertical and horizontal jumps athletes. His impact has been significant. He has coached school record setters such as Leah Larson (triple jump) and Jessica Deterding (pentathlon/heptathlon) and has worked with a current group of jumpers that could break more records. Long jumpers Jamey Broman and Katie Severt qualified for nationals as part of the Early Bird meet. Earney said that Concordia will continue to hold a special place in his heart.
· It would be an extreme challenge to mention all noteworthy performances at an Early Bird meet that saw roughly 100 Bulldogs compete in one or more events. Check out full results HERE. In the throws, Coach Ed McLaughlin is retooling with a younger group. Once outdoor season arrives, past national champions Jacob Cornelio and Addie Shaw will be added to the mix as they complete their remaining eligibility. Morgan De Jong led the way for the throws group by qualifying for nationals in the weight throw.
· It will be more than a month yet before the next meet as Concordia breaks for the semester. A return to action will come on Jan. 16 when the Scott Nisely Invite (hosted by Doane) and Dakota Wesleyan Invite are set to unfold. The Bulldogs will gear up to host another meet on Jan. 22 (Concordia Polar Dog Invite). Fans of Concordia Track and Field and NAIA track and field can follow nationally reported marks all season long via the TFRRS website: https://www.tfrrs.org/lists/3156.html.