Bulldog Athletics Association Member (BAAM) Athletes of the Week
Male: Gabe Lujan, Wrestling
A sophomore from Santa Fe, N.M., Gabe Lujan went 3-0 at GPAC Day of Duals No. 2 while leading 16th-ranked Concordia to team wins over Northwestern, Morningside and Dakota Wesleyan. Lujan’s victories at the event came by decision, technical fall and pin. He is studying Computer Science.
Female: Adrianna Rodencal, Track & Field
A senior from Lincoln, Neb., Adrianna Rodencal outdid herself at last week’s Sevigne Husker Invite as she ran 8.26 in the 60-meter hurdles (fourth fastest in NAIA history), shattering own school record and winning the event. She also ran a PR in the 200 meters (24.96). She is a Biochemistry major.
2025-26 BAAM Athletes of the Month
December – Brooks Kissinger (basketball) / Adysen McCarter (track & field)
November – Ava Greene (volleyball) / Brooks Kissinger (basketball)
October – Kierstynn Garner (soccer) / Adam Van Cleave (football)
September – Carson Fehlhafer (football) / Katie Welker (shooting sports)
2025-26 BAAM Athletes of the Week
Feb. 4 – JJ Jones (basketball); Hayden Kluthe (track & field)
Jan. 27 – Zac Kulus (basketball); Adrianna Rodencal (track & field)
Jan. 20 – Hayden Kluthe (track & field); Adrianna Rodencal (track & field)
Jan. 13 – Cole Price (wrestling); Ayla Roth (women’s basketball)
Dec. 16 – Jonny Jurchen (track & field); Adysen McCarter (track & field)
Dec. 9 – Ashley Keck (volleyball); Brooks Kissinger (basketball)
Dec. 2 – Brooks Kissinger (basketball); Kristin Vieselmeyer (basketball)
Nov. 18 – Oliver Benson (soccer); Braxtyn Koch (football); Kristin Vieselmeyer (basketball)
Nov. 11 – Ava Greene (volleyball); Brooks Kissinger (basketball)
Nov. 4 – Kierstynn Garner (soccer); Hugo Garrote (soccer)
Oct. 28 – Keeli Green (cross country); Vaughn Hendrickson (cross country)
Oct. 21 – Addie Kirkegaard (volleyball) / Taylor Slaymaker (soccer); Adam Van Cleave (football)
Oct. 14 – Oliver Benson (soccer); Kierstynn Garner (soccer)
Oct. 7 – Carlos Collazo (football); Katie Welker (shooting sports)
Sept. 30 – Hugo Fuentes & Nick Velders (tennis) / Peyton Atwood (football); Sadie Mares (soccer)
Sept. 23 – Oliver Balazs (soccer); Katie Welker (shooting sports)
Sept. 16 – Carson Fehlhafer (football); Ella Waters (volleyball)
Sept. 9 – Sam Blevins (shooting sports); Molli Martin (volleyball)
Sept. 2 – Emery Custer (golf); Slade Leicht (soccer)
Aug. 26 – Kierstynn Garner (soccer); Ashley Keck (volleyball); Sean Stratman (soccer)
News and notes:
BAAM luncheons are held every Tuesday (when classes are in session) at 12 p.m. CT inside the Dog House Grill, located in the Janzow Campus Center. The luncheons feature reports from head coaches who are in season at the time. For information on how to join BAAM, click HERE. It is not a requirement to be a BAAM member in order to attend the weekly luncheons.
Chronicling the career of All-American Ashley Keck: Kearney native Ashley Keck put together a career that ranks her among the all-time greats in Concordia Volleyball history. She became the first player in program history to earn back-to-back NAIA First Team All-America awards. Said Keck, “I feel like everyone says this, but I’ll forever cherish the relationships that we build. We joke that Ben and Angie recruit our best friends for a lifetime.” For a profile on Keck and a detailed look at her collegiate career, click HERE.
Two-time All-American Larsen grateful for Concordia Experience: If Concordia University, Nebraska Competitive Dance realizes its dream of qualifying for the NAIA National Championships, it will be because of people like Taylor Larsen. A marketing and business student, Larsen has helped put the program on the map in terms of national relevancy. Said the Ravenna, Neb., native of her time at Concordia, “I would say each year gets better and better. Our team dynamic is something I really don’t think I would find anywhere else. It’s been really amazing.” For a profile of Larsen, click HERE.
Powerlifting resumes action with Nebraska State Powerlifting Meet: Five Bulldogs represented Concordia Powerlifting at 2026 USA Powerlifting Nebraska State Championship held in Lincoln, Neb., Jan. 31-Feb. 1. Most notably, junior Will Peterson won the junior division title at 140 kilograms. Meanwhile, Pryce Ostermeier and Hunter Powers placed second and third, respectively, in the 82.5 kg weight class. The outing represented the first of the second semester for either powerlifting or weightlifting. As for weightlifting, the program will host the CUNE Weightlifting Open on Feb. 28. Both squads will compete at national championship events in mid-April with the locations being Kenner, La., for powerlifting and Salt Lake City, Utah, for weightlifting.
Bulldog Coaches Show airs every Thursday at 5:30 p.m. CT: The Bulldog Coaches Show has returned for an 11th year. 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 2025-26 season, Bulldog football, men’s and women’s basketball and volleyball contests will be aired live on Max Country. Parker Cyza serves as the host of the coaches’ show as well as the play-by-play voice for football, basketball and volleyball. In addition, Eric Allgood will call select volleyball matches in place of Cyza.
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 with the 2023-24 academic year, Concordia Athletics began a partnership with Hudl for live video streaming. Live webcast links for away contests are publicized in sport specific releases that preview action for that particular week. Scrimmages, exhibitions and junior varsity events are not broadcasted via the Hudl account. For select JV streams, check out that specific sport’s Facebook page.
Wrestling
· Current dual record: 8-1, 7-1 GPAC; No. 16 in NAIA ratings.
· Last week:
o Won vs. Northwestern, 42-5, on Feb. 7.
o Won vs. Morningside, 35-6, on Feb. 7.
o Won vs. Dakota Wesleyan, 32-16, on Feb. 7.
· Links: 2025-26 Schedule | Roster | Statistics | NAIA National Rankings
· Notable: It was a dominant day for the Bulldogs at GPAC Day of Duals No. 2 as they came away with three victories by a combined score of 109-27. The event marked the final day of the regular season for Concordia, which went 7-1 in GPAC duals, landing it in second place in the conference standings. At the duals event hosted by Doane, the Bulldogs won 24 of 30 individual matches while up against Northwestern, Morningside and Dakota Wesleyan. Four Bulldogs went 3-0 for the day: Gabe Lujan (125), Paul Ruff (133), Hagen Heistand (157) and Barret Brandt (184). With two more pins, Brandt moved his career total to 46 (four shy of the all-time school record) while Heistand owns a near spotless 15-1 record on the season. In addition, Cannon Carey (165), Torrance Keehn (197) and Gabe Kant (285) all went 2-0 at the GPAC Day of Duals. Carey upset DWU’s 20th-ranked Jackson Remmers, 4-2, in one of the day’s highlights. Head Coach Josh Watts’ squad will have this week off from competition while gearing up for the 2026 GPAC Wrestling Championships at Northwestern on Feb. 20-21.
· For additional news and notes on the wrestling program, click HERE.
· Up next:
o Feb. 20-21 at 2026 GPAC Wrestling Championships (hosted by Northwestern).
Women’s Basketball
· Current record: 19-5, 14-4 GPAC; ranked No. 10 in NAIA coaches’ poll.
· Last week:
o Won at Doane, 84-59, on Feb. 4.
o Won vs. Morningside, 84-62, on Feb. 7.
· Links: 2025-26 Schedule | Roster | Statistics | NAIA Coaches’ Poll
· Notable: Two comfortable conference wins were earned last week as the 10th-ranked Bulldogs defeated Doane, 84-59, on the road and Morningside, 84-62, at home. The results moved Head Coach Drew Olson’s squad to 14-4 in conference play as it hones in on a top four seed for the upcoming GPAC tournament. It was a particularly strong week for junior guard Bree Bunting, who poured in a career-high 19 points at Doane and then swiped seven steals versus Morningside. Raelyn Kelty equaled Bunting with 19 points at Doane while Ayla Roth posted 14 points, six rebounds, four assists and three steals in that same contest. The team’s double-figure scorers versus Morningside were Sammy Leu (18), Bunting (14), Roth (13) and Kristin Vieselmeyer (11). Concordia racked up an incredible 26 steals in the rout of the Mustangs. Seven came from Bunting and five apiece were notched by Leu and Roth. For the week, the Bulldogs’ opponents shot just 37.0 percent from the field and committed 52 turnovers. This week’s slate will have Concordia headed to College of Saint Mary on Wednesday and then to No. 19 Briar Cliff on Saturday. Only four games remain in the regular season.
· For additional news and notes on the women’s basketball program, click HERE.
· This week:
o Wednesday, Feb. 11 at College of Saint Mary (3-21, 2-16 GPAC), 6 p.m.
o Saturday, Feb. 14 at No. 19 Briar Cliff (18-7, 12-7 GPAC), 2 p.m.
Men’s Basketball
· Current record: 16-9, 10-7 GPAC.
· Last week:
o Won at Doane, 85-69, on Feb. 4.
o Lost vs. Morningside, 123-115 (2 OT), on Feb. 7.
· Links: 2025-26 Schedule | Roster | Statistics | NAIA Coaches’ Poll
· Notable: The Bulldogs came away feeling like it should have been a two-win week. Head Coach Ben Limback’s squad cruised to an 85-69 win at Doane in the middle of the week before enduring a heartbreaking double overtime defeat, 123-115, at the hands of Morningside this past Saturday. Concordia dictated the terms of the game at Doane and placed all five starters into double figures: Brooks Kissinger (28), Zac Kulus (12), Tate Odvody (12), Jaxon Stueve (12) and Dane Jacobsen (10). The Bulldogs shot 52.7 percent from the floor in the process of defeating the Tigers for the ninth straight time. Three days later, Concordia fell despite a triple-double from Kissinger (33 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists) and 20-for-41 (.488) 3-point shooting as a team. Jacobsen added 25 points on the strength of 7-for-13 shooting from the beyond the arc and Odvody contributed 17 points off the bench. The Bulldogs let a seven-point lead near the end of the first overtime slip away. At 10-7 in league play, Concordia is tied for third place. The Bulldogs will have Wednesday off before heading to Briar Cliff on Saturday.
· For additional news and notes on the men’s basketball program, click HERE.
· This week:
o Wednesday, Feb. 11 – Bye.
o Saturday, Feb. 14 at Briar Cliff (12-12, 9-8 GPAC), 3:45 p.m.
Cheer / Dance
· Cheer Season Scoring Average: 64.20
· Dance Season Scoring Average: 87.45
· Last week:
o Cheer:
§ Placed 8th/12 (67.85) at the York Crown Classic on Feb. 6.
§ Placed 3rd/8 (77.0) at the Concordia Invite on Feb. 7.
o Dance:
§ Placed 1st/14 (87.33) at the York Crown Classic on Feb. 6.
§ Placed 1st/8 (93.33) at the Concordia Invite on Feb. 7.
· Cheer Links: 2026 Schedule | Roster
· Dance Links: 2026 Schedule | Roster
· Notable: Concordia Dance celebrated two championship winning performances this past weekend. Over a thrilling two days, the Bulldogs placed first at both the York University Crown Classic and the Concordia Invite while posting respective scores of 87.33 and 93.33. The latter score shattered the school record and allowed the Bulldogs to knock off defending national champion Midland in front of the home crowd inside Friedrich Arena. Head Coach Mandi Maser’s squad has notched scores of 83.66 or better at each of its five competitions this 2026 season. Meanwhile, Concordia Cheer continues to show improvement each time out. Head Coach Emilie Ashenbach’s squad placed eighth at the York Classic (67.85) and then rose to third place at the Concordia Invite with a season best score of 77.0. A young cheer team that has featured five freshmen on the mat has raised its score in each successive outing. Next up, the Bulldogs will be headed to Orange City, Iowa, for the Northwestern Cheer & Dance Invitational this Friday and Saturday.
· For additional news and notes on cheer and dance programs, click the following links: Cheer | Dance.
· This week:
o Friday-Saturday, Feb. 13-14 at Northwestern Invitational (3 p.m. on Friday / 9 a.m. on Saturday).
Indoor Track & Field
· Weekends of 2025-26 Meets: 5.
· Last week:
o Competed at the Frank Sevigne Husker Invitational (Feb. 6-7) and Fred Beile Classic (Feb. 7).
· Links: 2025-26 Schedule | Roster | TFRRS Performance Lists
· Notable: The fifth weekend of indoor competition unfolded this past weekend with the Bulldogs represented at the Frank Sevigne Husker Invitational in Lincoln and the Fred Beile Classic at Doane. Accomplished senior Adrianna Rodencal stole the show by clocking in with a 60-meter hurdles time of 8.26 while winning the Husker Invite. That time improved upon her school record and easily ranks No. 1 in the NAIA. Rodencal also ran a new personal best of 24.96 in the 200 meters (second fastest in school history). Another Bulldog who broke her own program record, sophomore Adysen McCarter landed at 39’ 3” in the Husker Invite triple jump competition (second place). Another notable effort, Avery Eaves ran 22.05 in the 200 meters, placing himself third on the school’s all-time list. At the Beile Classic, Concordia’s event winners included Marissa Heins in the unseeded shot put and weight throw competitions, Trey Robertson in the 5,000 meters, Justin Sherman in the mile, Makenna Starkey in the high jump and Alison Stepanek in the 5,000 meters. Next up, Head Coach Matt Beisel and company will host home meet No. 4 of the indoor season. The Concordia Invitational will take place Saturday inside the Walz Fieldhouse.
· For additional news and notes on the track & field programs, click HERE.
· This week:
o Saturday, Feb. 14 – Concordia Indoor Invitational | meet schedule.
Tennis
· Current records: men – 1-0 | women – 3-1.
· Last week:
o W – Won vs. Sterling, 6-1, on Feb. 7.
o M – Won vs. Sterling, 6-1, on Feb. 7.
· Men’s Links: 2025-26 Schedule | Roster | Statistics
· Women’s Links: 2025-26 Schedule | Roster | Statistics
· Notable: Spring seasons are now underway for Head Coach Lisa Hart’s tennis squads, which carry lofty expectations into 2026. In last week’s action, both teams earned a nonconference win over Sterling College (Kan.) by identical 6-1 scores. On the women’s side, the Bulldogs won all but the No. 1 singles match. Contested wins came from No. 2 Chakira Derman, No. 3 Alana Lopez Pagan and No. 4 Ishane Derman. In doubles, the contested victories were delivered by Mariana Molano and Lopez Pagan at No. 1 and Chakira Derman and Alexa Richert at No. 2. The men’s results were similar with the Warriors triumphing at No. 1 singles only. Contested singles winners for the Bulldogs were No. 2 Nick Velders, No. 3 Daniel Caballeros, No. 4 Ben Chisholm and No. 5 Michael Bedrosian. The victorious doubles combos were Hugo Fuentes and Caballeros at No. 1 and Chisholm and Velders at No. 2. Both teams have aspirations of reaching the national tournament in May. The women began this season receiving votes in the NAIA coaches’ poll after winning the GPAC tournament last season. This week’s slate includes a men’s and women’s doubleheader on Thursday and a men’s neutral site matchup with Bethany College (Kan.) on Saturday.
· For additional news and notes on the tennis programs, click the following links: Men | Women.
· This week:
o M/W – Thursday, Feb. 12 vs. Pratt CC, 10 a.m. / 2 p.m.
o M – Saturday, Feb. 14 vs. Bethany (Kan.), 12 p.m. (at Fremont YMCA).
o M – Monday, Feb. 16 vs. Nebraska Wesleyan, 4:30 p.m.
Baseball
· Current record: 3-1; ranked No. 16 in the NAIA coaches’ poll.
· Last week:
o Won at Oklahoma City, 8-6, on Feb. 7.
o Won vs. No. 22 Bellevue, 5-2, on Feb. 7.
o Lost vs. No. 22 Bellevue, 5-2, on Feb. 8.
o Won at Oklahoma City, 6-3, on Feb. 8.
· Links: 2026 Schedule | Roster | Statistics | NAIA Coaches’ Polls
· Notable: Plate discipline and pitching depth were keys to a 3-1 weekend on the home field of Oklahoma City University. The 16th-ranked Bulldogs went 2-0 versus OCU and 1-1 against No. 22 Bellevue University. Eleven players made their Concordia debuts as part of a revamped roster. Four Bulldogs delivered one home run apiece in OKC: Carson Burnett, Andrew Fetty, Jack Hirchert and Bronx Lewis (the first three are all newcomers). Lewis led the offensive attack with six RBIs, three of which came on a bases-clearing double in the weekend finale. Returning First Team All-GPAC honoree Jaeden Jordahl made the switch to second base. The top starting pitching performance came from transfer Sam Bespoyasny, who logged six innings with two runs allowed on five hits and three walks (five strikeouts) in the Saturday win over the Bruins. Concordia held an advantage in a key category as it drew 23 walks while issuing only 11 free passes over the four games. Up next, Head Coach Ryan Dupic’s squad will be headed to Joplin, Mo., this weekend for doubleheaders against both Mission University (Mo.) and Clarke University (Iowa).
· For additional news and notes on the baseball program, click HERE.
· This week (changes to this weekend’s schedule will be announced on Feb. 10):
o Saturday, Feb. 14 vs. Mission (Mo.), 12 p.m. DH.
o Sunday, Feb. 15 vs. Clarke (Iowa), 12 p.m. DH.
Softball
· Current record: 3-3.
· Last week (all games played in Mesquite, Texas):
o Won vs. Nelson (Texas), 8-0 (5 inn.), on Feb. 5.
o Won vs. Mid-America Christian (Okla.), 13-2 (6 inn.), on Feb. 5.
o Lost vs. Oklahoma Wesleyan, 7-6, on Feb. 6.
o Won vs. Bethel (Kan.), 8-4, on Feb. 6.
o Lost vs. No. 2 Oklahoma City, 9-0 (5 inn.), on Feb. 7.
o Lost vs. British Columbia, 5-1, on Feb. 7.
· Links: 2026 Schedule | Roster | Statistics | NAIA Coaches’ Polls
· Notable: For the first time since 2017, Concordia Softball made an appearance in the state of Texas. The Bulldogs went 3-3 during their stay at the Southern Collegiate Sports NAIA Softball Invitational this past Thursday through Saturday. The wins came against the likes of Nelson University (Texas), Mid-America Christian University (Okla.) and Bethel College (Kan.). The six games saw Concordia hit .309 with 36 runs scored as a team. Meanwhile, opponents batted .307 with 27 runs scored. Some of the standouts of the trip included the likes of Mary Beth Hart (9-for-21) and Aubriana Krieser (two home runs). Head Coach Brock Culler immediately placed Hart atop the lineup as a freshman. Additionally, Keira Farritor went 7-for-17 with a home run and three RBIs in Texas. In the circle, junior Kaylei Denison started four of the six games and logged 17 innings and went 1-2 with a 4.12 ERA. The three other pitchers who saw action are all freshmen: Kierstynn Linn, Lilly Elsasser and Briley Morgan. Before beginning the season, the Bulldogs were pegged to finish fifth in the GPAC by league coaches. This weekend, Concordia will be headed down to Kansas for a doubleheader at both University of Saint Mary and Benedictine College.
· For additional news and notes on the softball program, click HERE.
· This week:
o Saturday, Feb. 14 at Saint Mary (Kan.), 1 p.m. DH.
o Sunday, Feb. 15 at Benedictine (Kan.), 12 p.m. DH.