Bulldog Athletics Association Member (BAAM) Athletes of the Week
Male: Cal Price, Wrestling
A sophomore from La Vista, Neb., Cal Price emerged as a Cinderella story at the GPAC Championships as he won the 149-pound bracket and secured a spot at the national tournament. In doing so, he avenged two losses from earlier this season and defeated the GPAC’s top seed in the championship match. Price is a Business Administration major.
Female: Adysen McCarter, Track & Field
A sophomore from Overton, Neb., Adysen McCarter won the GPAC triple jump title with a new personal best and school record of 39’ 6.” McCarter also scored points at the conference meet as part of the 4x400-meter relay (third) and in the long jump (eighth). She is a Pre-Chiropractic major.
2025-26 BAAM Athletes of the Month
January – Hayden Kluthe (track & field) / Adrianna Rodencal (track & field)
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. 18 – Mary Beth Hart (softball); Jonny Jurchen (track & field)
Feb. 11 – Gabe Lujan (wrestling); Adrianna Rodencal (track & field)
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.
GPAC tournament basketball brackets announced: With GPAC Championships in the books for indoor track & field and wrestling, conference tournament basketball is up next. Links to the brackets can be found below. Concordia is set to host a GPAC quarterfinal doubleheader on Wednesday night. Tipoff times are 6 and 8 p.m. from Friedrich Arena.
--GPAC Men’s Basketball Tournament Bracket
--GPAC Women’s Basketball Tournament Bracket
Weightlifting prepares for Saturday (Feb. 28) home meet: The first action of the spring semester for Concordia Weightlifting is coming up on Saturday. The Bulldogs will host the CUNE Weightlifting Open inside the Fieldhouse at 11 a.m. on Saturday. The program will honor five seniors as part of the event. Back in the fall, Concordia competed at the Nebraska State Weightlifting Championships (Oct. 18) and the Virus Weightlifting Finals (Dec. 4-7). Head Coach Freddie Myles’ powerlifting squad competed at the Nebraska State Powerlifting Meet (Jan. 31-Feb. 1) in kicking off the semester. Both the powerlifting and weightlifting programs are gearing up for national championship events slated for mid-April.
Shooting Sports to resume season by hosting Concordia Sporting Invitational: After breaking for most of the winter, Concordia Shooting Sports will resume the 2025-26 season this weekend (Feb. 27-28) by hosting the 10th annual Concordia Bulldogs Sporting Invitational. Oak Creek Sporting Club in Brainard, Neb., will again serve as the venue for the event. Three seniors will be honored. During the fall semester, Head Coach Dylan Owens’ squad competed in six events. The fall was capped with a runner-up team placement at the Southeast Community College Bobcat Invitational. For more details on Concordia Shooting Sports, click HERE.
Profiling standout Concordia senior student-athletes: Concordia Athletic Communications frequently highlights student-athletes and their unique stories. In recent feature releases, the journeys of seniors Ashley Keck, Taylor Larsen and Mariana Molano have been detailed. Last week, a feature on the men’s tennis seniors was released. Check out those features linked below.
--Ashley Keck
--Taylor Larsen
--Mariana Molano
--Men’s Tennis Seniors
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 Placed 2nd/9 at the 2026 GPAC Championships.
· Links: 2025-26 Schedule | Roster | Statistics | NAIA National Rankings
· Notable: The Bulldogs made a push for a conference championship and wound up in second place at the 2026 GPAC Championships hosted by Northwestern. Head Coach Josh Watts’ squad tallied 146 team points while putting six wrestlers in the conference finals. Cal Price (149) and Hagen Heistand (157) came away with GPAC titles. Four Concordia wrestlers placed second: Paul Ruff (133), Stevie Barnes (141), Barret Brandt (184) and Torrance Keehn (197). Other place finishers were Cole Price (third at 165), Hunter Weimer (third at 174), Gabe Kant (third at 285) and Evan Sepanlou (fifth at 174). Each of the top three place finishers earned NAIA auto bids, with the exception of Barnes, who hopes to receive an at-large selection (those selections are scheduled to be announced today, Feb. 24). In major statistical highlights, Cole Price pushed his team high win count to 30, Heistand now stands at 20-1 overall and Brandt has reached 48 career pins (two shy of the program career record). In year two under Watts, the program has made strides in placing second in the GPAC in both the regular season and postseason while qualifying eight (and possibly nine) wrestlers for the national championships. The qualifying field now sets its sights on the 2026 NAIA Men’s Wrestling National Championship set for March 5-7. It will be held at Heartland Credit Union Arena in Park City, Kan.
· For additional news and notes on the wrestling program, click HERE.
· Up next:
o March 5-7 at 2026 NAIA Wrestling National Championships in Wichita, Kan.
Indoor Track & Field
· Weekends of 2025-26 Meets: 7.
· Last week:
o Placed third for both men and women at the 2026 GPAC Indoor Track & Field Championships.
· Links: 2025-26 Schedule | Roster | TFRRS Performance Lists
· Notable: Both Concordia Track & Field teams produced third-place finishes at the 2026 GPAC Indoor Championships hosted by Dordt. The Bulldogs finished with point totals of 113 on the men’s side and 90 on the women’s side. Major highlights included GPAC meet records for Jonny Jurchen (12:43.38 in the 3,000-meter racewalk) and Adrianna Rodencal (8.42 in the 60 hurdles) and an improvement upon Adysen McCarter’s own school triple jump record (39’ 6”). GPAC titles were won by the aforementioned Jurchen, McCarter and Rodencal and by the men’s 4x800-meter relay (7:52.41) that included Lucas Corwin, Trenton Kumm, Keith Siek and Justin Sherman. The list of Concordia GPAC runners up included Harper Boche (weight throw), Braxton Borer (60 hurdles), Avery Eaves (60 meters; 200 meters), Josiah Edwards (weight throw), Jack Habegger (racewalk), Jax Jacobson (pole vault) and Makenna Starkey (high jump). Throwers such as Boche, Edwards and Nathan Baldwin (personal bests in both events) improved their standing on the national lists. Head Coach Matt Beisel and his staff are in the process of finalizing the roster that the Bulldogs will take to the 2026 NAIA Indoor Track & Field National Championships in Gainesville, Fla. That meet will wrap up the ’26 indoor season and is set for March 5-7.
· For additional news and notes on the track & field programs, click HERE.
· This week:
o March 5-7 – 2026 NAIA Indoor Track & Field National Championships in Gainesville, Fla. | meet info.
Men’s Basketball
· Current record: 17-11, 11-9 GPAC (T-4th in final standings).
· Last week:
o Lost vs. Mount Marty, 83-72, on Feb. 18.
o Won at Hastings, 82-79, on Feb. 21.
· Links: 2025-26 Schedule | Roster | Statistics | NAIA Coaches’ Poll
· Notable: The final week of the regular season saw the Bulldogs do just enough to earn at least one more home game. Concordia fell on senior night, 83-72, at the hands of Mount Marty, the league’s third-place finisher. Three days later, the Bulldogs wrapped up the regular season by escaping Hastings with an 82-79 victory after Brooks Kissinger scored the game-winner just before the buzzer. Head Coach Ben Limback’s squad tied for fourth place in the final GPAC standings and won the tiebreaker for the No. 4 seed for the conference tournament. In the loss to the Lancers, Concordia got a team-high 15 points from Dane Jacobsen. Mount Marty shot 51.7 percent from the floor. In the win at Hastings, the Bulldogs got a game-high 24 points from Jacobsen. Kissinger finished with 18 points, five rebounds and four assists, and Zac Kulus added 15 points and eight rebounds. Concordia shot 56.9 percent from the floor and had 24 assists on 29 made field goals. At the close of the regular season, Kissinger is averaging 21.9 points per game and has run his career point total to 954. Based on the current ARC and RPI ratings, the Bulldogs may need to win the GPAC tournament in order to qualify for the national tournament. The postseason begins on Wednesday as Concordia will host Dordt in the GPAC quarterfinals. The winner will advance to play in the semifinals on Saturday.
· For additional news and notes on the men’s basketball program, click HERE.
· This week:
o GPAC Quarterfinals – Wednesday, Feb. 25 vs. Dordt (16-12, 11-9 GPAC), 8 p.m.
o GPAC Semifinals – Saturday, Feb. 28 vs. Morningside/Hastings (if win on Wednesday).
Women’s Basketball
· Current record: 22-6, 17-5 GPAC (T-3rd in final standings); ranked No. 11 in NAIA coaches’ poll.
· Last week:
o Won vs. Mount Marty, 75-56, on Feb. 18.
o Lost at Hastings, 81-71, on Feb. 21.
· Links: 2025-26 Schedule | Roster | Statistics | NAIA Coaches’ Poll
· Notable: The regular season wrapped up last week as the Bulldogs earned a senior day win over Mount Marty, 75-56, and then fell at Hastings, 81-71. The results meant Concordia tied for third in the final GPAC standings. Based on the tiebreakers, the Bulldogs will be the No. 4 seed in the GPAC tournament. In the win over the Lancers, Concordia was led in scoring by JJ Jones (15) and Ayla Roth (12). As a senior on senior day, Kristin Vieselmeyer posted nine points, seven rebounds and two blocked shots. In the defeat at Hastings, Roth put together a fine game as she notched 18 points, five rebounds, four assists and four steals. Jones and Raelyn Kelty chipped in with 11 points apiece. The Bulldogs fell behind by 17 points in the fourth quarter and eventually got within eight. Through 28 regular season games, Concordia’s balance is reflected in its scoring totals. Six players average more than 7.5 points per game: Vieselmeyer (11.2), Roth (10.7), Bree Bunting (9.5), Sammy Leu (8.7), Kelty (8.0) and Jones (7.6). A national tournament lock, Head Coach Drew Olson’s squad will host Briar Cliff on Wednesday in the GPAC quarterfinals. The winner will advance to play in the semifinals on Saturday.
· For additional news and notes on the women’s basketball program, click HERE.
· This week:
o GPAC Quarterfinals – Wednesday, Feb. 25 vs. Briar Cliff (19-9, 13-9 GPAC), 6 p.m.
o GPAC Semifinals – Saturday, Feb. 28 vs. Dordt/Mount Marty (if win on Wednesday).
Cheer / Dance
· Cheer Season Scoring Average: 67.27
· Dance Season Scoring Average: 87.57
· Last week:
o Cheer:
§ Placed 3rd/5 (77.28) at the Midland Invite on Feb. 21.
o Dance:
§ Placed 2nd/7 (87.79) at the Midland Invite on Feb. 21.
· Cheer Links: 2026 Schedule | Roster
· Dance Links: 2026 Schedule | Roster
· Notable: In the final outing prior to the GPAC Championships, Concordia earned Midland Invite place finishes of second (out of seven) in dance and third (out of five) in cheer. Dance achieved a score in line with its season average, posting an 87.79 at the Midland Invite. Meanwhile, Bulldog Cheer produced a season best of 77.28. Concordia Dance placed behind only Midland while defeating other conference rivals such as Briar Cliff (fourth), College of Saint Mary (fifth) and Hastings (seventh). Cheer placed above Hastings and York University. Prior to the Midland Invite, Head Coach Mandi Maser’s dance team ranked 12th nationally in terms of average scoring. Dance has placed third or higher at six of seven invites this season. Both teams will have this week off from competition while preparing for the GPAC Championships slated for March 6 for cheer and March 7 for dance. The Bulldogs placed fourth in the GPAC for cheer/dance in 2025.
· For additional news and notes on cheer and dance programs, click the following links: Cheer | Dance.
· Up next:
o 2026 GPAC Championships: March 6 for cheer and March 7 for dance (hosted by Northwestern).
Baseball
· Current record: 7-3; ranked No. 16 in the NAIA coaches’ poll.
· Last week:
o Won vs. Clarke, 9-8 (11 inn.), on Feb. 19 (Fayette, Mo.).
o Lost at No. 25 Central Methodist, 1-0, on Feb. 19 (Fayette, Mo.).
· Links: 2026 Schedule | Roster | Statistics | NAIA Coaches’ Polls
· Notable: Inclement weather forced the Show Me Showdown to be cut down to one day (Feb. 19) of action. As part of the event, the 16th-ranked Bulldogs split a pair of one-run games. They outlasted Clarke University (Iowa), 9-8, in 11 innings and then fell to host and 25th-ranked Central Methodist University (Mo.) in a 1-0 pitcher’s duel. In the victory over familiar foe Clarke, Concordia tied the game, 6-6, in the top of the ninth with Jack Hirchert’s two-out solo homer. Then in the 11th, the Bulldogs went ahead when Jimmy Blumberg stroked a two-out, two-run double and Jake Watson followed with an RBI single. Alex Draper enjoyed a particularly productive game as he went 3-for-4 with two doubles, a home run and two RBIs. In relief, Caden Bugarske picked up the win. In the nightcap, the Bulldogs were unable to crack the CMU pitching staff, and one unearned run made the difference. Concordia fell despite a terrific outing from ace pitcher Alex Johnson, who tossed five innings (one unearned run) and allowed just one hit and one walk to go with six strikeouts. Head Coach Ryan Dupic’s squad hopes to play four times versus Graceland University (Iowa) during a Friday-Saturday series in Fort Scott, Kan.
· For additional news and notes on the baseball program, click HERE.
· This week (location: Fort Scott, Kan.):
o Friday, Feb. 27 vs. Graceland (Iowa), 1 p.m. DH.
o Saturday, Feb. 28 vs. Graceland (Iowa), 1 p.m. DH.
Softball
· Current record: 5-5.
· Most recent:
o Won vs. Saint Mary (Kan.), 4-3, on Feb. 14 (in Lincoln, Neb.).
o Won vs. Saint Mary (Kan.), 8-7, on Feb. 14 (in Lincoln, Neb.).
o Lost at Benedictine, 4-0, on Feb. 15.
o Lost at Benedictine, 7-3, on Feb. 15.
· Links: 2026 Schedule | Roster | Statistics | NAIA Coaches’ Polls
· Notable: The lone doubleheader scheduled for last week was wiped out due to cold temperatures around the Midwest. Most recently, Head Coach Brock Culler’s squad went 2-2 while earning a doubleheader sweep of University of Saint Mary (Kan.) in Lincoln on Feb. 14 before falling twice at Benedictine College (Kan.) the next day. In action against USM, the Bulldogs showed they could find ways to win tight games. In game one, Concordia walked it off when Tobbi Topp’s sacrifice fly chased home Mary Beth Hart. Game two was more about hanging on after the Spires got within a run (8-7) with a four-run sixth. Taryn Ganstrom helped put out the fire and earned the save. On Feb. 15, the Ravens got two strong pitching performances while taking two from the Bulldogs. Out of the leadoff spot, Hart keeps stinging the ball. She went 6-for-13 (.462) with two doubles and three RBIs versus USM/Benedictine. In the circle, Kaylei Denison logged 13 innings in her two most recent starts and limited the opponents to seven runs (six earned) on 14 hits and four walks. If all goes as planned, the Bulldogs will play six games this week in the state of Kansas. As of Tuesday (Feb. 24) afternoon, Concordia had begun a doubleheader at Kansas Wesleyan University.
· For additional news and notes on the softball program, click HERE.
· This week (the Feb. 28/March 1 games will take place in Shawnee, Kan.):
o Tuesday, Feb. 24 at Kansas Wesleyan, 1 p.m. DH.
o Saturday, Feb. 28 vs. Mount Mercy (Iowa), 10 a.m.
o Saturday Feb. 28 vs. Clarke (Iowa), 12:15 p.m.
o Sunday, March 1 vs. Benedictine (Kan.), 10 a.m.
o Sunday, March 1 vs. Park (Mo.), 12:15 p.m.
Tennis
· Current records: men – 7-0 | women – 7-1.
· Last week:
o W – Won vs. Ottawa, 6-1, on Feb. 21.
o W – Won vs. Saint Mary (Kan.), 4-1, on Feb. 22.
o W – Won vs. Baker, 4-1, on Feb. 22.
o M – Won vs. Ottawa, 6-1, on Feb. 21.
o M – Won vs. Saint Mary (Kan.), 4-1, on Feb. 22.
o M – Won vs. Baker, 4-1, on Feb. 22.
· Men’s Links: 2025-26 Schedule | Roster | Statistics
· Women’s Links: 2025-26 Schedule | Roster | Statistics
· Notable: Head Coach Lisa Hart’s squads have gone a combined 14-1 to begin the 2025-26 dual season. As part of last week’s action, both teams won by identical scores while earning nonconference wins over the likes of Ottawa University (Kan.), University of Saint Mary (Kan.) and Baker University (Kan.). In a major career achievement, Mariana Molano broke the program all-time singles wins record while moving her total to 44. Through eight matches, the women’s team has posted a combined record of 33-11 in singles and 12-11 in doubles. Molano sits at 6-2 on the season. On the men’s side, the Bulldogs have gone a combined 33-5 in singles and 14-6 in doubles while remaining undefeated. Nick Velders (6-0), Santiago Abadia (5-0) and Leo Lopez (5-0) each sport spotless singles records so far this season. Nonconference action will continue this weekend as the Concordia men and women play McPherson College (Kan.) on Friday and Bethel College (Kan.) on Saturday.
· For additional news and notes on the tennis programs, click the following links: Men | Women.
· This week:
o M/W – Friday, Feb. 27 vs. McPherson (Kan.), 11 a.m. (Fremont YMCA).
o M/W – Saturday, Feb. 28 at Bethel (Kan.), 2 p.m.