Bulldog Weekly Report (Feb. 5)

By Jacob Knabel on Feb. 5, 2019 in Athletic Announcements

Bulldog Athletic Association Athletes of the Week

Male: Cam Devers, Wrestling

Devers, a native of Holly Springs, N.C., contributed to last week’s 28-10 dual victory over Northwestern with a win by sudden victory at 149 pounds. Devers’ triumph came over 19th-ranked Dante Preciado, a 2017 NAIA All-American. Concordia is now 7-0 in GPAC duals.

Female: Taylor Cockerill, Basketball

Cockerill, who hails from Waverly, Neb., tallied a combined 45 points in last week’s action versus No. 14 Dordt and No. 2 Northwestern. The sophomore guard’s 28 points at Northwestern marked the second highest single-game total of her career. She also added 10 steals and nine rebounds on the week.

Previous Athletes of the Week
Jan. 29 – Mario Ybarra (wrestling) / Taylor Grove (track & field)
Jan. 22 – Michael Stann (wrestling) / Addie Shaw (track & field)
Jan. 15 – Brevin Sloup (basketball) / Leah Larson (track & field)
Jan. 8 – Zack Moistner (wrestling) / Mackenzie Koepke (basketball)
DECEMBER Athletes of the Month: Tanner Shuck (basketball) / Philly Lammers (basketball)
Dec. 31 – Brevin Sloup (basketball) / Philly Lammers (basketball)
Dec. 18 – Taylor Cockerill (basketball) / Michael Stann (wrestling)
Dec. 11 – Deandre Chery (wrestling) / Philly Lammers (basketball)
Dec. 4 – Tanner Shuck (basketball) / Taylor Grove (track & field)
NOVEMBER Athletes of the Month: Alberto Garcia (wrestling) / Quinn Wragge (basketball)
Nov. 27 – Alberto Garcia (wrestling) / Taylor Grove (cross country) / Quinn Wragge (basketball)
Nov. 13 – Zac Walter (football) / Grace Barry (basketball)
Nov. 6 – Jack Bennett (soccer) / Tori Cera (soccer)
OCTOBER Athletes of the Month: Carlos Ferrer (soccer) / Maria Deeter (soccer)
Oct. 30 – Carlos Ferrer (soccer) / Taylor Cockerill (basketball)
Oct. 23 – Josiah McAllister (cross country) / Jenna Habegger (volleyball)
Oct. 16 – Carlos Ferrer (soccer) / Maria Deeter (soccer)
Oct. 9 – Kordell Glause (football) / Brynn Suddeth (soccer)
Oct. 2 – Zac Walter (football) / Maria Deeter (soccer)
SEPTEMBER Athletes of the Month: Ryan Durdon (football) / Emmie Noyd (volleyball)
Sept. 25 – Roger de la Villa (soccer) / Erin Lokke (shooting sports)
Sept. 18 – Lane Napier (football) / Emmie Noyd (volleyball)
Sept. 11 – Ryan Durdon (football) / Marissa Hoerman (volleyball)
Sept. 4 – JP Verissimo (soccer) / Lauren Martin (soccer)
Aug. 28 – Garrett Perry (soccer) / Jenna Habegger (volleyball)

News and notes:

Cheer and dance teams host own invite: The largest cheer and dance competition ever hosted by Concordia University took place inside Walz Arena on Feb. 2. The Concordia Cheer & Dance Invite featured a field of seven dance and six cheer teams exclusively from the GPAC. Head coach Mandi Maser’s squads placed sixth in both competitions. To date, the Bulldogs have competed in three invites and also hosted a dual versus Doane. As part of last week’s event, Concordia honored six seniors: Elizabeth Frakes, Kennedy Garner, Taeva Hoppe, Neleigh Lehr, Sarah Rogge and Chelsea Willard. Both teams are also set to be in action twice this week. They will be at Morningside in conjunction with the basketball games on Wednesday night. They will also head to Hastings, Neb., on Saturday for the GPAC Cheer & Dance Championships.

Shooting sports returns to action at ACUI Western Super Shoot: The Concordia shooting sports team journeyed out of the chilly Midwest late last month to compete at the CUI Collegiate Clay Targets Western Super Shoot (Jan. 24-27) held at Tucson Trap and Skeet Club in Tucson, Ariz. Head coach Scott Moniot’s squad emerged with a new school record in American Trap while raking in a bevy of honors on the women’s side. The event featured competitors from institutions such as the University of Arizona, Arizona State University, Connors State College, Emmanuel College and Fresno State. As a team, the Bulldogs placed first in the International Conference Championship standings (includes International Skeet and International Trap) and first in International Skeet (out of five competing schools in both categories. For a detailed recap of the event, click HERE. Concordia is scheduled to compete at the Midland Ice Out on March 9-10. If that event does not take place, the Bulldogs will next be in action at the ACUI National Championships.

Tennis begins spring action this weekend: The 2018-19 tennis seasons are set to resume this week for squads coached by graduate assistants Nikita Kostikov and Javier Moreno. Both the men’s and women’s teams will be in Des Moines, Iowa, on Friday to take on Grand View University in matches slated to begin at 11 a.m. CST. The men will also be in action the following day when they will take on NCAA Division III Central College in Pella, Iowa, at 5 p.m. The women are 1-0 this season having defeated Central, 5-4, back on Sept. 8.

Larson sets example, standard of excellence: Flourishing in her senior season, Leah Larson of Norfolk, Neb., has twice broken the school indoor women’s triple jump record over the past few weeks. With a calm and easy going personality, Larson has set a positive example for the nation’s No. 1 ranked triple jump group. Said assistant coach Wayne Earney, “It’s a great quality to have in an athlete. Because the highs aren’t too high and the lows aren’t too low. She’s very even keeled. I’m that way too. It’s nice to have an upperclassman who is that calming presence because we have a really talented group of young women that are going to challenge her record in the future.” For more on Larson, click HERE.

Bulldog Coaches Show airs every Thursday at 5:30 p.m. CT: The Bulldog Coaches Show is underway in its fourth 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 2018-19 season, Bulldog football, men’s and women’s basketball and volleyball contests will be aired live on Max Country. Tyler Cavalli 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 fourth season calling Concordia volleyball.

Concordia Sports Network: Live webcasts for most home varsity contests can be accessed by visiting http://www.cune.edu/csn at game time. Check team schedules/results pages for webcast dates. Scrimmages, exhibitions and junior varsity events are not broadcasted.

Wrestling

  • The Bulldogs enter the week knowing they can do no worse than share the GPAC dual championship. They locked up at least a piece of the title last week by taking care of Northwestern, 28-10, in Orange City, Iowa, on Jan. 31. Concordia stayed unbeaten in conference action by winning seven of 10 matches over the Red Raiders. A group of 10 Bulldogs also competed on Feb. 2 at the Dave Edmonds Sioux City Open hosted by Morningside. First-year head coach Levi Calhoun’s squad owns dual records of 9-3 overall and 7-0 in the conference. For more information on Concordia wrestling, click HERE.
  • The Bulldogs have returned to the top of the league standings after slipping to fifth last season. It was a brief hiccup following conference championship seasons in 2014-15, 2015-16 and 2016-17. In each of those campaigns, Concordia went 7-0 in GPAC duals and went on to win the GPAC Championships/NAIA North Qualifier postseason tournament. The program is in the midst of a five-year period during which it has gone a combined 33-3 in GPAC duals. The lone losses were suffered last season against Briar Cliff, Midland and Morningside.
  • Last season Doane’s Zach Linton earned the GPAC Wrestler of the Year award, which broke a string of four-straight seasons that a Bulldog had taken home the honor. The previous GPAC Wrestlers of the Year were Emilio Rivera (2013-14), Enrique Barajas (2014-15), Junior Lule (2015-16) and Ceron Francisco (2016-17). Concordia has two potential candidates for that honor this season in Deandre Chery (31-8 record; 15 pins) and Michael Stann (34-11 record; 16 pins).
  • The Bulldogs have dominated their GPAC opponents this season. To be sure, there is a clear line separating the top five from the bottom four squads in the conference. In its seven conference duals this winter, Concordia has won 55 of 70 individual matches and has outscored its opponents by a combined total of 258-56. Only one of those duals was decided by single digits – a 21-17 win at Midland, which is coached by Dana Vote. Many of the other GPAC clashes have been lopsided, including wins by scores of 58-0 over Dakota Wesleyan, 42-6 over Hastings, 40-0 over Jamestown and 44-9 over Doane.
  • In terms of ratings, the biggest surprise winner last week for the Bulldogs was delivered by junior Cam Devers, who is currently ranked fifth in the GPAC at 141 pounds. Devers bumped up to 149 at Northwestern and took a 4-3 decision in sudden victory over Dante Preciado, a 2017 NAIA All-American. Preciado came into the dual with rankings of second in the conference and No. 19 nationally. The victory moved Devers to 13-12 overall and to 4-3 in conference duals.
  • Chery and Stann have both backed up their No. 1 GPAC ratings. Stann is now a perfect 7-0 in conference duals after earning a 4-0 last week over Victor Garcia at the heavyweight position. Meanwhile, Chery triumphed by major decision, 14-2, over Haggen Meyer to push his conference dual mark to 6-0. Alberto Garcia (4-0) and Mario Ybarra (6-1) have also cleaned up against GPAC opponents. Ybarra started out 6-0 in conference duals before falling last week at the hands of Northwestern’s Austin Boles, 5-1.
  • Entering the week, 13 Concordia grapplers boast at least 10 victories this season: Stann (34-11), Chery (31-8), Ybarra (23-10), Josh Nelsen (17-14), Tyler Jorgensen (17-17), Darrin Miller (13-13), Devers (13-12), Kyle Carey (12-15), Zack Moistner (12-13), Garcia (11-2), Blake Castillo (11-13), Walker Fisher (10-6) and Jason Watkins (10-16). To date, the Bulldogs have competed in 12 duals and seven tournaments. One duals and two tournaments remain on the schedule (including the NAIA national tournament).
  • A small group of 10 Concordia grapplers combined for 14 wins at the Edmonds Open. Six Bulldogs notched exactly two wins on Saturday: Castillo (165), Gabe Crawford (165), Fisher (174), Tyler Jorgensen (197), Keanu Tom (157) and Watkins (157). Tom competed in a tournament for the first time this season after coming off of knee surgery. Fisher was 2-0 before pulling out of the open as a precautionary measure. Carey (141) and Dylan Clarke (197) also recorded one victory apiece.
  • Concordia will be at home for the final time this season when it welcomes Morningside (6-1 GPAC) to Walz Arena for a 7 p.m. CST dual on Thursday. Morningside and Midland (6-1 GPAC) remain in the hunt to share the GPAC dual championship. The Bulldogs will use the night to honor their senior class. It will be the only event of the week for Concordia.

Track & Field

  • Week four of the 2019 indoor season is in the books for the highly-rated Bulldogs. The majority of the Concordia athletes competed solely at the Fred Beile Classic hosted by Doane on Feb. 2. A group of 16 Bulldogs also tested themselves against NCAA Division I competition while at the Frank Sevigne Husker Invite (Feb. 1-2). Head coach Matt Beisel’s squads put together a couple event titles at the Beile Classic, a fresh automatic national qualifying mark and nearly broke a school relay record over the weekend. For more on Concordia track and field, click HERE.
  • Through the first four weeks of the season, Bulldog athletes have now combined for 22 automatic national qualifying marks and 13 ‘B’ standard qualifying marks. Samantha Liermann, Johanna Ragland and Addie Shaw lead the way having locked up spots at nationals in both the shot put and the weight throw. The pole vault crew has shown off impressive depth by piling up seven ‘A’ and four ‘B’ clearances between the men and women. The list below also includes Concordia multi-event athletes with performances that met the minimum standard required to reach the national championships.
    • Men’s 4x400m relay (A, 3:20.04)
    • Women’s 4x400m relay (A, 3:58.50)
    • Rachel Battershell – 400 meters (B, 59.15)
    • Zach Bennetts – pole vault (B, 15’ 1”)
    • Dalton Berry – pole vault (B, 15’ 1”)
    • Allie Brooks – pole vault (A, 11’ 6 ½”); high jump (B, 5’ 3 ¾”)
    • Jacob Cornelio – weight throw (A, 64’ 11 ½”)
    • Gavin Davis – 200 meters (A, 22.23)
    • Morgan De Jong – weight throw (A, 53’ 5”)
    • Gavin DeHaai – pole vault (A, 15’ 5”)
    • Jessica Deterding – triple jump (B, 36’ 7 ¾”); No. 9 nationally in pentathlon (3,183)
    • Jodi Fry – shot put (A, 44’ 8”)
    • McKenzie Gravo – pole vault (A, 12’ 2 ½”)
    • Liam Hennessy – shot put (B, 51’ 4 ½”)
    • Mariah Huneke – weight throw (B, 52’ 10 ¼”)
    • Leah Larson – triple jump (A, 38’ 2 ¾”)
    • Samantha Liermann – shot put (A, 47’ ¼”); weight throw (A, 55’ ¾”)
    • Erin Mapson – pole vault (A, 11’ 6 ½”)
    • Nathan Matters – 600 meters (A, 1:21.85)
    • Josiah McAllister – 1,000 meters (A, 2:29.93)
    • Kennedy Mogul – No. 19 nationally in pentathlon (3,030)
    • Tristen Mosier – pole vault (A, 11’ 6 ½”)
    • Jacee Pfeifer – pole vault (A, 11’ 6 ½”); 400 meters (B, 59.22)
    • Tucker Platt – pole vault (B, 15’ 1”)
    • Ben Pratt – high jump (B, 6’ 6 ¼”)
    • Johanna Ragland – shot put (A, 45’ 1 ¾”); weight throw (A, 55’ 9 ¾”)
    • Addie Shaw – shot put (A, 46’ ¾”); weight throw (A, 60’ 6 ¾”)
    • Adrianna Sims – triple jump (B, 37’ ¼”)
    • Sam Sisco – pole vault (B, 15’ 1”)
    • Cody Williams – pole vault (A, 15’ 9”); 60 meter hurdles (B, 8.38); No. 2 nationally in heptathlon (5,096)
  • Sophomore Morgan De Jong became the latest Bulldog to add her name to the national qualifying field courtesy of her mark of 53’ 5” in the weight throw at the Beile Classic. The Concordia women now boast four of the NAIA’s top 10 in the weight throw: No. 1 Addie Shaw (60’ 6 ¾”), No. 7 Johanna Ragland (55’ 9 ¾”), No. 8 Samantha Liermann (55’ ¾”) and No. 10 De Jong. Not surprisingly, Concordia appeared at No. 1 nationally in the women’s weight throw event ratings released by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA). The Bulldogs also rated No. 1 in the women’s shot put with four national qualifiers in the event.
  • The USTFCCCA team ratings are a reflection of the impressive start to the semester for Concordia track and field. Both the Bulldog men and women appeared at No. 2 nationally, sandwiched between No. 1 Indiana Tech and rival Doane at No. 3. In addition to having the top weight throw and shot put groupings, Concordia also came in at No. 1 in the women’s pole vault and triple jump. The men did not possess a top-rated event group, but senior Josiah McAllister continues to pace the NAIA in the 1,000 meters.
  • If you take into account only the top 10 in each event among GPAC competitors, the Bulldogs appear a total of 77 times between the men’s and women’s teams. Concordia athletes with top conference marks include the men’s 4x400 meter relay, the women’s 4x400 meter relay, McKenzie Gravo (pole vault), Taylor Grove (3,000 meters; 5,000 meters), Rebekah Hinrichs (1,000 meters; one mile), McAllister (1,000 meters; one mile), Shaw (weight throw) and Cody Williams (heptathlon).
  • Gravo is now at the top of the heap for the NAIA’s top pole vault crew. Her season best performance at Doane moved her up to No. 3 on the national list. On the GPAC list, Bulldogs hold down five of the top six spots with Allie Brooks, Erin Mapson, Tristen Mosier and Jacee Pfeifer each tied for third. A native of Henderson, Nev., Gravo is looking to get back to No. 1 in the conference. As a freshman in 2016, she swept GPAC indoor and outdoor pole vault titles.
  • While Liermann (weight throw) and Nathan Matters (600 meters) improved existing national qualifying marks at the Husker Invite, the women’s 4x400 meter relay team ran a time of 3:53.03, which would have been good enough to break the school record of 3:57.93 achieved in 2009. Unfortunately, the Bulldogs were disqualified. The 4x4 figures to make another run at the record. The quartet last week featured three freshmen in Rachel Battershell, Sarah Lewis and Pfeifer as well as senior Jamie Nikodym.
  • Only one meet remains on the schedule prior to the GPAC Championships next week (Feb. 15-16) hosted by Concordia. The Bulldogs will also stage the Concordia Indoor Invite inside the Fieldhouse this Friday beginning at 2 p.m. CST. The meet will run until approximately 8:30 p.m. To view the tentative meet schedule, click HERE.

Women’s Basketball

  • Last week’s action turned out to be every bit as challenging as it appeared on paper. After holding on for a 90-88 home win over No. 14 Dordt on Jan. 30, the top-ranked Bulldogs went on the road to Orange City, Iowa, on Feb. 2 and had their nine-game win streak snapped by No. 2 Northwestern in an 81-75 final score. The loss means that 13th-year head coach Drew Olson’s squad is now in a three-way tie with Dakota Wesleyan and Northwestern atop the GPAC standings. Concordia sports records of 23-3 overall and 15-3 in conference play. For more information on Bulldog women’s basketball, click HERE.
  • Concordia had not experienced a week like this last one all season. Entering the game versus Dordt, the Bulldogs had played in only four games decided by single-digit margins. Included in that group of four was the two previous defeats and eight-point wins over No. 2 Southeastern University (Fla.) and No. 5 Northwestern. Even after last week’s close calls, Concordia still ranks fifth nationally in scoring margin (+22.4). Prior to playing Dordt, it had won eight in a row by 10 or more points.
  • Sophomore Taylor Cockerill was certainly the team’s most aggressive offensive player last week, as she has been for most of this season. She attempted 20 field goals in both outings while putting up a combined 45 points. The 28 points recorded at Northwestern by the Waverly High School product marked her second highest single game total as a collegiate player. Cockerill is now No. 6 among GPAC players in scoring average (16.2). She has accomplished that figure while playing an average of 25.8 minutes per game.
  • Though two home games remain in the regular season, the Bulldogs used Jan. 30 to honor a senior class that includes Jadyn High, Jerrica Tietz, Megan Vieselmeyer and Quinn Wragge. The most prominent among them is Wragge, a second team All-American as a junior. The native of Crofton, Neb., continues to creep up the program’s all-time lists, currently sitting at seventh in points scored (1,664), seventh in rebounds (767) and 11th in steals (233). Based on her current scoring rate of 10.9 points per game, Wragge realistically could rise as high as No. 2 all-time in points (needs to surpass 1,800).
  • Freshman Mackenzie Koepke is certainly capable of one day joining Wragge in the program’s 1,000-point club. The Lincoln Lutheran High School product seems to get better every time she steps out on the court. She has now scored in double figures in three of the past four outings. To help sew up the win versus Dordt, Koepke made a key block and basket in the final minute. Then at Northwestern, she went 4-for-6 from 3-point range while equaling a career best 14 points. Her 23 minutes of playing time also tied a career high.
  • After playing Dordt and Northwestern last week, Concordia’s strength of schedule moved back to No. 1 in the NAIA, according to Massey Ratings. Nearly half (12 of 26) of the team’s games this season have come against teams that were nationally ranked at the time of tipoff. The Bulldogs are 9-3 in those contests. Of the nine victories, three came over squads ranked in the top five. Concordia is still the only team to win at the Corn Palace this season.
  • Because of their pressing style, the Bulldogs often commit a lot of fouls. They currently rank No. 1 in the GPAC and fifth nationally in fouls per game (22.5). However, the risk of sending the opposition to the foul line has been worth it in terms of the reward. Concordia opponents are averaging 31.9 turnovers per game. The Bulldogs just want to make sure their stars are able to stay in the game. Philly Lammers fouled out of both of last week’s contests.
  • Junior point guard Grace Barry nearly pulled off the rare triple-double in the win over Dordt. She totaled 15 points, 10 assists, nine rebounds and six steals. The performance marked the third time this season Barry has reached double figures in assists this season. It was her first career double-double. Among all NAIA Division II players, Barry ranks first in steals per game (3.58) and fourth in assists per game (5.73).
  • Concordia may not be able to afford any more slip ups if it is to at least share the GPAC regular-season title. It won’t be easy with a trip to No. 8 Morningside (18-8, 10-8 GPAC) coming up on Wednesday (6 p.m. CST tipoff) and then a home clash set for Saturday versus No. 4 Dakota Wesleyan (22-3, 15-3 GPAC) at 2 p.m. Next week will be the final one for regular season play.

Men’s Basketball

  • One up and one down characterized last week for the Bulldogs, who returned to GPAC play following the Concordia Invitational Tournament. Concordia continued its winning ways at home by staving off Dordt, 72-69, on Jan. 30. Three days later, the Bulldogs struggled in the second half of a 79-64 loss at Northwestern. With three games left in the regular season, sixth-year head coach Ben Limback’s squad is still attempting to ensure its spot in the conference tournament. Concordia is 14-13 overall and 6-11 in the GPAC (eighth place). For more information on Bulldog men’s basketball, click HERE.
  • Concordia is playing with plenty of confidence within the confines of Walz Arena, where it has won four in a row, including three by double digit spreads. In that stretch, the Bulldogs have defeated then No. 7 Briar Cliff, Midland, Doane and Dordt. At the time of the victory over Dordt, Concordia had won five of its previous six GPAC contests. The Bulldogs have stretched their overall home record to 9-4. Each of those four defeats have come against conference foes.
  • The record in true road games is nearly the opposite – 3-8. Concordia started 0-5 in GPAC road games before rallying late for an 87-84 win at Hastings on Jan. 9. The Bulldogs did not have the same success in road contests since then – a 95-68 loss at No. 21 Jamestown and last week’s defeat at Northwestern. Offensive woes have often plagued Concordia away from home. It has averaged 64.1 points in GPAC road games. In the regular season, the Bulldogs will have two more chances to win on the opposition’s home floor.
  • It’s safe to say that point guard Brevin Sloup is exceeding expectations in his junior season. The Seward High School product has shouldered hefty load weight in the scoring department. He put up 22 points in the win over Dordt while making it a three-game string during which he scored more than 20 points in each instance. He then recorded 16 at Northwestern. That leaves him with a season scoring average of 16.9 (ninth best in the GPAC). After notching 218 points over his first two seasons, Sloup has poured in 456 this season to push his career total to 674.
  • A steadying defensive force in the post, Chuol Biel now has an active streak of 12-straight games with at least one blocked shot. He added three more swats last week. The 6-foot-8 native of McCook, Neb., leads all GPAC players with an average of 1.67 blocks per game. One reason for Concordia’s less effective defensive play in the second half at Northwestern was Biel’s foul trouble that limited him to 17 total minutes. Biel averages 7.0 points and 5.7 rebounds per game.
  • The Bulldogs are attempting to finish above .500 overall for the fifth season in a row. When Limback arrived prior to the 2013-14 season, he took over a program needing some repairs. Limback’s first team went 8-21 before Concordia doubled its win total during the 2014-15 campaign. The Bulldogs went on to post win totals of 18, 21 and 17, respectively over the next three seasons. The 21 wins in 2016-17 marked the program’s largest win total since 2004-05 national runner up team went 32-6.
  • Concordia is still working on developing scorers behind Sloup (16.9) and Tanner Shuck (14.0). The next highest scorer is freshman Carter Kent (9.5), who has shown plenty of promise. Transfer Sammy Adjei has proven capable of scoring in the post. He has averaged 6.8 points and 5.2 rebounds since making his Bulldog debut on Dec. 28. He contributed 11 points last week at Northwestern. Concordia ranks 10th among GPAC teams in field goal percentage offense (.447).
  • At least on paper, this looks like one of the more challenging weeks of the entire season. The Bulldogs will head to conference leader and third-ranked Morningside (22-1, 15-1 GPAC) for an 8 p.m. CST tipoff in Sioux City, Iowa, on Wednesday. They will then host No. 17 Dakota Wesleyan (17-7, 10-6 GPAC) at 4 p.m. on Saturday. It will be senior day for Concordia. There are no seniors on the varsity roster, but senior manager Jon Simonson will be recognized.