Bulldog Athletic Association Member (BAAM) Athletes of the Week
Female: Adrianna Rodencal, Track & Field
A junior from Lincoln, Neb., Adrianna Rodencal put on a show at the GPAC Championships by claiming three GPAC titles and breaking GPAC meet records in both hurdles events (13.63 in the 100 hurdles and 58.90 in the 400 hurdles). Rodencal accumulated 41 points at the conference and was named GPAC Outstanding Female Athlete of the Meet for the fourth time in her career.
Male: Nathan Baldwin, Track & Field
A sophomore from Sutton, Neb., Nathan Baldwin scored 21 points while placing in three throwing events at the GPAC Championships. Baldwin won the GPAC men’s discus title with a mark of 169’ 2” and placed third in the hammer throw and fourth in the shot put. Baldwin currently ranks No. 5 nationally in the discus.
2024-25 BAAM Athletes of the Month
March – Jennifer Katz (softball) / Jaidan Quinn (baseball)
February – Abby Krieser (basketball) / Noah Schutte (basketball)
January – Adrianna Rodencal (track & field) / Tristan Smith (basketball)
December – Gabi Nordaker (volleyball) / Tristan Smith (basketball)
November – Austin Jablonski (football) / Kristin Vieselmeyer (basketball)
October – Carson Fehlhafer (football) / Kierstynn Garner (soccer)
September – Mark Arp (football) / Gabi Nordaker (volleyball)
2024-25 BAAM Athletes of the Week
April 29 – Hugo Fuentes (tennis) / Ishane Derman (tennis)
April 22 – Ishane Derman (tennis) / Christian Gutierrez (baseball) / Nick Velders (tennis)
April 15 – Brad Hallock (baseball) / Adrianna Rodencal (track & field)
April 8 – Brad Hallock (baseball) / Rylee Ladd (powerlifting)
April 1 – Taryn Ganstrom (softball) / Jaidan Quinn (baseball) / Adrianna Rodencal (track & field)
March 25 – Ishane Derman (tennis) / Grady Works (tennis)
March 18 – Hagen Heistand (wrestling) / Jennifer Katz (softball)
March 4 – Adrianna Rodencal (track & field) / Tristan Smith (basketball)
Feb. 25 – Creighton Baughman (wrestling) / Adrianna Rodencal (track & field)
Feb. 18 – BAAM luncheon canceled
Feb. 11 – Jonny Jurchen (track & field) / Abi Wohlgemuth (track & field)
Feb. 4 – Abby Krieser (basketball) / Noah Schutte (basketball)
Jan. 28 – Makynna Robbins (basketball) / Tristan Smith (basketball)
Jan. 21 – Megan Belt (basketball) / Tristan Smith (basketball) / Abi Wohlgemuth (track & field)
Jan. 14 – Raelyn Kelty (basketball) / Tristan Smith (basketball)
Dec. 17 – Adrianna Rodencal (track & field) / Tristan Smith (basketball)
Dec. 10 – Creighton Baughman (wrestling) / Gabi Nordaker (volleyball)
Dec. 3 – Vaughn Hendrickson (cross country) / Kristin Vieselmeyer (basketball)
Nov. 19 – Daylon Henson (football) / Addie Kirkegaard (volleyball)
Nov. 12 – Keegan Beisel (cross country) / Vaughn Hendrickson (cross country)
Nov. 5 – Angela Banks (soccer) / Austin Jablonski (football)
Oct. 29 – Kierstynn Garner (soccer) / Devin Harris (shooting sports)
Oct. 22 – Taylor Hedke (weightlifting) / Austin Jablonski (football)
Oct. 15 – Kierstynn Garner (soccer) / Hugo Garrote (soccer)
Oct. 8 – Carson Fehlhafer (football) / Kaylee Hinton (shooting sports)
Oct. 1 – Carter McKenna (shooting sports) / Kya Scott (volleyball)
Sept. 24 – Ishane Derman (tennis) / Daylon Henson (football)
Sept. 17 – Mark Arp (football) / Ella Waters (volleyball)
Sept. 10 – Hannah Beintema (cross country); Trey Robertson (cross country)
Sept. 3 – Nolan Fuelberth (soccer); Gabi Nordaker (volleyball)
Aug. 27 – Martin Herrera (soccer); Ashley Keck (volleyball)
News and notes:
BAAM luncheons are held every Tuesday 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.
Concordia announced as host for NAIA Opening Round baseball: As announced by the NAIA on May 1, Concordia Baseball has been rewarded with one of 10 host bids for the NAIA National Championship Opening Round. The Bulldogs will host national tournament action May 12-15 at Sherman Field in Lincoln, Neb. Head Coach Ryan Dupic will lead the program into its seventh national tournament appearance during his tenure. This will be the first time the program has ever been an opening round host. For more details, click HERE.
Ninety Bulldogs earn NAIA Scholar-Athlete awards from spring sports: A total of 90 Bulldogs earned 2024-25 NAIA Scholar-Athlete awards from Concordia spring sports: baseball, men’s, golf, women’s golf, men’s tennis, women’s tennis, men’s track & field, women’s track & field and softball. For a complete listing of the honorees, click HERE.
GPAC postseason success continues for Bulldog teams in 2024-25: Out of nine GPAC postseason tournaments that unfolded in 2024-25, Concordia Athletics teams appeared in the championship final of six of them. GPAC tournament championship game/match qualifiers included men’s soccer, women’s soccer, volleyball, men’s basketball, men’s tennis and women’s tennis. Head Coach Lisa Hart’s women’s tennis squad made history in late April while claiming the first GPAC tournament title ever for the program. The 2025 spring seasons are ongoing for baseball, outdoor track & field and women’s tennis.
Profiling two standout seniors: Recently, we profiled two seniors ahead of senior day festivities for the baseball and softball programs: pitcher Alex Johnson and center fielder Jennifer Katz. Both Bulldogs have starred this spring for their respective teams. For details on their journeys, check out the stories linked below.
--Features: Alex Johnson | Jennifer Katz
Bulldog Coaches Show airs every Thursday at 5:30 p.m. CT: The Bulldog Coaches Show is underway in its 10th 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 2024-25 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 and basketball. Frank Greene completed his 10th 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 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 on the Concordia Sports Network.
Baseball
· Current record: 40-11, 25-3 GPAC; ranked No. 12 in the NAIA coaches’ poll.
· Last week (GPAC Tournament):
o Won vs. Dakota Wesleyan, 9-4, on April 30.
o Lost vs. Briar Cliff, 5-4, on May 1.
o Won vs. Dakota Wesleyan, 13-2, on May 1.
o Won vs. Briar Cliff, 6-5, on May 3.
o Lost vs. Briar Cliff, 16-3, on May 3.
· Links: 2025 Schedule | Roster | Statistics | NAIA Coaches’ Polls
· Notable: The Bulldogs came up one win shy of reaching the GPAC Championship Game for a sixth-straight season. As part of a conference tournament significantly affected by rainy weather, Concordia went 3-2 at Plum Creek Park. In the deciding game of the Concordia Bracket, the Bulldogs fell victim to a 14-run sixth inning that propelled fourth-seeded Briar Cliff to the title game. The Chargers won two of three over Concordia last week as part of their Cinderella postseason run. As for the Bulldogs, they won twice over Dakota Wesleyan in their two other GPAC tournament outings. Over the five GPAC tourney games, Concordia was limited to three home runs but did manage to work 45 walks. The team’s top hitter last week was first baseman Matt Rhoades, who went 7-for-17 (.412) with a double, a home run and eight RBIs. Pitching wins in the tournament were claimed by Alex Johnson, Alex Griess and Christian Gutierrez. In his start versus Dakota Wesleyan, Johnson racked up 13 strikeouts in six innings (two runs allowed). In an elimination game, Gutierrez logged a complete game with just one unearned run allowed as he earned the 30th win of his career. All-American Jaidan Quinn slugged his 24th homer of the season (97th career) in the Bulldogs’ most recent game. Up next, Concordia will host NAIA National Championship Opening Round action at Sherman Field in Lincoln, Neb., May 12-15. Concordia will learn which teams will join it in Lincoln when the NAIA holds its selection show at 4 p.m. CT on Wednesday. Head Coach Ryan Dupic will lead the program into the national tournament for the seventh time during his tenure. This will be the program’s first ever opportunity to host in the opening round.
· For additional news and notes on the baseball program, click HERE.
· Up next:
o Wednesday, May 7 – NAIA Baseball Selection Show, 4 p.m. | Watch Live.
o May 12-15 – NAIA National Championship Opening Round at Sherman Field in Lincoln, Neb.
Outdoor Track & Field
· Last week:
o Competed at the 2025 GPAC Outdoor T&F Championships (May 2-3) hosted by Hastings; women placed second; men placed fourth.
· Links: 2024-25 Schedule | Roster | TFRRS Performance Lists
· Notable: The GPAC Outdoor Track & Field Championships were staged this past Friday and Saturday on the Hastings College campus, where the Bulldogs emerged with conference place finishes of second on the women’s side (163 points) and fourth on the men’s side (103 points). Junior Adrianna Rodencal put together a remarkable meet in tallying 41 team points in the process of earning GPAC Outstanding Female Athlete of the Meet distinction for the fourth time in her career. Rodencal broke GPAC meet records with championships in the 100-meter hurdles (13.63) and 400-meter hurdles (58.90) while also winning the 200 meters (24.69) in addition to place finishes of second in the 4x100-meter relay (46.80 – school record), third in the 100 meters (12.12) and sixth in the long jump (17’ 10 ¼”). Five additional GPAC titles were seized by Concordia athletes: Nathan Baldwin (discus), Emery Gutz (javelin), Jonny Jurchen (5,000-meter race walk), Mayson Ostermeyer (pole vault) and Abi Wohlgemuth (hammer throw). The list of Bulldog runners up included the women’s 4x1 and 4x4 relays, Conner Asche and Abby Gerber in the shot put, Matthew Boyer in the javelin, Luke Hammang in the race walk, Adysen McCarter in the triple jump (school record) and Kiki Nyanok in the long jump. Jurchen turned in a fresh automatic national qualifying standard by clocking in at 23:47.39 in the race walk. With one final week remaining in the outdoor season (prior to nationals), Concordia athletes have combined for 13 marks that currently rank within the top 16 on the NAIA national lists. This week will provide two more opportunities for national qualifying marks: the Concordia Twilight on Friday and the UNK Loper Twilight on Saturday.
· For additional news and notes on the track & field programs, click HERE.
· This week:
o Friday, May 9 – Concordia Twilight Meet, 2 p.m. | View meet schedule HERE.
o Saturday, May 10 – UNK Loper Twilight Meet, 2 p.m.
Softball
· Current record: 27-20, 12-10 GPAC.
· Last week (GPAC Tournament in Orange City, Iowa):
o Lost vs. Dakota Wesleyan, 6-1, on April 30.
o Lost at No. 10 Northwestern, 6-0, on April 30.
· Notable: The 2025 season screeched to a halt this past week as the Bulldogs went 0-2 at the GPAC tournament and were eliminated from the Northwestern Bracket. Seeded fifth in the bracket, Concordia fell by a 6-1 score to No. 4 seed Dakota Wesleyan before dropping a 6-0 decision to GPAC regular season champion Northwestern. Over the two games, the Bulldog offense managed only a combined one run on nine hits. Three individuals produced two hits apiece in Orange City: Taryn Ganstrom, Jennifer Katz and Laycee Josoff. From a pitching perspective, Megan Eurich and Kaylei Denison were tagged with a loss apiece. Eurich appeared in both games while finishing a standout career that included a First Team All-GPAC honor in 2024. The GPAC tournament marked the end of the line for Eurich and a class of eight seniors. One of those seniors, Katz enjoyed a fine 2025 that saw her hit .358 with 20 extra-base hits, leading to a .597 slugging percentage. Katz also played a sterling center field. As for Eurich, she made 106 career pitching appearances and recorded a 3.14 ERA, 38 wins and 473 strikeouts in 513 innings. At the GPAC tournament, Eurich passed Amanda Beeson (470) for No. 3 on the program’s all-time strikeout list. Meanwhile, the offensive lineup in 2025 featured five regulars who batted better than .300: Ganstrom (.364), Katz (.358), Aubrey Bruning (.333), Avery O’Boyle (.329) and Aubriana Krieser (.310). Head Coach Brock Culler’s squad now enters the offseason. Looking ahead to 2026, the Bulldogs will build around the likes of Denison, Ganstrom, Josoff and Krieser.
· For additional news and notes on the softball program, and to follow along throughout the offseason, click HERE.
Golf
· 2025 GPAC Championships:
o Men – Placed 10th/11 (317-313-318–948) at the 2025 GPAC Championships on April 21-22.
o Women – Placed 7th/12 (332-329-343–1,004) at the 2025 GPAC Championships on April 28-29.
· Men’s Links: 2024-25 Schedule | Roster | Statistics
· Women’s Links: 2024-25 Schedule | Roster | Statistics
· Notable: The 2024-25 season has concluded for both of Head Coach Brett Muller’s squads. The women took their turn at the 2025 GPAC Championships last week at Centura Hills Golf Club in Cairo, Neb. After sitting in fourth place through the first two rounds, the Bulldogs ultimately settled for seventh place while shooting 332-329-343–1,004 for the tournament. Concordia’s scores on day one represented the team’s two lowest rounds of the entire season. Individually, junior Emery Custer made a push for a GPAC championship and wound up in fifth place (80-77-79–236). Custer leapt from 16th in the GPAC as a sophomore. Three of Custer’s teammates also qualified for the overall individual GPAC leaderboard (by playing all three rounds of the event). Junior Maddie Lewis (83-83-87–253) and freshman Savannah McFalls (84-85-85–254) both claimed spots within the top 30. Meanwhile, senior Jennifer Gillotti placed 39th (85-84-92–261). Custer finished her junior season with a team best 18-hole scoring average of 82.1. The men’s team finished its season a week earlier by placing 10th at the GPAC Championships in Beatrice, Neb. Jake Richmond led the way by placing 23rd individually. Concordia now enters the offseason. Both squads will have a standout senior (Custer and Richmond) to anchor their respective lineups come 2025-26. To keep up with Bulldog Golf throughout the offseason, check out their homepages on the Concordia Athletics website.
Tennis
· Current records: men – 14-8, 4-2 GPAC | women – 17-4, 4-2 GPAC
· GPAC Tournament, April 24-26:
o W – Won vs. College of Saint Mary, 4-0, in quarterfinals.
o W – Won vs. Doane, 4-1, in semifinals.
o W – Won vs. Morningside, 4-2, in championship match.
o M – Won vs. Doane, 4-0, in quarterfinals.
o M – Won vs. Mount Marty, 4-3, in semifinals.
o M – Lost vs. Morningside, 4-0, in championship match.
· Men’s Links: 2024-25 Schedule | Roster | Statistics
· Women’s Links: 2024-25 Schedule | Roster | Statistics
· Notable: The Bulldogs have been idle since the GPAC tournament played out April 24-26 in the Sioux City area. The Concordia women emerged as GPAC tournament champions for the first time in program history while the men placed as the conference postseason runner up. On April 29, official national qualifiers were announced. In the women’s bracket, Head Coach Lisa Hart’s squad was seeded 22nd and matched up with 11th-seeded Marian University (Ind.) in the first round on May 13. The winner will advance to play No. 6 seed Loyola University (La.) in the second round on May 14. As part of an impressive 2025 season, Hart’s squads have combined for a 31-12 dual record. The women will be looking to add to their school record 17 team dual wins as part of their historic season. In 2024-25, individual program records have been broken or tied by Santiago Abadia (doubles wins), Ishane Derman (singles wins), Alexa Richert (doubles wins, tied) and Nick Velders (singles wins). Bulldogs throughout the men’s and women’s lineups were officially named GPAC all-conference award winners last week. For details on those honors, click the links below to the team homepages on the Concordia Athletics website. The NAIA National Championships will wrap up the 2024-25 campaign for Bulldog Tennis.
· For additional news and notes on the tennis programs, click the following links: Men | Women.
· NAIA National Championships (women) – all matches played in Mobile, Alabama:
o Tuesday, May 13 vs. 11th-seeded Marian University (Ind.), 9 a.m.
o The complete NAIA National Championship bracket can be found HERE.