Bulldog Athletic Association Member (BAAM) Athletes of the Week
Male: Jack Nelson, Shooting Sports
A junior from Kimberly, Idaho, Nelson helped the Bulldogs place second as a team at the Fort Hays State Shoot this past weekend. He totaled 98/100 in trap, 89/100 in doubles trap and 91/100 in sporting clays.
Female: Kierstynn Garner, Soccer
A freshman from Kearney, Neb., Garner starred last week as Concordia defeated Graceland and No. 25 Benedictine. Garner put away a combined three goals over those wins and was credited with the game winner in both outings.
Previous BAAM Athletes of the Week
Sept. 6 – Camryn Opfer (volleyball) / Camden Sesna (cross country)
Aug. 30 – Federico Simonetti (soccer) / Carly Rodaway (volleyball)
Aug. 23 – Bree Burtwistle (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.
Homecoming week on the Concordia campus: Homecoming week has arrived. Festivities are set to run Thursday through Sunday (Sept. 15-18) with the highlights included the Concordia Athletic Hall of Fame dinner and ceremony beginning at 6 p.m. CT on Sept. 16 followed by home football versus Hastings at 1 p.m. on Sept. 17. More information about homecoming weekend, including how to register, is available HERE. At the Hall of Fame induction ceremony, six individuals and one team will join elite company. The Hall of Fame Class of 2022 is included in a release found HERE.
Tickets for Battle in the Vault on sale now: Tickets went on sale to the general public on Sept. 1 for the Battle in the Vault. The event will feature the Concordia University Men’s Basketball program playing against Oklahoma Wesleyan University in a matchup of two teams that reached the 2022 NAIA national quarterfinals. The game time is still to be announced, but tipoff will likely be early in the afternoon from Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, Neb., on Dec. 20. Following Concordia’s game, there will be two more contests at PBA: Drake University vs. Mississippi State University and the University of Nebraska vs. Queens University of Charlotte. Tickets will be sold via Ticketmaster.com and the Ticketmaster app in a mobile device. Simply search “Battle in the Vault” when using Ticketmaster. The purchase of one ticket will be good for all three games that day.
Yabut combines big smile, big game and big heart: Omaha native Ivan Yabut combines a big game with a big smile and a big heart. The sport of golf has provided Yabut a platform for reaching others and spreading the joy the game has given him. The Burke High School alum became the No. 1 player in the lineup for Concordia Men’s Golf in 2021-22 and is on track for a big final season in 2022-23. For more on Yabut, check out this feature HERE.
Weightlifting competes in first-ever event for Concordia Lifting Sports: The first event in Concordia Lifting Sports history is in the books. Head Coach Freddie Myles traveled seven athletes to the Kansas Open Championships in Olathe, Kan., on Sept. 10. Four Concordia student-athletes placed first among college lifters at the open event: Mary Berris (49 kg), Emily Guter (87+ kg), Kayleigh Maloney (64 kg) and Mitch Meyers (81 kg). In addition, three others placed third or better in their respective weight classes: Rylee Kara (second at 71 kg), Joe Vega (third at 73 kg) and Sydney Wadsworth (third at 87+ kg). The weightlifting group of Bulldogs will compete once more this fall while the powerlifters are looking forward to action at the Midwest Regionals hosted by William Jewell University (Mo.) on Nov. 19-20. For a recap of this past week’s competition, click HERE.
Shooting Sports gets 2022-23 season underway at Fort Hays State Shoot: Dylan Owens made his head coaching debut this past weekend as Concordia Shooting Sports competed at the Fort Hays State Fall Intercollegiate Shoot (Sept. 10-11). From a team perspective, the Bulldogs placed second out of 10 teams as the top five individuals cracked a total of 1,591 targets. The top Concordia shooter in terms of HOA was Wyatt Hambly. In a close battle for second, Concordia outgunned rival Midland (1,588) by three targets. Owens’ squad was able to hold off Midland after entering day two leading the Warriors by just one target. While Hambly led the way for the Bulldogs with an HOA total of 331, the rest of the team’s top five included Jack Nelson (318), Tanner Muff (316), Breyer Meeks (315) and Wayne Moore (311). For more on the Concordia Shooting Sports program, including a season preview, click HERE.
Tennis teams open fall season Sept. 13 at Bethel College: As of Tuesday (Sept. 13) afternoon, the fall portion of the Concordia Tennis season is underway. The Bulldog men’s and women’s teams began action from North Newton, Kan., at 1 p.m. CT. Head Coach Cam Long will also put his team up against a number of GPAC opponents in an individual tournament set to take place this Friday and Saturday at Woods Tennis Center in Lincoln. Last season, Concordia went 9-9 overall (4-2 GPAC) on the men’s side and 6-11 overall (3-4 GPAC) on the women’s side. For more information on the Bulldog tennis teams, click here: MEN | WOMEN.
Why Concordia? We asked the 2022-23 class of freshmen – and they answered. They gave us reasons why they chose Concordia, citing factors such as quality coaches and professors, campus aesthetics, faith-based atmosphere and scholarships. To read responses from current Bulldog freshmen student-athletes, click HERE.
Bulldog Coaches Show airs every Thursday at 5:30 p.m. CT: The Bulldog Coaches Show is underway in its eighth 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 2022-23 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 is in his eighth 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. 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.
Women’s Soccer
· The Bulldogs conquered their week on the road within the Heart of America Athletic Conference. Concordia earned away victories over Graceland University (Iowa), 5-2, on Sept. 6 and No. 25 Benedictine College (Kan.), 1-0, on Sept. 10. Those results put Head Coach Thomas Goines’ squad at 4-0 with one nonconference game remaining in the regular season. The Bulldogs have also defeated Southwestern College (Kan.) and Tabor College (Kan.). For more information on Concordia Women’s Soccer, click HERE.
· After placing sixth in the GPAC in 2021, the Bulldogs have shown reason to believe they may be back to playing at a GPAC championship contending level. Concordia has started 4-0 for the first time since 2006 and has beaten Benedictine for the first time in program history. Prior to last week’s matchup, the Ravens had been 11-0 all-time versus the Bulldogs. In addition, Concordia picked up its first win over an NAIA top 25 team since it got past No. 17 Midland, 1-0, in the 2018 GPAC semifinals. The ’06 team that started at 4-0 finished that season at 10-7-1 overall under Head Coach Rob Giesbrecht.
· The Bulldogs were dominant – perhaps even more than the score showed – in the win at Graceland, which calls Lamoni, Iowa, its home. Concordia owned commanding advantages in shots, 30-5, and shots on goal, 20-4, while getting goals from Aliyah Aldama (4’), Elena Ruiz (15’), Kierstynn Garner (44’ and 86’) and Lina Kirst (82’). The Bulldogs led 2-0 before relinquishing the lead and then posting the game’s final three goals. Two assists were credited to Aldama and one went to Molly Roberts.
· The win at Benedictine was a momentous one for the reasons outlined above. On a rainy day in Atchison, Kan., Concordia overcame a disadvantage of 14-7 in shots (6-3 in shots on goal) behind Garner and a shutout claimed by goalkeeper Kalie Ward, who made five saves. A freshman from Kearney, Neb., Garner completed an impressive three-goal week by scoring after going on a run in the 58th minute. She managed to slot the ball past a keeper who earned NAIA Honorable Mention All-America accolades in 2021. The Ravens were rated as the No. 3 team in the strong HAAC.
· Garner has been a key in upgrading the striking capabilities of the Bulldogs. Her three goals are No. 1 on the team. Four of her teammates have at least one goal: Aldama (two), Ruiz (two), Kirst (one) and Niah Kirchner (one). As a team, Concordia has outscored its opponents, 10-4, on the season. The Bulldogs are averaging 13.8 shots per game and are surrendering an average of 9.3 shots per game. Garner scored 13 goals as a senior at Kearney High School and was also one of the school’s most accomplished basketball players.
· Concordia will attempt to keep its unbeaten run going tonight (Sept. 13) as it hosts Bethany College (Kan.) (1-2) at 5:30 p.m. CT. The Swedes were beaten by Hastings, 5-1, in their most recent outing. After wrapping up nonconference play, the Bulldogs will begin GPAC action on Saturday with a trip to Mount Marty (1-1-2, 0-0 GPAC). Kickoff from Yankton, S.D., is slated for 5:30 p.m.
Men’s Soccer
· It was a fine week for the Bulldogs, who knocked off two nonconference opponents. Concordia went on a short road trip and came away with a 2-0 win at York College on Sept. 6. Four days later, the Bulldogs made their 2022 home debut and edged Bellevue University, 1-0, on the strength of a penalty kick goal. For the second time in three seasons, Head Coach Jason Weides has the program out to a 4-1 start. For more information on Concordia Men’s Soccer, click HERE.
· A strong start to 2022 includes two wins over 2021 national tournament qualifiers (Bellevue and Tabor College) and another over a Northwest University (Wash.) squad that won 10 games last season. Meanwhile, the defeat came by a 1-0 score to Corban University (Ore.), which is now ranked No. 25 in the NAIA. Those results helped bump the Bulldogs up to No. 3 in the current GPAC ratings that are publicized on the NAIA website. Concordia was placed fifth in the GPAC preseason coaches’ poll.
· Weides now owns a record of 13-1 versus York during a head coaching tenure that began with the 2008 season. Only one season (2020) in Weides’ time leading the Bulldogs have they not played the nearby Panthers. In the latest matchup, Concordia got a goal apiece from Dominic Abdel-Ahad and Carter Hinman while holding advantages in shots, 11-9, and shots on goal, 8-2. Often, the uneven natural grass surface at Cornerstone Sports Complex in York lends to lower scoring affairs like the one played last week. In goal, Federico Simonetti played all 90 minutes, made one save and earned the shutout.
· In the season’s home opener, the Bulldogs overcame their first half attacking struggles in the physical battle with Bellevue, a squad that was ranked No. 12 in the NAIA preseason poll. Concordia generated just one shot over the first 45 minutes before ramping things up in the second half (nine shots). A foul in the box in the 83rd minute paved the way for Carlos Orquiz’s game-winning PK goal. Simonetti started at keeper again and made six saves. For the most part, the Bulldogs kept their composure all the while the Bruins (2-4-1) were issued eight yellow cards.
· Through five games, Concordia has outscored its foes by a combined total of 7-3 and has notched three shutouts. Abdel-Ahad and Orquiz share the team lead with two goals apiece while one goal each has been totaled by Hinman, Miguel Navarro and Ryan Wokutch. Isaiah Shaddick paces the team with two assists. Additionally, the Bulldogs have produced an average of 10.0 shots per game while opponents have averaged 8.4 shots per game.
· Another home game is coming up tonight (Sept. 13) as Concordia readies to host Bethany College (Kan.) (2-2) at 8 p.m. CT. The Swedes are coming off a 3-1 home win over Doane this past weekend. On Saturday, the Bulldogs will open GPAC play with a trip to Mount Marty (4-0-1, 0-0 GPAC). Kickoff from Yankton, S.D. is set for 7:30 p.m.
Golf
· A busy stretch continues for Concordia Men’s Golf, which last week completed the Blue River Classic (Sept. 6-7) that it co-hosted with Doane. As of mid-day Tuesday (Sept. 13), the Bulldogs were in the process of finishing up the final round of action at the Siouxland Invite. Led by Jacob Woodmancy, the Bulldogs placed fifth at the Blue River Classic and entered the final round of the Siouxland Invite in a tie for third. Meanwhile, the women’s team has been idle since the Mount Marty Fall Invite (Sept. 1-2). For more information on Concordia Golf: Men | Women.
· Head Coach Brett Muller’s top men’s grouping shot a 54-hole score of 296-290-288–874 on its home course (Highlands in Lincoln) as part of the Blue River Classic. Woodmancy finished at six-under-par (68-71-71–210) and was six strokes behind the tournament individual champion. Two other Bulldogs placed inside the top 20: Ivan Yabut (75-74-69–218) in a tie for 14th and Drew D’Ercole (74-70-76–220) at 20th. The team’s No. 1 player in 2021-22, Yabut carded a team low round of three-under-par 69 on the second day.
· It’s been quite a run for Woodmancy, a Perkins County High School alum. He began the second day of the Siouxland Invite in seventh place out of 83 golfers with a two-round score of 72-73–145 (+1). Hot on his heels was Yabut at 71-75–146 (tied for 11th place). Rounding out the Bulldog first team of five was Jake Richmond (76-73–149; T-24th), Drew D’Ercole (75-76–151; T-35th) and Justin Webert (77-79–156; T-49th). Concordia’s second grouping at the Siouxland Invite carded a score of 314-304–618 and is in 10th place. The top performer within that grouping was Josh D’Ercole (72-78–150; T-30th).
· It’s a realistic possibility for the Bulldog men to be a major player in the GPAC championship race in the spring of 2023. Following Monday’s action, Concordia owned a team 18-hole season average of 290.3. That figure would shatter the school record of 305.1 for a single season set by the 2021-22 team. Prior to the start of the Siouxland Invite, six Bulldogs were averaging scores of 75.0 or lower, topped by Drew D’Ercole’s 71.8.
· The score for the Concordia women at Mount Marty rested at 351-373–724. The Bulldogs placed above Doane as part of the event that included golfers from seven GPAC institutions. Lauren Havlat paced Concordia by shooting 81-90–171, good for 17th place in the field of 60 golfers. A consistent two-day effort from Maya Nurse (87-86–173) put her in a tie for 21st place. The lineup of five was rounded out by Eschliman (85-94–179; T-29th), Ashley Gerczynski (98-103–201; T-43rd) and Sarah Wilson (102-107–209; 49th). In addition, Ericka Kroeker competed as an individual and shot 113-117–230 (56th). Eschliman’s 85 on day one represented a career low. The lineup will get a boost in the near future when freshman Emery Custer makes her collegiate debut.
· After nearly two weeks between tournaments, the women will return to action on Wednesday and Thursday for the 36-hole Lila Frommelt Classic hosted by Briar Cliff. The event will be staged at Green Valley Golf Course in Sioux City, Iowa. Once the men finish the Siouxland Invite, only one event will remain on the fall slate: the Nebraska Intercollegiate (Sept. 30-Oct. 1). That event includes both a men’s and women’s tournament.
Volleyball
· It was a light week in terms of quantity of matches. The 10th-ranked Bulldogs saw their unbeaten run end on Sept. 7 in a nail-biter that could have gone either way. Ultimately, No. 2 Midland staved off Concordia in five sets, 27-25, 19-25, 25-13, 17-25, 16-14, in a pulse-pounding affair. Head Coach Ben Boldt’s squad then had the weekend off. The Bulldogs enter a new week at 10-1 overall (1-1 GPAC). All 14 remaining regular season matches will be played against conference foes. For more information on Concordia Volleyball, click HERE.
· The match at the Wikert Event Center in Fremont had the feel of a national tournament match. The disappointment for the Bulldogs comes from having let a 12-9 lead in the fifth set slip away. Concordia also led 14-13 with a chance at match point. Midland squeaked it out despite the Bulldogs holding statistical advantages in hitting percentage, .232 to .186, blocks, 13-7, and digs, 74-60. However, Concordia did not have its best night from the service line with one ace compared to nine errors. A Warrior service ace brought the match to a conclusion.
· The statistical leaders for the Bulldogs in the match at Midland were Gabi Nordaker in kills (16) and blocks (nine), Camryn Opfer in kills (16) and digs (18), Bree Burtwistle in assists (53) and Lexie Kreizel in aces (one). Opfer already had a double-double after two sets and Nordaker got going late with eight kills in the fourth set alone. Right side Carly Rodaway also added 14 kills, Kalee Wiltfong chipped in with seven kills and four blocks and Ashley Keck notched six kills.
· The attack has proven potent for Concordia, which boasts five players with more than 70 kills on the season: Nordaker (126), Opfer (112), Rodaway (106), Keck (95) and Wiltfong (72). The quarterback behind the offensive success is Burtwistle, who ranks sixth among all NAIA setters with an average of 10.78 assists per set. As a team, the Bulldogs own NAIA national rankings of seventh in hitting percentage (.265) and 10th in kills per set (13.57). As a comparison, Concordia opponents are hitting .141 with an average of 11.25 kills per set.
· Opfer will go down as one of the top players in program history. Her first kill in the win over Viterbo marked the 1,000th of her career. Opfer became just the fourth player in school history record both 1,000 kills and 1,000 digs for a career. Her career totals now stand at 1,078 digs, 1,060 kills, 141 blocks and 52 aces in 98 matches. On the program’s all-time lists, Opfer resides in seventh place for kills and eighth place for digs. In early September, Opfer moved past Claire White (1,033 kills) on the all-time list.
· Two more in-state matchups are coming up this week as the Bulldogs get set to play at Doane (4-10, 0-3 GPAC) at 7:30 p.m. CT on Wednesday before returning home to host No. 16 College of Saint Mary (12-0, 2-0 GPAC) at 4 p.m. on Saturday. Concordia has won seven of the last eight meetings over Doane. The contest with the Flames will be a rematch of a GPAC tournament semifinal match last season that was won by the Bulldogs in five sets.
Cross Country
· The season officially got started on Sept. 2 as 42 Bulldogs represented Concordia Cross Country at the Augustana Twilight at Yankton Trail Park in Sioux Falls, S.D. While in action at the Augustana Twilight that featured 323 runners on the men’s side and 313 competitors on the women’s side, the Bulldogs outran all opposing GPAC and NAIA competition. Overall, the Concordia women placed ninth out of 28 teams and the Bulldog men finished 12th out of 32 teams. Head Coach Matt Beisel’s squads (off from competition last week) are both receiving votes in the NAIA national poll. For more information on Concordia Cross Country, click HERE.
· At least to start the season, the Bulldogs proved they are currently one of the top teams in the GPAC. On the women’s side at the Augie Twilight, Concordia defeated 18th-ranked Hastings (14th place) as well as other GPAC rivals in Northwestern (11th), Morningside (17th), Doane (19th) and Mount Marty (27th). In addition, the Bulldogs placed in front of NCAA Division II schools such as Wayne State College and Concordia St. Paul.
· On the men’s side of things, Dordt will be a heavy favorite to win the GPAC. However, the Defenders were not present in Sioux Falls. Concordia managed to beat out the conference foes that were present: Doane (14th), Midland (22nd), Northwestern (24th), Mount Marty (25th), Hastings (28th) and Morningside (30th). Both Doane and Northwestern were ranked above the Bulldogs in the GPAC preseason coaches’ poll. The ultimate goals are to qualify the women’s team for nationals for the first time since 2019 and to qualify the men for nationals for the first time since 2013.
· Not so surprisingly, Kearney, Neb., native Camden Sesna (named GPAC Runner of the Week on Sept. 7) led the way for the men’s team at the Augustana Twilight. He ran the four-mile race in 20:19.33 and placed 36th overall while topping all over NAIA runners in the field. The top five for the men also included Calvin Rohde (20:37.71; 61st), Jimmy Nguyen (21:10.04; 103rd), Charlie Hayden (21:29.22; 129th) and Micah Willweber (21:32.41; 133rd). Newcomers within the team’s top 10 were Nguyen (21:10.04), Aaron Jendro (21:35.65) and Travis Kuncl (22:03.06).
· The GPAC runner up in 2019, Kylahn Freiberg emerged as the frontrunner on the women’s side. She paced the 5k Yankton Trail in 18:50.33 and finished 28th overall and second out of GPAC/NAIA competition. Freiberg and returning national qualifier Rylee Haecker (19:07.82; 42nd) will provide a nice 1-2 punch at the top of the lineup. The team’s top five was rounded out last week by Hannah Beintema (19:31.57; 64th), Rhaya Kaschinske (19:46.46; 80th) and Julie McIntyre (19:51.47). McIntyre is the wife of new Bulldog graduate assistant goalkeeper coach Michael McIntyre.
· Concordia returns to action this week as it gears up for the Greeno/Dirksen Invitational at Mahoney Golf Course in Lincoln, Neb., on Saturday. It will be the first time the Bulldogs have attended the Greeno meet since 2015. Most of the season will follow a pattern of having a meet every other week, with the exception of having races scheduled this Saturday and Sept. 24.
Football
· A defensive battle underneath the lights at Doane marked the start of the 2022 season for a Concordia squad that opened the campaign receiving votes in the NAIA preseason poll. Despite holding the Tigers without a touchdown, the Bulldogs fell by a 12-10 score in Crete, Neb., on Sept. 3. Neither team cracked 300 total yards in a battle that was decided by a 47-yard field goal in the final minutes. The loss snapped what had been a six-game win streak for Head Coach Patrick Daberkow’s program. After playing one game, the Bulldogs had a bye last week. For more information on Concordia Football, click HERE.
· Daberkow is now 3-3 versus Doane in his six seasons as head coach. Entering the most recent contest, the Bulldogs had won five-straight games against in-state opponents. The 2021 team swept through Doane, Hastings and Midland, marking the first time a Concordia football team had done so since 1970. During the now-broken five-game win streak versus the state of Nebraska, the Bulldogs allowed an average of just 12.4 points per game.
· The good news is that the Concordia defense remains stout. Not only did coordinator Corby Osten’s unit hold Doane out of the end zone, it also allowed only 278 total yards and 11 first downs. Leading the way individually, linebacker Michael Grindey made 13 tackles and forced a fumble. The Bulldog defense forced a turnover in the fourth quarter when Kam Baker jarred the ball loose. The fumble was recovered by Isiaha Conner. A sack apiece was registered to Lukas Coe and Kyle Sterup and the unit came up with a combined 11 tackles for loss.
· At quarterback, Austin Jablonski made his first career start. The former University of Nebraska walk on showed off his athleticism in rushing for 95 yards on 21 attempts. He scored the game’s lone touchdown on a nine-yard rush in the first quarter. The Bulldogs will need to find more rhythm in the passing game. Jablonski completed 9-of-28 passes for 83 yards. The top pass catcher was tight end Luke Lang: four receptions for 29 yards. The offense was without two-time First Team All-GPAC tight end Garrett Schardt.
· At running back, Devin Zeigler got the call and toted the rock 13 times for 42 yards with a long of 13. Zeigler will run behind an experienced offensive line that features returning starters in left tackle Kaden Peters, center Johnny Robinson III, right guard Christian Schlepp and right tackle Gavin Mull. The new starter is left guard Toby Hager, who is also the team’s long snapper. The run game will get a boost from the talents of Jablonski. Daberkow mentioned after the game that improvement in the rushing attack will be a key.
· As part of homecoming week on campus, Concordia will host Hastings on Saturday. Kickoff from Bulldog Stadium is set for 1 p.m. CT. The Bulldogs have won each of the past three meetings over the Broncos, who are led by Head Coach Matt Franzen. Formerly the head coach at Doane, Franzen is in his second season at Hastings. Last season’s matchup in Hastings was won by the Bulldogs, 17-7. Three of Concordia’s home games will come during the month of October with one also on the slate in November.