Bulldog Athletic Association Member (BAAM) Athletes of the Week
Female: Seohyeon Jang, Tennis
A freshman from Seoul, South Korea, Seohyeon Jang put together an impressive Bulldog debut as she won GPAC singles and doubles championships at the GPAC Individual Fall Championships in Lincoln this past weekend. Jang defeated highly ranked singles opponents from Morningside and Doane. She is a Business Administration major.
Male: Carter Wiebusch, Soccer
A sophomore from Omaha, Carter Wiebusch got the start in goal in this past Saturday’s 3-2 win at York University. He made six saves while helping preserve the victory. It was Wiebusch’s second career start and fourth collegiate game appearance. He is a Pre-Chiropractic major.
2026-27 BAAM Athletes of the Week
Sept. 8 – Laynee Baker, Volleyball / Kai Olbrich, Men’s Soccer
Sept. 1 – Myla Emery, Volleyball / Gideon Stark, Football
Aug. 25 – Shandy Fa’ali’i, Volleyball / Sean Stratman, Men’s 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.
Concordia Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2026: The Concordia Athletics Hall of Fame class of 2026 was revealed to the public on July 21. The new inductees will include R. John Buuck ’58, Kristen (Conahan) Vogt ’14, Bret Walter ’96, Nolan Zikas ’19 and the 2015-16 women’s track & field team. The class will be officially inducted as part of a ceremony on Sept. 18 in conjunction with homecoming weekend on campus. For more details on the Hall of Fame, click HERE.
--For additional details on homecoming weekend, click HERE.
Freshman Jang makes waves as Concordia Tennis hosts GPAC Individual Tournament: Freshman Seohyeon Jang (Seoul, South Korea) made a statement in her Bulldog debut. Jang came away with championships in the top draws for doubles and singles while outmatching her GPAC counterparts. Jang teamed up with Chakira Derman for the doubles title. Other winners in singles were Ishane Derman (flight 3), Alexa Richert (flight 4) and Jacey Powell (flight 5) on the women’s side. The event marked the opening of the 2026-27 seasons for Head Coach Lisa Hart’s tennis teams. Complete results for the GPAC Fall Individual Championships can be found HERE. Concordia hosted the two-day tournament at Woods Tennis Center in Lincoln, Neb. Up next for Bulldog Tennis will be the ITA NAIA Central-West Regional Championships on Sept. 25-27.
Ballfield Project underway, funding still sought: Over the summer, Concordia University, Nebraska went public with the Shine Forth Campaign, an initiative that includes the hybrid baseball-softball Ballfield Project. Concordia continues to seek funding for the project, which will bring a state-of-the-art facility to the east part of campus. For more details on the Ballfield Project, check out the article that first appeared in the Broadcaster magazine HERE.
Concordia Athletics features: The Concordia Athletics website regularly spotlights Bulldog student-athletes, teams and alums with detailed profiles and feature articles. Recent feature stories are linked below.
--Gideon Stark follow up
--Devin Harris continues to star as graduate student
Bulldog Coaches Show airs every Thursday at 5:30 p.m. CT: The Bulldog Coaches Show has returned for a 12th 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 2026-27 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. Eric Allgood will be the primary voice for 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 via the Hudl account. For select JV streams, check out that specific sport’s Facebook page. Starting in 2026-27, Concordia broadcasts are simulcast with the GPAC Network and Urban Edge Network.
Women’s Soccer
· Current record: 1-2-2.
· Last week:
o Tied at Kansas Wesleyan University, 1-1, on Sept. 9.
o Won vs. Dakota State University, 2-0, on Sept. 12.
· Links: 2026 Schedule | Roster | Statistics | NAIA Coaches’ Poll
· Notable: The Bulldogs wrapped up conference play this past week with a tie and a win. The home victory over Dakota State University (S.D.) marked Jason Weides’ first since transitioning to head coach of the women’s program. In the mid-week matchup with Kansas Wesleyan University (coached by former Concordia GA Michael McIntyre), the Bulldogs managed to pull even in the 90th minute when Abby Haynes found the back of the net (assisted by Guadalupe Sanchez). Three days later, Concordia and Dakota State were locked in a 0-0 stalemate through 60 minutes. In the 61st minute, the Bulldogs struck first on Molli Kalsbeck’s goal (assist from Haynes). Kyana Rios added breathing room with a goal in the 73rd minute (assist from Sanchez) to cap the scoring in the 2-0 win. In goal, Aaliyah Matthews and Grady Smith combined for the shutout. Prior to kickoff, Concordia honored a class of six seniors, headlined by returning Honorable Mention All-GPAC defender Sadie Mares. Weides’ squad wrapped up nonconference play at 1-2-2. Both losses occurred during the season opening trip to Oklahoma. Through five games, five different players have scored at least one goal. The Bulldogs will be idle in the middle of this week before kicking off the conference schedule Saturday at Dordt.
· For additional news and notes, check out the program’s homepage HERE.
· This week:
o Saturday, Sept. 19 at Dordt (1-2-1, 0-0 GPAC), 2 p.m.
Men’s Soccer
· Current record: 2-4.
· Last week:
o Lost at No. 17 Grand View University, 3-1, on Sept. 7.
o Won at York University, 3-2, on Sept. 12.
· Links: 2026 Schedule | Roster | Statistics | NAIA Coaches’ Poll
· Notable: A grueling nonconference slate finished with the team’s fifth road game already this season. After falling on the home fields of nationally ranked William Penn University (Iowa) and Grand View University (Iowa), the Bulldogs rebounded with a 3-2 road win over rival York University this past Saturday. In the clash with the Panthers, Concordia found itself trailing after conceding a 13th-minute goal. The Bulldogs responded impressively with a goal apiece coming from Sean Stratman (28’), Sebastian Montion (51’) and William Preston (65’). Concordia won while fending off 22 shots (eight on goal) from York. Goalkeeper Carter Wiebusch made six saves in helping preserve the win. Head Coach Bernie Ochoa’s squad will take a 2-4 record into GPAC play. The other victory came by a 2-0 score over Bellevue University on Sept. 2. Through six outings, the Bulldogs have had seven different players score one goal apiece. Five players have started all six games. At goalkeeper, Ochoa has turned to three different players. Concordia will kick off conference play on Saturday with a trip to Dordt. The Bulldogs are the reigning GPAC tournament champions and were picked first in the league preseason coaches’ poll.
· For a closer look at this week’s matchups, check out the game notes linked HERE.
· This week:
o Saturday, Sept. 19 at Dordt (4-2-1, 0-0 GPAC), 4:15 p.m.
Football
· Current record: 1-1, 1-1 GPAC.
· Most recent:
o Lost at Hastings, 38-27, on Sept. 12.
· Links: 2026 Schedule | Roster | Statistics | NAIA Coaches’ Poll
· Notable: In a game characterized by two separate lengthy lightning delays, Concordia dug itself a 35-0 hole and never fully recovered. Hastings toppled the Bulldogs, 38-27, in what was the 59th all-time matchup between the two sides. All of Concordia’s points came in the fourth quarter when quarterback Gideon Stark and the offense took to the air. Stark threw touchdown passes to Jonny Puelz, Adam Van Cleave (twice) and Calvin Sassaman. The final score was as close as the Bulldogs got in the second half. Stark finished with a school single game record of 465 passing yards while completing 37-of-56 attempts. Through two games, Stark has thrown for 853 yards and 12 touchdowns. Stark’s top targets this past Saturday were Van Cleave (12 for 149), Collin Fritton (nine for 143) and Puelz (five for 98). As for Hastings, it controlled the clock (38:49 in time of possession) while mixing the pass (299 yards) and run (270 yards). The Bronco defense came up with 10 tackles for loss and limited Concordia to minus-11 yards rushing. The Bulldogs had won six of the previous seven meetings with Hastings. Head Coach Patrick Daberkow’s squad will turn the page as it prepares to host Mount Marty for Homecoming Saturday. The Lancers’ rally fell short this past Saturday in a 35-33 loss at Northwestern.
· For details on each week’s matchup, check out the game notes linked HERE.
· Next up:
o Saturday, Sept. 19 vs. Mount Marty (2-1, 1-1 GPAC), 1 p.m. – Homecoming.
Volleyball
· Current record: 11-2, 2-0 GPAC; ranked No. 3 in the NAIA coaches’ poll.
· Last week:
o Won vs. No. 16 Midland, 25-19, 25-18, 25-17, on Sept. 9.
o Won vs. College of Saint Mary, 21-25, 25-20, 25-17, 26-24, on Sept. 12.
· Links: 2026 Schedule | Roster | Statistics | NAIA Coaches’ Poll
· Notable: The third-ranked Bulldogs put together a strong first week of conference play, taking care of two in-state foes at home: No. 16 Midland (three sets) and College of Saint Mary (four sets). In the victory over the nationally ranked Warriors, Concordia excelled defensively in limiting the opposition to a negative hitting percentage (-.025). The Bulldogs owned a 7-2 blocking advantage with Laynee Baker and Maddie Paulsen both contributing to two blocks. Freshman Samantha Kimbell led the attack with 10 kills. Three days later, Concordia dropped the first set and then regrouped to win the final three behind a starring performance in the middle from Makenna Starkey (15 kills and six blocks). Jenna Sladky did the honors of ringing the bell after she led the team with 17 digs. At setter, Myla Emery and Ella Brueggemann continued to share duties while combining for 62 assists for the week. Notably, Clara Evert landed four aces versus Midland/CSM. On the season, Shandy Fa’ali’i continues to lead the way in kills (167). Head Coach Ben Boldt’s squad will continue league action this week as it readies for a trip to Mount Marty and a home matchup with Hastings on Homecoming Saturday. In the early going, only two GPAC squads are unscathed in conference matches: Concordia and Northwestern (both 2-0).
· For additional news and notes on Concordia Volleyball, check out the team’s homepage HERE.
· This week:
o Wednesday, Sept. 16 at Mount Marty (8-9, 0-3 GPAC), 7:30 p.m.
o Saturday, Sept. 19 vs. Hastings (9-2, 1-1 GPAC), 4 p.m. – Homecoming.
Golf
· Most recent:
o Men – Placed 10th/16 (313-295-298–906) at the Blue River Classic on Sept. 9-10.
o Women – Placed 8th/14 (346-321–667) at the Siouxland Invite on Sept. 8-9.
· Men’s Links: 2026-27 Schedule | Roster | Statistics
· Women’s Links: 2026-27 Schedule | Roster | Statistics
· Notable: As of the start of this week, both of Head Coach Brett Muller’s squads were two tournaments deep into their fall seasons. This past week, the women competed at the Siouxland Invite and placed eighth (out of 14) with a two-round total of 346-321–667 (+91). The 321 in round two was just three strokes off the school record for 18 holes. Individually, Concordia got solid outings from junior Savannah McFalls (85-78–163; T-21st), sophomores Olivia James (86-80–166; 29th) and Amelia Ptacnik (86-83–169; T-36th) and graduate student Maddie Lewis (89-80–169; T-36th). The team average through four rounds (two events) sits at 330.0. Meanwhile, the men’s team is quickly back to action at its own Siouxland Invite, which began on Monday from Sioux Center and continued this morning (Sept. 15) from Orange City. The Bulldogs were fresh off placing 10th at the Blue River Classic, which they co-hosted with Doane. Concordia shot 313-295-298–906 (+42) over three rounds. The ‘A’ team top four were sophomores Tyler Weismann (79-71-75–225; T-40th) and Calvin Zabloudil (77-71-79–227; T-45th) and seniors Jacob Dowd (79-78-72–229; 50th) and Jude Elgert (79-75-78–232; T-52nd). The team average for the men is 304.2 through five rounds (two events). Both teams are active this week. Once the men finish at the Siouxland Invite, they will turn their attention to the Bent Tree Intercollegiate next Monday-Tuesday (Sept. 21-22). The women play Wednesday at the Lila Frommelt Classic and then will be at the York Invite next Monday-Tuesday.
· Up next:
o Men – Sept. 14-15 at the Siouxland Invite co-hosted by Dordt and Northwestern.; Sept. 21-22 at the Bent Tree Intercollegiate hosted by Iowa Western CC.
o Women – Sept. 16 at the Lila Frommelt Classic hosted by Briar Cliff; Sept. 21-22 at the York Invite hosted by York University.
Cross Country
· Most recent:
o Placed 6th/33 on the men’s side and 10th/28 on the women’s side at the Augustana Twilight on Sept. 4.
· Links: 2026 Schedule | Roster | NAIA Ratings: Men | Women
· Notable: Late in the evening on Sept. 4, the Bulldogs opened their 2026 season at the Augustana Twilight in Sioux Falls, S.D. The field of more than 800 runners (men and women combined) battled intense heat while running 5k races at Yankton Trail Park. The first college race went off at 9:45 p.m. CT. Head Coach Matt Beisel’s squads came away with place finishes of sixth/33 on the men’s side and 10th/28 on the women’s side. Both teams finished second to Doane among GPAC/NAIA schools present at the event, which also featured runners from all divisions of the NCAA and from junior colleges. The team’s top performers were senior Trey Robertson (45th place; 15:42.1 5k time) on the men’s side and freshman Hope Beck (41st place; 18:42.3 5k time) on the women’s side. The men’s top three were all returning GPAC All-Conference runners with Robertson followed by senior Aidan Limback and junior Vaughn Hendrickson. For the women, four of the top five were freshmen with sophomore Ashley Robertson also in the mix at the top of the Concordia pack. The results were about what Beisel had hoped for from Bulldog teams that believe they have improved from last season. Both Concordia squads were pegged third in the GPAC preseason polls. The Bulldogs had last week off from competition while looking forward to running at this Saturday’s Green-Dirksen Invite.
· For additional news and notes on the Concordia Cross Country teams, click HERE.
· Up next:
o Saturday, Sept. 19 at the Greeno-Dirksen Invite (Mahoney Golf Course in Lincoln, Neb.), 10 a.m.
Shooting Sports
· Most recent:
o Placed 4th/11 at Fort Hays State Fall Intercollegiate Shoot on Aug. 29-30.
· Links: 2026-27 Schedule | Roster
· Notable: The 2026-27 season opened the weekend of Aug. 29-30 at the Fort Hays State Intercollegiate Shoot. Head Coach Dylan Owens’ Bulldogs placed fourth overall out of 11 teams while cracking 1,980 targets towards the team leaderboard. The top three teams HOA were Fort Hays State University (2,098), Iowa Western Community College (2,081) and William Penn University (2,073). Concordia sophomore Delayna Rife started strong while leading the team with a 97 in trap. Now the program’s graduate assistant coach, Katie Welker-Luetje picked up where she left off as a senior in 2025-26 when she won national titles in HOA and open doubles trap. At the season opening Fort Hays State Shoot, Welker-Luetje took first place in sporting clays with a score of 93. The Hamill, S.D., native also placed second HOA among women while leading Concordia with a total of 406 (out of 450 targets). Also a grad student, returning All-American Devin Harris cracked 400 (404) and sophomore Jerry Kaibel (397) pushed that mark. While Welker-Luetje led the way in sporting and Rife did the same in trap, the Bulldogs were paced by Kaibel in super sporting (90), Harris in doubles trap (93) and Harris and Welker-Luetje in doubles skeet (45). A total of 19 Bulldogs represented the program at the Fort Hays State Shoot. Concordia will make its return to action this weekend with the Midland Warrior Open at Lincoln Trap & Skeet Club.
· Up next:
o Midland Warrior Open at Lincoln Trap & Skeet Club in Lincoln, Neb., Sept. 19-20.