Bulldog Athletics Association Member (BAAM) Athletes of the Week
Female: Sadie Mares, Soccer
A junior from Scottsdale, Ariz., Sadie Mares helped the Bulldogs to wins last week over College of Saint Mary and Briar Cliff, keeping Concordia unbeaten (7-0-3) on the season. Mares notched an assist at CSM and then scored the Bulldogs’ first goal versus Briar Cliff. Mares is a Criminal Justice major.
Male: Hugo Fuentes & Nick Velders, Tennis / Peyton Atwood, Football
Both seniors, Hugo Fuentes and Nick Velders teamed up at the ITA Regional Championships in Salina, Kan., and advanced to the doubles championship match, a feat never before accomplished in Concordia’s history. Fuentes and Velders are up for an at-large spot into the ITA Cup. Fuentes is a Physics major while Velders is an Exercise Science major.
A junior from Grand Island, Neb., Peyton Atwood earned GPAC Special Teams Player of the Week honors for his part in Concordia’s 54-0 win at Waldorf. Atwood drilled a school record 50-yard field goal and made all his kicks (2-for-2 on field goals and 5-for-5 on PATs) for a total of 11 points. Atwood is a Business Administration major.
2025-26 BAAM Athletes of the Week
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.
Tennis competes at ITA Regional Championships in Salina: A run to the finals of the ITA NAIA Central-West Regional Championships for the doubles tandem of Hugo Fuentes and Nick Velders highlighted the efforts of Concordia Tennis in action that took place in Salina, Kan., this past weekend (Sept. 26-28). The ITA regional represented the second tournament of the fall semester for Head Coach Lisa Hart’s squads. For more details on the latest tournament, check out the event recap HERE. The remainder of the fall tennis schedule includes a junior varsity invitational at Hastings and a women’s varsity dual match at Nebraska Wesleyan on Oct. 7.
Powerlifting / Weightlifting competition seasons set to begin in October: The 2025-26 competition debuts are coming up in the month of October for Concordia’s powerlifting and weightlifting programs. First up, Head Coach Freddie Myles’ powerlifters will host the CUNE Collegiate Powerlifting Meet on Saturday. The action is slated to get started at 9 a.m. CT from inside the Walz Fieldhouse. Rival Midland will be on hand for the home event. For a closer look at the Bulldog powerlifters and weightlifters, check out the season previews linked below.
--Season Previews: Powerlifting | Weightlifting.
Concordia Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2025: The Concordia Athletics Hall of Fame class of 2024 was revealed to the public on July 23. The new inductees will include Sarah Kortze ’14, Philly Lammers ’20, Courtney Meyer ’65, Randy Pospishil ’73 and the 2014-15 men’s track & field team. The class will be officially inducted as part of a ceremony on Oct. 10 in conjunction with homecoming weekend on campus. For more details on the Hall of Fame, click HERE.
--Homecoming 2025: For complete details on the upcoming homecoming celebration, click HERE.
Dr. Brandon Seifert receives call to NAIA Hall of Fame: As announced by the NAIA on Sept. 15, Concordia alum Dr. Brandon Seifert has been selected to the NAIA Hall of Fame Class of 2025. A star in cross country and track & field as a Bulldog, Seifert won a national title in the mile. In track, he totaled eight All-America awards and six individual conference titles. In cross country, Seifert raced to three All-America awards and three conference championships. For more details on Seifert’s hall of fame selection, click HERE.
Featuring Concordia athletes: The Concordia Athletics website frequently profiles student-athletes and their stories. For two recent features on Bulldog athletes, check out the links below.
--Emery Custer
--Carson Fehlhafer
--Daylon Henson
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.
Shooting Sports
· Last week:
o Placed 4th/7 at Prairie Circuit Conference Championships on Sept. 26-28.
· Links: 2025-26 Schedule | Roster
· Notable: In the fourth outing of the 2025-26 season, the Bulldogs placed fourth out of seven teams at the Prairie Circuit Conference Championships in Grand Island, Neb. Concordia finished eight targets shy of third place while posting a team HOA score of 2,261. Individually, senior Katie Welker placed as the women’s HOA runner up and emerged as the Bulldogs’ top overall shooter. The conference event tested athletes in the disciplines of trap, doubles trap, skeet, doubles skeet and sporting clays for a total of 500 targets. Welker has starred throughout the month of September and was coming off a women’s HOA title at the Midland Invite. The Hamill, S.D., native blew away 462 total targets at the Prairie Circuit Championships, placing behind only Fort Hays State’s Emily Miller (478) among women. Welker also took home the runner-up award in sporting clays (88) after losing the shoot-off to Miller. Additionally, Welker was named to the All-Prairie Circuit All-Conference team. Welker posted the Bulldogs’ best scores in trap (97) and doubles skeet (94). Meanwhile, Devin Harris recorded a team high in doubles trap (91), Sam Blevins did the same in sporting clays (90) and Harris and Kaylee Hinton tied for a Concordia best in skeet (96). As a team, the Bulldogs placed third in doubles trap (437), third in trap (471), fourth in sporting (429), fourth in doubles skeet (452) and fourth in skeet (472). Head Coach Dylan Owens’ team will be right back to Grand Island this weekend for the Hastings Invite, a competition Concordia won in 2024.
· This week:
o Hastings College Invite in Grand Island, Neb., Oct. 4-5.
Volleyball
· Current record: 13-1, 6-0 GPAC; ranked No. 2 in the NAIA coaches’ poll.
· Last week:
o Won vs. Hastings, 25-19, 25-19, 25-15, on Sept. 24.
o Won vs. Dordt, 25-20, 25-23, 25-23, on Sept. 27.
· Links: 2025 Schedule | Roster | Statistics | NAIA Coaches’ Poll
· Notable: The unbeaten ride within GPAC play continues as the second-ranked Bulldogs handled their business at home last week with sweeps of both Hastings and Dordt. Once again, Concordia’s defensive prowess was on full display as it limited the Broncos and Defenders to a collective hitting percentage of .051. The back row put together a fine week with four players notching more than 10 digs over the two wins: Emma Brueggemann (36), Ashley Keck (19), Shandy Faalii (14) and Lily Psencik (13). From an offensive perspective, four Bulldogs notched at least 10 kills for the week: Keck (19), Kya Scott (12), Ava Greene (11) and Molli Martin (11). Greene was the team leader in blocks (five) for the week. The results mean that the program has extended its GPAC regular season win streak to 16. That string dates back to late September of last season when the Bulldogs fell in five sets at top-ranked Northwestern. At 6-0 in league play this season, Concordia currently shares first place with the Red Raiders while Midland (5-1 GPAC) sits one game back. Every other GPAC team has endured at least three conference defeats. After playing four of the past five at home, the Bulldogs will be headed to Sioux City, Iowa, this weekend for matchups with Morningside and Briar Cliff. The Mustangs were a national qualifier in 2024.
· For additional news and notes on Concordia Volleyball, check out the team’s homepage HERE.
· This week:
o Friday, Oct. 3 at Morningside (9-7, 3-3 GPAC), 7:30 p.m.
o Saturday, Oct. 4 at Briar Cliff (8-8, 2-4 GPAC), 5 p.m.
Football
· Current record: 3-0, 3-0 GPAC; ranked No. 21 in NAIA coaches’ poll.
· Last week:
o Won at Waldorf, 54-0, on Sept. 27.
· Links: 2025 Schedule | Roster | Statistics | NAIA Coaches’ Poll
· Notable: Coming off a bye, the 21st-ranked Bulldogs throttled Waldorf, 54-0, while piling up 31 points in the second quarter. Four Concordia players found the end zone with Adam Van Cleave (two receiving TDs) and Calvin Sassaman (two rushing TDs) both scoring twice. Additionally, Max Bartels caught a receiving touchdown and Daylon Henson jumped on an errant punt snap for a touchdown. Quarterback Gideon Stark finished with 223 yards and three touchdowns passing and Sassaman (20 carries for 125 yards) eclipsed 100 rushing yards for the first time in his career. In the kicking game, Peyton Atwood broke a school record by drilling a 50-yard field goal. Atwood made both of his field goal tries and John Fehlhafer and Ashton Gazga also connected for a field goal apiece. Defensively, the Bulldogs stifled a Warrior offense that managed only 104 total yards and six first downs. Tanner Frahm picked off a pass and Kaden Thompson forced and recovered a fumble. Grant Huss paced the defense with eight tackles. Head Coach Patrick Daberkow’s program has now won eight straight games, one shy of the program’s best during the GPAC era – nine by the 2000 and 2001 teams. Concordia and Dordt are the lone remaining undefeated teams in the GPAC. Another road rip is coming up this Saturday as the Bulldog will play at Mount Marty. The Lancers had a bye this past week after suffering a 34-20 home loss to Briar Cliff on Sept. 20.
· For details on each week’s matchup, check out the game notes linked HERE.
· This week:
o Saturday, Oct. 4 at Mount Marty (3-1, 2-1 GPAC), 1 p.m.
Women’s Soccer
· Current record: 7-0-3, 2-0-1 GPAC; receiving votes in NAIA coaches’ poll.
· Last week:
o Won at College of Saint Mary, 3-1, on Sept. 24.
o Won vs. Briar Cliff, 4-1, on Sept. 27.
· Links: 2025 Schedule | Roster | Statistics | NAIA Coaches’ Poll
· Notable: After walking away with a draw in the GPAC opener at Northwestern, the Bulldogs accomplished what they set out to do last week. They won in comfortable fashion over both College of Saint Mary, 3-1, and Briar Cliff, 4-1, while remaining unbeaten this season. Four Concordia players scored at least one goal over those two victories with Kierstynn Garner leading the way with three goals. Additionally, Kyana Rios added two goals and Sadie Mares and Sierra Springer contributed one apiece. Both opponents managed to avoid shutouts as CSM scored in the 57th minute (tied the game, 1-1) and Briar Cliff cracked the scoreboard first with a fourth-minute goal. Head Coach Nick Smith used two different goalkeepers as Aliya Vidro made nine saves at CSM and Grady Smith came up with four saves versus Briar Cliff. With 32 goals scored through 10 games, the Bulldogs lead the GPAC in that category by a wide margin (next best is Morningside and Northwestern with 21 goals apiece). Individually, the Kearney, Neb., native Garner (12 goals and six assists) is the GPAC points leader with 30. The program now owns an 11-match GPAC regular season unbeaten streak (10-0-1) dating back to last season. Concordia will attempt to keep the streak alive this week as it hosts Mount Marty and then travels to Morningside.
· For additional news and notes, check out the program’s homepage HERE.
· This week:
o Wednesday, Oct. 1 vs. Mount Marty (5-4, 2-1 GPAC), 8 p.m.
o Saturday, Oct. 4 at Morningside (5-1-2, 2-1 GPAC), 7:30 p.m.
Men’s Soccer
· Current record: 3-6, 1-1 GPAC.
· Last week:
o Won vs. Briar Cliff, 1-0, on Sept. 27.
· Links: 2025 Schedule | Roster | Statistics | NAIA Coaches’ Poll
· Notable: Roughly halfway through the regular season schedule, the Bulldogs enjoyed a bye in the middle of last week while preparing for this weekend’s home clash with Briar Cliff. The rest did some good as Concordia returned to action with a 1-0 win over the Chargers. The Bulldogs got a goal in the 37th minute from Oliver Benson and made it stand up in their first shutout of the 2025 season. Goalkeeper Nolan Fuelberth (six saves) and the back line did the job in a contest with a large number of shots (24-16 in Concordia’s favor). Ricards Busmeisters was particularly active for the Bulldogs as he put five shots on frame (seven total shots). The result was a nice bounce back after Concordia fell at Northwestern, 2-1, in its GPAC opener. That loss snapped the program’s 30-game GPAC regular season unbeaten streak (20-0-10 during that stretch). Through nine games this season, the Bulldogs have scored nine goals and have allowed 12. Busmeisters is the team’s leading goal scorer with three. Head Coach Jason Weides’ squad will look to put together a new win streak as it hosts Mount Marty and travels to Morningside this week.
· For a closer look at this week’s matchups, check out the game notes linked HERE.
· This week:
o Wednesday, Oct. 1 vs. Mount Marty (2-2-2, 0-1-2 GPAC), 5:30 p.m.
o Saturday, Oct. 4 at Morningside (3-6, 1-2 GPAC), 5 p.m.
Golf
· Most recent completed tournament:
o Men – Placed 9th/9 (323-334-323–980) at the Bent Tree Intercollegiate on Sept. 22-23.
o Women – Placed 2nd/11 (334-329–663) at the Siouxland Invite on Sept. 16-17.
· Men’s Links: 2025-26 Schedule | Roster | Statistics
· Women’s Links: 2025-26 Schedule | Roster | Statistics
· Notable: Early last week, Head Coach Brett Muller’s men’s squad went up against a field loaded with strong junior college programs at the Bent Tree Intercollegiate in Council Bluffs, Iowa. The result was a ninth-place team finish and higher scores than hoped (323-334-323–980) on perhaps the toughest course the team will play during the 2025-26 season. The best individual performance at the Bent Tree Intercollegiate was turned in by junior Jude Elgert, who shot 78-73-80–231. So far this season, senior Jake Richmond owns the team’s lowest scoring average at 77.5. On the women’s side, the Bulldogs are in the midst of the two-day York Invite. In Monday’s action at York Country Club, the Concordia women shot 338 and sat two strokes behind Park University (Mo.) for first place. The Bulldogs remained in second place as of early afternoon on Tuesday (Sept. 30) in the final round of the event. After day one, Emery Custer, Savannah McFalls, Olivia James and Amelia Ptacnik held down top 10 spots on the individual leaderboard. Custer was coming off a championship at the Siouxland Invite. Both the men and women will end their fall varsity slates by playing at the Nebraska Intercollegiate in Fremont on Oct. 6-7.
· Up next:
o Men – Oct. 6-7 at Nebraska Intercollegiate (Fremont GC).
o Women – Sept. 29-30 at York Invite (York CC); Oct. 6-7 at Nebraska Intercollegiate (Fremont GC).
Cross Country
· Most recent:
o Men – placed 14th/23 (9th/17 in Gold Division) at Greeno/Dirksen Invite on Sept. 20.
o Women – placed 14th/22 (8th/16 in Gold Division) at Greeno/Dirksen Invite on Sept. 20.
· Links: 2025 Schedule | Roster | NAIA Polls: Men | Women
· Notable: Outing No. 2 of the 2025 season saw Head Coach Matt Beisel’s squads compete in the largescale Greeno/Dirksen Invite co-hosted by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Nebraska Wesleyan University on Sept. 20. Concordia emerged from Mahoney Golf Course in Lincoln with overall place finishes of 14th out of 23 on the men’s side (ninth out of 17 in the Gold Division) and 14th out of 22 on the women’s side (eighth out of 16 in the Gold Division). The Gold Division included non-Division I teams/athletes. Individually, recent GPAC Runners of the Week Keeli Green and Trey Robertson paced their respective sides. Green completed the 5k race in 18:21.78 and placed ninth in the Gold Division (16th overall). Meanwhile, Robertson finished the men’s 8k in 25:42.04, good for 15th in the Gold Division (41st overall). Each of the Bulldogs’ top five on the men’s side came in under 27 minutes. On the women’s side, sophomore Annaka Schlachter clocked in at 19:56.65 and placed in the top 50 of the Gold Division. Both teams’ top 10 finishers were similar when compared to the Augustana Twilight. The Concordia squads placed favorably compared to their GPAC competition. The results of the first two meets were impressive enough for the Bulldogs to receive votes in the NAIA coaches’ polls released on Sept. 25. After a week off from competition, Concordia will return to the trails this Saturday for the Briar Cliff Invite at Adams Homestead and Nature Preserve in North Sioux City, S.D.
· For additional news and notes on the Concordia Cross Country teams, click HERE.
· Up next:
o Saturday, Oct. 4 at Briar Cliff Invite (North Sioux City, S.D.), 10 a.m.