Bulldogs finish 2018-19 as GPAC all-sports runner up

By Jacob Knabel on May. 9, 2019 in Athletic Announcements

GPAC Release

SEWARD, Neb. – A strong spring allowed the Concordia University athletics department to make a push for a GPAC All-Sports Trophy Championship. Ultimately, the Bulldogs placed second with 174.5 points, three behind champion Morningside (177.5 points). Previously, Concordia has claimed the GPAC All-Sports Trophy three times: 2014-15, 2004-05 and 2002-03. Since winning it in 2014-15, the Bulldogs have placed second in three of the past four athletic years. Twenty-one sports are now factored into the GPAC all-sports standings.

The NAIA’s all-time leader for number of Scholar-Athletes, Concordia continues to achieve at a level that places it among the top athletic departments both regionally and on the national level, while under the leadership of Director of Athletics Devin Smith and Associate Director of Athletics Angela Muller. The highlight of the 2018-19 year occurred when head coach Drew Olson’s women’s basketball team celebrated the program’s first ever national title on March 12. Olson was named the NAIA’s National Coach of the Year during a storybook season that also included a sweep of GPAC regular season (shared title) and postseason championships.

Olson is one of many Bulldog coaches to be honored throughout 2018-19. GPAC Coach of the Year accolades have gone to Matt Beisel (women’s track and field), Ryan Dupic (baseball) and David DeSimone (women’s tennis). In addition, track and field assistant coach Ed McLaughlin was recognized by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association as the 2019 NAIA National Women’s Indoor Assistant Coach of the Year. Beisel and McLaughlin were both regional honorees, as chosen by the USTFCCCA for the 2019 women’s indoor season. The men’s and women’s track teams placed ninth at the NAIA indoor championships.

The team achievements have also been made possible by standout individual athletes. Most notably, Philly Lammers garnered GPAC Player of the Year honors for the national champion women’s basketball squad and teammate Grace Barry reeled in Tournament MVP accolades at the national tournament. Recently, Cody Williams picked up the GPAC Outstanding Athlete of the Meet award at the conference outdoor track meet and Christian Meza was tabbed the GPAC Player of the Year for baseball.

The 2018-19 athletics season is not yet completed. Dupic’s squad will be competing in the opening round of the NAIA Baseball National Championship next week (May 13-16) and Beisel will take his qualifying athletes to the NAIA Outdoor Track & Field National Championships in Gulf Shores, Ala., May 23-25.

Concordia GPAC titles won in 2018-19

  • Baseball (regular season)
  • Women’s Basketball (2 – regular season/postseason)
  • Women’s Track & Field (2 – indoor/outdoor)
  • Wrestling (duals)

In addition to the GPAC titles listed above, other top-three regular season placements were turned in by men’s indoor track and field (2nd) and outdoor track and field (3rd), women’s soccer (3rd), softball (3rd) and women’s tennis (3rd).

Concordia all-time GPAC All-Sports Trophy finishes

2018-19 – 2nd
2017-18 – 6th
2016-17 – 2nd
2015-16 – 2nd
2014-15 – 1st
2013-14 – 4th
2012-13 – 6th
2011-12 – 4th
2010-11 – 7th
2009-10 – 6th
2008-09 – 6th
2007-08 – 5th
2006-07 – 5th
2005-06 – 5th
2004-05 – 1st
2003-04 – 3rd
2002-03 – 1st
2001-02 – 2nd
2000-01 – 3rd