The fall of 2025 saw both the Bulldog men’s soccer and volleyball teams advance farther than ever before at their respective NAIA National Championship tournaments. Additionally, there were incredible fall seasons turned in individually by the likes of Carson Fehlhafer, Kierstynn Garner, Keeli Green, Ashley Keck, Katie Welker and others. At the close of the fall sports season, Concordia University, Nebraska Athletics has positioned itself once again to compete for the GPAC All-Sports Standings Championship.
By the numbers, the fall saw Bulldog teams combine for 43 all-conference awards and 82 NAIA Scholar-Athlete honors. The lone team GPAC championship was produced by Coach Jason Weides’ men’s soccer squad that won the conference tournament title. Every single fall Concordia team placed in the top five of the conference standings. In another coaching highlight, Ben Boldt rose to the top of the all-time wins list in Bulldog Volleyball history.
TOP MOMENT – fall 2025
Volleyball reaches first ever NAIA national semifinal
The coaches and players who experienced the five-set win over sixth-ranked University of Providence (Mont.) on Dec. 6 won’t soon forget that moment. The historic win pushed Concordia Volleyball to the NAIA national tournament semifinals for the first time in program history. The national tournament path to the semis also included wins over Florida National, No. 22 Dakota Wesleyan and No. 14 The Master’s (Calif.). Head Coach Ben Boldt’s squad concluded the season at 28-4 overall for the highest win total for the program during the GPAC era (2000-present). For their roles in the postseason run, Ashley Keck and Ella Waters were named to the NAIA National Championship All-Tournament Team.
Said Ben Boldt following the win over Providence, “It means a lot. We talked about that in the locker room. It’s built on the people who have come before us. I’m really proud right now. It’s a culmination of the work that we’ve put in and just keeping at it. We don’t talk about results. We talk about our process. Where we’re at now is a result of us putting in work.”
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Men’s Soccer makes history with advancement to national tournament second run
As documented, the Bulldogs started sluggishly in 2025, as they opened 0-4 and then fell in their conference opener. It wasn’t until October that Coach Jason Weides’ team found its groove. The turning point appeared to occur on Oct. 8 when Concordia earned a 3-1 win at Hastings. That result began a stretch of eight wins and nine outings, spanning through the GPAC tournament title run. In the conference tournament (every game at home), top goal scorer Ricards Busmeisters and the Bulldogs defeated Hastings, Briar Cliff and Morningside in claiming a championship. History was then made on Nov. 20 when Concordia advanced past No. 24 Eastern Oregon on PKs in the first round of the national tournament. It marked the first time the program had ever advanced at the national tournament. Weides and his staff were honored as 2025 Men’s Soccer NAIA Plains Region Staff of the Year for their efforts.
Keeli Green returns to action, earns All-America honors
A sophomore in terms of athletic eligibility, Keeli Green emerged as a feel-good story this fall. After a year away from competition, Green returned to the cross country trails and established herself as one of the top runners at both the conference and national levels. She placed fourth at the GPAC Championships with a 6k time of 21:48.2. The Arlington, Neb., native qualified individually for the NAIA National Championships in Tallahassee, Fla., where she went on to earn her first career All-America award. Green placed 26th at the national meet with a 6k time of 21:50.5. Green will attempt to carry that success over into indoor track.
Carlos Collazo breaks school single game rushing record
One of the most coveted school records on the gridiron belongs to Carlos Collazo. The junior running back from Marquette, Neb., bruised his way to 283 rushing yards on 39 carries in Concordia’s 52-43 win at Mount Marty on Oct. 4. Collazo eclipsed the program’s single game rushing record on his final carry of the game – a 29-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter. The previous school standard had been 266 rushing yards by Ryan Durdon (2017) and Randy Pospishil (1972). Unfortunately, Collazo missed the season’s final five games due to injury. He was leading the NAIA in rushing yards per game at the time he went down.
Keck enjoys one of top individual seasons in volleyball history
Ashley Keck put together one of the best seasons ever by a Concordia Volleyball player in 2025. While leading the Bulldogs to the national semifinals, Keck totaled 481 kills (4.18 per set), 493 digs (4.29 per set), 44 blocks and 28 aces while hitting .234 from the outside. Her kill total was the highest in the single season by a Concordia player during the GPAC era and highest in program history during the rally scoring era. As part of her All-America campaign, Keck surpassed 1,000 career kills and 1,000 career digs, becoming the fifth player in school history to reach both totals. Through four collegiate seasons, Keck has piled up 1,460 kills and 1,266 digs.
Women’s golf claims breaks school records
Head Coach Brett Muller’s women’s golf program appears well-positioned to make a move up the GPAC standings this coming spring. The 2025-26 team has already broken school records for 18-hole score (320 at the Mount Marty Invite) and for two-day tournament score (336-322–658 at the Frommelt Fall Classic). Led by senior Emery Custer, the Bulldogs placed second at four of their five fall tournaments. Individually, Custer’s respective place finishes this fall were third, second, first, second and sixth. Custer won the Siouxland Invite, marking her first career tournament win. The team’s current 18-hole average of 332.7 is on track to shatter another program record.
Lifting programs continue to raise bar, rewrite record books
Program records for the Concordia Powerlifting and Weightlifting programs are occurring at a dizzying rate. In powerlifting, five Bulldogs broke school records at the CUNE Collegiate Powerlifting Meet and then 12 set new standards at the Central Collegiate Cup Series. At the most recent outing, Leo Guiza (110 kg) became the first athlete in program history to crack 800 kg for a total. In capping the fall semester on the weightlifting side of things, Kaiden Mima captured open division and junior division championships at the prestigious Virus Weightlifting Finals. Back at the Nebraska State Weightlifting Championships, five Concordia athletes broke school records. The lifting seasons will continue in the spring semester.
Garner ascends to top of women’s soccer all-time lists, leads program to highest ranked win
The season ended too abruptly in the minds of members of the women’s soccer team, but there were fun moments along the way. In just the second game of 2025, Head Coach Nick Smith’s squad earned the program’s highest ranked win over as it defeated then No. 4 Columbia (Mo.), 3-1. Individually, Kearney, Neb., native Kierstynn Garner continued to rise up the program all-time lists, now ranking first in game-winning goals (23), second in goals scored (68), second in points (167) and third in assists (31). Garner posted 19 goals and 13 assists in her senior season.
Football finishes strong, defeats No. 19 Northwestern in finale
In backing up an 8-2 season in 2024, the 2025 Bulldogs carried over that momentum and finished 7-3. Concordia ended on a high note as it defeated No. 19 Northwestern, 21-17, inside Bulldog Stadium. Head Coach Patrick Daberkow’s squad was likely one win shy of being in serious discussion for an NAIA playoff berth. In continuing the program’s strong offensive output, the ’25 team posted all-time school rankings of second in points scored (348), second in touchdowns scored (44), second in first downs per game (22.4), third in scoring average (34.8), fourth in passing yards per game (242.1) and fifth in total yards per game (396.2).
Welker wins two HOA titles as part of impressive fall
On the ranges within the region, senior Katie Welker shined throughout six fall competitions for Concordia Shooting Sports. Among the highlights, Welker won women’s high overall titles at the Midland Invite and Southeast Community College Invite, shot two separate perfect scores in trap (100) and was the Prairie Circuit Conference women’s runner up. Welker was named to the all-conference team. The Hamill, S.D., native will continue her season in the spring semester when the ACUI National Championships are held.
CROSS COUNTRY
2025 GPAC Finishes: Men 3rd; Women 5th
Head Coach: Matt Beisel, 10th season
2025 All-GPAC: Vaughn Hendrickson (3rd); Keeli Green (4th); Trey Robertson (11th); Trevor Kuncl (13th); Aidan Limback (15th).
2025 NAIA All-American: Keeli Green (26th).
Season Summary:
Men
From a time perspective, the Bulldogs put together their best GPAC championship race during Coach Matt Beisel’s 10-year tenure. At the conference meet held in Ashland, Neb., Concordia earned four GPAC All-Conference awards via Vaughn Hendrickson (third), Trey Robertson (11th), Trevor Kuncl (13th) and Aidan Limback (15th). The Bulldogs placed third in the GPAC and narrowly missed out on a team at-large berth to the national championships. The lone national qualifier was the sophomore Hendrickson, who traveled to Tallahassee, Fla., and placed 139th. In other season highlights, Concordia posted team placements of fourth at both the Augustana Twilight and Briar Cliff Invite.
Women
In what was a feel-good story, Keeli Green returned to the trails in 2025, placed fourth in the GPAC and established herself as one of the NAIA’s top runners. Green qualified for the national championships individually and earned All-America honors with a 26th place finish (21:50.5 6k time). From a team perspective, Concordia placed fifth in the GPAC and was receiving votes in the NAIA coaches’ poll in the middle of the season. Outside of Green, the team’s top finishers at the conference meet at Mahoney State Park were Annaka Schlachter, Alison Stepanek, Lydia Edmonds and Ashley Robertson.
FOOTBALL
2025 Record: 7-3 overall, 7-3 GPAC (3rd)
Head Coach: Patrick Daberkow, 9th season
2025 All-GPAC: Carson Fehlhafer (First Team); Brevin Damrow (First Team); Daylon Henson (First Team); Grant Huss (First Team); Adam Van Cleave (First Team); Peyton Atwood (Second Team); Derek Campbell (Second Team); Carlos Collazo (Second Team); Braxtyn Koch (Second Team); Dylan Meyer (Second Team); Max Wurdeman (Second Team); Max Bartels (Honorable Mention); Terry Sebek (Honorable Mention); Gideon Stark (Honorable Mention).
2025 NAIA All-Americans: Carson Fehlhafer (First Team – AFCA); Daylon Henson (Third Team – AFCA).
Season Summary: The momentum the Bulldogs built into 2024 carried over into 2025 as Head Coach Patrick Daberkow’s squad finished at 7-3, good for third place in the GPAC. Concordia ended the season with an exclamation point as it defeated No. 19 Northwestern, 21-17, inside Bulldog Stadium. While retooling the team’s offensive personnel, the Bulldogs averaged 34.8 points and 396.2 yards per game this fall. Gideon Stark took over the reins at quarterback and threw for 2,339 yards and 21 touchdowns. School records were broken by running back Carlos Collazo for rushing yards in a game (283 at Mount Marty) and by kicker Peyton Atwood for longest field goal (50) and most career PATs (121). An NAIA National Player of the Week was earned by Atwood, defensive lineman Carson Fehlhafer, punter Braxtyn Koch and receiver Adam Van Cleave. Concordia went 2-1 against its Nebraska rivals earning wins over Doane and Hastings while fall in double overtime to Midland.
Fourteen Bulldogs earned GPAC All-Conference awards, led by Fehlhafer, who was named an NAIA First Team All-American by the American Football Coaches Association. Fehlhafer was joined with first team all-conference honors by center Brevin Damrow, safety Daylon Henson, linebacker Grant Huss and Van Cleave. Second team honors went to Atwood, offensive lineman Derek Campbell, Collazo, Koch, linebacker Dylan Meyer and long snapper Max Wurdeman. The ’25 team set a new program record with 24 NAIA Scholar-Athlete awards.
GOLF
GPAC Standing: Conference championships held in spring 2026
Head Coach: Brett Muller, 15th season
Season Summary:
Men
The fall slate included five tournaments. The team’s highest placement was fourth at the Nebraska Intercollegiate in October. At the Nebraska Intercollegiate, freshman Calvin Zabloudil capped the fall by placing ninth, earning him an individual medal. By 18-hole average, Concordia’s top competitors during the fall were senior Jake Richmond (77.3), Zabloudil (78.1) and junior Jude Elgert (78.9). The team’s season average stands at 314.4. Head Coach Brett Muller rebuilt the 2025-26 roster with a strong crew of newcomers. The lineup at the final fall tournament featured three freshmen in Zabloudil, Logan Krabbenhoft and Tyler Weismann.
Women
The Bulldogs took a significant leap forward this fall while led by seniors Emery Custer and Maddie Lewis. Of the five fall tournaments, Concordia placed second in four of them. The 2025-26 team has already broken school records for 18-hole score (320 at the Mount Marty Invite) and for two-day tournament score (336-322–658 at the Frommelt Fall Classic). The Broken Bow, Neb., native Custer won her first career tournament title when she took first place at the Siouxland Invite (77-78–155). Custer holds a season scoring average of 79.2. Both Lewis and Savannah McFalls also posted one top-five tournament finish in the fall. The team’s current season average of 332.7 would shatter another school record if it holds through the spring.
GPAC Championships:
Men – April 20-21, 2026 (Dakota Dunes CC – Dakota Dunes, S.D.)
Women – April 27-28, 2026 (Dakota Dunes CC – Dakota Dunes, S.D.)
NAIA Championships:
Men – May 12-15, 2026 (TPC Deere Run – Silvis, Ill.)
Women – May 19-22, 2026 (Eagle Crest Golf Club – Ypsilanti, Mich.)
LIFTING SPORTS
2025 Fall Competitions: CUNE Collegiate Powerlifting Meet (PL – Oct. 4); Nebraska State Weightlifting Championships (WL – Oct. 18); Central Collegiate Cup Series (PL – Nov. 22-23); Virus Weightlifting Finals (WL – Dec. 4-7).
Head Coach: Freddie Myles, 4th season
Season Summaries:
Powerlifting – Two meets took place in the fall as the Bulldogs competed at the CUNE Collegiate Powerlifting Meet (Oct. 4) and the Central Collegiate Cup Series (Nov. 22-23). At the season opening home meet, five Concordia athletes broke school records, including 110 kg stalwart Leo Guiza, who became the first Bulldog to break 800 kg for a total (accomplished at the Central Collegiate Cup). Twelve Concordia athletes went on to set new program standards at meet No. 2 of the fall. School record totals were achieved by Guiza, Teya Badger (100 kg), Taylor Hedke (60 kg), Matthew Hernandez (67.5 kg), Abby Nelson (82.5 kg) and Katie Wilson (48 kg). Head Coach Freddie Myles’ squads earned team place finishes of second on the women’s side and third on the women’s side at the Central Collegiate Cup.
Weightlifting – The two fall competitions for Concordia were the Nebraska State Weightlifting Championships (Oct. 18) and the Virus Weightlifting Finals (Dec. 4-7). At the season opening meet, new school standards were set for snatch, clean and jerk and overall total within their respective weight classes by the likes of Evan Fukuhara (79kg), Taylor Hedke (63kg), Enzo Mancini (110kg), Kaiden Mima (65kg) and Abby Nelson (53kg). The Bulldogs won the team championship at the event in Omaha. To cap the semester in December, Coach Freddie Myles’ squad earned four top-three individual placements at the prestigious Virus Weightlifting Finals in Daytona Beach, Fla. Mima emerged as a national champion in the amateur and open divisions. Other top three finishers were Mancini, Nelson and Marcus Sweet. The men’s team placed fifth in the open division. As another major highlight of the fall, Myles was named the 2025 Iowa-Nebraska Weightlifting State Organization (WSO) Coach of the Year.
SHOOTING SPORTS
2025 Conference Finish: 4th (Prairie Circuit Conference)
Head Coach: Dylan Owens, 4th season
All-Conference: Katie Welker.
Season Summary: Head Coach Dylan Owens entered his team into six competitions throughout the fall. The team’s place finishers were fifth at the Fort Hays State Shoot, fourth at the Simpson Invite, seventh at the Midland Open, fourth at the Prairie Circuit Conference Championships, fourth at the Hastings Invite and second at the Southeast Community College Invite. It was a spectacular fall for senior Katie Welker, who claimed two women’s high overall championships, shot two separate 100s in trap, was the HOA runner up at the conference championships and was named an all-conference award winner. On the men’s side, Devin Harris starred while winning the men’s HOA title at the SCC Invite. At the conference shoot in Grand Island, Neb., the team’s top HOA shooters outside of Welker (462) were Sam Blevins (456), Harris (455), Kaylee Hinton (431) and Clayton Gellerman (422). The ACUI Collegiate Clay Target National Championships will be held in March of 2026.
2026 ACUI National Championships: March 15-21 (San Antonio, Texas).
MEN’S SOCCER
2025 Record: 12-9-1, 7-3 GPAC (3rd); GPAC Tournament Champion; NAIA National Championship Second Round.
Head Coach: Jason Weides, 18th season
2025 All-GPAC: Ricards Busmeisters (First Team); Oliver Balazs (Second Team); Hugo Garrote (Second Team); Slade Leicht (Second Team); Inigo Chavarria (Honorable Mention); Nolan Fuelberth (Honorable Mention); Adrian Wambua (Honorable Mention); Mike Wyvill (Honorable Mention).
Season Summary: It was an “uncommon” journey for Head Coach Jason Weides’ 2025 team, which went from an 0-4 start to GPAC tournament champions and a spot in the second round of the national tournament. Starting with a 3-1 win at archrival Hastings in early October, the Bulldogs won eight of nine games while celebrating the program’s third GPAC postseason championship. During the conference tournament, Concordia host all the way through and earned tight wins over Hastings, 1-0 (overtime), Briar Cliff, 3-2, and Morningside, 2-1, in the GPAC final. In continuing a memorable journey, the Bulldogs got past No. 24 Eastern Oregon in the NAIA National Championship First Round in penalty kicks, 4-2, behind heroes Inigo Chavarria and Ricards Busmeisters. The result marked the first time Concordia has ever advanced at the national tournament. The Bulldogs ended the campaign at 12-9-1 overall. They placed third in the GPAC regular season standings. The team’s all-conference award winners were Busmeisters (first team), second teamers Oliver Balazs, Hugo Garrote and Slade Leicht and honorable mention selections in Chavarria, Nolan Fuelberth, Adrian Wambua and Mike Wyvill.
WOMEN’S SOCCER
2025 Record: 13-2-5 overall, 7-1-3 GPAC (2nd)
Head Coach: Nick Smith, 3rd season
2025 All-GPAC: Kierstynn Garner (First Team); Niah Kirchner (First Team); Kyana Rios (First Team); Triniti Rowe (Second Team); Guadalupe Sanchez (Second Team); Sadie Mares (Honorable Mention); Elena Ruiz (Honorable Mention); Taylor Slaymaker (Honorable Mention).
Season Summary: A season that began with considerably lofty expectations concluded in the GPAC semifinals with a 2-1 overtime loss to Hastings. Head Coach Nick Smith’s squad was one of the final teams left out of the national tournament field. Thus, the Bulldogs wound up with a final record of 13-2-5. Season highlights included a 3-1 nonconference victory over fourth-ranked Columbia (Mo.) and a late season seven-game unbeaten streak the started with a 2-1 road win over Hastings. Columbia was the highest ranked opponent a Concordia Women’s Soccer team has ever defeated. Star striker Kierstynn Garner moved all the way to No. 2 on the program’s all-time goals list with 68 for her career. Garner earned First Team All-GPAC honors along with teammates Niah Kirchner, Kyana Rios and Triniti Rowe. Second team honors went to Guadalupe Sanchez and honorable mention status was earned by Sadie Mares, Elena Ruiz and Taylor Slaymaker. Collectively, they helped the Bulldogs outscore their opponents by a combined total of 57-20. Five Concordia players notched at least five goals, led by 19 from Garner.
VOLLEYBALL
2025 Record: 28-4 overall, 15-1 GPAC (2nd); GPAC tournament runner up; NAIA National Semifinalist
Head Coach: Ben Boldt, 8th season
2025 All-GPAC: Ashley Keck (GPAC Attacker of the Year; First Team); Ava Greene (First Team); Ella Waters (First Team); Emma Brueggemann (GPAC Freshman of the Year; Second Team); Molli Martin (Second Team); Shandy Faalii (Honorable Mention); Kya Scott (Honorable Mention); Angie Boldt (Assistant Coach of the Year).
2025 NAIA All-Americans: Ashley Keck (First Team); Ella Waters (Second Team); Ava Greene (Honorable Mention).
Season Summary: The journey landed the Bulldogs into the NAIA national semifinals for the first time in program history. A historic victory was claimed on Dec. 8 when third-ranked Concordia defeated sixth-ranked Providence (Mont.) in four sets in the national quarterfinals. Head Coach Ben Boldt guided his squad to a 28-4 overall (15-1 GPAC) record during a season that included GPAC runner-up placements in the regular season and postseason. Along the way, the Bulldogs went up against the very best teams in the nation and won on the road over eventual national champion Indiana Wesleyan. First Team All-GPAC honors were earned by Ava Greene, Ashley Keck and Ella Waters. Second team accolades went to Emma Brueggemann (freshman of the year) and Molli Martin while honorable mention status was garnered by Shandy Faalii and Kya Scott. Angie Boldt was recognized as GPAC AVCA Assistant Coach of the Year. Keck put together one of the finest seasons ever by an individual player and has amassed 1,460 kills and 1,266 digs in her distinguished career. The elite nature of the program is depicted by its 24 consecutive top five appearances in the NAIA coaches’ poll. Ben Boldt is now the winningest coach in program history with 182 wins in his eight years.