SEWARD, Neb. – For their performances throughout the calendar month, standout seniors Kierstynn Garner (soccer) and Adam Van Cleave (football) have been chosen as the Bulldog Athletics Association Member Athletes (BAAM) of the Month for October 2025. The winners emerged from a vote conducted on Tuesday (Nov. 4) among attendees at the BAAM luncheon. BAAM luncheons are held every Tuesday (when classes are in session) at 12 p.m. CT inside the Dog House Grill.
A senior from Kearney, Neb., Garner has put together another First Team All-GPAC type of season while leading Concordia to a second place GPAC regular season finish. During the month of October, Garner tallied seven goals (two game winners) and four assists in eight games as the Bulldogs went 5-1-2. The Kearney High School product concluded the month in dramatic fashion when she scored two goals, including the game winner with 11 seconds remaining, in the 2-1 win over Doane in the regular season finale. This 2025 campaign, Garner has tallied 19 goals, 12 assists and 50 points. She has pushed her career totals to 68 goals and 30 assists in 78 games at Concordia. Garner assisted two goals in Tuesday’s GPAC quarterfinal win while helping the Bulldogs advance with a 3-0 home win over College of Saint Mary. On the program’s all-time lists, Garner ranks first in game winning goals (23), second in goals (68), second in points (166) and fourth in assists (30). She is on track for a fourth career GPAC All-Conference award.
A senior (junior in terms of eligibility) from Columbus, Neb., Van Cleave earned national recognition in October while making a position switch on the fly. The Columbus Lakeview High School alum eclipsed 100 rushing yards and 100 receiving yards and scored three touchdowns in the Oct. 18 win at Hastings resulted in Van Cleave being named the NAIA National Offensive Player of the Week. Overall in October, Van Cleave totaled 31 receptions for 348 yards and three touchdowns, rushed 47 times for 145 yards and two touchdowns and returned 11 kicks for 287 yards and a touchdown (six total touchdowns in October). Van Cleave currently leads all GPAC players in all-purpose yards (1,201). On the season, Van Cleave has amassed 58 receptions for 696 yards and six touchdowns, 195 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns. In 20 career games as a Bulldog, Van Cleave has compiled 2,713 all-purpose yards (1,548 receiving, 879 kick return, 195 rushing and 91 punt return). His 130 receptions are seventh most in program history. Van Cleave has helped the program to a combined 14-4 record over the past two seasons.
BAAM Athletes of the Month are rewarded out of the pool of student-athletes that garner BAAM Athlete of the Week recognition throughout the month.
2025-26 BAAM Athletes of the Month
October – Kierstynn Garner (soccer) / Adam Van Cleave (football)
September – Carson Fehlhafer (football) / Katie Welker (shooting sports)
2024-25 BAAM Athletes of the Month
April – Christian Gutierrez (baseball) / Adrianna Rodencal (track & field)
March – Jennifer Katz (softball) / Jaidan Quinn (baseball)
February – Abby Krieser (basketball) / Noah Schutte (basketball)
January – Adrianna Rodencal (track & field) / Tristan Smith (basketball)
December – Gabi Nordaker (volleyball) / Tristan Smith (basketball)
November – Austin Jablonski (football) / Kristin Vieselmeyer (basketball)
October – Carson Fehlhafer (football) / Kierstynn Garner (soccer)
September – Mark Arp (football) / Gabi Nordaker (volleyball)