SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Darkness set in well before the gun went off, signaling the start of the college portion of the annual Augustana Twilight held at Yankton Trail Park in Sioux Falls, S.D. Extreme heat pushed the meet deep into the night. When the lights went out, Concordia University, Nebraska Cross Country walked away with place finishes of sixth out of 33 on the men’s side and 10th out of 28 on the women’s side. The field of more than 800 total runners represented the NAIA, all divisions of the NCAA and the junior college ranks.
Head Coach Matt Beisel’s squads featured both veterans and rookies. The men were topped by senior Trey Robertson while the women got a starring performance from freshman Hope Beck. The men’s and women’s races covered a 5k distance. Beisel came away satisfied with what he saw from Bulldog teams that were picked third in the GPAC preseason coaches’ polls. As Beisel noted, “It was a very solid start. I’m pleased with the effort and I’m thankful to God for these kids.”
Even without the sun bearing down, the heat and humidity played a factor on Friday night. High school races were held prior to the start of the college meet, which began at 9:45 p.m. local time.
Men’s Summary
The Concordia men set a solid foundation for the 2026 season while putting five runners in the 45th through 76th placements in a field of 478 runners. Four of the five teams that placed above the Bulldogs were either NCAA Division I or II teams. With 234 points, Concordia finished just behind NAIA 19th-ranked Doane (208) while beating out other GPAC competition in Northwestern (eighth), Mount Marty (13th), Morningside (26th), Midland (29th) and Briar Cliff (31st).
A senior from Wallace, Neb., Robertson earned GPAC All-Conference honors as a sophomore and junior and has begun ’26 as the team’s frontrunner. Robertson completed the 5k race in 15:42.1 and outkicked all but four GPAC/NAIA runners in the meet. Three teammates also clocked in at under 16 minutes: senior Aidan Limback (15:47.7), junior Vaughn Hendrickson (15:54.4) and sophomore Keith Siek (15:56.2). The Bulldog top five was rounded out by senior Ransom Watts (16:02.6). Limback and Hendrickson joined Robertson will 2025 all-conference honors.
Top Dawgs | 5K
45. Trey Robertson: 15:42.1
54. Aidan Limback: 15:47.7
62. Vaughn Hendrickson: 15:54.4
65. Keith Siek: 15:56.2
76. Ransom Watts: 16:02.6
104. Justin Sherman: 16:16.8
109. Jessup Pederson: 16:19.6
Concordia’s six through 10 runners at the Augie Twilight were senior Justin Sherman (16:16.8), junior Jessup Pederson (16:19.6), freshmen Nolan Engel (16:31.5) and Hector Bonilla (16:35.7) and junior Mark Bultemeier (16:41.3). The Bulldogs were represented by 31 athletes on Friday night.
Women’s Summary
A youth movement took hold at the top of the lineup for the Bulldogs. Four of the team’s top five spots at the Augie Twilight were held down by freshman with the Elk River, Minn., native Beck setting the pace. While placing 10th as a team, Concordia outran GPAC foes Morningside (11th), Northwestern (12th), Midland (25th) and Dakota Wesleyan (26th). Doane placed eighth, 44 points in front of the Bulldogs. The top seven squads were either NCAA Division I or II.
Beisel has high hopes for a freshman class that could prove to be one of the top classes for the women’s cross country program in recent years. Beck crossed the finish line in a 5k time of 18:42.3. There were only two GPAC/NAIA runners to outperform Beck. Next in the Concordia lineup was sophomore Ashley Robertson, who clocked in at 19:27.8. Robertson was followed by three freshmen: Katie Johnson (19:29.1), Rachel Prince (19:40.0) and Amanda Smith (19:57.5). The Bulldogs’ top four placed in the top 100 overall out of 349 runners in Sioux Falls.
Top Dawgs | 5K
41. Hope Beck: 18:42.3
79. Ashley Robertson: 19:27.8
82. Katie Johnson: 19:29.1
97. Rachel Prince: 19:40.0
114. Amanda Smith: 19:57.5
123. Izzi Brumbaugh: 20:04.8
146. Annaka Schlachter: 20:15.0
Sophomore Izzi Brumbaugh (20:04.8) led the next wave of Concordia runners. The remainder of the team’s top 10 featured junior Annaka Schlachter (20:15.0), senior Macee Ripke (20:24.2) and freshmen Lottie Hamre (20:25.7) and Faith Jipp (20:27.4). Beisel entered 26 athletes into the women’s race, which got underway after 10 p.m. CT. Concordia’s depth will be a strength, considering the return of all 10 GPAC Championships competitors from last season and the addition of a decorated class of freshmen.
Up Next
The Bulldogs will return to action in two weeks at the Greeno-Dirksen Invite scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 19. The meet will be co-hosted by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Nebraska Wesleyan University at Mahoney Golf Course in Lincoln. The first race is set to go off at 10 a.m. CT.