ASHLAND, Neb. – In a showcase meet for NAIA cross country, the Concordia University Cross Country squads met up with some of the best the NAIA has to offer. As part of the Blazing Tiger NAIA Classic co-hosted by College of Saint Mary and Doane on Saturday (Oct. 21), the eighth-ranked Bulldog women made a statement by outperforming two NAIA top 10 squads. In sum, Concordia turned in place finishes of fourth out of 23 on the women’s side and 10th out of 23 on the men’s side. The meet took place at Mahoney State Park in Ashland, Neb.
The outing marked the sixth and final meet of the 2023 regular season for Head Coach Matt Beisel’s program. This meet served as the precursor to the upcoming GPAC Championships. Said Beisel afterwards, “I’m very pleased and very thankful to God.”
Women’s Recap
Concordia Results (6k):
13. Julie McIntyre – 22:11.6
16. Kylahn Freiberg – 22:14.6
18. Keeli Green – 22:18.5
34. Rylee Haecker – 22:54.5
42. Keegan Beisel – 23:07.0
67. Alayna Vargas – 23:51.5
76. Hannah Beintema – 24:03.4
Things appear to be coming together at the right time for the NAIA eighth-ranked women’s team. As part of a loaded field that featured six of the NAIA’s top eight ranked teams, the Bulldogs beat out GPAC rival and No. 6-rated Dordt and No. 7 Southern Oregon University. With a team point total of 123, Concordia placed behind only No. 3 College of Idaho (first), No. 4 University of Saint Mary (Kan.) (second) and No. 1 Taylor University (Ind.) (third). Senior Julie McIntyre rose to the top of the pack for the Bulldogs and placed 13th out of 288 individual runners.
“Julie McIntyre ran a super strong race,” Beisel said. “She was a couple seconds off a PR. No place is as fast as Briar Cliff’s course, so we didn’t expect times to be times to be anywhere close to that. This course has lots of long, gradual hills. We really wanted to stay in that top 10 range nationally. A lot of people think we hit this pinnacle, but you have to turn things over every week again. The next two weeks is another new journey.”
McIntyre became the fourth different competitor to emerge as Concordia’s lead runner over the six meets that have taken place this fall. The Chicago, Ill., native finished the 6k race in 22:11.6, just off her time of 22:01.03 at the faster-paced course at the Briar Cliff Invite two weeks ago. McIntyre was joined in the top 20 of the Blazing Tiger leaderboard by teammates in fifth-year Bulldog Kylahn Freiberg (22:14.6; 16th) and freshman Keeli Green (22:18.5; 18th). The Nampa, Idaho, native Freiberg has finished as the team’s top runner at three separate meets in 2023 while Green led the way at the Roy Griak Invite. Freiberg was able to run a fine race despite running a fever earlier in the week.
The remainder of Concordia’s top seven on Saturday included senior Rylee Haecker (22:54.5; 34th), sophomore Keegan Beisel (23:07.0; 42nd), freshman Alayna Vargas (23:51.5; 67th) and sophomore Hannah Beintema (24:03.4; 76th). It was a breakthrough for Haecker, a dependable veteran. Twenty-six Bulldogs competed in the Blazing Tiger NAIA Classic while jockeying for spots in the 10-person lineup at the upcoming GPAC Championships. Concordia’s eight through 10 runners at the latest outing were Rhaya Kaschinske (24:20.4; 90th), Jaiden Tweton (25:30.3; 149th) and Faith Williamson (25:45.7; 162nd).
The vast majority of GPAC teams were present at Mahoney State Park. Not only did the Bulldogs defeat defending conference champion Dordt, they also beat GPAC opponents in Doane (eighth), Hastings (10th), College of Saint Mary (11th), Morningside (12th), Northwestern (14th), Jamestown (18th) and Briar Cliff (23rd). While finishing in front of two top 10 teams in the nation, Concordia also placed in front of No. 21 Tabor College (Kan.).
Men’s Recap
Concordia Results (8k):
39. Calvin Rohde – 25:37.5
48. Trey Robertson – 25:46.3
79. Trevor Kuncl – 26:19.3
87. Jack Ellis – 26:32.0
104. Aidan Limback – 26:47.4
107. Westley Determan – 26:49.0
120. Thomas Gorline – 26:58.8
From a team perspective, the Bulldogs continue to chase nationally ranked GPAC rivals in No. 6 Dordt and No. 25 Doane. Concordia landed in 10th place overall with a total of 313 points. In a close battle at the top of the Blazing Tiger meet, No. 9 College of Idaho (56 points) took home the title while holding off No. 4 University of Saint Mary (Kan.) (67) and No. 6 Dordt (79). There were seven total top 25 men’s teams that competed in Ashland.
Said Beisel, “Unfortunately, Aaron Jendro had an issue with an injury two days ago, so we pulled him out. This was an opportunity for everyone else to step up. Aidan Limback ran the race of his life as our fifth runner. He stepped up huge. Thomas Gorline, Adric Schmitz and Westley Determan filled in after that, and Jack Ellis had a great race. We were able to beat William Penn, who was receiving votes. I thought we ran a great race with everything that happened.”
Senior Calvin Rohde continues to star as the team’s No. 1 runner. The Reed City, Mich., native crossed the finish line with an 8k time of 25:37.5 and placed 39th out of 199 individuals. Not far behind Rohde was teammate Trey Robertson, the team’s top runner at the Roy Griak Invite. The freshman Robertson clocked in at 25:46.3 on Saturday. Two additional Bulldogs placed inside the top 100: Trevor Kuncl (26:19.3; 79th) and Jack Ellis (26:32.0; 87th).
The team’s top seven at the Blazing Tiger meet was rounded out by Aidan Limback (26:47.4; 104th), Westley Determan (26:49.0; 107th) and Thomas Gorline (26:58.8; 120th). Concordia competed 24 runners with its Nos. 8 through 10 spots being held down by Adric Schmitz (27:06.81; 130th), Nathan Pennekamp (27:32.13; 150th) and Charlie Hayden (27:38.79; 155th). Just like with the women, this race helped determine what the Bulldogs’ GPAC championship roster will look like in November.
The Bulldogs placed third among the eight GPAC teams present in Ashland. Concordia beat out Jamestown (15th), Northwestern (19th), Morningside (20th), Hastings (22nd) and Briar Cliff (23rd).
Up Next
Now it’s all about preparing to be at peak performance for the 2023 GPAC Cross Country Championships. The championship meet will be held at Adams Homestead and Nature Preserve in North Sioux City, S.D., on Saturday, Nov. 4. The Bulldogs ran that same course at the Briar Cliff Invite on Oct. 7.