SEWARD, Neb. – Based on their performances at the Blazing Tiger NAIA Classic, Concordia University, Nebraska sophomores Keeli Green and Vaughn Hendrickson were honored by the GPAC on Wednesday (Oct. 29). The league office recognized Green as the GPAC Women’s Runner of the Week and Hendrickson as the GPAC Men’s Runner of the Week (both awards presented by Hauff-Mid America Sports). Head Coach Matt Beisel’s men’s and women’s programs have combined for five GPAC weekly awards in 2025.
An Arlington High School product and Arlington, Neb., native, Green has raked in three GPAC Runner of the Week awards as part of a sparkling ’25 campaign. The latest award comes on the heels of Green placing third at the Blazing Tiger Classic with a personal best 6k time of 21:34.6 (best among GPAC competitors). Green helped the Bulldogs to a ninth-place team finish out of 27 squads. The USTFCCCA Cross Country Ratings Index ranks Green as the NAIA’s seventh best runner based on her four races this season. Green has placed in the top 10 of every meet in 2025. She is majoring in Secondary Education.
The reigning GPAC champion, Hendrickson showed he’s rounding back into top form with his third-place claim at the Blazing Tiger Classic. He ran a season best 8k time of 24:49.5 (best among GPAC runners) at the meet held at Mahoney State Park in Ashland, Neb. Hendrickson’s personal best of 24:37.2 came at the 2024 NAIA National Championships. The Fort Wayne, Ind., native helped the Bulldogs place sixth out of 26 teams at the Blazing Tiger Classic. Hendrickson was twice named a GPAC Runner of the Week in 2024. He is majoring in Elementary Education.
Next up will be the 2025 GPAC Championships on Saturday, Nov. 8 when Concordia will be right back at Mahoney State Park.
2025 GPAC Runners of the Week
Oct. 29 – Keeli Green / Vaughn Hendrickson
Oct. 8 – Keeli Green
Sept. 10 - Keeli Green / Trey Robertson