Battershell enjoys big day as Bulldogs host for first time in 2021 outdoor season

By Jacob Knabel on Apr. 10, 2021 in Track & Field

SEWARD, Neb. – Sunny skies greeted a field of competitors from seven different institutions as Concordia University Track & Field hosted a meet for the first time this 2021 outdoor season. The yields for the Bulldogs at the Concordia Outdoor Invite included 10 total performances that met the automatic national qualifying standard and 11 event titles. Two-time 400 meter national champion Rachel Battershell enjoyed another fine day and superstar Addie Shaw won two of the three throwing events she competed in.

Head Coach Matt Beisel’s program put on its first outdoor home meet since the 2019 Twilight Meet. Throwing events began on Friday with the bulk of the meet picking up on Saturday (April 10) from Bulldog Stadium. Concordia entered the weekend with NAIA national ratings of No. 1 for women and No. 6 for men (according to the USTFCCCA).

“We love having meets at home and take a lot of pride in doing them well,” Beisel said. “God gave us really nice weather today. It was nice to see our kids laughing and talking. We’re glad to have outdoor track again. Our short hurdlers were phenomenal, our vaulters had a good day and there were some good things in the throws. Our women’s 4x1 was very close to breaking the school record and a national qualifying time. We also had some big improvements in the distance events. Overall I think the meet went smooth.”

Beisel went on to mention a number of standout individuals. It makes sense to start with Battershell, who was stellar in all three events she ran on Saturday. The native of Wheatland, Wyo., broke the school record (previously eclipsed last week by teammate Sarah Lewis) in the 100 meter hurdles (14.59), clocked an automatic national qualifying time in the 400 hurdles (1:03.22) and anchored the 4x400 meter relay that placed first with another auto time of 3:53.92. Battershell was joined in the 4x4 by Keri Bauer, Lewis and Sydni Schernikau. That same group earned All-America honors this past indoor season.

The throws crew may not have duplicated its massive tosses from last week’s Bronco Invite, but it was still a solid weekend. A fresh ‘A’ standard was achieved by Dagne’ Buck in the hammer. In that same event NAIA hammer national leader Jacob Cornelio bumped up his PR with another 200+ footer that put him atop the Concordia Invite competition. On the women’s side, the trio of Shaw, Sarah Ragland and Liz Stottlemyre were responsible for a combined four automatic national qualifying marks. Stottlemyre improved upon an existing ‘A’ standard in the javelin with her mark of 152’ 4.”

Shaw continues to rate as one of the nation’s best in three separate events. Said Shaw, “I really enjoy being able to compete again. That transition from not competing for a year and not practicing the same during the quarantine has been a learning curve for me. It feels really good to get back into things. I can feel things start to click. They are starting to line up where I want them to be.”

Lincoln Lutheran alum Josie Puelz just keeps doing her thing in the pole vault. She won another competition while equaling her own outdoor school record clearance of 12’ 11 ½.” Erin Mapson has also stepped up to the plate as another elite vaulter. She cleared 12’ 3 ½” on Saturday (fourth place) in a loaded field.

In the women’s 4x100 meter relay, Concordia just missed a school record with a time of 48.35. The relay team included Emily Loy, Amira Cummings, Hannah Mulligan and Cora Olson. At one point, Loy ran the 100 hurdles all by herself and clocked a PR of 15.00. Lewis came in at 14.77 in the 100 hurdles. For Olson her day also featured a time of 25.61 in the 200 meters.

In addition to Battershell’s win in the 400 hurdles and the triumph by the women’s 4x4, the following individuals won their races: Sydney Clark (5,000 meters), Rylee Haecker (1,500 meters) and Camden Sesna (3,000 meter steeplechase). Beisel continues to see progress with his group of steeplechasers. Lydia Cook placed second in the event on the women’s side. The last event title (not previously mentioned) went to Amy Richert in the high jump (5’ 2 ½”).

Concordia athletes also combined for a total of 15 Concordia Invite runner-up placements. Among them was Joel Rathe, who achieved a personal best of 22’ 11 ¾” in the long jump. In the men’s pole vault, Chase Berry and Zach Bennetts were neck-and-neck for second place (both cleared 15’ 1”). Indoor All-American Wyatt Loga got near the ‘B’ standard in the high jump (6’ 4 ¾”).

The outdoor season will continue next week with the Jim Dutcher Invite (April 16-17) hosted by Doane. The next time the Bulldogs host another meet, it will be GPAC championship time (April 30-May 1).

Automatic marks achieved

·        Women’s 4x400m Relay (3:53.92)

·        Rachel Battershell – 400 hurdles (1:03.22)

·        Dagne’ Buck – hammer (174’ 10”)

·        Jacob Cornelio – hammer (204’ 9”)

·        Erin Mapson – pole vault (12’ 3 ½”)

·        Josie Puelz – pole vault (12’ 11 ½”)

·        Sarah Ragland – hammer (167’ 6”)

·        Addie Shaw – hammer (174’) / shot put (47’ 7”)

·        Liz Stottlemyre – javelin (152’ 4”)

Concordia Invite event titles

·        Women’s 4x400m Relay (3:53.92)

·        Rachel Battershell – 400 hurdles (1:03.22)

·        Sydney Clark – 5,000m (19:03.48)

·        Jacob Cornelio – hammer (204’ 9”)

·        Rylee Haecker – 1,500m (4:51.69)

·        Josie Puelz – pole vault (12’ 11 ½”)

·        Amy Richert – high jump (5’ 2 ½”)

·        Cameden Sesna – Steeplechase (9:55.66)

·        Addie Shaw – hammer (174’) / shot put (47’ 7”)

·        Liz Stottlemyre – javelin (152’ 4”)