SEWARD, Neb. – National recognition came the way of the Concordia University Track & Field 4x800 meter relay that starred at Concordia Polar Dog Invite. On Tuesday (Jan. 23), the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) announced the Bulldog grouping as the NAIA Women’s Track & Field National Athletes of the Week. The 4x8 featured Jenna Esch, Kylahn Freiberg, Julie McIntyre and Rylee Haecker.
The text below came directly from the release produced by the USTFCCCA:
Weather forced Concordia (Neb.) to have its last two meets canceled, but thankfully the Bulldogs got back in action when they hosted the Polar Dog Invite on Saturday.
The Bulldogs kicked off the meet triumphantly by winning the 4x800 relay by over 14 seconds in an NAIA-leading time of 9:15.26. Carrying the baton were junior Jenna Esh (2:17.8), senior Kylahn Freiberg (2:18.0), junior Julie McIntyre (2:20.5) and senior Rylee Haecker (2:19.0) for the fastest NAIA mark on a non-oversized track since 2019.
Three of the four relay runners added individual wins in later events: Esh (400 in 58.54, 800 in 2:22.32), Freiberg (5000 in 17:48.25) and Haecker (mile in 5:12.64).
This is the first time that a female or male athlete from Concordia has been named M-F Athletic National Athlete of the Week during the indoor season.