SEWARD, Neb. – Two-time All-American Jonny Jurchen opened the outdoor season in style. On Wednesday (March 25), ‘The Jet’ was honored as GPAC/Hauff Mid-America Sports Men’s Track Athlete of the Week. Jurchen earned the award for his performance in the race walk at last week’s Viking Relays hosted by Grand View University (Iowa). Concordia University, Nebraska Track & Field has collected eight GPAC Athlete of the Week awards in 2025-26.
A sophomore from Seward, Jurchen kicked off the outdoor season by finishing the 5,000-meter race walk in a personal best time of 22:28.39, placing first at the Viking Relays. The time automatically qualified Jurchen for nationals and currently lands Jurchen atop the NAIA national list. Additionally, Jurchen moved to No. 2 on Concordia’s all-time list (behind only Chris Tegtmeier, 20:42.02). Jurchen is coming off an indoor season that saw him win the GPAC title and place sixth at the NAIA Championships in the 3,000-meter race walk. Jurchen became the school record holder in the indoor 3,000-meter race walk (12:14.38).
The outdoor season will heat up this Saturday with the Central Nebraska Challenge hosted by Kearney, Neb. More info on that meet can be found HERE.
2025-26 GPAC Athletes of the Week
March 25 – Jonny Jurchen (track)
Feb. 18 – Makenna Starkey (field)
Feb. 11 – Adysen McCarter (field); Adrianna Rodencal (track)
Jan. 28 – Adysen McCarter (field)
Jan. 21 – Adrianna Rodencal (track)
Dec. 17 – Josiah Edwards (field); Adysen McCarter (field)