SEWARD, Neb. – An NAIA best performance in the pole vault has allowed Josie Puelz to take the honor of GPAC/Huaff Mid-America Sports Women’s Field Athlete of the Week, as announced by the GPAC on Wednesday (April 6). In her very first outing of the 2022 outdoor season, Puelz immediately leapt to the top of the NAIA leaderboard. The announcement marks the third career GPAC weekly award for Puelz. As a team, Concordia University Women’s Track & Field has collected five GPAC Athlete of the Week awards during the 2022 indoor/outdoor seasons.
In action last week at the Central Nebraska Challenge in Kearney, Neb., Puelz cleared 12’ 7 ½” and placed second in the pole vault competition. The school’s all-time record holder in both the indoor and outdoor pole vault, Puelz figures to take aim at her outdoor standard of 13’ 7 ¼” achieved at the 2021 GPAC Championship meet. This past indoor season, Puelz captured the third pole vault national title of her impressive collegiate career. Puelz is the leader of a women’s pole vault crew that is currently ranked as the best in the NAIA. Erin Mapson also qualified for nationals last week.
Puelz and the Bulldogs are getting set to host the Concordia Invite this Friday and Saturday. The meet schedule can be found HERE.
2021-22 GPAC Athletes of the Week
April 6 – Josie Puelz (field)
Feb. 9 – Erin Mapson (field)
Feb. 2 – Sarah Ragland (field)
Jan. 19 – Morgan De Jong (field)
Dec. 15 – Sarah Lewis (track)