A new automatic national qualifying time in the mile led to Calvin Rohde being named the GPAC Men's Indoor Track Athlete of the Week. Rohde is qualified for nationals in three events for the fifth-ranked Bulldogs.
The third of five home indoor meets this season will be Friday's Concordia Classic. The Bulldogs are slated to welcome athletes from 13 competing institutions as they look to add to their season tally of 16 automatic standards.
It was another solid weekend of indoor competition as the top five nationally ranked Bulldogs combined for four fresh 'A' marks and 14 event championships at the Fred Beile Classic hosted by Doane on Saturday (Jan. 28).
In the initial 2023 NAIA national ratings index released by the USTFCCCA, the Bulldog women appeared at No. 2 while the men landed at No. 5. Concordia athletes have combined for 12 automatic national qualifying marks so far.
The Bulldogs are back in a groove. While hosting the Concordia Polar Dog Invite on Saturday (Jan. 21), Concordia athletes combined for five fresh 'A' standards and 17 meet titles. Calvin Rohde made waves with two national qualifying times.
Nine institutions will be represented on Saturday when the Bulldogs put on the Polar Dog Invite inside the Fieldhouse. Concordia will attempt to add to its season tally of eight automatic national qualifying marks.
In a return to action at both the Graduate Classic and Nisely Memorial Classic, the Bulldogs got starring performances from the women's DMR and 4x4 and from Josie Puelz. Concordia won a pair of event titles at the Nisely Classic.
Concordia Track & Field will be represented at the Graduate Classic and the Nisely Memorial Classic this weekend as the Bulldogs return to action following the break. Concordia will look to add to its four automatic national marks.
For her performances at the Concordia Early Bird Meet, Concordia standout Amy Richert has been named the GPAC Women's Indoor Field Athlete of the Week. Richert is the current NAIA national leader in the pentathlon.
While putting on its season opening meet, Concordia Track & Field combined to post 14 event championships, four automatic national qualifying marks and 10 'B' standards. The Bulldogs were joined by eight competing institutions at the Early Bird meet.
While plenty of All-Americans and GPAC champions have departed, Head Coach Matt Beisel and company are eager to see how the pieces fit together for 2024-25 track teams with the usual lofty aspirations.
She's one of a kind for so many reasons. In five years as a Concordia Bulldog, Josie Puelz not only won five NAIA national titles, she did so with class and that signature smile while living out her Christian faith.
The collegiate journey for Chris Wren culminated with a hammer throw national title. This mountaintop moment was meant to be for Wren, who looks back at his Concordia experience and how it transformed his life.
While feeling the best she ever has physically and mentally, Hastings native Jenna Esch has thrived in her third and final year as a Bulldog. Says Esch, "It’s been really special what I’ve been able to do, especially with this group of people."
On the heels of a fine indoor season, Concordia Track & Field sets its focus upon the 2024 outdoor campaign. The Bulldogs will attempt to build upon the All-America awards won by 15 individuals at the indoor national meet.
The ‘aha moment’ for Zach Zohner occurred during the middle of the 2023 indoor season when he decided he would no longer let the fear of injury monopolize his thoughts. The right mentality set him on a path to a national title.
Energetic and intensely competitive, Rylee Haecker has been described by coaches as "a gamer." Beyond athletics, Haecker is caring and outgoing, is a positive encourager of her teammates and is devout in her faith.
If the Bulldog Early Bird Meet is any indication, Concordia Track & Field is in for a phenomenal 2023-24 indoor season. The Bulldogs enter 2024 expecting to compete with the best of the GPAC and the NAIA once again.
With only a cinder track and no dedicated indoor facilities, Coach John Knight went to work building up the Concordia Cross Country and Track & Field programs. He succeeded in landing some of the top athletes in school history.
In winding down a fifth year of a remarkable collegiate journey, the triple major Rachel Battershell has rediscovered the joy that made her a champion. Nearing the finish line, Battershell reflected on an experience she calls "really special."