The Concordia Track & Field program has solidified a 2024 indoor nationals roster of 32. The entire NAIA qualifying field was announced on Friday (Feb. 23) by the national office.
Another coaching award came the way of Matt Beisel, who was recognized by the USTFCCCA as the 2024 NAIA Midwest Region Women’s Indoor Coach of the Year. Beisel was also named GPAC Women's Coach of the Year.
Matt Beisel and his staff earned recognition as the 2024 GPAC Women's Indoor Coach/Program of the Year and 46 Bulldogs garnered all-conference accolades. The list includes seven individual GPAC champions.
The incredible string of GPAC team championships has reached 10 for the women's track & field program. The Bulldogs turned in placements of first on the women's side and third on the men's side at the '24 GPAC indoor meet.
As part of her terrific indoor season, Jenna Esch ran the 800 meters in 2:15.68 at the Concordia Invite and was named the GPAC Women's Track Athlete of the Week. Esch is qualified for nationals in six events.
Following five weekends of indoor competition this 2023-24 season, Concordia Track & Field is gearing up for the 2024 indoor conference meet. The Bulldogs will enter the GPAC championships holding 16 conference leading marks.
It was the indoor home finale for the 2023-24 season. The Bulldogs seized the opportunity by adding six automatic national qualifying standards to the season tally. Concordia athletes also combined for 11 event titles.
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.
For the second time in two weeks, Kylahn Freiberg has been named the GPAC women's track athlete of the week. Freiberg turned in automatic national qualifying times in both the mile and 3,000 meters last week.
The Concordia Invite will serve as the fourth and final home meet for the Bulldogs this 2023-24 indoor season. Athletes from eight institutions will convene inside the Walz Fieldhouse on Feb. 9.
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."