2023-24 GPAC Wrestling All-Conference
2023-24 All-GPAC
Creighton Baughman, Second Team
Tommy Wentz, Second Team
Mason Garcia, Honorable Mention
SEWARD, Neb. – The three Bulldogs who were officially named 2024 NAIA Wrestling National Championships qualifiers have also been recognized by the GPAC. On Wednesday (Feb. 21), the conference announced the 2023-24 All-GPAC Wrestling Team that included Conordia’s Creighton Baughman, Mason Garcia and Tommy Wentz. The all-conference teams are made up of 12 first-teamers, 12 second-teamers and six honorable mention choices.
A native of Papillion, Neb., Baughman has been named Second Team All-GPAC for the second-straight year. Now a two-time NAIA national qualifier, Baughman has also placed as the GPAC’s 141-pound runner up in back-to-back years. He will enter the national tournament carrying an overall record of 31-6. Twelve of those wins have ended with a pin. Baughman went a spotless 15-0 in duals this season. Over two years as a Bulldog, Baughman has compiled a record of 56-16. Prior to transferring to Concordia, Baughman earned two JUCO All-America awards at Iowa Western Community College.
A native of Fremont, Neb., Wentz made a splash at this past week’s GPAC Championships as he outperformed his seed in the 165-pound weight class. Wentz advanced to the championship match with three-straight tournament wins, including a pin (1:05) of top-seeded (No. 17 NAIA) Zander Ernst of Morningside. A former York College wrestler, Wentz owns a record of 12-6 on the season and has gone 32-18 over two seasons as a Bulldog. He will make his first career appearance at the national tournament.
Garcia returned to the mat this season with a vengeance and earned his bid to nationals thanks to a third-place GPAC tournament placement at 197 pounds. At the GPAC tournament, Garcia went 4-1 and earned a pin of Jamestown’s 22nd-ranked Jake Rau with third place on the line. Garcia has posted a 15-9 record (6-3 duals) this season and has claimed 46 victories in his collegiate career. The native of Arroyo Grande, Calif., also placed second at this season’s Hastings Open. Like Wentz, Garcia will be a first time national tournament competitor.
Head Coach Chase Clasen will lead Baughman, Garica and Wentz into NAIA Wrestling National Championships action Feb. 29 – March 2. The venue will be Hartman Arena in Park City, Kan. More details about the championships can be found HERE.