The winter sports season of 2025-26 provided numerous thrills as Concordia Bulldogs teams competed for championships while led by superstar athletes. Among the highlights, Adrianna Rodencal became a national champion, the dance program earned a trip to the national championships for the first time ever, women’s basketball returned to an elite level, men’s basketball made a run to the GPAC Championship Game and wrestling sent nine qualifiers to the national tournament. At the close of the winter sports season, Concordia Athletics is in position to compete for another GPAC All-Sports Championship Trophy.
Below is a summary of the past winter sports season, including top team and individual moments. Lifting sports and shooting sports will be included with the 2026 spring wrap up article.
TOP MOMENT
About the only tangible collegiate athletic achievement left for senior Adrianna Rodencal to accomplish was to win a national championship. Rodencal lived out that dream on Saturday, March 7 when she blazed to a 60-meter hurdles time of 8.25 in the finals of the event in Gainesville, Fla. The time represented a new personal best (and school record) for the Lincoln Lutheran alum. Rodencal had dominated the event all season from a national perspective and was honored as the NAIA Midwest Region Track Athlete of the Year by the USTFCCCA. Rodencal has earned five career All-America awards. She is the first Concordia track athlete to ever win a national title in the 60 hurdles.
Said Rodencal soon after claiming the national title, “I'm beyond grateful that I had so many people telling me they believed in me and who supported me through it all. I woke up the day of the meet with one want – to end my season on a PR. No matter what happened on that track, I wanted to have fun, run fast and get that PR. When that time showed up .01 faster than before, I was so happy. To be able to say national champion now is a dream made reality, and again, I’m so grateful to everyone who supported and believed I’d be able to do it.”
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Dance earns program’s first ever NAIA National Championships berth
The 2025-26 Concordia Dance team blazed a new trail in the program’s history. On March 16, Head Coach Mandi Maser’s Bulldogs learned they had qualified for the NAIA National Championships for the first time ever. Said Maser, “This moment means everything to our program. From day one, this team has believed in something bigger than themselves, and they’ve put in the work to make that belief a reality.” Led by senior captains Taylor Larsen and Elise O’Neill, Concordia went on to place eighth at the national championships in Topeka, Kan., with a total score of 84.25. A season of thrills also included championships at the York Crown Classic and Concordia Invite and a program record five All-America awards.
Kissinger rises to superstardom in junior season
One of Concordia’s biggest breakout stars of 2025-26, junior Brooks Kissinger took on the role of primary scorer for the men’s basketball program after the departures of All-Americans Noah Schutte and Tristan Smith. Kissinger averaged 22.1 points per game, making him the third leading scorer among GPAC players. Kissinger earned First Team All-GPAC accolades and NAIA All-Midwest Region distinction and led the Bulldogs to a 19-12 overall record. He became the 39th player in program history to reach 1,000 career points as part of the conference tournament semifinal win at Morningside.
Women’s Basketball returns to elite level, turns on the PRESS
After a year’s absence from the national tournament, Head Coach Drew Olson’s program returned to an elite level this winter while rattling off 23 wins and ranking in the top 15 nationally in the NAIA’s net efficiency metric. In rallying around the theme of ‘Press,’ the Bulldogs turned up the heat on their opponents, finishing in the top five nationally for both turnovers forced and steals per game. Concordia opened the year at 9-0, rose as high as No. 9 in the NAIA coaches’ poll and qualified for the national tournament. Lofty all-conference accolades went to senior Kristin Vieselmeyer (first team) and Ayla Roth (second team).
Heistand, Cal Price win GPAC wrestling championships as two of program’s nine national qualifiers
At the 2026 GPAC Wrestling Championships, Hagen Heistand (157) and Cal Price (149) celebrated conference championships. The conference tournament was evidence of the program’s progress under Head Coach Josh Watts, the GPAC Coach of the Year. Heistand and Price helped the Bulldogs place second in the GPAC and emerged as two of Concordia’s nine national qualifiers. Heistand enjoyed another fine season as he went 22-3 and was rewarded with a No. 4 seed at the national tournament. The team’s other national qualifiers were Stevie Barnes (141), Barret Brandt (184), Gabe Kant (285), Torrance Keehn (197), Cole Price (165), Paul Ruff (133) and Hunter Weimer (174). In another highlight, Brandt equaled the program career pins record with his 50th fall coming on the national stage in Park City, Kan.
Track & Field standouts collect All-America awards, rewrite program record books
In addition to Adrianna Rodencal winning a national title and breaking records along the way, several of her teammates rose to the top of the school’s all-time lists. Other school records were broken by Jonny Jurchen in the 3,000-meter race walk (12:14.38), Hayden Kluthe in the 60-meter hurdles (8.04), Adysen McCarter in the triple jump (39’ 6”) and Makenna Starkey in the high jump (tied; 5’ 7”). At the NAIA Indoor Championships, Jurchen and Rodencal claimed All-America medals along with Nathan Baldwin in the weight throw (PR of 63’ 4”).
Olson reaches 500-win mark
A major coaching milestone was achieved on Jan. 21, 2026, when Drew Olson recorded win No. 500 as head women’s basketball coach. Now at the close of 20 seasons, Olson has compiled a record of 507-163. Olson has guided the Bulldogs to the national tournament in 17 of those 20 seasons. He is the winningest coach in Concordia Athletics history, regardless of sport. In light of the achievement, several former and current players submitted congratulatory videos. Watch the final product HERE.
Men’s Basketball advances to GPAC Championship Game
There were ups and downs along the way, but the Concordia Men’s Basketball team pulled itself together in the quarterfinal and semifinal rounds of the GPAC tournament. With the season on the line, the Bulldogs rallied from a 13-point second-half deficit versus Dordt and won a quarterfinal grinder, 66-60. Then in the semifinals, Concordia won a shootout at No. 21 Morningside, 92-87, in the semifinals to advance to the title game for the fourth time in a seven-year stretch under Head Coach Ben Limback. The semifinal victory was led by the scoring outbursts of Brooks Kissinger (33), Dane Jacobsen (23) and Zac Kulus (19). Concordia fell in the championship game at red-hot Northwestern.
SEASON SUMMARIES
Men’s Basketball
2025-26 record: 19-12 overall; 11-9 GPAC (T-4th); GPAC tournament runner up
Top performer: Ashland native Brooks Kissinger took off as a junior and became one of the top players in the GPAC and the entire NAIA. Kissinger filled up the stat sheet, averaging 22.1 points (11th most in the NAIA), 6.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.0 steal per game while shooting 59.0 percent from the floor. Remarkably consistent, Kissinger hit the 20-point mark in 21 of his 30 games played. He posted a triple-double versus Morningside.
Season highlights: Head Coach Ben Limback’s squad started 5-0 in conference play and rose to No. 24 in the NAIA coaches’ poll. There were bumps in the road and injuries to navigate, but the Bulldogs showed they could defeat the very best teams on their schedule. They posted six victories over teams that qualified for the national tournament, including two over Northwestern. In the season’s most thrilling moment, Concordia won a shootout, 92-87, at No. 21 Morningside in the GPAC semifinals. The Bulldogs were defeated by the Red Raiders in the conference title game, leaving them a win shy of the national tournament. Concordia often competed at a high level in 2025-26 while redefining itself after the departures of All-Americans Noah Schutte and Tristan Smith. High school teammates in Dane Jacobsen and Brooks Kissinger combined for a dynamic backcourt. Both Jacobsen and Kissinger earned All-GPAC honors along with Zac Kulus and Jaxon Stueve. Kulus headlined the senior class. With the majority of key players set to return for 2026-27, the Bulldogs will expect to return to the national tournament next March.
GPAC All-Conference: Brooks Kissinger (First Team); Dane Jacobsen (Second Team); Zac Kulus (Honorable Mention); Jaxon Stueve (Honorable Mention).
Women’s Basketball
2025-26 record: 23-8 overall; 17-5 GPAC (T-3rd); NAIA National Qualifier
Top performer: For a balanced team, senior Kristin Vieselmeyer supplied leadership and production for the national qualifying Bulldogs. Vieselmeyer earned First Team All-GPAC accolades finished 2025-26 with season averages of 11.3 points, 5.1 rebounds, 1.3 blocks and 1.2 steals per game. The Holyoke, Colo., native’s season high of 23 points came in the win at Mount Marty. For her career, Vieselmeyer tallied 986 points, 452 rebounds, 160 assists, 94 steals and 84 blocks.
Season highlights: Head Coach Drew Olson’s program got back to playing at an elite level while unleashing the press upon its opponents. Concordia ranked top five nationally for turnovers forced per game (26.2) and steals per game (16.4). The press was spearheaded in the backcourt by the likes of Bree Bunting and Sammy Leu, part of a junior class that showed considerable growth. Kristin Vieselmeyer served as “team mom” and a star post player in her final season. As a freshman, Ayla Roth flourished in the point guard role and was one of six Bulldogs to earn All-GPAC awards. The Bulldogs started the season at 9-0 and were ranked as high as No. 9 in the coaches’ poll. During the journey, Concordia won seven games over national qualifying teams, collected 23 total wins and placed in a tie for third in the GPAC regular season standings. Concordia believed itself capable of making a deep national tournament run. Unfortunately, the campaign ended with a first-round loss to Bethel College (Kan.). Vieselmeyer will be missed, but the Bulldogs appear well-stocked for 2026-27 thanks in large part to a high-impact group of seniors to be.
GPAC All-Conference: Kristin Vieselmeyer (First Team); Ayla Roth (Second Team); Bree Bunting (Honorable Mention); JJ Jones (Honorable Mention); Raelyn Kelty (Honorable Mention); Sammy Leu (Honorable Mention).
Men’s and Women’s Indoor Track and Field
2026 women’s GPAC finish: 3rd
2026 women’s NAIA national finish: T-31st
2026 men’s GPAC finish: 3rd
2026 men’s NAIA national finish: T-33rd
Top performers: Adrianna Rodencal has found another level as a senior. She reached the mountaintop in early March when she won the 60-meter hurdles national title in a personal best time of 8.25. Rodencal also won the GPAC title in the event, which she dominated throughout the 2026 indoor season. Notably, Rodencal won the 60 hurdles championship at the Husker Invite and broke her own GPAC meet record in the event. On the men’s side, Jonny Jurchen keeps improving in the 3,000-meter race walk. He placed sixth in the event at the NAIA National Championships in a school record time of 12:14.38. Jurchen also reset his own GPAC meet standard while winning a conference title. Additionally, Nathan Baldwin as an All-American in the weight throw.
Season highlights: The exploits of Adrianna Rodencal stood out throughout the indoor season. Her 60-meter hurdle national title put a bow on the campaign. Other school record breakers this indoor season included Jonny Jurchen in the 3,000-meter race walk (12:14.38), Hayden Kluthe in the men’s 60 hurdles (8.04) and Adysen McCarter in the triple jump (39’ 6”). Additionally, Makenna Starkey equaled the women’s high jump program standard (5’ 7”). From a team perspective, Head Coach Matt Beisel’s squads went on to place third in the GPAC for both men and women at the conference meet hosted by Dordt. GPAC event champions were Jurchen, McCarter, Rodencal and the men’s 4x800-meter relay. A group of 21 qualifiers then traveled to Gainesville, Fla., for the NAIA Indoor National Championships. All-Americans in Rodencal, Jurchen and Nathan Baldwin allowed for team placements of tied for 31st on the women’s side and tied for 33rd on the men’s side. A major thrill at nationals occurred when Baldwin moved from ninth to third place with his final toss (63’ 4”) in the weight throw. The 2026 indoor season also featured four home meets held inside the Walz Fieldhouse. As of this posting, Concordia Track & Field was already underway with the outdoor season.
GPAC All-Conference: See the full list of 41 honorees HERE.
NAIA All-Americans: Nathan Baldwin (Weight Throw); Jonny Jurchen (3,000m Race Walk); Adrianna Rodencal (60m Hurdles – National Champion).
Wrestling
2025-26 record: 8-1 overall; 7-1 GPAC
GPAC finishes: 2nd regular season; 2nd postseason
NAIA national finish: 20th
Top performer: Heading into the national tournament, Hagen Heistand had been undefeated against NAIA wrestlers. He wound up at 22-3 overall while making the jump up a weight class to 157 pounds. The Dow City, Iowa, native won the 157-pound GPAC title (and was a champion at the Missouri Valley Invite) and was seeded fourth in his weight class at the national tournament. Fifteen of his 22 wins came with bonus points. Heistand owns a 42-7 record in two seasons as a Bulldog.
Season highlights: The ending was a tough one at the national tournament, but Concordia showed clear progress as a program in nearly every measurement. Team accomplishments included second-place GPAC finishes in the regular season and postseason, the program’s best ever placement at the Missouri Valley Invite (third), an 8-1 overall dual record, nine national qualifiers and an NAIA National Championships finish of 20th. Individual GPAC championships were won by Cal Price (149) and Hagen Heistand (157), two of the team’s eight GPAC All-Conference award winners. For his work in building up the program, Josh Watts was named the GPAC Coach of the Year. At the national tournament, the Bulldogs experienced heartache as Barret Brandt (184), Heistand (157) and Paul Ruff (133) each came up one win shy of garnering All-America honors. On the national stage, Brandt notched his 50th career pin, tying him for a school career record. As for Ruff, he went 15-4 in his first season at Concordia. The program will say goodbye to a strong senior class that included national qualifiers in Torrance Keehn, Cole Price and Hunter Weimer. The outlook for 2026-27 appears promising as Watts looks ahead to his third season at the helm.
GPAC All-Conference: Josh Watts (Coach of the Year); Hagen Heistand (First Team); Cal Price (First Team); Paul Ruff (First Team); Stevie Barnes (Second Team); Barret Brandt (Second Team); Torrance Keehn (Second Team); Cole Price (Second Team); Gabe Kant (Honorable Mention).
Cheer/Dance
2026 Dance GPAC finish: 3rd/9 in GPAC
2026 Dance NAIA Nationals finish: 8th (first appearance at nationals)
2026 Cheer: 8th/8 in GPAC
2026 Scoring Averages: Dance – 87.57 (9th in NAIA); Cheer – 67.27 (52nd in NAIA)
Summary: The journey continued late into March for Concordia Dance as the program earned its first ever berth to the NAIA National Championships. In Head Coach Mandi Maser’s 10th season at the helm, the Bulldogs again ranked in the top 10 nationally in scoring average and made waves by winning championships at the York Crown Classic and Concordia Invite on the same weekend. A school record score of 93.33 came at the Concordia Invite. They went on to place third at the GPAC Championships with the help of eight all-conference award winners. Senior captains Taylor Larsen and Elise O’Neill concluded their college careers on the national stage in Topeka, Kan. Larsen was one of five Bulldogs named NAIA All-Americans. In cheer, Head Coach Emilie Ashenbach’s squad experienced some growing pains with a young roster while displaying progress throughout the competition season. Concordia placed eighth at the GPAC Championships and had two all-conference award winners. The team’s season-high score of 77.28 was achieved at the Midland Invite.
Dance GPAC All-Conference: Hanna Bitner (First Team); Taylor Larsen (First Team); Bianca Romshek (First Team); Lana Tillman (First Team); Sienna Kelly (Third Team); Elise O’Neill (Third Team); Cam Ottersberg (Third Team); Addison Sample (Third Team).
Cheer GPAC All-Conference: Karmen Fitch (Second Team); Brinkly Sallach (Third Team).
Dance NAIA All-Americans: Lana Tillman (First Team); Bianca Romshek (Second Team); Addison Sample (Second Team); Hanna Bitner (Third Team); Taylor Larsen (Third Team).