Bulldog Athletics Association Member (BAAM) Athletes of the Week
Female: Adrianna Rodencal, Track & Field
A senior from Lincoln, Neb., Adrianna Rodencal broke her own school 60-meter hurdles record once again as she won the event in a time of 8.41 at the Graduate Classic this past weekend. Rodencal remains the national leader in the 60 hurdles. She is a Biochemistry major.
Male: Hayden Kluthe, Track & Field
A junior from Ord, Neb., Hayden Kluthe starred at the Graduate Classic as he placed fourth in the 60-meter hurdles (8.23; PR) while competing against several NCAA Division I athletes. Kluthe also ran a split of 49.18 (PR) for Concordia’s 4x400-meter relay at the Devaney Center. He is studying Exercise Science.
2025-26 BAAM Athletes of the Month
December – Brooks Kissinger (basketball) / Adysen McCarter (track & field)
November – Ava Greene (volleyball) / Brooks Kissinger (basketball)
October – Kierstynn Garner (soccer) / Adam Van Cleave (football)
September – Carson Fehlhafer (football) / Katie Welker (shooting sports)
2025-26 BAAM Athletes of the Week
Jan. 13 – Cole Price (wrestling); Ayla Roth (women’s basketball)
Dec. 16 – Jonny Jurchen (track & field); Adysen McCarter (track & field)
Dec. 9 – Ashley Keck (volleyball); Brooks Kissinger (basketball)
Dec. 2 – Brooks Kissinger (basketball); Kristin Vieselmeyer (basketball)
Nov. 18 – Oliver Benson (soccer); Braxtyn Koch (football); Kristin Vieselmeyer (basketball)
Nov. 11 – Ava Greene (volleyball); Brooks Kissinger (basketball)
Nov. 4 – Kierstynn Garner (soccer); Hugo Garrote (soccer)
Oct. 28 – Keeli Green (cross country); Vaughn Hendrickson (cross country)
Oct. 21 – Addie Kirkegaard (volleyball) / Taylor Slaymaker (soccer); Adam Van Cleave (football)
Oct. 14 – Oliver Benson (soccer); Kierstynn Garner (soccer)
Oct. 7 – Carlos Collazo (football); Katie Welker (shooting sports)
Sept. 30 – Hugo Fuentes & Nick Velders (tennis) / Peyton Atwood (football); Sadie Mares (soccer)
Sept. 23 – Oliver Balazs (soccer); Katie Welker (shooting sports)
Sept. 16 – Carson Fehlhafer (football); Ella Waters (volleyball)
Sept. 9 – Sam Blevins (shooting sports); Molli Martin (volleyball)
Sept. 2 – Emery Custer (golf); Slade Leicht (soccer)
Aug. 26 – Kierstynn Garner (soccer); Ashley Keck (volleyball); Sean Stratman (soccer)
News and notes:
BAAM luncheons are held every Tuesday (when classes are in session) at 12 p.m. CT inside the Dog House Grill, located in the Janzow Campus Center. The luncheons feature reports from head coaches who are in season at the time. For information on how to join BAAM, click HERE. It is not a requirement to be a BAAM member in order to attend the weekly luncheons.
Competitive dance / cheer seasons kick off this week: Head coaches Mandi Maser and Emilie Ashenbach are preparing their dance and cheer teams for the opening of competition season this week. The first official competition will be a dance dual versus College of Saint Mary on Jan. 21. Both teams will then compete at the Dordt Invitational on Jan. 24. For season previews, click the links below.
--Cheer season preview
--Dance season preview
Bulldog bloodlines: Bulldog Blue is in their blood! Inside the Concordia Athletics Department, six current Bulldog coaches hold office mere steps away from where their own children live out their Concordia experiences. As Coach Ben Limback says, "We are truly blessed to be Bulldogs." We caught up with these coaches and athletes to learn more about what their own Concordia family dynamics are like. Check out our feature that first appeared in Concordia’s Broadcaster magazine by clicking HERE.
Two Kearney natives named First Team Academic All-Americans: Two natives of Kearney, Neb., were named 2025 First Team Academic All-Americans by College Sports Communicators. The award winners are Kierstynn Garner of women’s soccer and Ashley Keck of volleyball. Both Bulldogs have put together careers that put them in the conversation among the best players in their respective programs’ histories. A total of 21 Concordia student-athletes received Academic All-District accolades from CSC.
Weightlifting, powerlifting squads gearing up for second semester competition: With classes having resumed for the second semester, Concordia Lifting Sports is gearing up for competition this winter. Most recently, ten Bulldogs made their way to Daytona Beach, Fla., for the 2025 Virus Weightlifting Finals, an event that showcased hundreds of lifters from a wide range of age groups. In action that unfolded from Dec. 4-7, Kaiden Mima emerged as a national champion and was one of four Concordia University, Nebraska Weightlifting athletes to earn top three place finishes within the under 20 division. In another major highlight, the Bulldog men placed fifth as a team in open division competition. The other top-three place finishers for Concordia (in the junior division) were Enzo Mancini (second at 94 kg), Abigail Nelson (third at 53 kg) and Marcus Sweet (third at 79 kg). A full recap from the event can be found HERE. The next events on the slate are the Nebraska State Powerlifting Meet (Jan. 31-Feb. 1) and the CUNE Weightlifting Open (Feb. 28).
Bulldog Coaches Show airs every Thursday at 5:30 p.m. CT: The Bulldog Coaches Show has returned for an 11th year. The show airs live for a half hour every Thursday beginning at 5:30 p.m. CT on KTMX-FM 104.9 Max Country. The weekly feature can also be heard live via 104.9 Max Country’s website or by downloading the Max Country app. Throughout the 2025-26 season, Bulldog football, men’s and women’s basketball and volleyball contests will be aired live on Max Country. Parker Cyza serves as the host of the coaches’ show as well as the play-by-play voice for football, basketball and volleyball. In addition, Eric Allgood will call select volleyball matches in place of Cyza.
Concordia Sports Network: Live webcasts for most home varsity contests can be accessed by visiting https://www.cune.edu/athletics/watch-bulldogs at game time. Beginning with the 2023-24 academic year, Concordia Athletics began a partnership with Hudl for live video streaming. Live webcast links for away contests are publicized in sport specific releases that preview action for that particular week. Scrimmages, exhibitions and junior varsity events are not broadcasted via the Hudl account. For select JV streams, check out that specific sport’s Facebook page.
Indoor Track & Field
· Number of 2025-26 Meets: 3.
· Last week:
o Competed at the UNL Graduate Classic (Jan. 16-17) and Doane’s Nisely Memorial Classic (Jan. 17).
· Links: 2025-26 Schedule | Roster | TFRRS Performance Lists
· Notable: The Bulldogs returned to action along with the start of the second semester this past week. Concordia athletes were split between the Graduate Classic hosted by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and the Nisely Memorial Classic hosted by Doane. In a major development, accomplished senior Adrianna Rodencal rebroke her 60-meter hurdles school record in a time of 8.41, allowing her to beat out nine NCAA Division I athletes for first place at the Graduate Classic. Already a national qualifier in the triple jump, sophomore Adysen McCarter also tested herself against staunch competition at the Devaney Center. The Overton, Neb., native placed second in the triple jump with a mark of 38’ 8 ¾.” Concordia also entered several runners into the Graduate Classic field. Among the highlights, Liam Fagan ran 50.78 in the 400 meters, Landri Loos clocked in at 3:11.02 in the 1,000 meters, Hayden Kluthe posted a time of 8.41 in the 60 hurdles (while reaching the finals), Ashley Robertson completed the mile in 5:36.80, Keith Siek ran a 4:26.01 mile and Vaughn Hendrickson turned in a time of 8:53.87 in the 3,000 meters. The men’s 4x4 of Avery Eaves, Kluthe, Perry Chadwick and Fagan ran 3:21.55 (roughly three seconds off the B standard). Hendrickson and Loos then made their way to Crete the next day and emerged with event titles at the Nisely Classic. Hendrickson won the 1,000-meter race in 2:39.25 and Loos claimed first by running 2:26.69 in the 800 meters. Other event champions for the Bulldogs were Jax Jacobson in the pole vault (14’ 7 ¼”) and Aaron Spivey in the triple jump (44’ 11 ¾”). Head Coach Matt Beisel’s squads will be at home the next two weekends. Coming up this Friday, Concordia will host the Concordia Polar Dog Invite, one of four home meets this indoor season.
· For additional news and notes on the track & field programs, click HERE.
· This week:
o Friday, Jan. 23 – Concordia Polar Dog Invite | Meet Schedule (PDF).
Women’s Basketball
· Current record: 15-4, 10-3 GPAC; ranked No. 10 in NAIA coaches’ poll.
· Last week:
o Won vs. Hastings, 83-77, on Jan. 14.
o Lost at No. 9 Dakota Wesleyan, 78-69, on Jan. 18.
· Links: 2025-26 Schedule | Roster | Statistics | NAIA Coaches’ Poll
· Notable: A challenging week against NAIA top 25 caliber competition saw the 10th-ranked Bulldogs go 1-1. Concordia earned an 83-77 home win over Hastings (receiving votes) in a frenetically paced affair before being tripped up at No. 9 Dakota Wesleyan, 78-69, in a Sunday matinee. In the victory over the Broncos, the Bulldogs went 24-for-29 from the foul line and got double-figure scoring outputs from Kristin Vieselmeyer (18), Gabrielle Wagner (13), Raelyn Kelty (12) and Sammy Leu (10). Wagner added five rebounds and two steals in the best statistical outing of her collegiate career. At the Corn Palace, the team’s scoring leaders were Bree Bunting (16), Kelty (15), JJ Jones (13) and Ayla Roth (13). Concordia was outrebounded by the Tigers, 34-23. At 10-3 in the GPAC, Head Coach Drew Olson’s squad sits behind only Dordt (12-1) and Dakota Wesleyan (11-2) atop the league standings. Noteworthy, the freshman Roth earned GPAC Offensive Player of the Week honors on Jan. 13 while the junior Leu continues to pace the GPAC in steals per game (3.0). Entering the week, Olson sits at 499 career wins as he moves closer to a milestone. Win No. 500 could come Wednesday night when the Bulldogs will welcome Midland to town. Concordia will also get another crack at No. 1 Dordt, which will visit Friedrich Arena on Saturday.
· For additional news and notes on the women’s basketball program, click HERE.
· This week:
o Wednesday, Jan. 21 vs. Midland (3-16, 2-11 GPAC), 6 p.m.
o Saturday, Jan. 24 vs. No. 1 Dordt (18-1, 12-1 GPAC), 2 p.m.
Men’s Basketball
· Current record: 13-7, 7-5 GPAC; receiving votes in NAIA coaches’ poll.
· Last week:
o Lost vs. Hastings, 75-57, on Jan. 14.
o Lost at Dakota Wesleyan, 88-78, on Jan. 18.
· Links: 2025-26 Schedule | Roster | Statistics | NAIA Coaches’ Poll
· Notable: Concordia entered last week having won five of six outings. However, the Bulldogs struggled to shoot from the perimeter and fell at the hands of Hastings, 75-57, and Dakota Wesleyan, 88-78, in a frustrating five-day stretch. The two defeats dropped Head Coach Ben Limback’s squad into a three-way tie for second place in the jumbled GPAC standings. Over last week’s two outings, Concordia shot just 40.7 percent from the floor compared to 52.9 percent shooting by its opponents. The Bulldogs also went 12-for-64 (.188) from beyond the arc. Star junior guard Brooks Kissinger remained productive as he hit the 20-point mark in both outings. At the Corn Palace, Dane Jacobsen made his first five shots from the field and finished with 20 points. The loss to Hastings marked the first home defeat of the season for Concordia (7-1 at home). Currently, Morningside owns a four-game lead at the top of the league standings. The Bulldogs will attempt to bounce back this week as they welcome Midland and Dordt to Friedrich Arena this week. Concordia lost on the road to both opponents earlier this season.
· For additional news and notes on the men’s basketball program, click HERE.
· This week:
o Wednesday, Jan. 21 vs. Midland (10-10, 6-6 GPAC), 7:45 p.m.
o Saturday, Jan. 24 vs. Dordt (11-9, 6-6 GPAC), 3:45 p.m.
Wrestling
· Current dual record: 5-1, 4-1 GPAC; receiving votes in official NAIA ratings.
· Most recent:
o Won vs. No. 17 Friends, 37-13, on Jan. 8.
o Won vs. Midland, 46-3, on Jan. 8.
o Competed at the Hastings Open on Jan. 10.
· Links: 2025-26 Schedule | Roster | Statistics | NAIA National Rankings
· Notable: With the second semester underway, Head Coach Josh Watts’ squad is beginning to round into form. Reinforcements have joined the fray with 2025 149-pound national runner up Hagen Heistand (season debut) and 133-pound NCAA Division II transfer Paul Ruff (Bulldog debut) taking to the mats last week. Both Ruff and Cole Price (165) emerged from this past weekend’s Hastings Open as tournament champions. After more than a month between competitions, Concordia knocked off the rust on Jan. 8 by hosting a triangular inside Friedrich Arena. The Bulldogs dominated their two duals, winning by scores of 37-13 over 17th-ranked Friends University (Kan.) and 46-3 over GPAC rival Midland. A major highlight of the night was Barret Brandt earning two wins over NAIA ranked foes at 184 pounds: No. 22 Jason Bowers of Friends and No. 16 Nate McDonald of Midland. In another noteworthy victory, Concordia’s No. 19 Torrance Keehn defeated No. 18 Logan Davidson of Friends, 11-7. Meanwhile, Heistand triumphed by major decision in his season debut. At the Hastings Open, the Bulldogs’ nine place finishers were Ruff (first at 133), Cole Price (first at 165), Weimer (second at 174), Brandt (second at 184), Stevie Barnes (third at 141), Heistand (third at 149), Ramon Arredondo (third at 184), Keehn (third at 197) and Blane Boehmer (fourth at 184). Cole Price is an impressive 19-3 this season and is undefeated against NAIA opponents. From a team perspective, Concordia has moved to 5-1 overall (4-1 GPAC) in duals. The team’s final three duals of the season will come on Feb. 7 at GPAC Day of Duals No. 2. Next up on the slate will be the Missouri Valley Invite the weekend of Jan. 23-24. The tournament serves as somewhat of a preview of the NAIA national tournament.
· For additional news and notes on the wrestling program, click HERE.
· This week:
o Friday-Saturday, Jan. 23-24 at the Missouri Valley Invite in Marshall, Mo.