Bulldog Athletic Association Member (BAAM) Athletes of the Week
Female: Megan Belt, Basketball / Abi Wohlgemuth, Track & Field
A junior from Papillion, Neb., Megan Belt drained six treys for a career-high 18 points in Concordia’s 74-55 home win last week over Mount Marty. Belt has jumped into the starting lineup and is averaging 7.6 points per game and is shooting 37.1 percent from 3-point range on the season.
A senior and Lincoln Lutheran High School alum, Abi Wohlgemuth recorded a new personal best in the weight throw (59’ 8 ½”) with a winning effort at the Polar Dog Invite. That mark places Wohlgemuth at No. 3 in the NAIA and at No. 5 on the program’s all-time women’s weight throw list.
Male: Tristan Smith, Basketball
A senior from Elizabeth, Colo., Tristan Smith paced the Bulldogs to home wins last week over Mount Marty, 89-62, and No. 3 Northwestern, 85-70. Smith totaled a combined 44 points, 25 rebounds, eight assists and seven blocked shots in those two wins. He is averaging 20.5 points and 7.9 rebounds per game this season.
2024-25 BAAM Athletes of the Month
December – Gabi Nordaker (volleyball) / Tristan Smith (basketball)
November – Austin Jablonski (football) / Kristin Vieselmeyer (basketball)
October – Carson Fehlhafer (football) / Kierstynn Garner (soccer)
September – Mark Arp (football) / Gabi Nordaker (volleyball)
2024-25 BAAM Athletes of the Week
Dec. 17 – Adrianna Rodencal (track & field) / Tristan Smith (basketball)
Dec. 10 – Creighton Baughman (wrestling) / Gabi Nordaker (volleyball)
Dec. 3 – Vaughn Hendrickson (cross country) / Kristin Vieselmeyer (basketball)
Nov. 19 – Daylon Henson (football) / Addie Kirkegaard (volleyball)
Nov. 12 – Keegan Beisel (cross country) / Vaughn Hendrickson (cross country)
Nov. 5 – Angela Banks (soccer) / Austin Jablonski (football)
Oct. 29 – Kierstynn Garner (soccer) / Devin Harris (shooting sports)
Oct. 22 – Taylor Hedke (weightlifting) / Austin Jablonski (football)
Oct. 15 – Kierstynn Garner (soccer) / Hugo Garrote (soccer)
Oct. 8 – Carson Fehlhafer (football) / Kaylee Hinton (shooting sports)
Oct. 1 – Carter McKenna (shooting sports) / Kya Scott (volleyball)
Sept. 24 – Ishane Derman (tennis) / Daylon Henson (football)
Sept. 17 – Mark Arp (football) / Ella Waters (volleyball)
Sept. 10 – Hannah Beintema (cross country); Trey Robertson (cross country)
Sept. 3 – Nolan Fuelberth (soccer); Gabi Nordaker (volleyball)
Aug. 27 – Martin Herrera (soccer); Ashley Keck (volleyball)
News and notes:
BAAM luncheons are held every Tuesday 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.
72nd Concordia Invitational Tournament to be hosted by CU-Ann Arbor Jan. 24-25: The week of the 72nd Concordia Invitational Tournament has arrived. The 2025 event will be staged at Concordia University Ann Arbor on Friday-Saturday (Jan. 24-25). Advance tickets can be purchased via CUAA’s HomeTown Ticketing page linked HERE. CIT will again feature basketball and cheer and dance competition between the Concordias of Ann Arbor, Chicago, Nebraska and Wisconsin.
Schutte rises to top of program all-time scoring list: As part of the Bulldog win at Doane on Jan. 8, grad student Noah Schutte became the all-time scoring leader in the history of Concordia University, Nebraska Men’s Basketball. Following the weekend, Schutte’s career point total stands at 2,118 eclipsing the previous standard of 2,099 by Concordia Athletics Hall of Famer Jon Ziegler. In light of his achievement, Schutte was featured on 10/11 News out of Lincoln in a story that can be found HERE. For a look at some of Schutte’s most memorable performances to date, check out this feature linked HERE.
Spring seasons on the horizon: The beginning of spring sport seasons is rapidly approaching at Concordia. Both the softball and tennis programs are slated to play official competitions on Feb. 1 with baseball to get underway the following weekend in February. For season previews, check the links below.
Seasons Previews: Softball | Baseball (coming soon) | Tennis (coming soon)
Bulldog Coaches Show airs every Thursday at 5:30 p.m. CT: The Bulldog Coaches Show is underway in its 10th year of existence. 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 2024-25 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 and basketball. Frank Greene completed his 10th season calling Concordia volleyball.
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 on the Concordia Sports Network.
Indoor Track & Field
· Number of 2024-25 Meets: 3.
· Last week:
o Hosted the Concordia Polar Dog Invite (Jan. 17) while select Bulldog athletes also competed at the Graduate Classic (Jan. 17-18) hosted by the University of Nebraska.
· Links: 2024-25 Schedule | Roster | TFRRS Performance Lists
· Notable: The second full weekend of the 2024-25 indoor season unfolded this past Friday-Saturday as the program hosted the Polar Dog Invite (Jan. 17) and select Bulldog athletes competed at the Graduate Classic (Jan. 17-18) hosted by the University of Nebraska. In the major highlight of the Graduate Classic, junior Mayson Ostermeyer set a new personal best in the pole vault with a clearance of 16’ 4 ½,” which ranks No. 1 in the NAIA. At the Polar Dog, senior Abi Wohlgemuth improved her ‘A’ standard in the weight throw with a PR of 59’ 8 ½” (third best in the NAIA) and claimed one of the seven event championships won by Concordia. Other Bulldogs who took first place at the Polar Dog were the men’s 4x400-meter relay, Easton Fries (60 hurdles), Vaughn Hendrickson (5,000 meters), Jonny Jurchen (3,000-meter race walk), Adrianna Rodencal (200 meters) and Annaka Schlachter (5,000 meters). The men’s 4x4 was made up of Hayden Kluthe, Lucas Corwin, Teagan Meyer and Jackson Lindburg. Jurchen clocked a race walk PR of 14:32.16, which ranks seventh best in the NAIA. Also noteworthy, Carson Fehlhafer moved up to No. 4 in the NAIA in the weight throw (59’ 10 ½”), Hayley Miles turned in a ‘B’ standard in the long jump (18’ 4 ¼”) and Abigail Gerber landed a ‘B’ mark in the shot put (44’ 4”). Next up, Head Coach Matt Beisel and company will host the Concordia Classic on Friday and Saturday as the third of four home meets this indoor season.
· For additional news and notes on the track & field programs, click HERE.
· This week:
o Friday, Jan. 24 / Saturday, Jan. 25 – Concordia Classic | view meet schedule HERE.
Wrestling
· Current dual record: 3-2, 3-2 GPAC.
· Last week:
o 10 Bulldogs competed at the Roger Denker Open on Jan. 19.
· Links: 2024-25 Schedule | Roster | Statistics | NAIA National Rankings
· Notable: Ten Bulldogs were in action this past Sunday at the Roger Denker Open hosted by the University of Central Missouri. In just his second outing in the Concordia singlet, junior Hagen Heistand won the 149-pound championship while dominating all five of his matches. He won the title bout by a count of 19-4 and did not allow an offensive point the entire tournament. Two other Bulldogs earned place finishes at the Denker Open: Tschampel (fourth place at 197) and Vasquez (sixth place at 285). Tschampel picked up a pin over an NCAA DII opponent as he made his way to the third-place match. Tschampel has placed at two tournaments this season. Meanwhile, Vasquez collected three contested victories, including one by fall over an NAIA combatant. Three additional Concordia wrestlers turned in at least one victory on the day: Gabe Lujan (1-2 at 125), Francisco Mendez (1-2 at 157) and Blake Boehmer (2-2 at 184). In the NAIA rankings released last week, five Bulldogs appeared within their respective weight classes: Creighton Baughman (No. 7 at 141), Steven Barnes (No. 18 at 149), Cole Price (No. 25 at 157), Tommy Wentz (No. 23 at 165) and Barret Brandt (No. 24 at 174). Concordia standouts with at least 10 wins on the season include Barnes (14-6), Baughman (12-1), Brandt (12-4), Cole Price (12-6), Heistand (10-1) and Simon Arredondo (10-9). Up next, Head Coach Josh Watts will travel 12 competitors to the prestigious Missouri Valley Invite for action on Friday and Saturday.
· For additional news and notes on the wrestling program, click HERE.
· Up next:
o Friday, Jan. 24 / Saturday, Jan. 25 – Missouri Valley College Invite, 12 p.m. (Fri.) / 9 a.m. (Sat).
Women’s Basketball
· Current record: 8-10, 5-9 GPAC.
· Last week:
o Won vs. Mount Marty, 74-55, on Jan. 15.
o Lost vs. Northwestern, 74-73, on Jan. 18.
· Links: 2024-25 Schedule | Roster | Statistics | NAIA Coaches’ Poll
· Notable: Head Coach Drew Olson’s squad got a win it sorely needed when it defeated Mount Marty, 74-55, on Jan. 15. Three days later, the Bulldogs were unable to hold onto an 11-point lead and lost at home to Northwestern, 74-73. Close losses have been an all too familiar theme this season. While playing what Massey Ratings ranks as the NAIA’s toughest schedule, Concordia has dropped three games in overtime (two to No. 1 Dordt) and another three contests by margins of three points or fewer. Individual highlights from last week included career-high scoring outputs for Megan Belt (18 points versus Mount Marty) and Kristin Vieselmeyer (27 points versus Northwestern). Vieselmeyer also notched 27 points earlier this season at Dordt. The Holyoke, Colo., native boosted her season scoring average to 10.5, which ranks second on the team to Kendal Brigham (11.7). Following last week’s results, the Bulldogs remain situated in eighth place in the league standings at 5-9. Based on the standings, Concordia has a favorable upcoming stretch with College of Saint Mary, Midland and Waldorf up next on the docket from a GPAC perspective. The Bulldogs will be at CSM on Wednesday before heading to Ann Arbor, Mich., for the 72nd Concordia Invitational Tournament on Friday and Saturday. CUNE has won nine-straight CITs and Olson’s 13 CIT championships rank as the most for any women’s coach in the history of the event.
· For additional news and notes on the women’s basketball program, click HERE.
· This week:
o Wednesday, Jan. 22 at College of Saint Mary (1-18, 0-13 GPAC), 6 p.m.
o Friday, Jan. 24 vs. Concordia University Chicago (1-13), 12 p.m. CT / 1 p.m. ET.
o Saturday, Jan. 25 vs. CUAA / CUW, 12 p.m. CT / 1 p.m. ET or 5 p.m. CT / 6 p.m. ET.
Men’s Basketball
· Current record: 15-4, 10-3 GPAC.
· Last week:
o Won vs. Mount Marty, 89-62, on Jan. 15.
o Won vs. No. 3 Northwestern, 85-70, on Jan. 18.
· Links: 2024-25 Schedule | Roster | Statistics | NAIA Coaches’ Poll
· Notable: The streak continues for Head Coach Ben Limback’s squad, which put together a dominant week at home that included a signature 85-70 win over third-ranked Northwestern. The Bulldogs have won nine-straight GPAC games dating back to Dec. 7. A key factor in that success has been Concordia’s play on the defensive end. Jaxon Stueve enjoyed a fine week on that end of the floor and helped the Bulldogs force 18 turnovers versus Mount Marty and limit Northwestern to 37.1 percent shooting. Additionally, it was another monster week for senior Tristan Smith, who recorded two double doubles – 27 points and 10 rebounds versus Mount Marty and 17 points and 15 rebounds versus Northwestern. Noah Schutte also added a double-double (12 points and 10 rebounds) in the Mount Marty win and supplied 15 points in the Northwestern victory. Meanwhile, freshman Elijah Gaeth poured in a career-high 16 points in the takedown of the Red Raiders. The impressive run has put Concordia back in the race for a GPAC regular season title. At 10-3 in the GPAC, the Bulldogs sit behind only Dordt (11-1) and Northwestern (9-2). In addition to the nine-game streak in league play, Concordia is 53-5 over its last 58 home games and has held its last eight opponents to an average of 69.4 points and 41.8 percent shooting from the floor. The Bulldogs will take a break from league play this week while looking forward to the 72nd CIT that will take place Friday and Saturday at Ann Arbor, Mich. CUNE drew Concordia University Chicago on day one of the grand event.
· For additional news and notes on the men’s basketball program, click HERE.
· This week:
o Friday, Jan. 24 vs. Concordia University Chicago (5-10), 2 p.m. CT / 3 p.m. ET.
o Saturday, Jan. 25 vs. CUAA / CUW, 2 p.m. CT / 3 p.m. ET or 7 p.m. CT / 8 p.m. ET.
Cheer / Dance
· Cheer Season Scoring Average: N/A
· Dance Season Scoring Average: 80.9
· Last week:
o Dance – Won vs. College of Saint Mary, 80.9 to 72.7, on Jan. 18.
· Cheer Links: 2025 Schedule | Roster
· Dance Links: 2025 Schedule | Roster
· Notable: The 2025 competition season got started this past Saturday for Head Coach Mandi Maser’s dance team. The Bulldogs earned a dual win over College of Saint Mary while garnering a score of 80.9. The competition roster included returning All-Americans in sophomore Hanna Bitner and junior Taylor Larsen, as well as junior Elise O’Neill and sophomore Kaylee Powell. Three freshmen made their collegiate debuts: Brynley Cooper, Bianca Romshek and Jozlin Schmidt. Meanwhile, Head Coach Emilie Ashenbach’s cheer squad will open its 2025 season at the Concordia Invitational Tournament in Ann Arbor, Mich. The dance program is hoping to win its second all-time CIT title (2023 champs) while the cheer program is looking for its first CIT championship. The Bulldogs are coming off 2024 seasons that saw them average scores of 80.57 in dance (10th in the NAIA) and 80.72 in cheer (21st in the NAIA). Major home competitions will be held later this season in the form of the Concordia Day of Duals (Feb. 8) and the GPAC Championships (March 7-8).
· For additional news and notes on cheer and dance programs, click the following links: Cheer | Dance.
· This week:
o Saturday, Jan. 25 – CIT at Concordia University, Ann Arbor: cheer competition at 9 a.m. CT / 10 a.m. ET and dance competition at 10:30 a.m. CT / 11:30 a.m. ET.