Bulldog Athletic Association Member (BAAM) Athletes of the Week
Female: Kierstynn Garner, Soccer
Garner, who hails from Kearney, Neb., tacked on two goals to her tally last week as she led the Bulldogs to a 4-0 win at Doane in the regular season finale. Concordia concluded the regular season at 12-3-3 overall. Garner enters the postseason leading all GPAC players with 19 goals on the year.
Male, Michael Owens, Soccer
Owens (Lima, Peru) continued his late season goal scoring binge in last week’s regular season finale with a pair of goals at Doane. The 20th-ranked Bulldogs win in Crete, 5-1, while completing the regular season at 13-0-4 overall. Owens has posted multiple goals in back-to-back games.
2023-24 BAAM Athletes of the Month
September – Austin Jablonski (football) / Ashley Keck (volleyball)
Previous BAAM Athletes of the Week
Oct. 24 – Rebecca Gebhardt (volleyball) / Julie McIntyre (cross country) / Michael Owens (soccer)
Oct. 17 – Kierstynn Garner (soccer) / DJ McGarvie (football)
Oct. 10 – Rylee Ladd (powerlifting) / Jack Nelson (shooting sports) / Camryn Opfer (volleyball) / D’Andre Williams (soccer)
Oct. 3 – Austin Jablonski (football) / Grace Soenksen (soccer)
Sept. 26 – Ashley Keck (volleyball) / Mason Ward (shooting sports)
Sept. 19 – Savannah Andrews (soccer) / Carter Hinman (soccer)
Sept. 12 – Katie Welker (shooting sports) / Devin Zeigler (football)
Sept. 5 – Bree Burtwistle (volleyball) / Carter Hinman (soccer)
Aug. 29 – Isaiah Shaddick (soccer) / Gabi Nordaker (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.
24th annual Cattle Classic: The 24th annual Cattle Classic will take place this Friday and Saturday. As usual, the event will feature four men’s basketball and four women’s basketball games over the two days. All contests will be played inside Friedrich Arena. The Cattle Classic, co-sponsored by Concordia and Cattle Bank & Trust, raises money and food for the Blue Valley Community Action's Food Pantry. Pac N Save of Seward will match all canned food donations. For more details on the event, click HERE.
--Cattle Classic previews: Men | Women.
Winter sports get started this week: Conference preseason polls have been released for the sports of men’s basketball, women’s basketball and wrestling. Each of those sports will officially get underway this week. For season previews, click the links below. Wrestling will host Midland in a dual at 7 p.m. CT on Wednesday while the basketball programs will host the Cattle Classic on Friday and Saturday.
--Men’s Basketball
--Women’s Basketball
--Wrestling
Changes to GPAC membership: A major announcement came from the Great Plains Athletic Conference on Oct. 11 as the league revealed that the University of Jamestown’s GPAC membership will cease at the conclusion of the 2023-24 academic year. Roughly three weeks earlier, the GPAC announced the addition of Waldorf University as a conference member, beginning with the 2024-25 academic year. In the current athletic year, Waldorf is an affiliate GPAC member in the sports of men’s and women’s soccer. Waldorf becomes the 13th GPAC member. For more details on Waldorf and the GPAC, click HERE.
Weightlifting readies for Iowa Championships: The 2023-24 season will resume on Saturday for the Concordia Weightlifting team. The Bulldogs will be headed to the Iowa Championships in Iowa City, Iowa. Head Coach Freddie Myles’ squad began the season with the Heartland Strength Omaha Classic on Sept. 16. All seven Bulldogs on the roster have already qualified for the national championships. That group includes Mary Berris, Michael Davidge, Evan Fukuhara, Adrian Hernandez, Gracy Johnson, Cody Monsevais and Katie Witte. The next event for powerlifting will be the Central Collegiate Regional Championships on Nov. 18.
Athlete profiles: In recent weeks, we have profiled Taysha Rushton of women’s basketball and Creighton Baughman of wrestling. Both are entering their senior seasons as Bulldogs. For coverage of their journeys, click the links below.
--Baughman Feature
--Rushton Feature
Bulldog Coaches Show airs every Thursday at 5:30 p.m. CT: The Bulldog Coaches Show is underway in its ninth 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 2023-24 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 is in his ninth season calling Concordia volleyball. The Max Country broadcast schedule for the fall semester of 2023 can be found HERE.
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 this 2023-24 academic year, Concordia Athletics has partnered with Hudl/BlueFrame 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.
Volleyball
· Current record: 20-2, 13-2 GPAC; ranked No. 4 in the NAIA coaches’ poll.
· Last week:
o Def. Mount Marty, 25-17, 25-11, 25-18 (away) on Oct. 25.
o Def. Hastings, 25-15, 25-20, 19-25, 25-23 (home) on Oct. 28
· Links: 2023 Schedule | Roster | Statistics | NAIA Coaches’ Poll
· Notable: With the regular season set to end today (Oct. 31), the fourth-ranked Bulldogs reside in a three-way tie for first place in the GPAC along with Jamestown and Northwestern (all three teams sit at 13-2 in GPAC play). This past week, Concordia took care of business with conference wins over Mount Marty in three sets and Hastings in four sets. Over those two outings, the Bulldogs outhit their opponents, .246 to .088, and outnumbered them in kills, 99-72. Individual kills leaders for the week included Camryn Opfer (26), Ashley Keck (22) and Gabi Nordaker (15). Head Coach Ben Boldt’s squad has earned season sweeps of Nebraska rivals Doane and Hastings this season. In conjunction with senior day, Nordaker announced that she would be returning to the team in 2024 and will use her ‘COVID year’ of eligibility. Concordia is aiming to win a GPAC regular season title for the first time since 2000 (the first year of the GPAC’s existence). The Bulldogs have been runners up in the GPAC tournament three times (2015, 2021 and 2022).
· For additional statistics and details, check out this week’s notes package HERE.
· This week:
o Tuesday, Oct. 31 at No. 18 Midland (14-9, 10-5 GPAC), 7:30 p.m.
o Saturday, Nov. 4 vs. Opponent TBD, 7:30 p.m. (GPAC Quarterfinals)
Women’s Soccer
· Current record: 12-3-3, 8-1-3 GPAC (2nd)
· Last week:
o Won at Doane, 4-0, on Oct. 25.
· Links: 2023 Schedule | Roster | Statistics
· Notable: The regular season is in the books. The Bulldogs completed it in the middle of last week with a dominant 4-0 win at Doane. Concordia wound up with an 8-1-3 GPAC record (27 points) and placed second behind regular season champion Hastings (9-1-2; 29 points). Head Coach Nick Smith has worked wonders in elevating the program from seventh place in 2022 to second place this fall. The Bulldogs were picked fifth in the 2023 GPAC preseason coaches’ poll. Concordia got to this point while following the lead of the likes of fifth-year center back Grace Soenksen (90 career games played) and GPAC leading goal scorer Kierstynn Garner (19 goals). The Bulldogs have not had an individual GPAC goal scoring leader since Jennifer Davis starred from 2002-05. Over the 18 regular season games in 2023, Concordia outscored its opponents by a combined total of 49-13. Entering the postseason, the program has won three previous GPAC tournament titles (2014, 2016 and 2020).
· For additional statistics and details, check out this week’s notes package HERE.
· This week:
o Thursday, Nov. 2 vs. Dordt (10-5-2, 7-3-2 GPAC), 7 p.m. (GPAC Quarterfinals)
Men’s Soccer
· Current record: 13-0-4, 7-0-4 GPAC; ranked No. 20 in the NAIA coaches’ poll.
· Last week:
o Won at Doane, 5-1, on Oct. 25.
· Links: 2023 Schedule | Roster | Statistics | NAIA Coaches’ Poll
· Notable: The 2023 Bulldogs can lay claim to being the only one in program history to go through a complete regular season without suffering a defeat. Concordia put the finishing touches on the regular season last week with a 5-1 win at Doane. Freshman Michael Owens (four goals over the past two games) put away a pair of goals while one apiece was recorded by Ryan Wokutch, Matt Schultz and Okan Erkocu. Despite going unbeaten in league play (7-0-4), the Bulldogs settled for third place in the GPAC behind Briar Cliff (9-0-2; 29 points) and Northwestern (8-1-2, 26 points). Over the past two seasons, Head Coach Jason Weides has led the program to an impressive combined record of 28-3-7. After going 8-0-1 at home in 2022, Concordia owns a 9-0-1 home record in 2023. The program’s active 20-game home unbeaten streak (18-0-2) will be put to the test Wednesday when the Bulldogs host Dordt in the GPAC quarterfinals. With a win, Concordia would play again Saturday in the semifinals against an opponent to be determined.
· For additional statistics and details, check out this week’s notes package HERE.
· This week:
o Wednesday, Nov. 1 vs. Dordt (8-6-4, 5-4-2 GPAC), 7 p.m. (GPAC Quarterfinals)
o Saturday, Nov. 4 vs. Opponent TBD, TBD (GPAC Semifinals – must win on Wednesday first)
Football
· Current record: 3-5, 3-5 GPAC.
· Last week:
o Lost vs. Midland, 37-39 (2 OT), on Oct. 28.
· Links: 2023 Schedule | Roster | Statistics
· Notable: The string of three-straight games versus in-state GPAC opponents continued last week as the Bulldogs dropped a heartbreaker at home, 39-37, in double overtime at the hands of Midland. The Warriors scored the game’s deciding points on a two-point conversion that saw their left tackle carry the ball across the goal line. Concordia fell despite a productive day from the offense, which racked up 546 total yards. It was another stellar day for Austin Jablonski, who caught 11 passes for 157 yards and a touchdown and also threw for a touchdown in the second overtime. That touchdown toss gave the Bulldogs a 37-31 lead at the time. Concordia fought back from deficits of 10-0, 17-7 and 24-17 over the course of the game. A unique play on special teams resulted in a Bulldog first down and extended the game-tying drive that made it 24-24 in the final moments of regulation. DJ McGarvie finished 19-for-47 for 313 yards and two touchdowns through the air while becoming the program’s second quarterback to eclipse 6,000 career passing yards. On the ground, Concordia got 113 yards and a touchdown from Mark Arp and 90 yards and a touchdown from Devin Zeigler. Linebacker Michael Grindey paced the defense with 12 tackles, including one for loss. This season’s home finale will take place Saturday when Doane visits Bulldog Stadium. The Bulldogs hope to avenge last season’s 12-10 season opening loss in Crete. Prior to kickoff, Head Coach Patrick Daberkow’s program will honor a group of 20 seniors.
· Game notes for this week’s matchup with Doane can be found HERE.
· This week:
o Saturday, Nov. 4 vs. Doane (1-8, 1-7 GPAC), 1 p.m. | Senior Day
Cross Country
· Current rankings (according to NAIA.org):
o Women – No. 1 in GPAC, No. 6 in the NAIA coaches’ poll
o Men – No. 3 in GPAC
· Most recent outing:
o Doane/CSM Blazing Tiger NAIA Classic (Oct. 21): women placed 4th out of 23 teams; men placed 10th out of 23 teams.
· Links: 2023 Schedule | Roster
· Notable: The eighth-ranked Concordia women’s team made a statement at the Blazing Tiger NAIA Classic by placing fourth out of 23 teams in a loaded field. The Bulldogs outkicked two NAIA top 10 teams: No. 6 Dordt and No. 7 Southern Oregon University. In the 6k race, four Bulldogs clocked in under 23 minutes, led by Julie McIntyre (22:11.6), who placed 13th out of 288 individual runners. McIntyre is the fourth different competitor to emerge as Concordia’s top runner at a meet this season. The women’s team placed first among the nine GPAC squads at the Blazing Tiger Meet (in Ashland, Neb.) while them finished third out of nine GPAC squads in their 8k race. The individual leader for the men was Calvin Rohde (25:37.5), who placed 39th out of 199 runners. Head Coach Matt Beisel commended freshman Aidan Limback for a breakthrough race that saw him place inside the team’s top five (104th overall). This meet served as a precursor to the GPAC Championships coming up next week.
· Check out a preview of the 2023 GPAC Championship meet HERE. At the 2022 conference championships, the Bulldogs placed second on the men’s side and third on the women’s side. Now ranked sixth in the NAIA, the women’s team has hopes of capturing the program’s first GPAC title since 2019.
· This week:
o Saturday, Nov. 4 at 2023 GPAC Cross Country Championships (North Sioux City, S.D.).
Shooting Sports
· Most recent outing:
o Placed second HOA overall (out of nine teams) at the Concordia Bulldog Sporting Invitational (Oct. 21-22).
· Links: 2023-24 Schedule | Roster | Season Preview
· A recap from this past weekend’s event can be found HERE.
· Notable: The Bulldogs hosted the eighth annual Concordia Invitational on Oct. 21-22 and welcomed nine teams and more than 100 competitors to Oak Creek Sporting Club in Brainard, Neb. Head Coach Dylan Owens’ squad came away with a second-place finish while busting 1,295 targets. The Concordia Invite tested all athletes with 200 sporting clay and 100 super sporting clay targets. Two Bulldogs came away with awards as Sam Blevins took third among males in sporting and Claire Kee earned second in sporting and third in super sporting among females. Blevins posted scores of 91 and 86 in the process of taking third in sporting. Meanwhile, Kee shot 170/200 in sporting and 86 in super while coming away with a pair of awards. The La Grange, Ky., native Blevins was also Concordia’s top overall shooter at 269/300. That total placed him fourth HOA among males. In terms of HOA, the next Bulldogs in line were Nelson (264) and Harris (260). They placed sixth and 11th, respectively, on the overall leaderboard. The Bulldogs have this week off from competition while looking ahead to a trip to Waco, Texas, in early November.
· This week:
o Waco Trap & Skeet Collegiate Invitational (Nov. 4-5) in Waco, Texas.