Bulldog Athletic Association Member (BAAM) Athletes of the Week
Male: Carson Fehlhafer, Football
Named the NAIA National Defensive Player of the Week, Carson Fehlhafer starred in Concordia’s road upset of No. 2 Northwestern. The nose guard from Utica, Neb., registered eight tackles, three sacks and a pass breakup in the win that moved the Bulldogs to 4-2 on the season. Fehlhafer has totaled five sacks on the season.
Female: Kaylee Hinton, Shooting Sports
A junior from Hiawatha, Kan., Kaylee Hinton won the high overall women’s championship at last week’s Hastings Invitational while busting 334 out of 400 targets. In addition, Hinton was the Hastings Invite winner in super sporting (81) and was a second-place finisher in trap (94). Hinton’s efforts helped the Bulldogs win the team title.
2024-25 BAAM Athletes of the Week
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.
Previewing the 2024-25 Lifting Sports seasons: The Concordia University Lifting Sports teams are scheduled to begin their 2024-25 seasons during the month of October. This will be year three for Head Coach Freddie Myles as the powerlifting and weightlifting programs look to build upon historic achievements at the 2024 national championship competitions. For additional details on both squads, check out the season previews linked below.
Season Previews: Powerlifting | Weightlifting.
Twenty Bulldog programs recognized with NAIA Scholar Team awards for 2023-24: In conjunction with the 2024 NAIA National Awards Day celebrated on Monday (Sept. 16), 20 Concordia University, Nebraska Athletics programs were honored with 2023-24 NAIA Scholar Team distinction. The award is earned by teams that achieve a minimum 3.0 grade point average (on a 4.0 scale) as defined by the nominating institution. For a listing of 2023-24 Concordia NAIA Scholar Teams, click HERE.
GPAC launches streaming network: Back in July, the Great Plains Athletic Conference announced a streaming network designed to bring webcasts from all league members together in one place. The GPAC Network can be accessed online via: https://www.gpacnetwork.com/. The network is also available via a mobile app and smart TVs. The GPAC partnered with Hudl for the creation of the network. In addition to the events that stream on the Concordia Sports Network, 104.9 Max Country will broadcast football and volleyball varsity games this fall. The broadcast schedule can be found HERE.
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 is in 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 this 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.
Football
· Current record: 4-2, 4-2 GPAC.
· Last week
o Won at No. 2 Northwestern, 29-17, on Oct. 5.
· Links: 2024 Schedule | Roster | Statistics
· Notable: The Bulldogs stunned the NAIA football world this past weekend by upsetting No. 2 Northwestern, 29-17, in Orange City, Iowa. In doing so, Concordia won at Northwestern for the first time since 2002 and defeated a ranked opponent for the first time since 2017. The key factors were the Bulldogs’ ability to win at the line of scrimmage and its capitalizing on four interceptions – two by Daylon Henson and one apiece from Luke Penrod and Jaden Seier. Up front, junior Carson Fehlhafer terrorized the Red Raiders with eight tackles, three sacks and a pass breakup. Fehlhafer was subsequently named the NAIA National Defensive Player of the Week. Northwestern averaged only 1.7 yards per carry despite the presence of All-American running back Konner McQuillan. Offensively, quarterback DJ McGarvie threw for 173 yards and two touchdowns and Mark Arp ran for 85 yards and two scores. Austin Jablonski (six catches for 106 yards) and Adam Van Cleave (five receptions for 48 yards) were on the receiving end of McGarvie’s touchdown tosses. Braxtyn Koch also punted 10 times for an average of 37.5 yards per attempt. The Red Raiders (4-1) saw their 20-game home winning streak snapped on homecoming in Orange City. They also lost to a GPAC opponent other than Morningside for the first time since 2016. Head Coach Patrick Daberkow’s squad enters the bye week at 4-2 and having played each of the league’s three teams ranked 11th or higher in the NAIA poll. The remaining schedule includes Doane (away), Mount Marty (home), Hastings (home) and Midland (away).
· For details on upcoming matchups, check out the game notes linked HERE.
· This week:
o Saturday, Oct. 12 – Bye; will resume action on Saturday, Oct. 19 with a game at Doane.
Golf
· Most recent:
o Men – Placed 8th/10 at the Nebraska Intercollegiate in Hastings, Neb., on Oct. 4-5.
o Women – Placed 5th/7 at the Nebraska Intercollegiate in Hastings, Neb., on Oct. 4-5.
· Men’s Links: 2024-25 Schedule | Roster | Statistics
· Women’s Links: 2024-25 Schedule | Roster | Statistics
· Notable: The Concordia Golf programs wrapped up their fall seasons this past weekend while playing for state bragging rights at the Nebraska Intercollegiate at Lochland Country Club in Hastings, Neb. The Bulldog men shot 304-305–609 for the tournament and placed eighth out of 10 squads. Senior Jake Hagerbaumer was tied for the individual lead after day one and ultimately finished in a tie for 12th place (70-78–148). Junior Jake Richmond made his way into the top 20 with a strong second round and totaled a score of 76-73–149. Through the fall, Concordia has averaged a team score of 306.0 while led by Hagerbaumer (76.0), Justin Webert (76.2) and Richmond (76.7). On the women’s side, Concordia placed fifth at the Nebraska Intercollegiate while shooting 349-352–701. The top performers for the Bulldogs were juniors Maddie Lewis (84-84–168; 19th) and Emery Custer (83-87–170; 21st). In addition, freshman Savannah McFalls turned in a career low round of 87 on day one. This fall, Concordia has averaged a team score of 354.5 while led by Custer (83.4), Lewis (89.4) and Jennifer Gillotti (90.8). Head Coach Brett Muller’s teams will resume their 2024-25 seasons in the spring.
· Up next:
o Both teams will resume their seasons in the spring of 2025.
Shooting Sports
· Last week:
o Placed 1st/11 at the Hastings College Bronco Invitational, Oct. 5-6.
· Links: 2024-25 Schedule | Roster
· Notable: The Bulldogs came away from the Hastings Invitational with some hardware. As a team, Concordia won the overall championship (out of 11 teams) and took event titles in skeet and sporting clays. Individually, Kaylee Hinton and Breyer Meeks claimed HOA championships within their respective gender breakdowns at the invite held at Heartland Public Shooting Park in Grand Island, Neb. The Bulldogs busted 1,773 targets towards the high overall leaderboard and beat out familiar foes such as Hastings, Midland and Fort Hays State University (Kan.). In addition, event championships were seized by Hinton in super sporting (81), Katie Welker in trap (97) and Meeks in sporting (85). Meanwhile, Buchannan Tietjen and Devin Harris placed second and third, respectively, in skeet (98 apiece) and Hinton placed second in trap (94). In terms of sheer HOA totals, Concordia’s top five shooters at the Hastings Invite were Meeks (364), Tietjen (353), Harris (350), Trevor Burch (336), Hinton (334) and Brennen Stones (334). The achievement marked the program’s first event championship since also taking first at the 2021 Hastings Invite. Head Coach Dylan Owens’ program will have this week off from competition while helping at the Kids & Clays Sporting Clays Tournament in support of Ronald McDonald House Charities. The next competition on the schedule is the Southeast Community College Bobcat Invitational slated for Oct. 26-27.
· Up next:
o Will be idle until the Southeast CC Bobcat Invitational on Oct. 26-27.
Cross Country
· Most recent:
o Men – placed 1st/8 at the Briar Cliff Invite on Oct. 5.
o Women – placed 1st/6 at the Briar Cliff Invite on Oct. 5.
· Links: 2024 Schedule | Roster
· Notable: Both teams earned the right to ring the bell this past Saturday as the Bulldogs won men’s and women’s championships at the Briar Cliff Invite held at Adams Homestead and Nature Preserve in North Sioux City, S.D. At the top of the women’s standings, Concordia (33 points) beat out second place College of Saint Mary (54) and three other GPAC foes as part of a six-team field. On the men’s side, the Bulldogs (27 points) defeated second place Northwestern (77) and three additional GPAC opponents in an eight-team field. The men’s team was particularly impressive in holding down seven of the top 12 place finishes. Freshman Vaughn Hendrickson (25:26.64) and sophomore Trey Robertson (25:29.04) went 1-2 in the 8k race. Hendrickson earned the first meet title of his collegiate career. Meanwhile, Trevor Kuncl, Cole Yunker and Aaron Jendro placed eighth through 10th. As for the women, three Bulldogs placed in the top 10 in the 6k race: juniors Hannah Beintema (23:31.90; fifth) and Keegan Beisel (23:52.42) and freshman Annika Staab (24:05.77; 10th). The Briar Cliff Invite marked the third meet this season for Head Coach Matt Beisel’s squads. Both teams are receiving votes in the national polls. Concordia will be back to action this Saturday for the Holiday Inn Express Classic hosted by Dordt. There are two meets remaining prior to the 2024 GPAC Championships on Nov. 9.
· For additional news and notes on the Concordia Cross Country teams, click HERE.
· This week:
o Saturday, Oct. 12 at Holiday Inn Express Classic located on the Dordt campus in Sioux Center, Iowa.
Men’s Soccer
· Current record: 3-2-7, 2-0-3 GPAC; receiving votes in NAIA coaches’ poll.
· Last week:
o Won at Dakota Wesleyan, 3-0, on Oct. 6.
· Links: 2024 Schedule | Roster | Statistics | NAIA Coaches’ Poll
· Notable: After taking the middle of this past week off, Head Coach Jason Weides’ squad returned to action over the weekend and earned a 3-0 win at Dakota Wesleyan. A goal apiece was scored by Oliver Benson, Martin Herrera and Ryan Brown as the Bulldogs produced their highest goal scoring output since defeating Avila University (Mo.), 5-0, in the season opener. The result also snapped a string of three straight 1-1 draws within conference play. Keeper Nolan Fuelberth made three saves at DWU and picked up his third clean sheet of the season. Weides’ program still has not lost a GPAC regular season game since September 2022 as it ran its unbeaten streak in such contests to 25 (16-0-9 in that stretch). With eight points towards the GPAC standings, Concordia currently resides in third place behind Dordt (3-0-2; 11 points) and Briar Cliff (3-1-1; 10 points). Through 12 regular season games, the Bulldogs have outscored their opponents by a combined total of 16-9. Next up on the schedule is Saturday’s home matchup with Morningside. Concordia will use the occasion to honor nine seniors: Ryan Brown, Nolan Fuelberth, Jarrod Henson, Martin Herrera, Carter Hinman, Spencer Kaufman, Gabriel Mendoza, Manuel Rodriguez and D’Andre Williams.
· For a closer look at this week’s matchups, check out the game notes linked HERE.
· This week:
o Wednesday, Oct. 9 – Bye.
o Saturday, Oct. 12 vs. Morningside (4-5-1, 2-1-1 GPAC), 8 p.m.
Women’s Soccer
· Current record: 5-5-1, 2-3 GPAC.
· Last week:
o Won at Dakota Wesleyan, 2-1, on Oct. 5.
· Links: 2024 Schedule | Roster | Statistics
· Notable: Down several key players, the Bulldogs resumed action this past Saturday and gritted out a 2-1 victory at Dakota Wesleyan. Concordia overcame a 1-0 second half deficit thanks to a goal apiece from Kyana Rios and Sierra McElhannon, a pair of freshmen. The goal marked the first in the career of the Ewa Beach, Hawaii, native McElhannon. Keeper Angela Banks helped preserve the one-goal margin by making six saves. The Bulldogs got it done while playing without standouts Savannah Andrews, Kierstynn Garner and Rosie Gyllenswan, all of whom are recovering from injury. After starting conference play at 0-3, Concordia has won back-to-back outings (with a 1-0 home win coming over Briar Cliff on Sept. 28). In the current GPAC standings, the Bulldogs are tied for sixth with six points. Through 11 games, Concordia has scored 17 goals and has conceded 20. Head Coach Nick Smith’s squad now sets its sights on Saturday’s matchup with Morningside. As part of the evening, the Bulldogs will celebrate a senior class of nine members: Angela Banks, Lilley Barber, Rosie Gyllenswan, Emily Howard, Zoe Lavigne, Senna McMullen, Molly Roberts, Taylor Slaymaker and Katelyn Smith.
· For additional news and notes, check out the program’s homepage HERE.
· This week:
o Wednesday, Oct. 9 – Bye.
o Saturday, Oct. 12 vs. Morningside (2-3-4, 1-2-2 GPAC), 5:30 p.m.
Volleyball
· Current record: 14-2, 7-1 GPAC; ranked No. 4 in the NAIA coaches’ poll.
· Last week:
o Won at Waldorf, 25-17, 33-31, 25-13, on Oct. 4.
o Won at Dakota Wesleyan, 25-14, 25-19, 22-25, 25-13, on Oct. 5.
· Links: 2024 Schedule | Roster | Statistics | NAIA Coaches’ Poll
· Notable: The lengthiest road trip of the GPAC regular season slate took place this past weekend as the fourth-ranked Bulldogs ventured to Forest City, Iowa, and Mitchell, S.D. Concordia came away with wins over Waldorf (straight sets) and Dakota Wesleyan (four sets) and pushed its GPAC road record to 4-0. The Bulldogs outhit those opponents, collectively, .270 to .100. It was another fine weekend for junior Ashley Keck, who tallied 32 kills and 38 digs. In addition, Gabi Nordaker posted 27 kills and 10 blocks and Ella Waters contributed 24 kills while hitting .327. In the back row, senior libero Becca Gebhardt racked up 45 digs. She pushed her career total to 1,443 digs, placing her fifth on the program’s all-time list. Concordia played new GPAC member Waldorf for the first time since the two sides met in Friedrich Arena in 2019 (a Bulldog win in straight sets). At 7-1 in league play, Concordia remains one game behind No. 1 Northwestern (8-0) at the top of the standings. The Red Raiders were pushed to five sets by Hastings this past Saturday. Head Coach Ben Boldt’s squad will be back home to host Briar Cliff on Friday and Morningside on Saturday. Prior to first serve on Saturday, the Bulldogs will honor a senior class that includes Becca Gebhardt, Kelsi Heard, Cassidy Knust, Macy McClain, DeLaney Novy and Ashlyn Wischmeier.
· For additional news and notes on Concordia Volleyball, check out the team’s homepage HERE.
· This week:
o Friday, Oct. 11 vs. Briar Cliff (6-14, 0-8 GPAC), 7:30 p.m.
o Saturday, Oct. 12 vs. Morningside (17-6, 5-3 GPAC), 3 p.m.