Bulldog Athletic Association Member (BAAM) Athletes of the Week
Female: Savannah Andrews, Soccer
A sophomore from Gretna, Neb., Savannah Andrews struck for four goals as Concordia defeated Mount Marty, 8-1, in the team’s GPAC opener. Andrews also helped the Bulldogs defeat Nebraska Wesleyan, 4-0, last week. Andrews leads all GPAC players with eight goals on the season.
Male: Carter Hinman, Soccer
A junior from Gretna, Neb., Carter Hinman continued to terrorize opponents last week as the Bulldogs earned wins over Benedictine College (Kan.) and Mount Marty. Hinman drew a foul that led to the lone goal in the win at Benedictine and notched his sixth goal of the season as part of the victory over Mount Marty.
Previous BAAM Athletes of the Week
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.
Homecoming 2023 on the Concordia campus: Homecoming week 2023 has arrived on campus. Festivities are set to run Sept. 21-24 with the highlights including the Concordia Athletics Hall of Fame dinner and ceremony beginning at 6 p.m. CT on Sept. 22 followed by home football versus Dakota Wesleyan at 1 p.m. on Sept. 23. Varsity volleyball will follow at 4 p.m. More information about homecoming weekend, including how to register, is available HERE. At the Hall of Fame induction ceremony, six individuals and one team will join elite company. The Hall of Fame Class of 2023 is included in a release found HERE.
Giesselmann set to return to campus as part of Hall of Fame Class of 2023: Quarterback of the 1970 conference championship football team, Rod Giesselmann will take his place as a member of the Concordia Athletics Hall of Fame. The induction ceremony will take place Friday night as part of homecoming festivities. Giesselmann chatted last week with Concordia Athletic Communications. Said Giesselmann, “There was a oneness of purpose and oneness of being there. So many relationships festered and grew out of being in that spot for 10 years.” For more on Giesselmann, click HERE.
2023 Concordia Athletics Hall of Fame Class
--Amy (Ahlers) Allgood ‘17
--Rick Dietze ‘04
--Chandler Folkerts ‘17
--Rod Giesselmann ‘71
--Luther Klenke (served Concordia from 1968-2001)
--Bailey Morris ‘15
--1982-83 Men’s Tennis Team
Lifting Sports officially underway in 2023-24: The second season of existence for Concordia Weightlifting got started on Sept. 16 as seven Bulldogs represented the program at the Heartland Strength Open Classic. All seven Concordia athletes qualified for nationals at the event. Returning athletes within the weightlifting program include Marry Berris, Evan Fukuhara and Adrian Hernandez. Four freshmen made their collegiate debuts over the weekend: Michael Davidge, Gracy Johnson, Cody Monsevais and Katie Witte. The next event on the schedule is the Conqueror Weightlifting Open in Elkhorn, Neb., on Nov. 4. There are four competitions on the 2023-24 schedule, which will be highlighted by the University Weightlifting Nationals in Columbus, Ohio, March 1-3, 2024. For more on the lifting sports programs, click HERE.
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: 11-0, 4-0 GPAC; ranked No. 2 in the NAIA coaches’ poll.
· Last week:
o def. Doane, 25-11, 25-14, 25-14 (home).
o def. No. 9 College of Saint Mary, 25-27, 25-20, 25-16, 25-20 (away).
· Links: 2023 Schedule | Roster | Statistics | NAIA Coaches’ Poll
· Notable: Head Coach Ben Boldt’s squad enters the week as one of three remaining unbeaten teams across the NAIA volleyball landscape. The others are Columbia International University (S.C.) (14-0) and Indiana Wesleyan University (12-0). The Bulldogs took care of two more in-state GPAC rivals last week and claimed their third win this season over opponents ranked inside the NAIA top 10 at match time: No. 6 Park University (Mo.), No. 9 Midland and No. 9 College of Saint Mary. Concordia is currently hitting .303 as a team and ranks No. 2 nationally in that category. There are five Bulldogs with at least 73 kills on the season: Ashley Keck (119), Gabi Nordaker (97), Camryn Opfer (95), Carly Rodaway (76) and Maddie Paulsen (73). For additional statistics and details, check out this week’s notes package HERE.
· This week:
o Wednesday, Sept. 20 vs. Mount Marty (9-8, 2-2 GPAC), 7:30 p.m.
o Saturday, Sept 23 vs. Dordt (1-9, 0-4 GPAC), 4 p.m.
Men’s Soccer
· Current record: 7-0, 1-0 GPAC; receiving votes in the NAIA coaches’ poll.
· Last week:
o Won at Benedictine College (Kan.), 1-0, on Sept. 13.
o Won vs. Mount Marty, 3-0, on Sept. 16.
· Links: 2023 Schedule | Roster | Statistics
· Notable: Two more shutout wins occurred last week as the Bulldogs remained undefeated. Head Coach Jason Weides’ squad is one of two teams in the NAIA that stands unbeaten without a tie. The other squad in that category is Union College (Ky.) at 6-0. Through seven outings, Concordia has played five times at home. Dating back to the 2021 season, the Bulldogs are now 15-0-1 over their last 16 contests played inside Bulldog Stadium. The goals last week were delivered by Victor Meneses (lone goal at Benedictine), Carter Hinman, Kai Olbrich and D’Andre Williams. Hinman is tied for the GPAC lead with six goals on the season. In the official poll, Concordia continues to be rated No. 1 in the GPAC. For additional statistics and details, check out this week’s notes package HERE.
· This week:
o Wednesday, Sept. 20 vs. Dordt (3-3, 0-1 GPAC), 5:30 p.m.
o Saturday, Sept. 23 at Northwestern (4-3, 0-1 GPAC), 1 p.m.
Shooting Sports
· Last week:
o Placed second overall (out of 11 teams) at the Mid-Plains Community College Fall Flurry held in North Platte, Neb., Sept. 16-17.
· Links: 2023-24 Schedule | Roster | Season Preview
· Notable: Head Coach Dylan Owens’ top group of Bulldogs placed second HOA with a score of 1,317 at the Mid-Plains Community College Fall Flurry. Major individual awards were claimed by Kee as the women’s HOA champion (265) and women’s sporting clays champion (91), Buchannan Tietjen as the men’s skeet four-year college champion (95) and Katie Welker as the women’s trap champion (94) and co-women’s skeet champion (93) along with teammate Rayne Larrison. Concordia’s top five HOA shooters were Blevins (272), Jack Nelson (268), Kee (265), Tietjen (262) and Mason Ward (260). Among all shooters at the Fall Flurry, Blevins finished fourth HOA behind three athletes from Hastings. A recap from the event can be found HERE.
· This week:
o Midland University Warrior Open | Sept. 23-24 | Lincoln, Neb. | 9 a.m. both days.
Football
· Current record: 1-2, 1-2 GPAC.
· Last week:
o Lost at No. 19 Dordt, 38-7, on Sept. 16.
· Links: 2023 Schedule | Roster | Statistics
· Notable: An interception late in the first half began a downward spiral for the Bulldogs in last week’s 38-7 loss at No. 19 Dordt. Concordia wound up minus-four in turnovers and let the game get away from it as the Defenders outscored the visitors, 28-7, in the second half. A large disparity emerged in the running game as Dordt outrushed the Bulldogs, 216-4. Concordia avoided being shutout when DJ McGarvie threw an eight-yard touchdown pass to Carsen Arline with 11:53 remaining in the game. The Dordt defense picked McGarvie off four times and sacked him seven times. The star of the game for the Bulldogs was Kyle Sterup, who notched 11 tackles and 4.5 tackles for loss.
· Game notes for this week’s matchup with Dordt can be found HERE.
· This week:
o Saturday, Sept. 23 vs. Dakota Wesleyan (3-1, 2-1 GPAC), 1 p.m.
Golf
· Last week (men):
o Shot 306-298-292–896 (placed 11th/17) at the Siouxland Invite (Sept. 11-12).
· Last week (women):
o Shot 355-341–696 (placed 8th/11) at the Lila Frommelt Fall Classic (Sept. 13-14).
o Shot 360-342–702 (placed 7th/10) at the Buena Vista Invite (Sept. 16-17).
· Men’s Links: 2023-24 Schedule | Roster | Statistics
· Notable: The Concordia men took two groupings to the Siouxland Invite with scores being similar: 306-298-292–896 for the ‘A’ team and 305-301-299–905 for the ‘B’ team. Justin Webert led the team individually while placing 21st with a three-round score of 76-75-70–221. The next best performers were Gavin McWhorter (76-75-72–223), Jake Richmond (74-75-74–223), Jake Hagerbaumer (78-76-70–224) and Jacob Woodmancy (78-71-76–225). The 292 team score in round three at the Siouxland Invite marked the second lowest 18-hole total so far this fall for the Bulldogs. They shot a 291 in round three of last week’s Blue River Classic. After three tournaments, Drew D’Ercole and Webert are neck and neck for the team low scoring average (currently tied at 73.7). Both D’Ercole and Webert claimed medals at the Blue River Classic.
· Women’s Links: 2023-24 Schedule | Roster | Statistics
· Notable: The women were in action four of five days from Sept. 13-17 as they competed in the Lila Frommelt Fall Classic and the Buena Vista Invite. In both cases, the Bulldogs struggled on day one before rebounding with solid day two performances. Maddie Lewis topped Concordia at the Frommelt Classic with a total of 81-84–165 (13th). Emery Custer then claimed a top 10 finish (seventh) at the Buena Vista Invite with a two-round score of 85-81–166. Both Lewis and Custer turned in collegiate lows for a single round of 81. Lewis is a former Bulldog volleyball player who made the switch to golf this season. The other three Concordia players who earned spots in the lineup at the BVU Invite were: Logan Eschliman, Mya Nurse and Jennifer Gillotti.
· This week:
o Men: Idle until the Hastings Invite (Sept. 25-26).
o Women: Idle until Hastings Invite (Sept. 25-26); will play a JV tournament on Wednesday (CSM Fall Invite in Omaha).
Women’s Soccer
· Current record: 5-2, 1-0 GPAC.
· Last week:
o Won at Nebraska Wesleyan University, 4-0, on Sept. 14.
o Won vs. Mount Marty, 8-1, on Sept. 16.
· Links: 2023 Schedule | Roster | Statistics
· Notable: It was an impressively dominant week for the Bulldogs, who defeated Nebraska Wesleyan and Mount Marty by a combined score of 12-1. Both Kierstynn Garner and Savannah Andrews struck for four goals on the week. All four goals for Andrews came in the blowout of the Lancers. It was also a productive week for Sierra Springer, who notched two goals and four assists. In addition, a goal apiece was scored by Hannah Haas and Niah Kirchner. Andrews now leads all GPAC players with eight goals on the season. Garner ranks second with six goals. Head Coach Nick Smith’s squad has played five of its first seven games at home. For additional statistics and details, check out this week’s notes package HERE.
· This week:
o Wednesday, Sept. 20 vs. Dordt (4-6, 1-0-1 GPAC), 8 p.m.
o Saturday, Sept. 23 at Northwestern (2-4, 0-1 GPAC), 3:15 p.m.
Cross Country
· Current rankings (according to NAIA.org):
o Women – No. 2 in GPAC, No. 23 in NAIA
o Men – No. 3 in GPAC
· Most recent outing:
o Woody Greeno/Jay Dirksen Invite (Sept. 16): Men placed 8th/24 and women placed 5th/20 in the Gold Division of the meet.
· Links: 2023 Schedule | Roster
· Notable: Both teams returned to action last week while competing in the Greeno/Dirksen Invite co-hosted by the University of Nebraska and Nebraska Wesleyan. Among NAIA competition, the Concordia women placed second while the men checked in at No. 3. The Bulldog men managed to beat out rival and 25th-ranked Doane. The top finishers for Concordia were Kylahn Freiberg (18:22.37 5k) on the women’s side and Calvin Rohde (25:54.88 8k) on the men’s side. A total of 47 Bulldogs competed at the meet, which included strong NAIA and NCAA Division II competition. Concordia will be back in action this weekend with the program’s top runners headed to St. Paul, Minn.
· This week:
o Griak Invite | Friday, Sept. 22 – 12 p.m. | University of Minnesota Les Bolstad Golf Course (St. Paul, Minn.).
o Dean White Invite | Saturday, Sept. 23 – 9 a.m. | Doane Cross Country Course (Crete, Neb.).
Tennis
· Last week:
o GPAC Fall Individual Tournament (Sept. 15-16).
· Links: 2023-24 Schedules: Men – Women | 2023-24 Rosters: Men – Women
· Notable: The run of fall tournaments continued last week with the GPAC Fall Individual Tournament. More details on that event can be found by reading the tournament recaps. This week, Head Coach Lisa Hart’s squads will be represented at the NAIA Central-West ITA Regional Championship and at the Kansas Wesleyan Invitational. Both tournaments will take place in Salina, Kan.
· This week:
o NAIA Central-West ITA Regional Championship (Sept. 22-24) in Salina, Kan.
o Kansas Wesleyan Invitational (Sept. 22-24) in Salina, Kan.