Bulldog Athletic Association Member (BAAM) Athletes of the Week
Male: Kaden Thompson, Football
A junior from North Platte, Neb., safety Kaden Thompson led the ball-hawking efforts of the Concordia defense in the 42-24 homecoming win over Mount Marty. The Business Administration major came up with two of the team’s five interceptions while also recording seven tackles and two pass breakups. Thompson shared the national lead with four picks this season.
Female: Abby Haynes, Soccer
A sophomore from Columbus, Neb., Abby Haynes has come on strong in recent action and contributed heavily to her team’s 3-1 win at Dordt to open conference play. Haynes posted a goal and an assist in the victory and has totaled two goals and two assists over the past three outings. Haynes is an Elementary and Special Education major.
2026-27 BAAM Athletes of the Week
Sept. 15 – Seohyeon Jang, Tennis / Carter Wiebusch, Soccer
Sept. 8 – Laynee Baker, Volleyball / Kai Olbrich, Men’s Soccer
Sept. 1 – Myla Emery, Volleyball / Gideon Stark, Football
Aug. 25 – Shandy Fa’ali’i, Volleyball / Sean Stratman, Men’s 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.
Concordia Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2026 officially inducted: The Concordia Athletics Hall of Fame class of 2026 was officially inducted at a ceremony held on Sept. 18. The new inductees include R. John Buuck ’58, Kristen (Conahan) Vogt ’14, Bret Walter ’96, Nolan Zikas ’19 and the 2015-16 women’s track & field team. For a detailed look at each of the hall of famers, click HERE.
Twenty Bulldog programs honored with NAIA Scholar-Team awards for 2025-26: As announced as part of NAIA National Awards Day on Sept. 15, Concordia University, Nebraska was represented with 20 NAIA Scholar-Team awards for the 2025-26 academic year. The award honors teams that achieve a minimum 3.0 grade point average (on a 4.0 scale) as defined by the nominating institution. For a complete list of team award winners, click HERE.
Freshman Jang makes waves as Concordia Tennis hosts GPAC Individual Tournament: The fall season for Concordia Tennis opened the weekend of Sept. 11-12 of the GPAC Fall Individual Championships. Freshman Seohyeon Jang (Seoul, South Korea) made a statement in her Bulldog debut. Jang came away with championships in the top draws for doubles and singles while outmatching her GPAC counterparts. Jang teamed up with Chakira Derman for the doubles title. Other winners in singles were Ishane Derman (flight 3), Alexa Richert (flight 4) and Jacey Powell (flight 5) on the women’s side. The event marked the opening of the 2026-27 seasons for Head Coach Lisa Hart’s tennis teams. Complete results for the GPAC Fall Individual Championships can be found HERE. Concordia hosted the two-day tournament at Woods Tennis Center in Lincoln, Neb. Up next for Bulldog Tennis will be the ITA NAIA Central-West Regional Championships in Salina, Kan., on Sept. 25-27.
Ballfield Project underway, funding still sought: Over the summer, Concordia University, Nebraska went public with the Shine Forth Campaign, an initiative that includes the hybrid baseball-softball Ballfield Project. Concordia continues to seek funding for the project, which will bring a state-of-the-art facility to the east part of campus. For more details on the Ballfield Project, check out the article that first appeared in the Broadcaster magazine HERE.
Concordia Athletics features: The Concordia Athletics website regularly spotlights Bulldog student-athletes, teams and alums with detailed profiles and feature articles. Recent feature stories are linked below.
--Dylan Meyer follows unusual path to success at Concordia
--Gideon Stark follow up
--Devin Harris continues to star as graduate student
Bulldog Coaches Show airs every Thursday at 5:30 p.m. CT: The Bulldog Coaches Show has returned for a 12th 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 2026-27 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. Eric Allgood will be the primary voice for 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 via the Hudl account. For select JV streams, check out that specific sport’s Facebook page. Starting in 2026-27, Concordia broadcasts are simulcast with the GPAC Network and Urban Edge Network.
Shooting Sports
· Most recent:
o Placed 6th/11 at Midland Warrior Open on Sept. 19-20.
· Links: 2026-27 Schedule | Roster
· Notable: In the second outing of the fall, Head Coach Dylan Owens’ Bulldogs placed sixth high overall among 11 teams present at the Midland Warrior Open contested this past weekend. Concordia cracked 1,546 targets towards the HOA team leaderboard while led by standout graduate students Katie Welker-Luetje and Devin Harris. For the second year in a row, Welker-Luetje won the women’s HOA championship at the Warrior Open. She was one of 19 Bulldogs who took at 350 total targets across the disciplines of skeet, sporting clays, super sporting and trap at Lincoln Trap and Skeet Club. Concordia’s top five competitors from an HOA perspective were Welker-Luetje (313/350), Harris (310), junior Clayton Gellerman (302), sophomore Jerry Kaibel (301) and senior Jaggar Luetje (292). Harris and Kaibel ran 99s in skeet. In all other events, Welker-Luetje either led or shared the team lead as she posted scores of 79 in sporting clays, 43 in super sporting and 97 in trap. By discipline, the Bulldogs’ team scores were 476 in trap, 485 in skeet, 378 in sporting and 207 in super sporting. Owens made note of Hannah Dean busting her first 50 targets in skeet while finishing with a 94 in that category. Next up, Concordia will compete against its regional rivals at the Prairie Circuit Conference Championships this Friday through Sunday at Heartland Public Shooting Park in Grand Island, Neb. Three events remain on the fall schedule.
· Up next:
o Prairie Circuit Conference Championships at Heartland Public Shooting Park in Grand Island, Neb., Sept. 25-27.
Football
· Current record: 2-1, 2-1 GPAC.
· Most recent:
o Won vs. Mount Marty, 42-24, on Sept. 19.
· Links: 2026 Schedule | Roster | Statistics | NAIA Coaches’ Poll
· Notable: It was a happy homecoming as the Bulldogs started phase and got game-changing plays from all three phases. Head Coach Patrick Daberkow’s squad earned a 42-24 win over Mount Marty. Concordia jumped out to a 14-0 lead in the opening minute thanks to a 90-yard kickoff return for a touchdown by Collin Fritton and an interception by Tanner Frahm that resulted in a first-and-goal at the Lancer 3. Frahm’s pick was the first of five for the Bulldog defense. Kaden Thompson (two), Luke Penrod and Drake Trent also stepped in front of Rugby Ryken passes. Trent and fellow linebacker Dylan Meyer paced the defense with 10 tackles apiece. Offensively, Carlos Collazo piled up 176 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 28 carries. Collazo’s nine-yard touchdown rush in the fourth quarter iced the game after Mount Marty had closed within 35-24. Quarterback Gideon Stark threw for 148 yards and one touchdown (to tight end Dustin Kapke). Concordia played without star receiver Adam Van Cleave and missed Fritton for the majority of the game after his early touchdown. Jonny Puelz led the receiver room with four catches for 53 yards. The Bulldogs moved to 6-0 all-time versus Mount Marty, which had played wire-to-wire with nationally ranked Northwestern the previous week. Concordia will be right back inside Bulldog Stadium this Saturday to host Dordt. The Defenders have lost twice to NAIA top 10 ranked teams in Indiana Wesleyan and Morningside. Dordt shared the GPAC regular season title last season with Morningside.
· For details on each week’s matchup, check out the game notes linked HERE.
· Next up:
o Saturday, Sept. 19 vs. No. 16 Dordt (1-2, 1-1 GPAC), 1 p.m.
Volleyball
· Current record: 13-2, 4-0 GPAC; ranked No. 2 in the NAIA coaches’ poll.
· Last week:
o Won at Mount Marty, 25-19, 26-24, 25-21, on Sept. 16.
o Won vs. Hastings, 26-24, 25-12, 19-25, 14-25, 15-10, on Sept. 19.
· Links: 2026 Schedule | Roster | Statistics | NAIA Coaches’ Poll
· Notable: The week included a close call, but the second-ranked Bulldogs managed to emerge unscathed. Head Coach Ben Boldt’s squad went on the road for the first time within GPAC play and defeated Mount Marty in three sets before coming back home for a nail-biting five-set triumph over Hastings. In the win at Mount Marty, junior outside hitter Shandy Fa’ali’i starred as she tallied 16 kills, seven digs and four aces while hitting .367. Kyla Griess also added three aces (which came in succession during the third set). Against Hastings, Fa’ali’i added 18 more kills and 12 digs. Ella Brueggemann produced four aces. The Broncos forced a fifth set by controlling the third and fourth frames. In the fifth, Concordia returned to form and hit .350 with nine kills. The results continued lengthy series win streaks against both opponents – 26 versus Mount Marty and 13 versus Hastings. In the NAIA coaches’ poll released last week, the Bulldogs leapfrogged Northwestern and moved to No. 2 (with the Red Raiders now at No. 3). Eastern Oregon remained at No. 1. This week, Concordia faces two GPAC road tests as it looks forward to playing at Doane on Wednesday and at No. 12 Dakota Wesleyan on Saturday.
· For additional news and notes on Concordia Volleyball, check out the team’s homepage HERE.
· This week:
o Wednesday, Sept. 23 at Doane (4-12, 1-3 GPAC), 7:30 p.m.
o Saturday, Sept. 26 at No. 12 Dakota Wesleyan (13-3, 2-2 GPAC), 3 p.m.
Men’s Soccer
· Current record: 3-4, 1-0 GPAC.
· Last week:
o Won at Dordt, 2-0, on Sept. 19.
· Links: 2026 Schedule | Roster | Statistics | NAIA Coaches’ Poll
· Notable: Conference play got underway this past Saturday throughout GPAC men’s soccer. In yet another road trip, the Bulldogs shut out Dordt, 2-0, giving them back-to-back wins for the first time this season. On the attacking end, Concordia took its chances well. It got a goal apiece from Joe McCarroll (12’) and Sebastian Montino (64’). The Defenders actually led in the shot count (11-6) and in corners (8-1). Dordt slipped to 4-3-1 overall (0-1 GPAC). Dating back to last season, the Bulldogs have won each of their past seven games against conference opponents. That stretch includes three 2025 GPAC tournament wins as part of the postseason championship run. On this year’s team, Sebastian Montino became the first Bulldog to score a second goal. Seven of his teammates have posted exactly one goal. In the win last week, keeper Florian Quast was credited with the shutout. He made four saves. Head Coach Bernie Ochoa’s program will attempt to continue the conference win streak this week as it heads to Doane on Wednesday before making a return to Bulldog Stadium on Saturday for a clash with Morningside.
· For a closer look at this week’s matchups, check out the game notes linked HERE.
· This week:
o Wednesday, Sept. 23 at Doane (1-3-2, 0-1 GPAC), 7 p.m.
o Saturday, Sept. 26 vs. Morningside (2-3-3, 1-0 GPAC), 8 p.m.
Women’s Soccer
· Current record: 2-2-2, 1-0 GPAC.
· Last week:
o Won at Dordt, 3-1, on Sept. 19.
· Links: 2026 Schedule | Roster | Statistics | NAIA Coaches’ Poll
· Notable: In the lone outing of the week, the Bulldogs went on the road and opened league play with a 3-1 win at Dordt. It was a continuation of the improvement Head Coach Jason Weides has observed in recent action. Concordia nearly earned the clean sheet, however, the Defenders spoiled it with a 90th minute goal. The Bulldogs had built a 3-0 lead via a goal apiece from Addie Snyder (3’), Kianna Perez (37’) and Abby Haynes (87’). Both Perez and Snyder notched their first career goals as Bulldogs. A sophomore from Columbus, Neb., Haynes has been coming on strong having produced two goals and two assists over the past three games. Statistically, Concordia held a 14-7 advantage over Dordt in shots (while the Defenders led in corners, 5-3). The Bulldogs continue to lean heavily upon standouts along the back line such as Avery Black, Evie Keller, Sierra McElhannon and Charli Preister (all of whom played 90 minutes at Dordt). On the season, Haynes, Molli Kalsbeck and Guadalupe Sanchez are each tied for the team lead with two goals apiece. Conference play continues this week as the Bulldogs play at Doane on Wednesday before then hosting Morningside on Saturday.
· For additional news and notes, check out the program’s homepage HERE.
· This week:
o Wednesday, Sept. 23 at Doane (0-6-1, 0-1 GPAC), 5 p.m.
o Saturday, Sept. 26 vs. Morningside (4-1-1, 1-0 GPAC), 5:30 p.m.
Golf
· Most recent completed tournament:
o Men – Placed 13th/17 (330-301-289–920) at the Siouxland Invite on Sept. 14-15.
o Women – Placed 1st/11 (320) at the Lila Frommelt Fall Classic on Sept. 16.
· Men’s Links: 2026-27 Schedule | Roster | Statistics
· Women’s Links: 2026-27 Schedule | Roster | Statistics
· Notable: It’s been an especially intense stretch for Head Coach Brett Muller’s programs, which were back to action on Monday-Tuesday for tournaments not far from home. On the women’s side, the Bulldogs took advantage of a chance to ring the bell last week after winning the Lila Frommelt Fall Classic hosted by Briar Cliff. Concordia shot a 320 (+36) and wound up in a playoff with Morningside. The Bulldogs triumphed in one playoff hole and claimed the program’s first tournament championship since September 2020. The contributors to Concordia’s team score were Savannah McFalls (79), Olivia James (80), Maddie Lewis (80) and Amelia Ptacnik (81). On the men’s side, the Bulldogs wrapped up the Siouxland Invite early last week and placed 13th. The highlight was the play of senior Jude Elgert, who shot a 71 in round two and a 68 in round three while moving up to 37th on the final individual leaderboard. The men’s lineup has been incredibly competitive with only slight separation between many of its ‘A’ and ‘B’ team performances. After action is completed today (Sept. 22), both teams will have just one event remaining on the fall schedule: the Nebraska Intercollegiate on Oct. 5-6. Check back on the Concordia Athletics website for recaps from the Bent Tree Intercollegiate and York Invite.
· Up next:
o Men – Sept. 21-22 at the Bent Tree Intercollegiate hosted by Iowa Western CC.
o Women – Sept. 21-22 at the York Invite hosted by York University.
Cross Country
· Most recent:
o Placed 6th/33 on the men’s side and 10th/28 on the women’s side at the Augustana Twilight on Sept. 4.
· Links: 2026 Schedule | Roster | NAIA Ratings: Men | Women
· Notable: Due to circumstances out of their control, the Bulldogs were idle last week. The Greeno-Dirksen Invite was canceled due to wet conditions at Mahoney Golf Course in Lincoln. In lieu of that meet, Head Coach Matt Beisel entered his teams into this Friday’s Augustana Invitational in Sioux Falls, S.D. The location is the same as Concordia’s season opening meet, the Augustana Twilight on Sept. 4. At the Augie Twilight, the Bulldogs placed sixth out of 33 on the men’s side and 10th out of 28 on the women’s side. The men were topped by senior Trey Robertson while the women got a starring performance from freshman Hope Beck. Concordia will have had three weeks of practice by the time the Augustana Invitational gets underway on Friday morning. The revised schedule means the Bulldogs will be in action in three-straight weeks with the Briar Cliff Invite (Oct. 3) and Dordt Holiday Inn Express (Oct. 10) coming up after the Augustana Invite.
· For additional news and notes on the Concordia Cross Country teams, click HERE.
· Up next:
o Friday, Sept. 25 at the Augustana Invitational (Yankton Trail Park in Sioux Falls, S.D.), 10:15 a.m.