Momentum has been building within the Concordia Cross Country programs as evidenced by both squads placing inside the top three of the GPAC last season while sending representatives to the 2022 NAIA Cross Country National Championships. Both the men’s and women’s teams graduated just one major impact performer this past May, meaning the cupboard is fully stocked. Entering his eighth season leading his alma mater, Head Coach Matt Beisel has put together the largest cross country roster of his tenure. More than 60 Bulldogs reported to campus a week prior to the start of classes.
GPAC coaches pegged the Concordia men and women at No. 2 in the conference preseason poll. Naturally, expectations are high for Beisel and the distance crews. As temperatures soared above 100 degrees throughout the first week of school, the Bulldogs found creative ways to beat the heat while preparing for the season opening meet on Sept. 1.
“It’s the first time I’ve ever had to do 5:30 a.m. practices because it was like 101 in the afternoons every day, but we got a lot of good work done,” Beisel said. “We have 24 new freshmen distance runners and we now have a roster of 63. All of those freshmen have come in and melded into the group. They’re great people. The team chemistry is phenomenal, and you need that. From a performance standpoint, we did a 1,600 time trial the first week of preseason. Never in my time coaching here have I had so many people running very, very good times. It blew my mind and got everyone super excited.”
Men’s Outlook Head Coach: Matt Beisel (8th year) 2022 Finish: 2nd in GPAC Key Returners: Jack Ellis; Thomas Gorline; Charlie Hayden; Aaron Jendro; Trevor Kuncl; Nathan Pennekamp; Calvin Rohde. Key Loss: Camden Sesna.
The second place GPAC claim in 2022 marked the highest conference finish for the men’s program since it captured the GPAC title in 2012. In order to achieve such glory this fall, the Bulldogs will have to dethrone defending national champion Dordt. That’s certainly not the focus during preseason for Concordia, which is rallying behind the theme of “be where your feet are.” Past national qualifier Calvin Rohde will set the pace for the Bulldogs, who are determined to get back to the national stage as a team qualifier.
The Bulldogs will surely miss Camden Sesna, a two-time cross country national qualifier, but they believe they can overcome his graduation with combined improvement of returners and with an influx of freshmen talent.
“It’s the largest men’s roster I’ve ever had,” Beisel said. “There is a lot of talent. There’s some good stuff about to happen and we don’t know quite how it’s going to shake out. Camden definitely was a loss. He was a team captain for two years. He is a phenomenal young man. Calvin Rohde is running fantastic. He had a great track season. He’s our team captain this year and he’s our top runner. He’s running really well. Then you look at Trevor Kuncl, who had a little health stuff going on fall of his freshman year. He was a state champion in cross country. We have that figured out, and he really blossomed during the spring. He has shown no signs of slowing down. He was literally right with Calvin in our time trial. In addition to Calvin and Trevor, we have six returners who were all impact players at the conference level in track and field this spring. Then we have probably the strongest freshman class of boys I’ve ever had come in.”
A Reed City, Mich., native, Rohde carries the added motivation of having narrowly missed out on a spot at nationals a year ago. It was really the only downer for Rohde, a two-time All-GPAC award winner and captain of the current squad. Rohde is joined on the 2023 roster by eight holdovers who competed at last season’s GPAC meet (as listed below). The group includes the likes of Jack Ellis, Aaron Jendro, Charlie Hayden, Nathan Pennekamp, Trevor Kuncl, Thomas Gorline and Micah Willweber. It’s a group that understands what it’s like to compete at the top of the conference.
Returners from 2022 GPAC Championships (with GPAC placement) 14. Calvin Rohde 18. Jack Ellis 29. Aaron Jendro 33. Charlie Hayden 37. Nathan Pennekamp 40. Trevor Kuncl 45. Thomas Gorline 46. Micah Willweber
Says Rohde, “One of our goals is second or better in the GPAC. We were second place and one point from third last year. Dordt won the national meet, which was very impressive for them and also kind of encouraging for us to know that it was the only team that beat us (in conference). Dordt will be a force again for sure. We’ll be gunning for them.”
Concordia is also gunning for the NAIA top 25. The lack of votes in the preseason national poll won’t deter the Bulldogs. It simply means they have something to prove in order to earn the program’s first at-large bid to nationals since 2013. The group of freshmen will help make that possible. Potential impact newcomers include Aidan Limback, Colin Pinneo, Trey Robertson and Justin Sherman, among others. Aidan is the nephew of Concordia men’s basketball coach Ben Limback.
It's fair to say the quality of depth in the program has been enhanced – and that’s after the Bulldogs placed inside the top three of the team standings at each of their final four outings of 2022. Soon Concordia will find out just how much better it has gotten. The results last season changed the game and made this a more confident group.
“I think last year was a huge breakthrough for our guys’ mentality,” Beisel said. “To get second in the GPAC is huge. It’s a tough conference. I think our guys are hungry. They’re tired of playing second fiddle. They’re doing everything they can. Great team mentality. I think we’re going to see some cool things happen. The ultimate goal this year is we really want our men’s team to perform well enough to win or get second in conference and run well enough that we are nationally ranked so we can go to nationals. That would be very cool.”
Added Rohde, “All in all, last year was a pretty good year for me and for the team. I got faster. I ran well, except at the GPAC meet when I underperformed and didn’t qualify for nationals, but the team got second. It was kind of a weird mix of good and bad things that happened. That individual performance is definitely motivating me for GPAC and for the whole year. It’s motivating me to perform and be mentally strong, whether I’m feeling good or not.”
Women’s Outlook Head Coach: Matt Beisel (8th year) 2022 Finishes: 3rd in GPAC; 27th in NAIA Key Returners: Hannah Beintema; Keegan Beisel; Kylahn Freiberg; Rylee Haecker; Rhaya Kaschinske; Julie McIntyre; Faith Williamson. Key Loss: Amie Martin.
The women’s program has qualified for nationals as a team in two of the previous four seasons and carries a No. 23 NAIA national ranking into the 2023 campaign. Considering the talent and depth that returned to campus this August, the Bulldogs believe they have a team that can rival the 2019 Concordia squad that placed 12th in the nation. That particular team had Kylahn Freiberg (maiden name Heritage) leading the way at the top of the pack. The expectation for this group is that it will be planning a trip to Fort Vancouver, Wash., come mid-November.
Beisel is capable of going on at length about his team’s depth. Concordia brings back six of the seven competitors who ran at the 2022 national meet and welcomes back nine of the 10 Bulldogs who took to the course at the 2022 GPAC meet.
“I’m very optimistic,” Beisel said. “We lost Amie Martin – she had a great career for us. At the same time, Kylahn Freiberg made the decision to come back for her fifth year and use her ‘COVID’ eligibility, which is gigantic. Rylee Haecker, who had such a great track season, is in her final year. Julie McIntyre, a transfer, had a great year and a breakout year in track. She’s back and doing well. My daughter Keegan ran exceptionally well and made our 4x8 at nationals and also ran 18:37 in the 5k on the track. She’s doing great. Hannah Beintema is right there with Keegan. Rhaya Kashinske is running fantastic. Then you add Keeli Green from Arlington. She’s showing huge early promise, which we knew she would. Then you have Alayna Vargas, who is also running well. Both of those freshmen girls are state champions and state runners up – great competitors. Then there are a whole bunch of other girls that are really good. It sure is fun.”
Below is a breakdown of the top returners, in terms of their GPAC placements from 2022. Freiberg has placed as high as 33rd at the national meet and is capable of achieving All-America status. The Nampa, Idaho, native clocked in at 18:34.7 at the 2022 national meet held in Tallahassee, Fla. This past fall, Freiberg, McIntyre and Haecker all collected all-conference awards thanks to top 15 finishes at the GPAC championships hosted in frigid Jamestown, N.D. Haecker is an eight-time NAIA All-American in track and field. The list of returners from the 2022 national meet also includes Beintema, Kaschinske and Beisel.
The accomplished Freiberg broke through during indoor track with a national runner up claim in the 1,000 meters. Her return is a major recruiting win for Beisel. Freiberg is a captain and leader who sets a strong example. Said Freiberg in explaining her decision to opt in a COVID year, “There were a lot of little things that went into it. Part of it at first was that my husband is also staying a fifth year on the track team. I thought it would definitely be hard not being on the team. I was already thinking about it my fourth year, thinking about the team and how much I love running. I love my teammates. I just felt called to come back and serve.”
Green won two individual cross country state championships at Arlington High School and figures to fit seamlessly into the program and be among the team’s top runners right away. Similarly, Vargas won a state title and was a state runner up in cross country while also taking home nine state track medals. Other freshmen such as Kelsie Heins and Trinity Houchin are primed to make an impact. The process of assimilating the many newcomers into the team culture is already well underway.
“They’re definitely high,” says Haecker of the team’s expectations. “We have six returners from the national team. It’s exciting but there can definitely be pressure with that expectation. This year we’re really focusing on having fun and running for the glory of God. Our team is bonding really well. The freshman are a good chunk of our team. It’s competitive and encouraging to know that we’re bettering each other. You always have a group with you. That definitely creates that team camaraderie.”
Added Freiberg, “We are definitely a lot stronger, in my opinion, than we were last year. It’s a lot of the same group. In addition to that, we have even more people who bring wonderful assets to the team to keep it Christ-centered and to work hard and motivate each other. I want to keep the focus on how much I can lift up my teammates.”
In the preseason, Concordia is ranked behind only Dordt at the top of the GPAC poll. The Bulldogs finished third last season while trailing Dordt and Hastings. Freiberg and company did manage to outrun the Broncos at the national meet. The most recent GPAC championship for the women’s program came in 2019.
Final thoughts
This may be as strong as Concordia Cross Country has been under Beisel from a combined men’s and women’s perspective. For both squads, the focus is on being where your feet are, to repeat the mantra.
Coach Beisel:
“I think the biggest thing is the team mentality. One of the things I did a lot of praying about this summer was what our theme should be. Our theme for the year is: ‘be where your feet are.’ In the competitive world of distance running, it can be really easy to fixate and worry about – will we qualify? Will I make this roster? Will I make this relay? It’s a tough thing. It’s a reality that everyone has to wrestle with. C.S. Lewis talked about the Screwtape letters where it’s like, God is a God of eternity. God wants us focused on eternity and he wants us focused on the present. It’s the devil that wants us focused on the future and what might happen. When there’s anxiety, discouragement and worry about the future, we know that’s not coming from God. What I want us to do is keep our eyes fixated on Christ but also focus on each other – be where our feet are. I think that’s going to be something that will keep our focus on the here and now. Trust God for all the rest and control what we can control. Love each other, these amazing people, build relationships and see what happens.”
Beisel also provided his thoughts on the return of nationals to Fort Vancouver. Said Beisel, “It is run on a national historic site where an old fort was. A lot of it is run on the side of the hill, it’s twisty-turny and it is a very technical race. You’ve got to get out strong or you’re going to get stuck in the back of the pack. It’s really hard to work your way up. You’re not going to look at the times and go, that was a really good race. It’s a very technical course. What’s good about Washington, is it will be good temperatures typically and there are some cool things to do there. We usually go to Multnomah Falls and check that out. Then we go to Cannon Beach and go hang out there the night after the race, eat some seafood and then come back.”
First Meet
Friday, Sept. 1 – Augustana Twilight, 8:30 p.m. CT, Yankton Trail Park (Sioux Falls, S.D.)
Freiberg, Hayden lead Dawgs to solid finishes at Augustana Twilight
September 1, 2023
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Underneath the lights in the lone night meet of the fall, Concordia University Cross Country kickstarted the 2023 season on Friday (Sept. 1). Yankton Trail Park in Sioux Falls, S.D., served as the venue for the Augustana Twilight, which saw more than 700 combined men’s and women’s runners pace the course. On the overall team leaderboards, the Bulldogs placed 10th out of 29 on the women’s side and 12th out of 32 on the men’s side. The Concordia women finished first among NAIA squads while the men ranked second among NAIA entrants.
This was the start of year eight for Matt Beisel as head coach at his alma mater. The Bulldog women entered the meet ranked No. 23 in the NAIA. Both Concordia squads were picked second in the GPAC preseason coaches’ polls. The Augie Twilight provided a launching point for what’s to come later this fall. It also gave the Bulldogs an opportunity to test themselves against competition from all collegiate levels, including the University of Nebraska.
“I told them before we ran, ‘Remember our theme for the season: be where your feet are,’” Beisel said. “No matter the outcome, I wanted them to enjoy the moment, enjoy the people they’re with and enjoy running this really cool race against great competitors. Whatever our times are, we’ll celebrate the good stuff and not overthink the things that don’t go well. The focus is on glorifying God and enjoying each other’s company.”
Women’s Recap
Top Finishers (5k) – Team: 10th/29 --Average team time: 19:07.98 18. Kylahn Freiberg – 18:30.28 23. Keeli Green – 18:35.95 64. Julie McIntyre – 19:19.37 69. Keegan Beisel – 19:25.26 93. Hannah Beintema – 19:49.01
A two-time cross country national qualifier, Kylahn Freiberg paced the Bulldogs in Sioux Falls while clocking a time of 18:30.28. She placed 18th in a field of 358 runners. She was pushed at the top of the Concordia pack by freshman Keeli Green, who ran a 5k time of 18:35.95 in her collegiate debut. The rest of the team’s top five featured Julie McIntyre (19:19.37), Keegan Beisel (19:25.26) and Hannah Beintema (19:49.01). Freiberg placed eighth in the GPAC in 2022.
Said Beisel, “The women ran fantastic. You look at our average team time and it was not far off Augustana and some of those other schools. We had standout performances from a number of our girls – lots of fantastic first races. Kylahn led the way and Keeli Green ran one of the fastest times of her life. She showed right away that she’s a heavy hitter. Julie McIntyre had an outstanding race and Keegan was right behind her. It was a really good start. When you throw Rylee (Haecker) into the mix, it’s going to be even better. Being the top GPAC team was a nice place to start.”
A total of 27 runners represented the Concordia women at the meet. The remainder of the team’s top 10 included Alayna Vargas (19:51.10), Rhaya Kaschinske (20:06.98), Claire Beikmann (21:23.27), Jaiden Tweton (21:23.90) and Charis Deitemeyer (21:41.68). In other words, four of the team’s 10 best finishers were freshmen, adding depth to a roster that returned six competitors from the 2022 national qualifying team.
The Bulldogs placed as the top NAIA team in the field at the Augie Twilight. Concordia beat out rival GPAC schools in Morningside (14th), Northwestern (16th), Hastings (17th), Doane (19th), Jamestown (20th), Mount Marty (28th) and Briar Cliff (29th).
Men’s Recap
Top Finishers (4 mile) – Team: 12th/32 --Average team time: 21:12.31 75. Charlie Hayden – 21:02.36 81. Calvin Rohde – 21.06.50 83. Trey Robertson – 21:07.04 93. Trevor Kuncl – 21:12.93 118. Jack Ellis – 21:32.72
In the four-mile trek, junior Charlie Hayden managed to outkick two-time All-GPAC runner Calvin Rohde for the top spot among Bulldogs. Hayden crossed the finish line in 21:02.36, roughly four seconds in front of the team captain Rohde (21:06.50). GPAC runner up last season, Concordia also turned in solid races from the likes of Trey Robertson (21:07.04), Trevor Kuncl (21:12.93) and Jack Ellis (21:32.72). A sophomore from Mullen, Neb., Kuncl has the ability to enjoy a breakthrough campaign. Meanwhile, Robertson (Wallace, Neb.) ran right with Hayden and Rohde in his first college meet.
Said Beisel, “It was a very strong team effort. Talking with the guys, they all said we can do this better. It was still a strong race. We all feel like, even though Doane beat us, we are within striking distance. I think we have way more in us. I’m excited to see what the future brings. Charlie Hayden had a standout performance and ended up passing Calvin towards the end. Trevor and Trey did great. I think a lot of people had a good time. It’s a great race.”
A total of 25 runners wore the navy and white. The team’s top 10 was rounded out by Thomas Gorline (21:37.66), Nathan Pennekamp (21:44.63), Westley Determan (21:53.43), Justin Sherman (21:59.27) and Adric Schmitz (22:14.80). Three of the top 10 were freshmen for a squad that lost just one key athlete from 2022 (Camden Sesna). The field of individuals in Sioux Falls numbered 358 strong.
The Bulldogs placed as the No. 2 NAIA team in the field at the Augie Twilight. Concordia will have to wait until next time out to try to catch up to No. 25 Doane, which placed 10th. The Bulldogs managed to beat out the following GPAC foes: Jamestown (16th), Mount Marty (18th), Northwestern (20th), Hastings (25th), Morningside (27th) and Briar Cliff (30th).
Next Up
The Bulldogs will have next week off from competition while gearing up for the Woody Greeno/Jay Dirksen Invite on Sept. 16. The event will take place at Mahoney Golf Course in Lincoln and is scheduled to get underway at 10 a.m. CT.
Freiberg races to GPAC Runner of the Week award
September 6, 2023
SEWARD, Neb. – A strong start to the 2023 season has led to fifth-year Bulldog Kylahn Freiberg being named the GPAC/Hauff Mid-America Sports Women’s Cross Country Runner of the Week, as announced by the conference on Wednesday (Sept. 6). Freiberg placed first among GPAC/NAIA competition at the 2023 Augustana Twilight held on Sept. 1. The native of Nampa, Idaho, was also recognized with two GPAC weekly awards in 2022.
Freiberg completed the 5k race at Yankton Trail Park in Sioux Falls, S.D., last week in a time of 18:30.28. She placed 18th overall with all runners placing in front of her coming from NCAA Division I or II schools. The field at the Augustana Twilight included 358 total runners. As a team, 23rd-ranked Concordia finished 10th out of 29 squads overall and outkicked all GPAC/NAIA competition.
Freiberg has achieved significant heights in her collegiate career. In cross country, Freiberg has twice garnered All-GPAC recognition and has twice competed at the NAIA national championships. In track & field, Freiberg has collected four All-America awards and is a two-time individual GPAC champion. Between cross country and track, she’s helped Concordia win eight GPAC team titles.
Next up for Head Coach Matt Beisel’s cross country crew will be the Woody Greeno/Jay Dirksen Invite at Mahoney Golf Course in Lincoln on Sept. 16.
Concordia women place fifth, men eighth at Greeno/Dirksen Invite
September 16, 2023
LINCOLN, Neb. – Nearly 500 combined men’s and women’s runners (in the Gold Division) paced the trail at Mahoney Golf Course in Lincoln, Neb., on Saturday (Sept. 16) morning as part of the Woody Greeno/Jay Dirksen Invite. The Concordia University Cross Country squads tested themselves against strong NCAA Division II and NAIA competition and emerged with place finishes of fifth (out of 20) on the women’s side and eighth (out of 24) on the men’s side. The 23rd-ranked Bulldog women finished second among NAIA squads while the men managed to beat out No. 25 Doane.
Head Coach Matt Beisel’s group returned to action for the first time since opening the 2023 season at the Augustana Twilight on Sept. 1. The individual leaders for Concordia on Saturday were past All-GPAC performers in Calvin Rohde on the men’s side and Kylahn Freiberg on the women’s side. The men ran an 8k for the first time after striding for four miles at the Augie Twilight.
“We talked as a team yesterday and I reminded them of our theme for the year: ‘be where your feet are,’” Beisel said. “Keep our focus on Christ and keep it on the present and the here and now. We had another opportunity to compete against great opponents. No matter what happened, we were going to give glory to God. I had a good feeling about today based on how they’ve been training. Conditions were nearly perfect – cool with a light breeze.”
Men’s Recap
Top finishers (8k) – Team: 8th place out of 24 43. Calvin Rohde – 25:54.88 46. Trey Robertson – 25:57.30 73. Trevor Kuncl – 26:26.16 80. Aaron Jendro – 26:36.88 92. Nathan Pennekamp – 26:49.33 95. Jack Ellis – 26:51.83 134. Justin Sherman – 27:24.83
Led by Rohde, the Bulldogs edged out rival Doane (273-279) and placed third among the NAIA teams in the Gold Division of the meet. The only NAIA squads to outrun Concordia were seventh-ranked University of Saint Mary (Kan.) (third) and Kansas Wesleyan University (sixth). NCAA Division II University of Nebraska-Kearney claimed the team title with a score of 51.
Said Beisel, “It was hard to know what to expect coming into today because a lot of these teams hadn’t run a race yet – and no one had run an 8k. That changes things for the freshmen. Our No. 1 priority was to beat Doane and make a statement. We knew Kansas Wesleyan was going to be strong. I felt like it was going to be us three and Saint Mary as far as the NAIA schools. We competed really well with a lot of other schools. The freshmen guys did great. Trey Robertson went under 26 minutes in his first 8k. Justin Sherman also had a breakout day. There’s a lot to celebrate and give glory to God for.”
The Reed City, Mich., native Rohde completed the 8k race in 25:54.88, putting him in 43rd place overall. He was pushed at the top of the lineup by freshman Trey Robertson, who crossed the finish line in 25:57.30 (46th place). The team’s top five was rounded by sophomores Trevor Kuncl (26:26.10) and Aaron Jendro (26:36.88) and junior Nathan Pennekamp (26:49.33). The team’s top runner at the Augie Twilight, Charlie Hayden finished in 28:16.77.
In the team scoring, the Bulldogs also placed above in-state competitors in Nebraska Wesleyan (15th), Bellevue University (19th), Hastings (21st) and Peru State College (23rd). Concordia was represented by 24 runners in the meet. Notably, Kansas Wesleyan’s coaching staff includes former Bulldog Camden Sesna.
Women’s Recap
Top finishers (5k) – Team: 5th place out of 20 15. Kylahn Freiberg – 18:22.37 17. Keeli Green – 18:23.85 26. Julie McIntyre – 18:39.59 38. Alayna Vargas – 19:10.35 42. Hannah Beintema – 19:18.63 43. Rylee Haecker – 19:19.02 45. Keegan Beisel – 19:22.15
Freiberg has led the way for Concordia at each of the season’s first two meets. Her work as the top Dawg helped her side place in a top five in a Greeno/Dirksen field that included NAIA and NCAA Division II and III opposition. Among NAIA squads, only sixth-ranked University of Saint Mary (Kan.) (second) outkicked Concordia (131 points). The team title went to Winona State University (Minn.).
Said Beisel, “We ended up being the No. 2 NAIA team and had phenomenal performances. To have eight girls under 20 minutes and three of them in the 18s is outstanding. I’m really proud of them all. It wasn’t just our top eight. There were very few people who didn’t have really great races.”
The Nampa, Idaho, native Freiberg improved her 5k time from two weeks ago while clocking in at 18:22.37 on Saturday. She placed 15th overall and outperformed the other GPAC runners in the competition. A major impact addition, freshman Keeli Green (Arlington, Neb.) continues to shine. She ran 18:23.85 and placed 17th while hot on Freiberg’s heels. The top five also featured Julie McIntyre (18:39.59), Alayna Vargas (19:10.35) and Hannah Beintema (19:18.63). Meanwhile, Rylee Haecker competed for the first time this fall and crossed the finish line in 19:19.02. Others who cracked 20 minutes were Keegan Beisel (19:22.15) and Rhaya Kaschinske (19:48.64).
In the team race, the Bulldogs topped Nebraska competitors in Hastings (ninth), College of Saint Mary (10th), Doane (13th), Nebraska Wesleyan (14th) and Peru State College (20th). Concordia was represented by 23 runners at the meet.
Up Next
There will be Bulldogs heading to two different meets next week: the Griak Invite hosted by the University of Minnesota on Sept. 22 and the Dean White Invite hosted by Doane on Sept. 23. The Concordia women emerged from last season’s Dean White Invite as the meet champion. The program’s top runners will be traveling to St. Paul, Minn.
Freiberg, Rohde make for sweep of GPAC cross country awards
September 20, 2023
SEWARD, Neb. – As a result of accomplishments achieved at the Greeno/Dirksen Invite, Concordia University Cross Country has swept GPAC/Hauff Mid-America Sports Runner of the Week awards, as announced by the conference on Wednesday (Sept. 20). The honors this week go to Kylahn Freiberg and Calvin Rohde. Freiberg has collected the award for the second time already this season. Meanwhile, Rohde has been rewarded for the first time in 2023.
Also a two-time GPAC weekly honoree in 2022, Freiberg (Nampa, Idaho) has emerged as the lead Dawg at each of the season’s first two meets. She ran a personal best 5k time of 18:22.36 last week at Mahoney Golf Course in Lincoln. That placed her 15th in the Gold Division of the meet and No. 1 among GPAC competitors. Two weeks earlier, Freiberg clocked a 5k time of 18:30.28 at the Augustana Twilight. In cross country, Freiberg has twice garnered All-GPAC recognition and has twice competed at the NAIA national championships. In track & field, Freiberg has collected four All-America awards and is a two-time individual GPAC champion. Between cross country and track, she’s helped Concordia win eight GPAC team titles.
Rohde also led the way amongst GPAC competitors at the Greeno/Dirksen Invite. The Reed City, Mich., crossed the finish line in 25:54.9 last week in the Bulldogs’ first 8k race of the season. He placed 43rd among athletes in the Gold Division. A two-time All-GPAC award winner in cross country, Rohde qualified for the national championships in 2021. He’s also made his way to track national meets on two occasions.
Both Freiberg and Rohde will be headed to St. Paul, Minn., for the Griak Invite on Friday. The location will be the University of Minnesota Les Bolstad Golf Course.
Freshmen top Dawgs in leading the pack at Griak Invite
September 22, 2023
ST. PAUL, Minn. – In yet another largescale meet that put the Bulldogs up against collegiate competitors from all levels, Concordia University Cross Country held its own at the Roy Griak Invitational hosted by the University of Minnesota on Friday (Sept. 22). Led individually by freshman Keeli Green in the women’s 6k race, 15th-ranked Concordia placed 10th out of 37 squads in the Maroon Division. Meanwhile, the men’s team was led by freshman Trey Robertson and placed 17th out of 32 institutions. There were more than 800 combined men’s and women’s runners that paced the Les Bolstad Course as part of the Maroon Division in St. Paul, Minn.
Head Coach Matt Beisel’s squads have competed alongside not just NAIA foes but also NCAA Division I and II opposition at each of the season’s first three meets. In this particular meet, the Bulldogs were represented by 15 of their top runners. This was the program’s first trip to the Griak Invite since 2015.
“Times don’t reflect the effort that we put into it,” Beisel said. “It was a super hilly course, and this was the one time we’ll race in back-to-back weeks. It especially affects races longer than a 5k. We had a big emotional high last week at Woody Greeno, and almost everyone ran personal bests. For all kinds of reasons, I was super happy with how we did. A lot of prayer went into this.”
In the Griak Invite team race, Concordia placed behind only one NAIA opponent, GPAC rival and seventh-ranked Dordt (ninth). Of the other eight squads to place above the Bulldogs, seven were NCAA Division II and one was NCAA Division III. Biesel’s squad produced a point total of 293 (compared to 238 for Dordt). Maroon Division champion Augustana University (NCAA D-II) scored a point total of 80.
“This is the first 6k for every one of our girls,” Beisel said. “It’s just a different thing. They were a little nervous about the extra 1,000 meters. Kylahn took it really carefully today because of her leg hurting. It felt better this morning and she took it conservatively and then worked her way up. Overall it was a phenomenal effort. Getting 10th place in the team standings, we ended up right behind Dordt and we beat No. 9 Indiana Wesleyan. I’ll told our athletes, those times will all get faster.”
As noted by Beisel, this marked the first meet of the 2023 campaign that featured a 6k race. Two-time Nebraska Class C state champion Keeli Green engaged in a close battle with teammate Kylahn Freiberg (reigning GPAC Runner of the Week) for the Bulldogs’ top finish. Green ran the 6k in 23:32.3 while Freiberg came in just behind at 23:35.3. The Nampa, Idaho, native had emerged as the top Dawg at both the Augustana Twilight and the Greeno/Dirksen Invite.
While Green placed 33rd overall and Freiberg finished 37th (out of 391 runners to complete the race), three additional Bulldogs placed inside the top 100: Julie McIntyre (23:58.0; 54th), Alayna Vargas (24:37.4; 94th) and Hannah Beintema (24:37.7; 95th). The next three in line for Concordia were Rylee Haecker (24:49.8; 110th), Rhaya Kaschinske (25:09.0; 132nd) and Keegan Beisel (25:17.2; 145th).
While the field was heavy on NCAA affiliated schools, the Bulldogs managed to beat out fellow NAIA members in Indiana Wesleyan (14th), St. Francis (Ind.) (20th), Dakota State (22nd), College of Saint Mary (25th), Dickinson State (26th), Clarke (27th) and Jamestown (32nd). Indiana Wesleyan was ranked ninth in this week’s NAIA coaches’ poll.
NAIA programs competed favorably at the Griak Invite as Indiana Wesleyan claimed the Maroon Division title and defending NAIA national champion Dordt placed third. As the 17th-place team finisher, Concordia landed at No. 3 among the NAIA institutions. The majority of place finishers above the Bulldogs were NCAA Division II squads.
“I thought we ran great,” Beisel said. “I felt like our guys did a great job. We had to pull Nathan Pennekamp out because he had an injury that flared up a little bit. From a team standpoint, that would have impacted our team finish if he had been able to run. I feel like our other guys ran really well. We’re happy with the results and where we’re at.”
Concordia has had a different top runner at each of the season’s first three meets: Charlie Hayden (Augustana Twilight), Calvin Rohde (Greeno/Dirksen Invite) and now Robertson. A freshman from Wallace, Neb., Robertson made another leap forward as he crossed the finish line with an 8k time of 27:10.8 on Friday. He placed 68th overall in a field of more than 450 runners. The reigning GPAC Runner of the Week Rohde galloped to a finish in 27:43.3, good for 88th place in the Maroon Division.
Five others wore the Bulldog blue in St. Paul: Trevor Kuncl (27:50.1; 129th), Aaron Jendro (28:23.9; 171st), Jack Ellis (28:41.0; 191st), Justin Sherman (29:39.4; 270th) and Charlie Hayden (30:51.3; 340th).
Now receiving votes nationally, the Concordia men outkicked fellow NAIA competition in Dakota State (22nd), Dickinson State (23rd), Jamestown (25th) and Clarke (29th).
Up Next
A group of Bulldogs (who did not compete on Friday) will take to the Doane Cross Country Course in Crete, Neb., on Saturday for the Dean White Invite. The meet is scheduled to get underway at 9 a.m. CT.
Five Bulldogs earn top 10 finishes at Dean White Invite
September 23, 2023
CRETE, Neb. – A day after a group of 15 Bulldogs competed at the Roy Griak Invitational in St. Paul, Minn., an alternate crew of runners from Concordia University Cross Country took to the Doane Cross Country Course. The yields on Saturday (Sept. 23) morning included five top 10 individual finishes, courtesy of Westley Determan and Thomas Gorline on the men’s side and Claire Beikmann, Faith Williamson and Sammi Vojslavek on the women’s side. In a small field of three teams, the Bulldogs placed second on both sides.
The other competitors at the meet were host Doane and in-state York University. The team finishes were of little consequence considering Concordia’s top runners sat this one out after competing at the Griak Invite on Friday.
Said Beisel, “None of the times were fast. We didn’t have any personal or season bests because it’s a super hilly course. It’s a great cross country course, but it’s not a course that produces fast times. They all ran hard and pushed it all the way against the top athletes on Doane’s team. It’s hard to come off a big successful meet like the Greeno meet where almost everyone had big personal bests, and then duplicate that six or seven days later. It takes a few weeks to get recharged. What I wanted to see was our athletes pushing hard and competing, and they did. I was super proud of them.”
Men’s Recap
Top Concordia finishers (8k): 9. Westley Determan – 28:44.91 10. Thomas Gorline – 28:50.36 12. Adric Schmitz – 29:05.13 13. Micah Willweber – 29:12.19 15. Evan Schmidt – 29:58.59 16. Colin Pinneo – 29:33.79 17. Joshua Miller – 29:34.68
“Westley Determan and Thomas Gorline finished in the top 10, and both of them put together really solid races,” Beisel said. “They both have a lot of ability and talent. In the case of Westley, he got sick and it has taken him a while to get back. He ran well today. It’s a sign that he’s on the mend. Again, we had a lot of freshmen who ran well.”
Overall, there were 18 Bulldogs who completed the 8k course. The entire field of men’s runners numbered 39 competitors. Twelve of the Concordia participants were freshmen, including Adric Schmitz, the team’s No. 3 finisher at the meet. The rest of the Bulldog top five featured Determan (28:44.91) and Gorline (28:50.36) at the top and Micah Willweber (29:12.19) and Evan Schmidt (29:58.59) in the Nos. 4 and 5 spots, respectively.
Doane took first place with 15 points in the team scoring. Next in line were Concordia (50) and York (85).
“Claire Beikmann was our leader in seventh place,” Beisel said. “Faith Williamson was our next finisher in eighth and Sammi Vojslavek got ninth. All the top 10 finishers got t-shirts, so it was really cool to see them have that moment and place top 10. Everyone ran well, it was just a much slower course.”
The top 10 Bulldog place finishers each clocked in with 5k times below 22 minutes: Claire Beikmann (21:51.72), Faith Williamson (21:53.03) and Sammi Vojslavek (21:53.80). They were the headliners for a group of 17 Concordia women to pace the Doane course. The team’s top five was rounded out by Kelsie Heins (22:30.82) and Josie Smith (22:38.84).
In the team scoring, Doane totaled 15 points with Concordia (47) and York (83) trailing behind.
Up Next
The Bulldogs will have a much needed break from competition next week while preparing for a return to action at the Briar Cliff Invite on Saturday, Oct. 7. That meet will be held at Adams Homestead and Nature Preserve in North Sioux City, S.D., and is slated to get underway at 10:30 a.m. CT.
Concordia women crack NAIA top 10 ahead of Briar Cliff Invite
October 5, 2023
SEWARD, Neb. – A strong showing at the Roy Griak Invitational vaulted Concordia University women’s cross country up seven spots in the NAIA coaches’ top 25 poll released on Thursday (Oct. 5). The Bulldogs have cracked the national top 10 for the first time since 2012 and have achieved the program’s highest rating since also landing at No. 8 during the 2010 season. Meanwhile, the Bulldog men’s cross country team collected three points in the NAIA coaches’ poll and is listed among others receiving votes.
Head Coach Matt Beisel is preparing to take his teams into competition at the Briar Cliff Invitational this Saturday at Adams Homestead and Nature Preserve in North Sioux City, S.D. More details on the meet can be found below.
Briar Cliff Invitational – Saturday, Oct. 7 Adams Homestead and Nature Preserve | North Sioux City, S.D. -10:30 a.m. – women’s 6k -11:15 a.m. – men’s 8k -Live Results -Meet Info
This will be the fourth weekend of competition (and fifth overall meet) for Concordia Cross Country. Both the men’s and women’s programs were represented at the Griak Invite on Sept. 22 and the Dean White Invitational on Sept. 23. The Griak featured a loaded field including NCAA Division II opposition. Concordia turned in Griak Invite place finishes of 10th (out of 37) on the women’s side and 17th (out of 32) on the men’s side. Individually, fifth-year collegiate athlete Kylahn Freiberg has earned two GPAC Runner of the Week awards while Calvin Rohde picked up the weekly honor on Sept. 20. At the Griak Invite, the Bulldogs were led by freshmen in Keeli Green on the women’s side and Trey Robertson on the men’s side.
Freiberg and company made waves at the Griak Invite by beating out then ninth-ranked Indiana Wesleyan University. With the No. 8 national ranking, Concordia has surpassed a previous best of No. 11 (in 2021) during Beisel’s tenure that began with the 2016 season. The last time the women’s program was rated higher than eighth nationally occurred in 2005 when that particular GPAC championship team rose as high as No. 5. The ’05 squad was also the last Bulldog squad to finish a season in the top 10. Head Coach Kregg Einspahr led the ’05 team to a final NAIA placement of sixth.
Concordia will be back at the Briar Cliff Invite for the first time since 2021. According to the meet info supplied by the host, the meet will include 300-350 runners per race. The top 10 individual finishers will receive awards. The Bulldog women’s program won the Briar Cliff meet title back in 2019.
Following the Briar Cliff Invite, Concordia will have just one meet remaining prior to the 2023 GPAC Championships. The Bulldogs will compete at the CSM/Doane NAIA Classic in Ashland, Neb., on Oct. 21.