The 2020-21 athletics season is officially underway. The cross country teams got it started on Saturday (Sept. 5) with both placing third at the Sunflower Opener hosted by Dordt.
The Concordia men's and women's cross country teams enter 2020 aspiring to "leave no doubt" as it pertains to their status on the conference and national levels.
Alum Dan Cloeter captured four-straight individual cross country conference championships and later won the first-ever Chicago Marathon. His remarkable career has also included 42 years as a pastor.
Even in the time apart, sophomore-to-be Kylahn Heritage can feel the close bond between her cross country teammates. Heritage is "fired up" for the 2020 season and ready to see her teammates again.
The 2020 Concordia cross country schedule has been released. The Bulldog women will attempt to defend their 2019 GPAC title while the men will try to improve upon a fifth-place conference finish.
Both Bulldog cross country teams and seven runners garnered All-Academic honors, as awarded by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association on Thursday (Jan. 30).
The Concordia women's cross country team closed the gap in 2019 while winning a GPAC title and placing 12th at the NAIA National Championships. This piece details the journey from preseason all the way to nationals.
Head coach Matt Beisel's women's cross country squad is in Vancouver, Wash., getting set for Friday's national championship meet. The 19th-ranked Bulldogs have qualified for the first time since 2011.
After leading the Bulldog women to a GPAC title, Matt Beisel earned GPAC Women's Cross Country Coach of the Year honors. Five Bulldog athletes also earned All-GPAC honors via their performances at the conference meet.
Says Sydney Clark of winning the GPAC title and qualifying for nationals, "This is making my whole collegiate dream come true." The Bulldogs returned to the top by building a competitive, family atmosphere.
The Concordia Cross Country teams returned to campus on Aug. 20 in preparation for the 2024 season. Head Coach Matt Beisel believes both squads will again be highly competitive within the GPAC.
At Concordia, Calvin Rohde found the ideal university for him to grow and flourish athletically while also enabling him to expand upon his talents as a musician. The experiences have included national meets and Christmas at Concordia.
Kylahn (Heritage) Freiberg knew her schedule was going to be crazy, but she wouldn't have it any other way. A fifth year as a Bulldog has allowed her continued bonding with teammates and a chance to grow as a leader and team captain.
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. The Bulldogs return the bulk of their key performers while bringing in a freshman class large on quantity and quality.
Both Concordia Cross Country teams are preparing themselves to make runs at NAIA national championship berths. Coach Beisel's Bulldogs will be led by the likes of returning national qualifiers Rylee Haecker, Calvin Rohde and Camden Sesna.
Concordia taught Andrew Walquist many lessons on how to build relationships, how to overcome emotional hardship, how to praise Jesus and how to become one of the best competitors in Concordia cross country and track history.
Healthy and mentally rejuvenated, Kearney, Neb., native Camden Sesna has thrived this fall while leading the way for the Bulldogs at every meet. A year after a tough finish to cross country, Sesna sees a positive outlook ahead of him.
While focusing their mentality around the mottos of "step up" and "run as one," the Concordia Cross Country teams are putting behind last season. The Bulldogs have high hopes for 2021.
The Concordia men's and women's cross country teams enter 2020 aspiring to "leave no doubt" as it pertains to their status on the conference and national levels.
Alum Dan Cloeter captured four-straight individual cross country conference championships and later won the first-ever Chicago Marathon. His remarkable career has also included 42 years as a pastor.