Bulldog track and field earns three of four GPAC weekly honors

GPAC Releases: MEN | WOMEN

SEWARD, Neb. – For their performances at the University of Nebraska-Kearney Invitational on April 5, three Bulldogs have been named Hauff Mid-America Sports/GPAC outdoor track and field athletes of the week. Concordia swept the men’s awards as senior John Cartier took conference track athlete of the week honors and freshman Zach Lurz earned field athlete of the week recognition. On the women’s side, junior Shelby Yelden has been named GPAC field athlete of the week.

Lurz, a native of Torrington, Wyo., became the first thrower in school history to post automatic national qualifying marks in the discus, hammer throw and shot put. Already an automatic qualifier in the discus and shot put entering the weekend, Lurz added another national mark by hurling the hammer 178’ 1” (10th in the NAIA) at the UNK meet. Lurz’s highest national ranking is in the discus (2nd), an event in which Lurz recorded a mark of 177’ 9” last week – second best in school history (Corbin Jones ranks No. 1 – 178’ 8”).

Yelden, who hails from Seward, cleared a personal best 12’ ½” in the pole vault (third best in school history) to place second at the UNK meet. Yelden’s mark automatically qualified her for nationals and puts her atop the NAIA in the pole vault (Liz King in the javelin is the other Bulldog to rank No. 1 nationally in an event). Yelden already vaulted her way to All-America honors during the indoor season.

Cartier, who calls Las Vegas, Nev., home, ran an impressive 48.37 (‘B’ national qualifying mark) in windy conditions in Kearney on Saturday. That time places Cartier at No. 1 on the GPAC list and No. 9 nationally. Cartier also ran the anchor leg for the Concordia 4x400 meter relay that finished in 3:18.95 (second place) and the second leg for the 4x100 meter relay that placed fifth by clocking in at 42.26.

This athletic season, Cartier also received a GPAC indoor weekly honor and helped the 4x400 meter relay to an All-America finish at the indoor national championships. He won GPAC titles in the 400 meter dash and as part of the 4x4.

The three athletes of the week will be in action along with the rest of their Bulldog teammates at the Concordia Outdoor Invite on Saturday. Field events will begin at 11 a.m. and running events are set to start at 12 p.m. inside Bulldog Stadium. View the schedule of events HERE.