Bulldogs sweep weekly GPAC field awards

SEWARD, Neb. – Coming off a stellar meet at the UNK Loper Invite over the weekend, the Concordia University track and field program has swept GPAC field weekly honors. On Wednesday Zach Lurz and Cassie Starks were named GPAC/Hauff Mid-America Sports Outdoor Field Athletes of the Week. Lurz also received the same accolade on Jan. 28 as part of the indoor season.

Three additional Bulldog competitors have been named GPAC field athletes in 2015: Cody Boellstorff, Stephanie Coley and Kali Robb (received national field athlete of the week on Feb. 18).

Starks is this week’s women’s field honoree after claiming first place in the pole vault at the Loper Invite with her NAIA-leading clearance of 12’ 6.” That mark also tied Steph Beberniss for the program’s outdoor school record. Starks, who hails from Haigler, Neb., also owns the indoor school standard (12’ 6”). She is a 2015 indoor All-American and GPAC titlist.

Lurz has been a dominant thrower ever since beginning his Concordia career in 2014. The 2015 indoor shot put national champion put up automatic national qualifying and runner-up marks in three different events at UNK: discus, hammer throw and shot put. His shot put measurement of 53’ 9 ¼” ranks No. 3 on the NAIA national list. The four-time All-American from Torrington, Wyo., has three career GPAC titles to his credit.

Lurz, Starks and the rest of the Bulldogs return to action on Saturday when the annual Concordia Outdoor Invitational is held in and around Bulldog Stadium. The schedule of events can be viewed HERE.