SEWARD, Neb. – Courtesy of their performances at the 2023 NAIA Indoor Track & Field National Championships, 11 Bulldogs have earned All-America honors (full list below). In order to receive an All-America plaque, a top eight placement at the national championship meet is required. The list of Concordia University Track & Field All-Americans in 2023 includes five-time pole vault national champion Josie Puelz. In addition, Kylahn Freiberg (1,000 meters) and Zach Zohner (pole vault) placed as national runners up in their respective events.
Among the 2023 Bulldog All-Americans, Rachel Battershell leads the way in terms of most career All-America awards with 11. Other current Concordia athletes (who took home All-America awards this past week) with multiple career All-America plaques are Rylee Haecker (seven), Erin Mapson (six), Puelz (six), Jordan Koepke (five), Kylahn Freiberg (four), Zach Bennetts (two) and Jenna Esch (two).
Head Coach Matt Beisel’s squads earned 2023 NAIA indoor national finishes of sixth on the women’s side and tied for 31st on the men’s side. At the conference level, the women won the GPAC title (eighth in a row) and the men placed third.
2023 Indoor All-Americans
Rachel Battershell
2023 Indoor Placement: 6th in 4x400m relay (3:48.88)
Career All-America Awards: 11 (2 national titles)
National Meet Appearances: 8
Zach Bennetts
2023 Indoor Placement: 7th in pole vault (16’ 1”)
Career All-America Awards: 2
National Meet Appearances: 4
Jenna Esch
2023 Indoor Placement: 6th in 4x400m relay (3:48.88)
Career All-America Awards: 2
National Meet Appearances: 2
Kylahn Freiberg
2023 Indoor Placement: 2nd in 1,000 meters (2:54.87)
Career All-America Awards: 4
National Meet Appearances: 5
Abby Gerber
2023 Indoor Placement: 7th in shot put (46’ ¾”)
Career All-America Awards: 1
National Meet Appearances: 5
Rylee Haecker
2023 Indoor Placement: 6th in 1,000 meters (2:56.66)
Career All-America Awards: 7
National Meet Appearances: 4
Jordan Koepke
2023 Indoor Placement: 6th in 4x400m relay (3:48.88)
Career All-America Awards: 5
National Meet Appearances: 3
Erin Mapson
2023 Indoor Placement: 7th in pole vault (12’ ½”)
Career All-America Awards: 6
National Meet Appearances: 7
Josie Puelz
2023 Indoor Placement: 1st in pole vault (13’ ¼”)
Career All-America Awards: 6 (5 national titles)
National Meet Appearances: 6
Trinity Tuls
2023 Indoor Placement: 6th in 4x400m relay (3:48.88)
Career All-America Awards: 1
National Meet Appearances: 2
Zach Zohner
2023 Indoor Placement: 2nd in pole vault (16’ 7”)
Career All-America Awards: 1
National Meet Appearances: 3