SEWARD, Neb. – The accolades are a reflection of the special 2024 athletic year that junior Jenna Esch has enjoyed while starring on the track for Concordia University Track & Field. On Wednesday (May 1), the Hastings, Neb., native was honored as the GPAC/Hauff Mid-America Sports Women’s Outdoor Track Athlete of the Week. Esch has earned this award for the third time this outdoor season (back-to-back weeks) and for the fourth time in 2024.
A Saint Cecilia High School alum, Esch excelled last week for three different relays at the Drake Relays (April 25-27) in Des Moines, Iowa. Esch ran a split of 2:16.20 for the 4x800-meter relay that finished with an automatic national qualifying time of 9:12.95 and clocked a split of 55.7 for the 4x400-meter relay that improved its NAIA ‘A’ standard to 3:48.16. Finally, Esch also helped spur the 4x200-meter relay to a school record time of 1:40.76. She served as the leadoff leg for each of those relays. On the current NAIA national lists, the 4x8 ranks No. 3 while the 4x4 ranks No. 4. Esch has also qualified for nationals in the 400 meters (55.80). She was part of the 4x8 that won the national title this past indoor season.
Esch and her teammates are preparing to compete at the 2024 GPAC Outdoor Track & Field Championships (May 3-4) hosted by Northwestern. For a preview of the meet, click HERE.
2023-24 GPAC & NAIA Weekly Accolades – Concordia Track & Field
· Women’s 4x800m Relay – USTFCCCA NAIA Women’s Track & Field National Athletes of the Week (Jan. 23).
· Matthew Boyer – GPAC Men’s Field Athlete of the Week (April 24).
· Jenna Esch – GPAC Women’s Track Athlete of the Week (Feb. 14, April 3, April 24, May 1).
· Kylahn Freiberg – GPAC Women’s Track Athlete of the Week (Jan. 24, Feb. 7).
· Abby Gerber – GPAC Women’s Field Athlete of the Week (March 27).
· Adrianna Rodencal – GPAC Women’s Track Athlete of the Week (April 10).
· Chris Wren – GPAC Men’s Field Athlete of the Week (April 10).
· Zach Zohner – NAIA Men’s Field National Athlete of the Week (Jan. 31); USTFCCCA NAIA Men’s Track & Field National Athlete of the Week (Jan. 30); GPAC Men’s Field Athlete of the Week (Jan. 24, Jan. 31 and April 17).