SEWARD, Neb. – For their performances at the Central College Dutch Invitational, Adrianna Rodencal and Zach Zohner have been honored by the GPAC. On Wednesday (April 12), the conference named Rodencal the GPAC/Hauff Mid-America Sports Women’s Outdoor Track Athlete of the Week and Zohner the GPAC/Hauff Mid-America Sports Men’s Outdoor Field Athlete of the Week. Rodencal has now earned such distinction twice as a freshman while Zohner has picked up this honor for the first time in his career.
The Lincoln Lutheran alum Rodencal broke the school record in the 100-meter hurdles last week while clocking in at 14.15, outrunning the previous Concordia women’s track standard of 14.25 by teammate Rachel Battershell. Rodencal won that event at the Central Invite and also placed third in the 200 meters (25.50). On the current performance lists, Rodencal leads the GPAC and ranks sixth nationally in the 100 hurdles. She is also the school record holder in the indoor 60-meter hurdles and earned 2023 GPAC Indoor Athlete of the Year accolades.
Zohner keeps soaring above 16 feet in the pole vault. The native of Battle Creek, Neb., won the competition at the Central Invite while clearing 16’ ¾,” marking his second-straight outdoor meet going above 16 feet. Zohner’s mark of 16’ 5 ¼” at the Central Nebraska Challenge ranks him No. 1 in the GPAC and No. 3 in the NAIA. Zohner turned heads at the 2023 indoor national meet by placing as the pole vault runner up.
The Bulldogs are gearing up to host the Concordia Outdoor Invite this Friday and Saturday. The tentative meet schedule can be found HERE.
2022-23 GPAC Athletes of the Week
April 12 – Adrianna Rodencal (Track); Zach Zohner (Field)
April 5 – Jordan Koepke (Track)
March 29 – Rylee Haecker (Track)
Feb. 15 – Josie Puelz (Field); Adrianna Rodencal (Track)
Feb. 8 – Calvin Rohde (Track)
Feb. 1 – Calvin Rohde (Track)
Dec. 14 – Amy Richert (Field)