2021 Track & Field Schedule/Results
Men's place finishes
GPAC: 3rd indoor | 4th outdoor
NAIA: 12th indoor | T-28th outdoor
Women's place finishes
GPAC: 1st indoor | 1st outdoor
NAIA: 3rd indoor | 3rd outdoor
INDOOR
| Date | Meet | Location | Results |
| Dec. 5 | Bulldog Early Bird Meet | Seward, Neb. | Results |
| Jan. 16 | Doane University Scott Nisely Invite | Crete, Neb. | Results |
| Jan. 22 | Concordia Polar Dog Invite | Seward, Neb. | Results |
| Jan. 29-30 | Doane University Fred Beile Invitational | Crete, Neb. | Results |
| Feb. 5 | Concordia University Classic | Seward, Neb. | Results |
| Feb. 13 | Concordia University Invite | Seward, Neb. | Results |
| Feb. 19-20 | GPAC Indoor Track & Field Championships | Sioux Center, Iowa | Results |
| March 3-6 | NAIA Indoor Track & Field National Championships | Yankton S.D. | Results |
OUTDOOR
| Date | Meet | Location | Results |
| March 26 | Grand View Vikings Relays | Des Moines, Iowa | Results |
| April 2 | Hastings Bronco Invite | Hastings, Neb. | Results |
| April 9-10 | Concordia University Invite | Seward, Neb. | Results |
| April 17-18 | Jim Dutcher Invite (Doane) | Crete, Neb. | Results |
| April 22 | Nebraska Wesleyan University Invite | Lincoln, Neb. | Results |
| April 23-24 | Drake University Relays | Des Moines, Iowa | Results |
| April 30-May 1 | GPAC Outdoor Track & Field Championships | Seward, Neb. | Results |
| May 7 | Bronco Last Chance Meet | Hastings, Neb. | Results |
| May 14 | Concordia University Twilight Meet | Seward, Neb. | Results |
| May 26-28 | NAIA Outdoor T&F National Championships | Gulf Shores, Ala. | Results |
2020-21 Roster
MEN
| Name | Event | ID | OD | Hometown | Previous School |
| Brayden Adams | Mid-Distance | Jr. | So. | Omaha, Neb. | Elkhorn |
| Andy Amos | Throws | Jr. | So. | Mountain Grove, Mo. | Mountain Grove |
| Jackson Armitage | Throws | Fr. | Fr. | Gretna, Neb. | Gretna |
| Hunter Bartels | Throws | So. | So. | Imperial, Neb. | Chase County |
| Zach Bennetts | Pole Vault | Jr. | So. | Denton, Neb. | Lincoln Southwest |
| Chase Berry | Pole Vault | So. | Fr. | Seward, Neb. | Seward |
| Dalton Berry | Pole Vault | Sr. | Jr. | Seward, Neb. | Seward |
| Antonio Blaine | Distance/Steeplechase | So. | Fr. | Golden, Colo. | Faith Christian |
| Dagne' Buck | Throws | Jr. | So. | Plumas Lake, Calif. | Whitney |
| Keaton Burgess | Distance | Jr. | So. | Red Cloud, Neb. | Red Cloud HS |
| Zach Christensen | Throws | Jr. | So. | Hastings, Neb. | Adams Central Jr-Sr |
| Jacob Cornelio | Throws | - | Sr. | Elk Grove, Calif. | Elk Grove |
| Owen Dawson | Distance/Steeplechase | So. | Fr. | Cedar Falls, Iowa | Valley Lutheran |
| Brett Determan | Distance | Fr. | Fr. | Cedar Falls, Iowa | Valley Lutheran |
| Kameron Farmer | Hurdles/Sprints | So. | Fr. | Leander, Texas | Rouse |
| Jayson Frank | High Jump/Horizontal Jumps | Fr. | Fr. | Sterling, Colo. | Sterling |
| Marc Freiberg II | Hurdles/Sprints | So. | Fr. | Seward, Neb. | Seward |
| Zack Gentry | Multi-Events | Jr. | So. | San Antonio, Texas | Lutheran |
| Jayden Graham | Mid-Distance | Sr. | Jr. | Yutan, Neb. | Yutan Jr-Sr |
| Cameron Gray | Mid-Distance | So. | Jr. | Riverside, Calif. | Woodcrest Christian / Riverside City College |
| Ethan Hensley | Distance | Fr. | Fr. | Golden, Colo. | Golden |
| Ricky Herman | Distance | Jr. | So. | Springfield, Mo. | Central |
| Deivydas Hermanas | Distance | Fr. | Fr. | Dardenne Prairie, Mo. | Francis Howell |
| Charlie Hewell | Throws | Jr. | Jr. | Sacramento, Calif. | Christian Brothers |
| Ethan Ideus | Distance | Fr. | Fr. | Seward, Neb. | Seward |
| Quinton Janecek | Hurdles/Sprints | So. | Fr. | Gering, Neb. | Gering |
| Jacob Jennings | Jumps | Sr. | Sr. | Shawnee, Kan. | De Soto |
| Jacob Joachim | Throws | So. | Fr. | Corsica, S.D. | Stickney |
| Zachary Johnson | Mid-Distance | So. | Fr. | Aberdeen, S.D. | Central |
| Shane Jones-Trammell | Throws | So. | Fr. | Roseville, Calif. | Roseville |
| Cade Kleckner | Sprints | Jr. | Jr. | Colorado Springs, Colo. | Pine Creek |
| Brady Klute | Throws | So. | Fr. | Hampton, Neb. | Hampton |
| Peter Kreutzer | Throws | Fr. | Fr. | Kearney, Neb. | Kearney |
| Grant Lammers | Mid-Distance | Jr. | So. | Blair, Neb. | Blair |
| Wyatt Lehr | Distance | Jr. | So. | Lamar, Colo. | Lamar High School |
| Wyatt Loga | High Jump/Horizontal Jumps | So. | Fr. | Bee, Neb. | Malcolm |
| Jordan Lorenz | Distance | Sr. | Jr. | Gretna, Neb. | Gretna |
| Cade Lutz | Horizontal Jumps | Fr. | Fr. | Benkelman, Neb. | Dundy County Stratton |
| Rees Lyon | Multis/Pole Vault | So. | So. | Giltner, Neb. | Giltner |
| Rody Lyon | Sprints | Fr. | Fr. | Giltner, Neb. | Giltner |
| Andy Lyons | Horizontal Jumps | So. | Fr. | Dwight, Neb. | Aquinas Catholic |
| Austin Meisel | Sprints | Jr. | So. | Jefferson City, Mo. | Calvary Lutheran |
| Maccoy Menke | Mid-Distance | So. | Fr. | Lawrence, Neb. | Blue Hill HS / Univ. of Nebraska |
| Colton Meyer | Hurdles/Sprints | So. | Fr. | Eagle, Neb. | Lincoln Lutheran |
| Ben Moll | Throws | Fr. | Fr. | Seward, Neb. | Lincoln Lutheran |
| Kenny Paetow | Sprints | Sr. | Jr. | St. Louis, Mo. | Lutheran HS South |
| Ethan Pankow | Mid-Distance | Jr. | So. | Milwaukee, Wis. | Milwaukee Lutheran |
| Jerod Peters | Throws | - | Sr. | Aurora, Neb. | Aurora |
| Tucker Platt | Pole Vault | Sr. | Jr. | Stromsburg, Neb. | Cross County |
| Zach Potratz | Distance | Sr. | Jr. | Seward, Neb. | Seward |
| Nick Price | Mid-Distance | Fr. | Fr. | Wamego, Kan. | Wamego / Highland CC |
| Joel Rathe | Horizontal Jumps | Fr. | Fr. | Sterling, Neb. | Sterling |
| Jarod Reed | Mid-Distance | Jr. | So. | Blair, Neb. | Blair |
| Jeremiah Reeser | Sprints/Horizontal Jumps | Sr. | Jr. | Grand Island, Neb. | Heartland Lutheran |
| Henry Reimer | Hurdles/Sprints | Sr. | Jr. | Sussex, Wis. | Milwaukee Lutheran |
| JP Reynolds | Mid-Distance | Sr. | Jr. | Nuevo, Calif. | Woodcrest Christian |
| Caleb Roberts | Distance | Sr. | Jr. | Wamego, Kan. | Wamego |
| Calvin Rohde | Mid-Distance | Fr. | Fr. | Reed City, Mich. | Reed City |
| Xavier Ross | Sprints | Jr. | So. | Melrose Park, Ill. | Timothy Christian |
| Daniel Royuk | Sprints | Sr. | Jr. | Seward, Neb. | Saint Paul Lutheran |
| Cory Ruybalid | Mid-Distance | Fr. | Fr. | Grand Island, Neb. | Heartland Lutheran |
| Darien Semedo | Throws | Fr. | Fr. | Sacramento, Calif. | Capital Christian |
| Camden Sesna | Distance/Steeplechase | So. | Fr. | Kearney, Neb. | Kearney Catholic |
| Walker Shaw | Throws | So. | So. | Bassett, Neb. | Rock County |
| Samuel Sisco | Pole Vault | Sr. | Jr. | David City, Neb | Aquinas Catholic School |
| Grant Stadler | Pole Vault | Jr. | So. | Columbus, Neb. | Columbus Senior |
| Brennan Taylor | Distance | Fr. | Fr. | Seward, Neb. | Seward |
| Josh Taylor | Sprints | So. | Fr. | Geneva, Neb. | Fillmore Central / Dakota Wesleyan |
| Christian Van Cleave | Mid-Distance | Sr. | Jr. | Arvada, Colo. | Jefferson Academy |
| Kadin Vrbas | Sprints | Fr. | Fr. | Imperial, Neb. | Chase County |
| Christian Watters | Distance | Jr. | Jr. | Panama, Neb. | Norris |
| CJ Williams | Distance | Jr. | So. | Saint Peters, Mo. | Lutheran HS of St. Charles County |
| Cody Williams | Multis/Jumps/Hurdles/PV | Jr. | Jr. | Imperial, Neb. | Chase County |
| Micah Willweber | Distance | Fr. | Fr. | Kailua, Hawaii | Kalaheo |
| Christopher Wren | Throws | So. | Fr. | Fair Oaks, Calif. | Bella Vista |
| Nick Zadar | Distance | Sr. | Jr. | Boise, Idaho | Timberline |
| Zach Zohner | Pole Vault/Hurdles | Fr. | Fr. | Battle Creek, Neb. | Battle Creek |
WOMEN
| Name | Event | ID | OD | Hometown | Previous School |
| Lauren Ada | Mid-Distance | Fr. | Fr. | De Soto, Kan. | The Lutheran HS of Kansas City |
| Emily Agena | Throws | So. | Fr. | Sterling , Neb. | Sterling Public |
| Amiah Akerson | Distance | Fr. | Fr. | Pennock, Minn. | Benson Senior High School |
| Jordyn Anderson | Throws | Jr. | So. | Plainview, Neb. | Plainview |
| Anna Baack | Pole Vault | Sr. | Jr. | Seward, Neb. | Seward |
| Jordin Battaglia | Hurdles/Sprints | Fr. | Fr. | Seward, Neb. | Seward |
| Rachel Battershell | Hurdles/Sprints | Jr. | So. | Wheatland, Wyo. | Wheatland Senior |
| Keri Bauer | Distance | Jr. | Jr. | Pleasanton, Neb. | Pleasanton |
| Maddie Beran | Distance/Steeplechase | Sr. | Jr. | Grand Island, Neb. | Grand Island Northwest |
| Alyssa Bierwagen | Distance/Steeplechase | Sr. | Jr. | Sioux Falls, S.D. | Roosevelt |
| Emily Boyer | Distance/Steeplechase | Sr. | Jr. | Mullen, Neb. | Mullen |
| Kaylee Boyle | Hurdles/Multi-Events | Jr. | So. | Scribner, Neb. | Scribner Snyder |
| Mika Brees | Sprints | Sr. | Jr. | Seward, Neb. | Seward |
| Jamey Broman | Horizontal Jumps | Jr. | So. | Geneva, Neb. | Fillmore Central |
| Olivia Buschow | Throws | So. | Fr. | Blue Hill, Neb. | Blue Hill |
| Sydney Clark | Distance | Sr. | Jr. | Clive, Iowa | Des Moines Christian |
| Lydia Cook | Distance/Steeplechase | Sr. | Jr. | Perryville, Mo. | Perryville Jr/Sr |
| Amira Cummings | Sprints/Pole Vault | Fr. | Fr. | Cheyenne, Wyo. | Cheyenne East |
| Nicole Daum | Horizontal Jumps | Jr. | Jr. | Colorado Springs, Colo. | The Classical Academy |
| Lauren Dawson | Distance | Fr. | Fr. | Cedar Falls, Iowa | Valley Lutheran |
| Morgan De Jong | Throws | Sr. | Jr. | Orange City, Iowa | Moc-Floyd Valley |
| Abi DeLoach | Distance | Jr. | So. | Kearney, Neb. | Kearney |
| Gabby Diamond | Horizontal Jumps | Sr. | Jr. | Bennington, Neb. | Bennington |
| Mackenzie Ferrel | Throws | Jr. | Jr. | Lincoln, Neb. | Lincoln North Star |
| Jodi Fry | Throws | Jr. | Jr. | Ewing, Neb. | Ewing |
| Alyssa Fye | Mid-Distance | Sr. | Jr. | Randolph. Neb. | Randolph |
| Abigail Gerber | Throws | Fr. | Fr. | Columbus, Neb. | Columbus |
| Tayler Gipe | Distance | Sr. | Jr. | Scottsbluff, Neb. | Scottsbluff |
| Peyton Gissler | Distance | Fr. | Fr. | Malcolm, Neb. | Malcolm |
| Rylee Haecker | Mid-Distance | Fr. | Fr. | Davenport, Neb. | Raymond Central |
| Sarah Heck | Horizontal Jumps | Sr. | Jr. | Coon Rapids, Iowa | Coon Rapids-Bayard |
| Kylahn Heritage | Distance | So. | Fr. | Nampa, Idaho | Melba |
| Jordyn Hilyard | Mid-Distance | Jr. | So. | Holdrege, Neb. | Holdrege |
| Madison Holt | Throws | So. | So. | Elk Grove, Calif. | Elk Grove |
| Sara Huss | Throws | Fr. | Fr. | Fairbury, Neb. | Fairbury |
| Mackenzie Koepke | High Jump | - | Jr. | Lincoln, Neb. | Lincoln Lutheran |
| Skylar Kreifels | Sprints | Fr. | Fr. | Lincoln, Neb. | Lincoln East |
| Averie Lambrecht | Horizontal Jumps | - | Fr. | Waverly, Neb. | Waverly |
| Sarah Lewis | Hurdles/Sprints | Jr. | So. | Mason City, Neb. | Ansley Public |
| Emily Loy | Hurdles/Multis | Sr. | Jr. | Wood River, Neb. | Wood River Rural |
| Elle Luehr | Throws | Jr. | Jr. | Wood River, Neb. | Wood River Rural |
| Erin Mapson | Pole Vault | Jr. | So. | Lincoln, Neb. | Lincoln East |
| Amie Martin | Distance | So. | Fr. | Arnold, Mo. | Fox C-6 |
| Anna McCoy | Hurdles/Sprints | Fr. | Fr. | Grand Island, Neb. | Grand Island |
| Abigail Meier | Distance | So. | So. | Lawrence, Kan. | Lawrence Free State |
| Taylor Moes | Horizontal Jumps | So. | Fr. | Elm Creek, Neb. | Elm Creek |
| Kennedy Mogul | Hurdles/Multis | Sr. | Jr. | York, Neb. | York |
| Hannah Mulligan | Sprints | Jr. | So. | Hastings, Neb. | Adams Central |
| Hannah Mundt | Distance | So. | Fr. | Blue Springs, Mo. | The Lutheran HS of Kansas City |
| Cora Olson | Sprints/Horizontal Jumps | Jr. | So. | Trimont, Minn. | Martin County West |
| Marie Ortiz | Sprints | Fr. | Fr. | Central City, Neb. | Palmer |
| Allison Owings | Throws | So. | Fr. | Imperial, Neb. | Chase County |
| Erin Painter | Throws | Fr. | Fr. | Ainsworth, Neb. | Ainsworth |
| Grace Pennekamp | Distance | Fr. | Fr. | Fort Wayne, Ind. | Concordia Lutheran |
| Mary Pennekamp | Distance | Fr. | Fr. | Fort Wayne, Ind. | Concordia Lutheran |
| Jacee Pfeifer | Pole Vault/Sprints | Jr. | So. | Holdrege. Neb. | Holdrege |
| Allison Pinkall | Pole Vault | Sr. | Jr. | Gretna, Neb. | Gretna |
| Kamryn Pokorney | Throws | Fr. | Fr. | Shelby, Neb. | Shelby-Rising |
| Josie Puelz | Pole Vault/Hurdles | So. | Fr. | Lincoln, Neb. | Lincoln Lutheran HS |
| Sarah Ragland | Throws | Sr. | Jr. | Rocky River, Ohio | Lutheran West |
| Mollie Rathjen | Mid-Distance | So. | Fr. | Osceola, Neb. | Osceola |
| Aubrey Rathke | Mid-Distance | Fr. | Fr. | Fremont, Neb. | Fremont |
| Sydney Reichert | Pole Vault | Fr. | Fr. | Benkelman, Neb. | Dundy County Stratton |
| Grace Reiman | Distance | Fr. | Fr. | Hastings, Neb. | Adams Central |
| Grace Reimer | High Jump/Hurdles | Fr. | Fr. | Hartland, Wis. | Lake County Lutheran |
| Kellie Rhodes | Sprints | Fr. | Fr. | Mullinville, Kan. | Kiowa County |
| Amy Richert | Hurdles/Multis | Fr. | Fr. | Gresham, Neb. | Nebraska Lutheran |
| Faith Riggle | Throws | Fr. | Fr. | Scribner, Neb. | Scribner-Snyder |
| Laura Riley | Throws | Fr. | Fr. | Thornton, Colo. | Jefferson Academy |
| Malia Rolf | Distance/Steeplechase | Fr. | Fr. | Seward, Neb. | Seward |
| Sydni Schernikau | Sprints | Fr. | Fr. | Waverly, Neb. | Waverly |
| Erin Schmidt | Throws | Fr. | Fr. | Geneva, Neb. | Fillmore Central |
| Morgan Schuette | High Jump | Fr. | Fr. | Sabetha, Kan. | Sabetha |
| Gemma Seevers | Horizontal Jumps | Fr. | Fr. | Seward, Neb. | Seward |
| Katie Severt | Sprints/Horizontal Jumps | So. | Fr. | Coralville, Iowa | Iowa City West |
| Addie Shaw | Throws | - | Sr. | Bassett, Neb. | Rock County |
| Beth Shaw | Throws | - | Sr. | Kearney, Neb. | Kearney |
| Abigail Shay | Pole Vault | Fr. | Fr. | Wray, Colo. | Shay Academy |
| Adrianna Sims | Horizontal Jumps | Jr. | So. | Malcolm, Neb. | Malcolm |
| Rachel Smith | Multi Events | Fr. | Fr. | Earlham, Iowa | Earlham |
| Abigail Staehr | Distance | So. | Fr. | Grand Island, Neb. | Heartland Lutheran |
| Elizabeth Stottlemyre | Throws | Jr. | Jr. | Olympia, Wash. | NW Christian / Concordia-Portland |
| Samantha Thompson | Throws | Fr. | Fr. | Sloan, Iowa | Westwood Community School |
| Rebecca Weddell | Sprints | So. | Fr. | West Point, Neb. | West Point-Beemer Public |
| Kailey Weichel | Mid-Distance | Jr. | So. | Plymouth, Neb. | Tri Country Public |
| Natalya Wells | Hurdles/Sprints/LJ/Multis | Fr. | Fr. | Omaha, Neb. | Ralston |
| Lainey Werts | Mid-Distance | Fr. | Fr. | St. Edward, Neb. | St. Edward |
| Alexa Williams | Pole Vault | Jr. | So. | Elkhorn, Neb. | Elkhorn |
STAFF
Matt Beisel, Head Coach (5th Year)
Ed McLaughlin, Assistant Coach
Mark Samuels, Assistant Coach
Benjamin Hinckfoot, Assistant Coach
Wayne Earney, Assistant Coach
Jason Berry, Assistant Coach
Kurtis Bonner, Graduate Assistant Coach
Season Preview: 2020-21 Concordia Track & Field
MEN
Head coach: Matt Beisel (5th year)
2020 indoor finishes: 3rd (GPAC); 17th (NAIA)
2020 outdoor season canceled
2020 All-Americans returning: Chase Berry (pole vault); Jacob Cornelio (*weight throw; returner for outdoor only); Xavier Ross (400 meters); Cody Williams (missed 2020 indoor nationals but is a career 3x All-American).
2020 All-Americans lost: Gavin DeHaai (pole vault).
2020 Indoor National Qualifiers returning: Chase Berry (pole vault); Colton Meyer (60H; 4x400m relay); Jerod Peters (shot put; returner for outdoor only); Tucker Platt (pole vault); Henry Reimer (4x400m relay); Xavier Ross (400 meters; 4x400m relay); Sam Sisco (pole vault); Christian Van Cleave (4x400m relay).
*National Champion
--NOTE: list of national qualifiers includes athletes who traveled to the 2020 NAIA indoor meet.
WOMEN
Head coach: Matt Beisel (5th year)
2020 indoor finishes: 1st (GPAC); 4th (NAIA)
2020 outdoor season canceled
2020 All-Americans returning: Rachel Battershell (*400 meters; 4x400m relay); Mika Brees (4x400m relay); Morgan De Jong (weight throw); Sarah Lewis (4x400m relay); Jacee Pfeifer (4x400m relay); Josie Puelz (pole vault); Addie Shaw (weight throw; shot put; returner for outdoor only).
2020 All-Americans lost: Allie Brooks (pole vault).
2020 Indoor National Qualifiers returning: Rachel Battershell (400 meters; 60H; 4x400m relay); Jamey Broman (long jump); Alyssa Fye (DMR); Kylahn Heritage (DMR); Emily Loy (pentathlon); Kennedy Mogul (pentathlon; 4x400m relay); Cora Olson (long jump); Jacee Pfeifer (4x400m relay); Josie Puelz (pole vault); Sarah Ragland (weight throw); Katie Severt (long jump).
*National Champion
--NOTE: list of national qualifiers includes athletes who traveled to the 2020 NAIA indoor meet.
Outlook
The long awaited return to competition is almost over. After COVID-19 wiped out the entire 2020 outdoor season, the storied Concordia University Track & Field programs picked up preparation this August for the 2021 indoor season. The last time the Bulldogs competed publicly, both Rachel Battershell and Jacob Cornelio celebrated individual NAIA national titles. Those momentous performances occurred all the way back in March.
Anticipation is growing for what the first meet will bring. Another December kickoff meet will provide a barometer for where Concordia athletes stand right now. Entering his fifth season as head coach, Matt Beisel oversees a program that always aspires to reign atop the GPAC.
Said Beisel, “They’re ready to roll. They’re itching to compete. It has been almost a year since they’ve been able to do their thing and they’ve all been working towards this for so long. They’re pumped.”
The 2020 indoor season yielded GPAC finishes of first for the women and third for the men along with 14 combined All-America awards, two individual national titles and a fourth-place NAIA nationals team trophy for the women. As a sophomore, Battershell put together one of the all-time great indoor seasons in school history while earning GPAC Athlete of the Year honors and breaking the school’s 400 meter record. She’s essentially the posterchild for what is possible for a Bulldog athlete.
However, it takes more than just Battershell to ascend to the heights Concordia has reached in recent years – and to climb as high as it hopes to in the future. The Bulldog women won seven of 19 events at the 2020 GPAC indoor championships as part of a dominant showing. Beisel and his staff have been working to maintain that type of depth on the women’s side while putting the men on a similar path.
“We need to continue developing and building our recruiting classes to bring in kids in every event area who can provide competitive depth,” Beisel said. “There aren’t just one or two events that we focus on. Every year we’ve gotten a good range (of athletes). We had 57 freshmen come in this year, covering every event area – and they’re really good. We’ll keep on working towards (building depth).”
The women’s team has plenty of firepower returning this indoor season as it welcomes back GPAC champions in Battershell (60 meter hurdles; 400 meters), Kylahn Heritage (3,000 meters), Kennedy Mogul (pentathlon) and Josie Puelz (pole vault). Battershell and Mogul were also part of a conference championship 4x400 meter relay that included Sarah Lewis and Jacee Pfeifer.
It takes a long time to rattle off the names of potential national qualifiers for a squad that expects to again be one of the top women’s teams in the NAIA. In addition to the names mentioned above, the Bulldogs welcome back All-Americans such as Mika Brees (4x4) and Morgan De Jong (weight throw), who add to a well-rounded team. There’s a culture of excellence in which success is expected inside and outside of competition. Battershell and her teammates have definitely thought about what it might take to win a national title as a team.
Says Battershell, “You can see it every day. Whether or not someone is having a good day, we know we have had success in the past, but it is never taken for granted. We show up every day and we know what we are capable of as a team, which makes us push harder.”
Based on last season, the Concordia women can expect to be strong in areas like the hurdles, jumps, pole vault, multi-events, distance races and anything Battershell competes in. The pole vault crew includes not just a rising star in Puelz (who will also compete in hurdles), but also other past All-Americans in Erin Mapson and Pfeifer. The jumps group includes national qualifiers in Jamey Broman, Cora Olson and Katie Severt. Beisel also likes what he sees from the new class of throwers, a group that will lean on senior leadership from Sarah Ragland (two-time national qualifier).
“I think there is a spirt of high expectation,” Beisel said of the women’s outlook. “They’ve always had that. When I took over the program, it wasn’t any different. Now that we’ve had a string of wins there’s this desire to keep doing that. We want to win another national title. We’ve never won an indoor title.”
On the men’s side, the Bulldogs are still striving to catch back up to rival Doane. Chase Berry (pole vault) and Xavier Ross (400 meters) return after earning 2020 All-America honors. Concordia’s conference and national finishes were limited to some degree last season due to star Cody Williams being sidelined by injury. Named the 2019 GPAC Outdoor Athlete of the Year, Williams is back to health and ready to pursue his first career individual national title (placed as the 2019 heptathlon runner up).
Ross seems to have another gear in him as he enters his junior year. The Chicago-area native has hopes of challenging assistant coach Mark Samuels’ school record in the 400 meters and contributing to a GPAC championship team. Ross can see things beginning to come together for him and his teammates.
“We have had the largest freshman class this year,” Ross said. “I think we are looking very strong on all aspects. Throws are strong and the sprinting group is adding a lot more depth. We are going to see a lot of growth and maturity as a whole this season. If not this season, the upcoming season we will have a powerhouse of a squad.”
That large freshman class should help prop up the men’s team. So too should the continued development of up-and-comers such as sophomore Colton Meyer, who qualified for nationals in his first collegiate track season. In the distance group, top runner Camden Sesna is eyeing a return to health after being hobbled towards the end of cross country season. Past pole vault national qualifiers include Tucker Platt and Williams. Freshman Zach Zohner, one of the top new men’s athletes, also figures to be a factor in the vault.
Furthermore, well-regarded throws coach Ed McLaughlin will coach up a young men’s throws group (led by veterans such as Andy Amos) expected to make a leap forward. Elsewhere, the 4x400 relay remains strong (with help from Meyer, Ross, Henry Reimer and others) and Beisel expects contributions from Bulldogs who are transitioning from other sports – Jacob Jennings (basketball) and Cade Kleckner (baseball). Past All-American Christian Van Cleave headlines the mid-distance group.
Says Beisel, “You put all those pieces together and I think we’re going to be a much stronger team this year. I’m excited to see what they do.”
A star group of senior throwers will be back to use up their outdoor eligibility this spring. That bunch includes national champions Jacob Cornelio (2020 weight throw) and Addie Shaw (two-time discus national titlist) as well as national qualifiers Jerod Peters and Bethany Shaw. In other words, Concordia appears to have even greater scoring potential come outdoor season.
The indoor season will get underway at this weekend’s Concordia Early Bird Meet slated for Friday and Saturday inside the Fieldhouse. The Bulldogs are scheduled to host four home meets prior to the GPAC Indoor Championships (Feb. 19-20). The NAIA National Championships for indoor will be held in Brookings, S.D., with the outdoor national meet set to be staged in Gulf Shores, Ala., once again.
“Both our men and women drive themselves to win the conference title and put ourselves in a position to be able to win more national titles,” Beisel said. “That is what they talk about. They all have individual goals, but I think there’s a really good synergy and team spirit in regards to thinking about their teammates as much or more than themselves. That’s what drives so many of them to even greater things than they thought were possible.”
More from Battershell/Ross
Battershell: “(Winning a team national title) is so exciting to think about. I know it is on everyone’s minds. There is so many factors that play into earning the national title as a team but if everything comes together it will definitely be a possibility.”
Ross: “My goal is to break Coach Samuels indoor 400 record. That is what I am motivated for and gunning for. My teammates are my motivators as well, especially the underclassmen. I want to see them shine and that is what keeps me going.”
Four auto marks recorded in first outdoor meet of 2021
Mar. 27, 2021
DES MOINES, Iowa – After a spring of 2020 without it, outdoor track and field is back. The Bulldogs began the 2021 season on Friday (March 26) while competing as one of 14 institutions at the Grand View Viking Relays in Des Moines, Iowa. The yields for Concordia University Track & Field included four automatic national qualifying marks, five ‘B’ standards and nine event titles.
Head Coach Matt Beisel’s squads made their first public appearances since competing at the NAIA Indoor National Championships when the Bulldogs placed third on the women’s side and 12th on the men’s side. This is just a start when it comes to outdoor season.
Thoughts from Coach Beisel: “It felt amazing to stand outside and coach track & field again after so long. We had solid early season performances from our men and women with the highlights of some automatic national qualifying marks. Weather was chilly but mostly favorable, and we had a huge number of personal bests – freshmen and sophomores beating their high school outdoor PRs, and many personal bests from returning juniors and seniors … I had 13 guys and girls do the 3K steeplechase, and only two women had ever done it before. I was pretty happy with how they did. As the mid-and-long distance coach, I am extremely pleased with the efforts of our 10K, steeple, 1500, 800 and 4x800 runners, as well as several of my kids who ran the open 400. Throws and jumps had some good things happen. Amy Richert had a huge long jump, over 18 feet, for the first time. Sarah Lewis won the 100 hurdles and open 400, and her open 400 was an outdoor PR. Everyone was in good spirits, and it was just great to be doing this again after such a long pause. I was praying thanks to God throughout the day.”
The automatic national qualifying marks came courtesy of Erin Mapson (pole vault; 11’ 11 ¾”), Addie Shaw (hammer throw; 170’), Chris Wren (hammer throw; 176’ 3”) and Zach Zohner (pole vault; 15’ 5”). A two-time discus national champion, Shaw has returned to the ring to use up her outdoor eligibility. The eight-time All-American also unleased a ‘B’ standard in the discus (142’ 7”) at the Viking Relays. She placed second in discus and third in hammer.
After qualifying eight combined men’s and women’s athletes for indoor nationals, the pole vault crew has set high standards for itself. Fresh off an All-America award winning performance, Mapson has guaranteed her spot at outdoor nationals. While Mapson won the Viking Relays title, teammate and national champion Josie Puelz placed second (11’ 1 ¾”). Amira Cummings also cleared 11’ 1 ¾.” Meanwhile, Zohner will be aiming at a first career All-America honor this spring. He beat out teammates Zach Bennetts and Chase Berry (both cleared 14’ 11”) at the Viking Relays.
Throwers were responsible for seven of the marks that the Bulldogs put on the national performance list. Wren was also an indoor All-American (weight throw). Additional ‘B’ standards were turned in by Jordyn Anderson (shot put), Dagne’ Buck (hammer throw), Elle Luehr (shot put) and Sarah Ragland (hammer throw).
Concordia women totaled seven event championships. In field events, Taylor Moes (triple jump) and Amy Richert (long jump) emerged with first-place claims. On the track, Sarah Lewis notched wins in the 400 meters (59.38) and in the 100 hurdles (15.88). Winning relay times were recorded by the women’s 4x800 meter relay (10:01.12) and the 4x100 meter relay (49.74).
Noteworthy even runner-up finishes were posted by the likes of Cade Kleckner (200 meters), Jerod Peters (shot put), Camden Sesna (steeplechase) and Cody Williams (high jump). Peters (past national qualifier) has returned for an extra season of outdoor just like Shaw.
The women’s team had a number of its own second-place finishes at the Vikings Relays, such as Anderson (shot put), Sydney Clark (10,000 meters), Lydia Cook (steeplechase), Rylee Haecker (1,500 meters) and Sydni Schernikau (200 meters).
The Bulldogs will return to action next Friday (April 2) for the Hastings College Challenge. The first home meet of the outdoor season is slated for April 9-10 when the Concordia University Invite will take place.
Viking Relays Event Champions
· Women’s 4x100m relay
· Women’s 4x800m relay
· Sarah Lewis (400 meters; 100 hurdles)
· Erin Mapson (pole vault)
· Taylor Moes (triple jump)
· Amy Richert (long jump)
· Chris Wren (hammer throw)
· Zach Zohner (pole vault)
Automatic National Qualifiers
· Erin Mapson – pole vault (11’ 11 ¾”)
· Addie Shaw – hammer throw (170’)
· Chris Wren – hammer throw (176’ 3”)
· Zach Zohner – pole vault (15’ 5”)
--‘B’ Standards: Jordyn Anderson (shot put); Dagne’ Buck (hammer throw); Elle Luehr (shot put); Sarah Ragland (hammer throw); Addie Shaw (discus)
Three new auto marks produced at Baker Relays
Mar. 28, 2021
BALDWIN CITY, Kan. – Four throwers represented Concordia University Track & Field at the Baker University Relays in Baldwin City, Kan., on Saturday (March 27). Jacob Cornelio, Addie Shaw and Elizabeth Stottlemyre each turned in a fresh automatic qualifying mark as the opening weekend of the outdoor season continued. The majority of Bulldog athletes competed on Friday at the Grand View Viking Relays in Des Moines, Iowa.
Saturday’s results from the Baker Relays were as follows:
*Represents automatic national qualifying mark.
Jacob Cornelio
--Hammer Throw – 1st place (*200’ 7”)
--Discus – 4th place (144’ 7”)
Addie Shaw
--Discus – 1st place (*148’ 10”)
--Shot Put – 2nd place (43’ 4 ½”)
Bethany Shaw
--Hammer Throw – 2nd place (153’ 8”)
--Discus – 3rd place (137’ 6”)
Elizabeth Stottlemyre
--Javelin – 2nd place (*139’)
Notes: Addie Shaw’s toss in the shot put represented a ‘B’ standard while Bethany Shaw recorded a personal best in hammer. A transfer from Concordia University, Portland, Stottlemyre is a specialist in the javelin. Her personal collegiate best is 146’ 2.” Meanwhile, Cornelio landed the hammer just shy of his PR of 202’ 5.” The school record in the hammer is 216’ 6” held by alum Cody Boellstorff.
For a recap of the Viking Relays, click HERE. The Bulldogs will return to action next Friday (April 2) for the Hastings College Challenge. The first home meet of the outdoor season is slated for April 9-10 when the Concordia University Invite will take place.
Cornelio, Shaw honored for national leading marks
Mar. 31, 2021
SEWARD, Neb. – Jacob Cornelio and Addie Shaw made their return to the ring in a big way. Both standout Concordia University throwers have been named as GPAC athletes of the week, as announced on Wednesday (March 31). Cornelio is the GPAC/Hauff Mid-America Sports Men’s Field Athlete of the Week while Shaw is the GPAC/Hauff Mid-America Sports Women’s Field Athlete of the Week. During the 2021 indoor season, Bulldog athletes combined for six GPAC weekly honors.
The highlight for Cornelio last week was a hammer throw of 200’ 7” at the Baker University Relays. That toss currently leads the second best NAIA hammer mark by nearly nine feet. Cornelio’s mark was also just shy of his personal record of 202’ 5,” which ranks No. 4 on the program’s all-time list. At the most recent outdoor national championships (2019), Cornelio (Elk Grove, Calif.) placed sixth in the hammer. He was the 2020 NAIA indoor weight throw national champion. Cornelio owns five career All-America awards.
A native of Bassett, Neb., Shaw turned in automatic national qualifying marks last week in both the discus (148’ 10”) and the hammer throw (170’) while competing at the Grand View Viking Relays and Baker Relays. In addition, she achieved a ‘B’ standard in the shot put (43’ 4 ½”). Shaw ranks as the current national leader in the discus while also sitting fourth in the NAIA in the hammer. Shaw is a two-time discus national champion who possesses eight career All-America honors.
The outdoor season will resume on Friday as Concordia competes at the Hastings College Challenge on Friday.
2020-21 GPAC Athletes of the Week
Outdoor
March 31 – Jacob Cornelio (field), Addie Shaw (field)
Indoor
Feb. 17 – *Rachel Battershell (track)
Feb. 10 – Josie Puelz (field)
Feb. 3 – Kylahn Heritage (track)
Jan. 27 – Josie Puelz (field)
Jan. 20 – *Morgan De Jong (field), Kylahn Heritage (track)
*NAIA National Athlete of the Week