2014-15 Schedule
Season Stats
2014-15 Women's Golf Schedule/Results
SEPTEMBER | ||||
| Sept. 8 | Dordt Invite - The Ridge GC | Sioux Center, Iowa | 5 of 8 | |
| Sept. 15 | GPAC Qualifier No. 1 - The Ridge GC | Sioux Center, Iowa | 3 of 11 | |
| Sept. 21 | Peru State Invite - Table Creek GC | Nebraska City, Neb. | T2 of 8 | |
| Sept. 25-26 | Briar Cliff Invite - Two Rivers GC | Sioux City, Iowa | 2 of 7 | |
OCTOBER | ||||
| Oct. 6 | GPAC Qualifier No. 2 - Firethorn GC | Lincoln, Neb. | 3 of 11 GPAC standings | |
APRIL | ||||
| April 1 | Nebraska Wesleyan Invite - Mahoney GC | Lincoln, Neb. | 2 of 10 | |
| April 2 | Nebraska Wesleyan Invite - Pioneers GC | Lincoln, Neb. | 2 of 10 | |
| April 9 | Doane Invite - Wilderness Ridge | Lincoln, Neb. | Rained Out | |
| April 13 | GPAC Qualifier No. 3 - Wilderness Ridge | Lincoln, Neb. | 4 of 11 GPAC standings | |
| April 17 | College of Saint Mary Shootout - Miracle Hill GC | Omaha, Neb. | 2 of 7 | |
| April 24 | GPAC Qualifier No. 4 - Landsmeer GC | Orange City, Iowa | 7 of 11 GPAC standings | |
2014-15 Bulldog Women's Golf Roster
Name | Yr. | Hometown | Previous School | |||||
Amy Ahlers | So. | Albion, Neb. | Boone Central | |||||
Gretyl Bremer | Sr. | Grand Island, Neb. | Heartland Lutheran | |||||
Brenna Gnuse | Fr. | Holdrege, Neb. | Holdredge | |||||
Jenelle Hallaert | Sr. | Omaha, Neb. | Burke | |||||
Emma Jacoby | Fr. | Lincoln, Neb. | Lincoln North Star | |||||
Kayla Krueger | So. | Aberdeen, S.D. | Central | |||||
Melissa McIntosh | Sr. | Lincoln, Neb. | Northeast | |||||
Ashlen Pospisil | Fr. | Norfolk, Neb. | Norfolk Catholic | |||||
Allie Schieffer | Sr. | Fordyce, Neb. | Cedar Catholic | |||||
Lauren Sperry | Fr. | Onedia, Ill. | ROWVA | |||||
2014-15 golf season preview
By Jake Knabel, Director of Athletic Communications
MEN
Head Coach: Brett Muller (fourth year)
2013-14 GPAC Finish: 8th (317-345-326-325–1,313)
Key Returners: Brock Colclasure (Jr.); Court Croghan (So.); Jared Knoepfel (So.); Sam Mayhall (Sr.); Shawn Rodehorst (Sr.); Sam Simonson (Jr.); Garrett Suchanek (Jr.)
Key Losses: Sam DeFreece
2014 GPAC All-Conference: Shawn Rodehorst (16th – 78-86-77-78–319)
WOMEN
Head Coach: Brett Muller (fourth year)
2013-14 GPAC Finish: 6th (366-374-383-359–1,482)
Key Returners: Amy Ahlers (So.); Kayla Krueger (So.); Melissa McIntosh (Sr.); Kristin Remm (Jr.); Allie Schieffer (Sr.)
Key Losses: None
2014 GPAC All-Conference: Amy Ahlers (4th – 89-80-80-83–332); Honorable Mention – Kayla Krueger (16th – 92-84-98-85–359)
Outlook:
Led by stars in sophomore Amy Ahlers for the women and senior Shawn Rodehorst for the men, the Bulldog golf programs enter 2014-15 with designs on another move up in the GPAC standings. Both squads return virtually every key varsity contributor from last season while welcoming in recruits expected to challenge for spots in the lineup. There’s little doubt that Brett Muller has assembled the best collection of talent he’s had in his four years leading both squads.
The women got a big lift last season from the arrival of Ahlers and fellow freshman Kayla Krueger. With the young duo holding down the Nos. 1 and 2 spots, the Bulldogs leaped from 11th in the GPAC the previous season to sixth in 2013-14.
“That was a huge jump for us in one year,” Muller said. “A lot of that is attributed to the two freshmen we had last year – Amy Ahlers and Kayla Krueger. Amy finished tied for fourth in the conference, which is outstanding. She won two qualifiers – GPAC No. 2 and GPAC No. 3. That really vaulted us up on the team side as well. I know it will be a goal for Amy this year to make the national tournament.”
Ahlers finished with a season average of 84.6 over 12 rounds. She got off to a slow start by shooting an 89 in each of the first two meets. She found the form she expected from herself later on and shot a season low of 80 on three occasions.
As someone capable of routinely putting up scores in the 70s, the native of Albion, Neb., begins this season as one of the favorites to win the GPAC individual title.
“Looking back, it was OK,” Ahlers said. “I really messed up the first GPAC (qualifier). I had an 89 and that dug me in a hole quick. This year I want to take it one GPAC at a time. Whatever happens is going to happen. I’ve just got to play my own game and not worry about everybody else’s. I’m hoping to finish better than fourth this year.”
Krueger backed Ahlers with a 16th-place GPAC finish of her own, netting honorable mention all-conference recognition. Krueger (Aberdeen, S.D.) recorded a season average of 91.8 with a low of 84 at GPAC Qualifier No. 2.
The team also welcomes back experienced seniors in Jenelle Hallaert, Melissa McIntosh and Allie Schieffer. All have been part of the varsity lineup over the past few years. They will get competition from the likes of freshmen Brenna Gnuse, Emma Jacoby, Ashlen Pospisil and Lauren Sperry.
A deeper team means more intense practices and growing expectations.
“Our goal this year will definitely be to finish in the top four of the conference,” Muller said. “I think that’s a very realistic and attainable goal. It will take some hard work and we’ll have to have everybody ready to go. We have some returners that have some experience and we have some good younger players who will be looking to make their mark on the program as freshmen.”
Ahlers’ enthusiasm in regards to her teammates and the upcoming season comes through in obvious fashion.
“Since we didn’t lose any seniors, we’re all back,” Ahlers said. “I’m really excited about it. I think it’s going to be a great season. We’re all looking forward to it. I hope we have a good time together and I think good results will follow.”
Like the women last season, the men may be primed to make their big jump in 2014-15. Rodehorst has been one of the conference’s top performers the past two seasons, turning in season averages of 75.15 as a sophomore and 78.8 as a junior. Selflessly, the native of Kearney, Neb., prefers to talk about team success.
“I really think we can be in that discussion to contend every week,” Rodehorst said. “Last year there were four or five teams that were right there every meet. You know those were the teams that were going to contend. I really believe we can be in that group now.”
Muller praises Rodehorst for his team-first approach that has garnered the respect of the entire roster.
“The thing with Shawn is that he’s a very good individual player, but he’s all about the team,” Muller said. “He wants the team to do well. He wants to make the national championship, not as an individual (but as a team). I think we have some players coming in along with the returners who can really make a push this year for the GPAC championship. Shawn has done a great job reaching out and talking to more recruits. He’s a reason why we have a couple kids coming in that we do.”
Rodehorst will have a worthy challenger for the No. 1 spot in the lineup with the addition of NCAA Division I University of Nebraska-Omaha transfer Reid Wiebe. Muller expects Wiebe to be one of the top players in the conference immediately. Wiebe is a former state champion at Sutton Public Schools and a significant addition to a roster that loses only Sam DeFreece among varsity players.
Other key returners include sophomores Court Croghan (83.7) and Jared Knoepfel (82.4), senior Sam Mayhall (84.6) and juniors Sam Mayhall (84.6), Garrett Suchanek (84.8) and Sam Simonson (85.4).
“I expect practices to be pretty intense and the competition should definitely be there,” Muller said. “Look for big things this year out of the men’s program.”
Muller is also excited about the additions of Payton DeVencenty (Parker, Colo.), Tyler Ehresman (Omaha, Neb.), Matt Otten (Columbus, Neb.) and Russell Otten (Centennial, Colo.). The Bulldog roster is teeming with talent and depth.
“I truly think there’s something special happening here and a lot of that is because of Coach (Muller),” Rodehorst said. “He’s very committed to the team. Practices are much more competitive. People know what they have to do. What’s been able to make it the past couple years isn’t going to make it this year, which is good. Scores are a lot better. There’s a lot more energy there and a lot more focus, which is good to see.”
Both rising golf programs are set to open their seasons over the next five days. The men begin play with the Siouxland Invite, a two-day tournament scheduled to play out Thursday and Friday this week. The women will open up next week at the Dordt Invite on Monday.
Women’s golf opens season with fifth-place finish at Dordt Invite
SIOUX CENTER, Iowa – On a day in which blustery early morning conditions affected the short game of many performers, the Concordia University women’s golf team opened its 2014-15 season with a fifth-place finish among eight teams at Monday’s Dordt Invite. The Bulldogs used a young lineup of two sophomores and three freshmen, collectively putting up a team score of 376.
Individually, sophomore Kayla Krueger, who hails from Aberdeen, S.D., paced Concordia with a four-place finish among the 54 individuals – all from GPAC schools. Krueger’s score of 87 on Monday was nearly five strokes better than her season average as a freshman.
“It was one of the better rounds she’s had,” fourth-year head coach Brett Muller said. “She was solid all day. She was definitely our highlight of the meet. She kept herself out of trouble. It was a pretty good starting point for her.”
Sophomore Amy Ahlers, a native of Albion, Neb., and the team’s top golfer last season, carded an uncharacteristically high 93 for a 17th-place claim. A fourth-place GPAC finisher in 2013-14, Ahlers came in about eight strokes above her season average from last season. Her play was representative of the high scores across the board on Monday.
First-place Mount Marty turned in a 366, 10 strokes better than Concordia.
“Our team score was certainly higher than we wanted it to be,” Muller said. “We had a lot of strokes from 30 yards and in. We did not do a good job of making the adjustment to the weather conditions.”
Three freshmen all made their debuts and were part of Muller’s varsity lineup. Emma Jacoby (Lincoln, Neb.) tied for 20th with a 96, Ashlen Pospisil (Norfolk, Neb.) recorded a 100 to tie for 33rd and Brenna Gnuse (Holdrege, Neb.) tied for 43rd by turning in a 107.
“Just like some of the freshmen men at their first tournament, there are going to be some jitters,” Muller said. “They a good job of settling in. All three are capable of shooting in the 80s.”
The Bulldogs also had four players compete as individuals on Monday: seniors Jenelle Hallaert, Allie Schieffer and Melissa McIntosh and freshman Lauren Sperry. Among those four, Schieffer had the top score with a 105.
Muller will expect improvement when the team returns to action next week at the exact same course – The Ridge in Sioux Center, Iowa, where GPAC Qualifier No. 1 will take place on Monday, Sept. 15. Muller believes his team has the ability to break 340 with Ahlers capable of cracking the 70s and the others falling in not far behind. Last year’s season low team total was a 358 at the Nebraska Wesleyan Spring Invite.
Led by Ahlers’ career best outing, women’s golf breathes rarified air
SIOUX CENTER, Iowa – The climb up the GPAC ladder continues for the Concordia University women’s golf program, which sits in the third place in the league standings following a team total of 343 at Monday’s GPAC Qualifier No. 1. That performance represented a 16-stroke improvement compared to the Bulldogs’ top conference qualifier score from 2013-14 when fourth-year head coach Brett Muller’s squad placed sixth in the GPAC. It was also a 33-stroke decrease from the 376 the team posted at the same course exactly a week earlier.
Individually, sophomore Amy Ahlers turned in the best round of her young collegiate career with a 78, tying her for second among the field of 55 GPAC individuals who navigated The Ridge Golf Course in Sioux Center, Iowa.
“It’s a huge step for us to be playing with Northwestern and Dakota Wesleyan at the next GPAC qualifier,” Muller said. “It’s a position we’ve never really been in. It’s just one tournament but it’s a great starting point. We need to continue to work hard and be prepared for Firethorn (site of GPAC Qualifier No. 2), which will be the toughest course we face all year.”
Concordia also had two others place in the top nine on Monday. Freshman Emma Jacoby shook off a 96 in the season-opening Dordt Invite and turned in an 82 at GPAC No. 1 for an eighth-place standing. Right on her heels was teammate Kayla Krueger, a sophomore who came up with a career low of her own with an 83 (tied for ninth).
“It was an exciting day,” Muller said. “Our top three played fantastic. Amy got over the hump and finally got into the 70s. She went 39-39. Emma and Kayla had personal bests too. That was our lowest GPAC score in quite a while, definitely since I’ve been here.”
All in all, four of the five golfers in Muller’s lineup had career lows. The Nos. 4 and 5 spots were filled on Monday by freshmen Ashlen Pospisil (100) and Brenna Gnuse (105).
Ahlers, who tied for fourth in the GPAC last year as a freshman, sought to avoid the slow start she got off to last year when she carded an 89 in the first conference meet. The native of Albion, Neb., did not envision a double bogey on her first hole, but she locked in and shot four-over-par the rest of the way on Monday.
Meanwhile, Jacoby, a former Lincoln North Star standout, avoided the trouble she found herself in a week earlier at the Dordt Invite.
“We all knew she was better than the 96,” Muller said. “She was a very good player in high school. I think she just had the first tournament jitters last week. She got off to a great start today with pars on her first two holes and that helped calm her down.”
Kruger’s 83 topped her personal best of 84 at last year’s GPAC Qualifier No. 2. Krueger led Concordia last week with an 87 at the Dordt Invite.
The only two teams above Concordia heading into GPAC Qualifier No. 2 are perennial powers Dakota Wesleyan (312) and Northwestern (334). Northwestern’s Emma Wynja has the individual lead with her 76. Dakota Wesleyan’s top four players all turned in 78s and are tied with Ahlers in a tightly-grouped leaderboard.
Last season the Bulldogs made a big leap in the conference by jumping from 11th place in 2012-13 to sixth place in 2013-14. Last year Concordia carded a four-round GPAC total of 366-374-383-359–1,482.
Next up for Bulldog women’s golf is the Peru State Invite on Sunday at Table Creek Golf Course in Nebraska City, Neb. The second and final GPAC Qualifier of the fall will be held on Monday, Oct. 6 at Firethorn Golf Course in Lincoln, Neb.
Led by Ahlers’ career best outing, women’s golf breathes rarified air
SIOUX CENTER, Iowa – The climb up the GPAC ladder continues for the Concordia University women’s golf program, which sits in the third place in the league standings following a team total of 343 at Monday’s GPAC Qualifier No. 1. That performance represented a 16-stroke improvement compared to the Bulldogs’ top conference qualifier score from 2013-14 when fourth-year head coach Brett Muller’s squad placed sixth in the GPAC. It was also a 33-stroke decrease from the 376 the team posted at the same course exactly a week earlier.
Individually, sophomore Amy Ahlers turned in the best round of her young collegiate career with a 78, tying her for second among the field of 55 GPAC individuals who navigated The Ridge Golf Course in Sioux Center, Iowa.
“It’s a huge step for us to be playing with Northwestern and Dakota Wesleyan at the next GPAC qualifier,” Muller said. “It’s a position we’ve never really been in. It’s just one tournament but it’s a great starting point. We need to continue to work hard and be prepared for Firethorn (site of GPAC Qualifier No. 2), which will be the toughest course we face all year.”
Concordia also had two others place in the top nine on Monday. Freshman Emma Jacoby shook off a 96 in the season-opening Dordt Invite and turned in an 82 at GPAC No. 1 for an eighth-place standing. Right on her heels was teammate Kayla Krueger, a sophomore who came up with a career low of her own with an 83 (tied for ninth).
“It was an exciting day,” Muller said. “Our top three played fantastic. Amy got over the hump and finally got into the 70s. She went 39-39. Emma and Kayla had personal bests too. That was our lowest GPAC score in quite a while, definitely since I’ve been here.”
All in all, four of the five golfers in Muller’s lineup had career lows. The Nos. 4 and 5 spots were filled on Monday by freshmen Ashlen Pospisil (100) and Brenna Gnuse (105).
Ahlers, who tied for fourth in the GPAC last year as a freshman, sought to avoid the slow start she got off to last year when she carded an 89 in the first conference meet. The native of Albion, Neb., did not envision a double bogey on her first hole, but she locked in and shot four-over-par the rest of the way on Monday.
Meanwhile, Jacoby, a former Lincoln North Star standout, avoided the trouble she found herself in a week earlier at the Dordt Invite.
“We all knew she was better than the 96,” Muller said. “She was a very good player in high school. I think she just had the first tournament jitters last week. She got off to a great start today with pars on her first two holes and that helped calm her down.”
Kruger’s 83 topped her personal best of 84 at last year’s GPAC Qualifier No. 2. Krueger led Concordia last week with an 87 at the Dordt Invite.
The only two teams above Concordia heading into GPAC Qualifier No. 2 are perennial powers Dakota Wesleyan (312) and Northwestern (334). Northwestern’s Emma Wynja has the individual lead with her 76. Dakota Wesleyan’s top four players all turned in 78s and are tied with Ahlers in a tightly-grouped leaderboard.
Last season the Bulldogs made a big leap in the conference by jumping from 11th place in 2012-13 to sixth place in 2013-14. Last year Concordia carded a four-round GPAC total of 366-374-383-359–1,482.
Next up for Bulldog women’s golf is the Peru State Invite on Sunday at Table Creek Golf Course in Nebraska City, Neb. The second and final GPAC Qualifier of the fall will be held on Monday, Oct. 6 at Firethorn Golf Course in Lincoln, Neb.
Ahlers’ career best round has Bulldogs in first after day one in Sioux City
SIOUX CITY, Iowa – Amy Ahlers continues to raise the bar in her sophomore season. On Thursday the native of Albion, Neb., carded a career best 77 to put herself and the Concordia University women’s golf team in first place after day one of two at the Briar Cliff Fall Classic held at Two Rivers Golf Course in Sioux City, Iowa.
Concordia’s Thursday team total of 338 also represents a season best and broke a program record for the Bulldogs' best ever round. The previous school record was held by the 1997-98 team that carded a 352.
Concordia is 12 strokes ahead of Northwestern atop the leaderboard.
“I’m very pleased with the team performance,” head coach Brett Muller said. “The difference was having three in the 80s and one in the 70s.
“Northwestern finished second at the first GPAC qualifier so I’m sure we’ll get their best shot on Friday. We will have to play well to stay in first.”
Ahlers, who shot a 37 on her front nine and 40 on her back nine, has a five-stroke lead over both Northwestern’s Emma Wynja and Briar Cliff’s Dawn Chapman at the top. Last season Ahlers claimed medalist honors at two of the four GPAC qualifiers and is no stranger to the No. 1 position.
“She came back strong,” Muller said. “She was actually a little disappointed because she played better than her score. She had a little trouble with the putter. She missed some puts she normally makes, but both her and the team are in great position.”
Freshman Emma Jacoby, coming off a career low 80 at Sunday’s Peru State Invite, turned an 86 on Thursday to place second on the team and in a tie for fourth among the 49 golfers in the field. The rest of the lineup included sophomore Kayla Krueger (87 – 6th), freshman Ashlen Pospisil (88 – T7th) and senior Allie Schieffer (102 – T38th).
The 88 was a career low for Pospisil, a native of Norfolk, Neb.
“That’s about what we expect from Ashlen,” Muller said. “It was good to see her perform like that and hopefully it will give her confidence moving forward.”
Muller also took four competitors who played purely as individuals: freshman Brenna Gnuse (93 – T27th), seniors Jenelle Hallaert (100 – 36th) and Melissa McIntosh (108 – T45th) and freshman Lauren Sperry (120 – 49th).
The second round of the Briar Cliff Fall Classic picks up on Friday with a 10 a.m. shotgun start from the same course.
“I’m looking forward to a great day with more great weather,” Muller said.
Ahlers wins Briar Cliff Classic; Bulldogs place second
SIOUX CITY, Iowa – Sophomore Amy Ahlers pocketed another tournament win on Friday to continue what’s been an impressive young collegiate career in Bulldog blue. Ahlers took first place at the two-day Briar Cliff Fall Classic by carding a 77-83–160, fueling a rock-solid tournament for the Concordia University women’s golf team at Two Rivers Golf Course in Sioux City, Iowa.
Entering day two, the Bulldogs held a 12-stroke advantage over Northwestern atop the leaderboard. On Friday the Red Raiders (350-342–692) came back to pull even with Concordia and won the tournament based on a tiebreaker. The Bulldogs claimed second place with a two-day score of 338-354–692.
“It has been a great two days,” head coach Brett Muller said. “We’re a little disappointed we didn’t win it, but just being able to talk about being in that position shows the strides we’ve made. We had another solid score today.”
Ahlers, who hails from Albion, Neb., came into Friday’s round with a five-stroke lead over over both Briar Cliff’s Dawn Chapman and Northwestern’s Emma Wynja. Chapman ended up giving Ahlers the biggest pushing, shaving Ahlers’ lead down to just a single stroke heading into the final two holes. A par and a bogey were good enough for Ahlers to come out on top.
“She struggled a little with the putter in this tournament,” Muller said of Ahlers. “She stayed out of trouble and put herself in position so she’s playing well. She knows what she will be working on now.”
Two additional Bulldogs posted top-six finishes. Freshman Emma Jacoby equaled her 86 from Thursday and tied for fourth. Sophomore Kayla Krueger knocked one stroke off her total from the previous day with her 86 and placed sixth among the field of 49 golfers.
The lineup was rounded out by freshman Ashlen Pospisil (88-99–187, T-25th) and senior Allie Schieffer (102-110–212).
Among the four other Bulldog individuals at the tournament, freshman Brenna Gnuse stood out with her two-round 93-91–184, tying her for 23rd. Those were the top two scores of her career. The three remaining Bulldogs to compete were senior Jenelle Hallaert (100-111–211), freshman Lauren Sperry (120-115 – 235) and senior Melissa McIntosh (108), who played in Thursday’s round only.
Ahlers now has four career medalist-winning performances. Her previous first-place claims were at GPAC Qualifier No. 2 (Oct. 2, 2013), the Nebraska Wesleyan Spring Invite (April 15, 2014) and GPAC Qualifier No. 3 (April 23, 2014).
Concordia’s Thursday team total of 338 broke a program record for the Bulldogs' best ever round. The previous school record was held by the 1997-98 team that carded a 352.
Muller’s women’s golf team will close out the fall season on Monday, Oct. 6 when it competes at GPAC Qualifier No. 2. The meet will be held at Firethorn Golf Course in Lincoln.
Ahlers wins Briar Cliff Classic; Bulldogs place second
SIOUX CITY, Iowa – Sophomore Amy Ahlers pocketed another tournament win on Friday to continue what’s been an impressive young collegiate career in Bulldog blue. Ahlers took first place at the two-day Briar Cliff Fall Classic by carding a 77-83–160, fueling a rock-solid tournament for the Concordia University women’s golf team at Two Rivers Golf Course in Sioux City, Iowa.
Entering day two, the Bulldogs held a 12-stroke advantage over Northwestern atop the leaderboard. On Friday the Red Raiders (350-342–692) came back to pull even with Concordia and won the tournament based on a tiebreaker. The Bulldogs claimed second place with a two-day score of 338-354–692.
“It has been a great two days,” head coach Brett Muller said. “We’re a little disappointed we didn’t win it, but just being able to talk about being in that position shows the strides we’ve made. We had another solid score today.”
Ahlers, who hails from Albion, Neb., came into Friday’s round with a five-stroke lead over over both Briar Cliff’s Dawn Chapman and Northwestern’s Emma Wynja. Chapman ended up giving Ahlers the biggest pushing, shaving Ahlers’ lead down to just a single stroke heading into the final two holes. A par and a bogey were good enough for Ahlers to come out on top.
“She struggled a little with the putter in this tournament,” Muller said of Ahlers. “She stayed out of trouble and put herself in position so she’s playing well. She knows what she will be working on now.”
Two additional Bulldogs posted top-six finishes. Freshman Emma Jacoby equaled her 86 from Thursday and tied for fourth. Sophomore Kayla Krueger knocked one stroke off her total from the previous day with her 86 and placed sixth among the field of 49 golfers.
The lineup was rounded out by freshman Ashlen Pospisil (88-99–187, T-25th) and senior Allie Schieffer (102-110–212).
Among the four other Bulldog individuals at the tournament, freshman Brenna Gnuse stood out with her two-round 93-91–184, tying her for 23rd. Those were the top two scores of her career. The three remaining Bulldogs to compete were senior Jenelle Hallaert (100-111–211), freshman Lauren Sperry (120-115 – 235) and senior Melissa McIntosh (108), who played in Thursday’s round only.
Ahlers now has four career medalist-winning performances. Her previous first-place claims were at GPAC Qualifier No. 2 (Oct. 2, 2013), the Nebraska Wesleyan Spring Invite (April 15, 2014) and GPAC Qualifier No. 3 (April 23, 2014).
Concordia’s Thursday team total of 338 broke a program record for the Bulldogs' best ever round. The previous school record was held by the 1997-98 team that carded a 352.
Muller’s women’s golf team will close out the fall season on Monday, Oct. 6 when it competes at GPAC Qualifier No. 2. The meet will be held at Firethorn Golf Course in Lincoln.
First career tournament win boosts Jacoby to GPAC weekly recognition
SEWARD, Neb. – Freshman Emma Jacoby captured the first tournament victory of her career by claiming first place at GPAC Qualifier No. 2 on Oct. 6. On the strength of that performance, she was named the GPAC/Hauff Mid-America Sports Women’s Golfer of the Week by the conference on Wednesday. The honor is also the first of Jacoby’s career.
The native of Lincoln, Neb., finished three strokes ahead of two second-place finishers at the final conference meet of the fall season. Jacoby’s 10-over-par 81 at the difficult Firethorn Golf Club course came up just one stroke shy of her career low 80 at the Peru State Invite on Sept. 21. Heading into the spring season, Jacoby (82-81–163) sits only a single stroke off the overall lead held by teammate Amy Ahlers (78-84–162) and Dakota Wesleyan’s April Barnett (78-84–162).
On the season, Jacoby ranks second among Concordia golfers with her season average of 85.2 over five meets and six total rounds. She has three top-five tournament finishes and four top-10 placements.
As a team, Jacoby and the Bulldogs are in third place (343-367–710) in the GPAC standings with two qualifier meets remaining. They are one stroke behind second-place Northwestern (334-375–709).
First career tournament win boosts Jacoby to GPAC weekly recognition
SEWARD, Neb. – Freshman Emma Jacoby captured the first tournament victory of her career by claiming first place at GPAC Qualifier No. 2 on Oct. 6. On the strength of that performance, she was named the GPAC/Hauff Mid-America Sports Women’s Golfer of the Week by the conference on Wednesday. The honor is also the first of Jacoby’s career.
The native of Lincoln, Neb., finished three strokes ahead of two second-place finishers at the final conference meet of the fall season. Jacoby’s 10-over-par 81 at the difficult Firethorn Golf Club course came up just one stroke shy of her career low 80 at the Peru State Invite on Sept. 21. Heading into the spring season, Jacoby (82-81–163) sits only a single stroke off the overall lead held by teammate Amy Ahlers (78-84–162) and Dakota Wesleyan’s April Barnett (78-84–162).
On the season, Jacoby ranks second among Concordia golfers with her season average of 85.2 over five meets and six total rounds. She has three top-five tournament finishes and four top-10 placements.
As a team, Jacoby and the Bulldogs are in third place (343-367–710) in the GPAC standings with two qualifier meets remaining. They are one stroke behind second-place Northwestern (334-375–709).
First career tournament win boosts Jacoby to GPAC weekly recognition
SEWARD, Neb. – Freshman Emma Jacoby captured the first tournament victory of her career by claiming first place at GPAC Qualifier No. 2 on Oct. 6. On the strength of that performance, she was named the GPAC/Hauff Mid-America Sports Women’s Golfer of the Week by the conference on Wednesday. The honor is also the first of Jacoby’s career.
The native of Lincoln, Neb., finished three strokes ahead of two second-place finishers at the final conference meet of the fall season. Jacoby’s 10-over-par 81 at the difficult Firethorn Golf Club course came up just one stroke shy of her career low 80 at the Peru State Invite on Sept. 21. Heading into the spring season, Jacoby (82-81–163) sits only a single stroke off the overall lead held by teammate Amy Ahlers (78-84–162) and Dakota Wesleyan’s April Barnett (78-84–162).
On the season, Jacoby ranks second among Concordia golfers with her season average of 85.2 over five meets and six total rounds. She has three top-five tournament finishes and four top-10 placements.
As a team, Jacoby and the Bulldogs are in third place (343-367–710) in the GPAC standings with two qualifier meets remaining. They are one stroke behind second-place Northwestern (334-375–709).
Ahlers turns in day two 77; Bulldogs place second
LINCOLN, Neb. – Thanks to the brilliant play of sophomore Amy Ahlers, the Concordia University women’s golf team cut three strokes off its score from the previous round and held off Peru State College for a second-place finish at the Nebraska Wesleyan Spring Invite. The two-day tournament took place on Wednesday (Mahoney Golf Course) and Thursday (Pioneers Golf Course) in Lincoln, Neb.
Head coach Brett Muller’s squad carded a two-day total of 343-340–683 to finish above eight of its nine competitors (including all five GPAC teams) at the meet. Individually, Ahlers (82-77–159) placed third in her attempt to defend her 2014 Nebraska Wesleyan title. She finished six strokes off the leader.
“I’m very pleased with our performance for the first tournament of the semester,” Muller said. “Amy turned in her best performance of her collegiate career. We had three players in the top 10 and the 340 is our second lowest of the team score. We did a nice job expanding our lead on Peru State for second place.”
Teammates in freshman Emma Jacoby (82-85–167) and sophomore Kayla Krueger (83-84–167) also claimed top-10 finishes, tying for eighth among the field of 74 individuals. The varsity lineup was rounded out by freshmen Ashlen Pospisil (96-94–190; 38th) and Brenna Gnuse (97-98–195; T-45th).
Ahlers, currently the GPAC co-leader following the fall season, tied her career 77 that she also recorded this past fall at the Briar Cliff Classic. On Thursday Ahlers locked up her eighth career top-five tournament finish out of 16 events played since the start of her freshman season in the fall of 2013.
“She got off to a better start (on Thursday),” Muller said. “She birdied her first hole and parred her second hole. She made the turn at 38 and on her last hole got stuck behind a tree and had to punch out for bogey. She played pretty solid all the way around.”
Jacoby and Krueger have emerged as the clear Nos. 2 and 3 players in the lineup. Jacoby has already piled up five top-10 tournament claims in her first collegiate season. Despite not hitting the ball off the tee as well as she did the previous day, the Lincoln native recovered and shot a 41 over her final nine holes. Meanwhile, Krueger put up a consistent 42-42 on the day.
Muller also took two individual competitors to the Nebraska Wesleyan Invite. Freshman Lauren Sperry (102-111–213) placed 56th and senior Jenelle Hallaert (111-125–236) placed 60th.
Iowa Western Community College ran away with the team title by shooting a 312 on day 2. The Reivers had three players card scores in the 70s on Thursday.
Up next is the Doane Spring Invite at Wilderness Ridge Golf Course on April 9. The meet will provide a preview for GPAC Qualifier No. 3, which will be held April 13 at the same course.
“To beat all GPAC teams (at the Nebraska Wesleyan Invite) was a great step for us as we continue to move forward,” Muller said. “We want to run down Northwestern and finish second in the conference.”
Ahlers turns in day two 77; Bulldogs place second
LINCOLN, Neb. – Thanks to the brilliant play of sophomore Amy Ahlers, the Concordia University women’s golf team cut three strokes off its score from the previous round and held off Peru State College for a second-place finish at the Nebraska Wesleyan Spring Invite. The two-day tournament took place on Wednesday (Mahoney Golf Course) and Thursday (Pioneers Golf Course) in Lincoln, Neb.
Head coach Brett Muller’s squad carded a two-day total of 343-340–683 to finish above eight of its nine competitors (including all five GPAC teams) at the meet. Individually, Ahlers (82-77–159) placed third in her attempt to defend her 2014 Nebraska Wesleyan title. She finished six strokes off the leader.
“I’m very pleased with our performance for the first tournament of the semester,” Muller said. “Amy turned in her best performance of her collegiate career. We had three players in the top 10 and the 340 is our second lowest of the team score. We did a nice job expanding our lead on Peru State for second place.”
Teammates in freshman Emma Jacoby (82-85–167) and sophomore Kayla Krueger (83-84–167) also claimed top-10 finishes, tying for eighth among the field of 74 individuals. The varsity lineup was rounded out by freshmen Ashlen Pospisil (96-94–190; 38th) and Brenna Gnuse (97-98–195; T-45th).
Ahlers, currently the GPAC co-leader following the fall season, tied her career 77 that she also recorded this past fall at the Briar Cliff Classic. On Thursday Ahlers locked up her eighth career top-five tournament finish out of 16 events played since the start of her freshman season in the fall of 2013.
“She got off to a better start (on Thursday),” Muller said. “She birdied her first hole and parred her second hole. She made the turn at 38 and on her last hole got stuck behind a tree and had to punch out for bogey. She played pretty solid all the way around.”
Jacoby and Krueger have emerged as the clear Nos. 2 and 3 players in the lineup. Jacoby has already piled up five top-10 tournament claims in her first collegiate season. Despite not hitting the ball off the tee as well as she did the previous day, the Lincoln native recovered and shot a 41 over her final nine holes. Meanwhile, Krueger put up a consistent 42-42 on the day.
Muller also took two individual competitors to the Nebraska Wesleyan Invite. Freshman Lauren Sperry (102-111–213) placed 56th and senior Jenelle Hallaert (111-125–236) placed 60th.
Iowa Western Community College ran away with the team title by shooting a 312 on day 2. The Reivers had three players card scores in the 70s on Thursday.
Up next is the Doane Spring Invite at Wilderness Ridge Golf Course on April 9. The meet will provide a preview for GPAC Qualifier No. 3, which will be held April 13 at the same course.
“To beat all GPAC teams (at the Nebraska Wesleyan Invite) was a great step for us as we continue to move forward,” Muller said. “We want to run down Northwestern and finish second in the conference.”
Ahlers turns in day two 77; Bulldogs place second
LINCOLN, Neb. – Thanks to the brilliant play of sophomore Amy Ahlers, the Concordia University women’s golf team cut three strokes off its score from the previous round and held off Peru State College for a second-place finish at the Nebraska Wesleyan Spring Invite. The two-day tournament took place on Wednesday (Mahoney Golf Course) and Thursday (Pioneers Golf Course) in Lincoln, Neb.
Head coach Brett Muller’s squad carded a two-day total of 343-340–683 to finish above eight of its nine competitors (including all five GPAC teams) at the meet. Individually, Ahlers (82-77–159) placed third in her attempt to defend her 2014 Nebraska Wesleyan title. She finished six strokes off the leader.
“I’m very pleased with our performance for the first tournament of the semester,” Muller said. “Amy turned in her best performance of her collegiate career. We had three players in the top 10 and the 340 is our second lowest of the team score. We did a nice job expanding our lead on Peru State for second place.”
Teammates in freshman Emma Jacoby (82-85–167) and sophomore Kayla Krueger (83-84–167) also claimed top-10 finishes, tying for eighth among the field of 74 individuals. The varsity lineup was rounded out by freshmen Ashlen Pospisil (96-94–190; 38th) and Brenna Gnuse (97-98–195; T-45th).
Ahlers, currently the GPAC co-leader following the fall season, tied her career 77 that she also recorded this past fall at the Briar Cliff Classic. On Thursday Ahlers locked up her eighth career top-five tournament finish out of 16 events played since the start of her freshman season in the fall of 2013.
“She got off to a better start (on Thursday),” Muller said. “She birdied her first hole and parred her second hole. She made the turn at 38 and on her last hole got stuck behind a tree and had to punch out for bogey. She played pretty solid all the way around.”
Jacoby and Krueger have emerged as the clear Nos. 2 and 3 players in the lineup. Jacoby has already piled up five top-10 tournament claims in her first collegiate season. Despite not hitting the ball off the tee as well as she did the previous day, the Lincoln native recovered and shot a 41 over her final nine holes. Meanwhile, Krueger put up a consistent 42-42 on the day.
Muller also took two individual competitors to the Nebraska Wesleyan Invite. Freshman Lauren Sperry (102-111–213) placed 56th and senior Jenelle Hallaert (111-125–236) placed 60th.
Iowa Western Community College ran away with the team title by shooting a 312 on day 2. The Reivers had three players card scores in the 70s on Thursday.
Up next is the Doane Spring Invite at Wilderness Ridge Golf Course on April 9. The meet will provide a preview for GPAC Qualifier No. 3, which will be held April 13 at the same course.
“To beat all GPAC teams (at the Nebraska Wesleyan Invite) was a great step for us as we continue to move forward,” Muller said. “We want to run down Northwestern and finish second in the conference.”
Golf programs rewrite school records during 2014-15 season
SEWARD, Neb. – The Concordia University golf programs broke numerous school records during the 2014-15 season that saw the Bulldogs continue their improvement. Both of head coach Brett Muller’s squads set new standards for team season average. The men posted a season mean of 317.1 while the women averaged a 352.5 per round in a record-breaking campaign.
In addition, the Bulldog men broke program records for lowest four-round GPAC qualifier score (1,255 – sixth place) while also toppling records for lowest scores at six other tournaments throughout the season. Individually, senior Shawn Rodehorst finished his run as a Bulldog with a school record for lowest career average (77.68). Rodehorst also owns the program record for lowest single-season average with his figure of 75.15.
On the women’s side, Concordia also eclipsed a school record for lowest four-round GPAC score (1,424 – fifth place) and set new standards at five other tournaments. Individually, all-conference performer Amy Ahlers tied a school record for lowest season average (82.0). She shot a career best 76 at Miracle Hill Golf Course on April 17 on the way to her fifth career tournament victory.
Golf school records broken in 2014-15
Men’s Individual Records (lowest tournament/course scores)
Bethel Invite: Jared Knoepfel – 154
Nebraska Intercollegiate: Shawn Rodehorst – 150
Siouxland Invite: Shawn Rodehorst – 149
Palace City Invite: Reid Wiebe – 148
Sand Creek Station: Jared Knoepfel/Reid Wiebe – 80
Wild Oak: Shawn Rodehorst/Reid Wiebe – 73
The Ridge: Shawn Rodehorst – 69
Fremont CC: R. Otten – 69
Landsmeer: Reid Wiebe – 73
Career average: Shawn Rodehorst – 77.68
Men’s Team Records (lowest tournament/course scores)
Nebraska Intercollegiate: 628
Siouxland Invite: 621
Wild Oak: 300
The Ridge: 302
Fremont CC: 300
Landsmeer: 306
Best GPAC Score: 1,255
Season team average: 317.1
Women’s Individual Records (lowest tournament/course scores)
Wilderness Ridge: Amy Ahlers – 83
Pioneers GC: Amy Ahlers – 77
Landsmeer: Amy Ahlers – 85
Table Creek: Emma Jacoby – 80
Miracle Hill: Amy Ahlers – 76
Single-season average: Amy Ahlers – 82.0 (tied)
Women’s Team Records (lowest tournament/course scores)
Briar Cliff: 338
Doane: 353
Nebraska Wesleyan: 340
Northwestern: 361
College of Saint Mary: 344
Best GPAC score: 1,424
Best 18-hole score: 338
Season team average: 352.5
Five Bulldog golfers named all-conference
SEWARD, Neb. – After record-breaking seasons for head coach Brett Muller’s squads, a total of five Concordia University golfers were named all-conference by the GPAC on Monday. The list includes senior Shawn Rodehorst, who earned his third-consecutive all-conference award. He was joined on the team by sophomore Reid Wiebe. Meanwhile, the Concordia women placed sophomores Amy Ahlers and Kayla Krueger and freshman Emma Jacoby on the all-GPAC grouping.
Both all-conference golf teams are comprised of 15 individuals, including the top 10 performers based on cumulative GPAC qualifier scores. Five men and five women are awarded at-large all-conference recognition as voted upon by league coaches. Krueger, Rodehorst and Wiebe were at-large selections for the Bulldogs.
Rodehorst, a native of Kearney, Neb., enjoyed a record-setting career as a Bulldog. He helped make the program a contender within the conference while finishing his four-year run with program records for single-season average (75.15 as a sophomore) and career average (77.68). As a senior, Rodehorst averaged 76.4 over 11 rounds and placed 18th on the GPAC leaderboard. His highest career GPAC finish was eighth as a sophomore.
Wiebe, who hails from Sutton, Neb., tied for 16th in the GPAC with his four-round total of 75-82-82-73–312. He finished second on the team to Rodehorst in terms of lowest season average with his figure of 77.7 while playing in all 15 of Concordia’s 2014-15 rounds. His season low was a 72.
On the women’s side, Ahlers is already one of the program’s most accomplished performers. She has five career tournament wins, including two in 2014-15. Her season average of 82.0 as a sophomore equaled a program record. The native of Albion, Neb., remained in the hunt for a GPAC title going into the final qualifier before placing runner up with a four-round total of 78-84-83-85–330.
Jacoby, a native of Lincoln, Neb., won GPAC Qualifier No. 2 and ended up in a tie for seventh on the overall conference leaderboard (82-81-89-88–340). She posted a season average of 86.1 with five top-10 tournament finishes over 11 rounds in her first collegiate season.
Krueger took another step forward in her second season as a Bulldog, lowering her season average to 87.7 in 2014-15. She has garnered her first career all-conference honor after placing in a tie for 14th among GPAC golfers.
As a team, the women placed fifth in the conference (343-367-353-361–1,424) while the men finished sixth (300-312-337-306–1,255).
Ahlers and Rodehorst collect academic all-district honors
View Academic All-District selections
SEWARD, Neb. – Standouts on the course and in the classroom, Concordia University golfers Amy Ahlers and Shawn Rodehorst have both been named 2015 Capital One Academic All-District® 3 At-Large College Division first team choices, as announced by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) on Thursday.
CoSIDA: “The Capital One Academic All-District® At-Large Teams have been released to recognize the nation’s top student-athletes for their combined performances athletically and in the classroom. Capital One has been the entitlement rights holder to CoSIDA’s Academic All-America teams programs since 2011.”
Other Concordia All-District selections in 2014-15 include Brendan Buchanan (soccer), Chandler Folkerts (basketball), Jaydee Jurgensen (baseball), Adam Meirose (football), Bailey Morris (basketball), Rachel Mussell (soccer) and Melissa Stine (soccer). Folkerts was also named a second team academic All-American. Ahlers and Rodehorst are the eighth and ninth Concordia all-district picks this athletic season. Rodehorst has received the honor for the second-straight year.
Rodehorst, a native of Kearney, Neb., enjoyed a record-setting career as a Bulldog. He helped make the program a contender within the conference while finishing his four-year run with program records for single-season average (75.15 as a sophomore) and career average (77.68). As a senior, Rodehorst averaged 76.4 over 11 rounds and placed 18th on the GPAC leaderboard. The three-time all-conference performer’s highest career GPAC finish was eighth as a sophomore. Rodehorst earned his degree in business administration.
Ahlers, who hails from Albion, Neb., is already one of the program’s most accomplished performers. The two-time all-conference honoree has five career tournament wins, including two in 2014-15. Her season average of 82.0 as a sophomore equaled a program record. The elementary and special education major remained in the hunt for a GPAC title going into the final qualifier before placing runner up with a four-round total of 78-84-83-85–330.
District 3 of the College Division covers institutions in the states of Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, North Dakota, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wisconsin. At-large teams include athletes from the sports of fencing, golf, ice hockey, lacrosse, rifle, swimming, tennis, men’s volleyball and wrestling.
Academic All-District® honorees advance to the Capital One Academic All-America® Team ballot, where first-, second- and third-team All-America honorees will be selected and then released on May 27.