SEWARD, Neb. – Foster Bunce produced the biggest upset win of last week’s dual with Hastings. In response, the GPAC has named him the conference’s wrestler of the week, as announced on Wednesday (Feb. 15). This marks the first time in Bunce’s career that he has garnered GPAC weekly recognition. As a team, the Concordia wrestling program has claimed 12 of the last 24 GPAC wrestler of the week awards.
Bunce was one of eight Bulldogs to record wins in the 28-6 team triumph over Hastings. Concordia completed a 7-0 run through the conference dual season and captured the outright GPAC title for the third-straight season. At 141 pounds, Bunce defeated fourth-ranked Christian Mesa of Hastings. A native of Munith, Mich., Bunce turned a one-point deficit into a one-point lead in the final seconds of the bout with a takedown.
Ranked as the No. 5 141-pounder in the NAIA North Group, Bunce sports an overall record of 11-8 this season. His career record if 48-36. He is one of 12 grapplers for head coach Andrew Nicola’s squad that will be in action Saturday at the NAIA North Group Qualifier in Crete, Neb. The top-three finishers in each weight class earn automatic bids to the national championships.
Concordia GPAC wrestlers of the week (last two seasons)
2016-2017
Feb. 15 – Foster Bunce
Jan. 25 – Ceron Francisco
Dec. 28 – Ken Burkhardt Jr.
Dec. 14 – Ken Burkhardt Jr.
Nov. 16 – Ceron Francisco
2015-2016
Feb. 16 – Jr Lule
Feb. 9 – Andrew Schulte
Feb. 2 – Ceron Francisco
Jan. 26 – Jr Lule
Jan. 12 – *Andrew Schulte
Jan. 5 – Andrew Schulte
*NAIA national wrestler of the week