SEWARD, Neb. – Continued dominance on the mat has led to another accolade for senior Ken Burkhardt Jr. On Wednesday (Dec. 28), the Milford native was named the GPAC/Hauff Mid-America Sports Wrestler of the Week. Burkhardt Jr. has garnered two of the last three GPAC weekly awards. As a team, the Concordia wrestling program has claimed 10 of the last 17 conference wrestler of the week honors.
Burkhardt Jr.’s latest recognition stems from his efforts at the Oklahoma City Duals (Dec. 19), where he went 3-0 with all three wins coming via major decision. The two-time All-American cruised past Wayland Baptist University’s (Texas) eighth-ranked Riley Williams, 11-1, at the Oklahoma City Duals. Ranked second in the NAIA at 197 pounds, Burkhardt Jr. owns a season record of 19-5 and a career mark of 105-53.
The 13th-ranked Bulldogs are now 5-2 overall this season. Their season will resume on Jan. 5-6 at the National Duals in Fort Wayne, Ind., the hometown of first-year head coach Andrew Nicola.
Concordia GPAC wrestlers of the week (last two seasons)
2016-2017
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