SEWARD, Neb. – The first dual of the 2024-25 Concordia University, Nebraska Wrestling season is set for Wednesday in Fremont, Neb. The Bulldogs will go head-to-head with Midland in action that kicks off the GPAC dual season. The whistle is set to go off at 7:30 p.m. CT on Wednesday from the Wikert Event Center.
Concordia vs. Midland
Wednesday, Nov. 6 | 7:30 p.m. | Wikert Event Center (Fremont, Neb.)
Webcast: https://www.gpacnetwork.com/
Head Coach Josh Watts made his Concordia debut this past Saturday as he took 18 wrestlers to the Luther Hill Invitational hosted by NCAA Division III Simpson University. Bulldog competitors combined for 37 wins and 14 place finishes (10 that were either first or second place). Both Bryce Karlin (133) and Tommy Wentz (165) emerged from their respective weight classes with Luther Hill Invite championships. Karlin was particularly impressive in pinning each of his three opponents. Concordia held back three of its nationally ranked wrestlers.
There were four Bulldogs who appeared in the NAIA preseason national ratings (as shown below). Those individuals are Creighton Baughman (10th at 141), Hagen Heistand (25th at 157), Tommy Wentz (18th at 165) and Mason Garcia (17th at 285). Baughman is the GPAC’s top-rated wrestler at 141 pounds while Heistand (a transfer from Campbell University) landed second in the conference at 157 pounds. Eleven Concordia competitors are ranked at the conference level.
The Bulldogs finished the 2023-24 season with an 8-7 overall dual mark (3-5 GPAC). The conference wins came against Midland, 45-6, Hastings, 41-9, and Northwestern, 33-11. Concordia has won each of the past six duals against the Warriors, who went 0-8 last season in conference duals. Midland is guided by Head Coach Doyle Trout, who is in his second season at the helm of the program. In the initial GPAC ratings, three Warriors appeared: Trevin Arlt (141), Colton Horne (184) and Nate McDonald (184).
2024-25 Concordia Preseason Ratings
125: Gabe Lujan – GPAC Rank: 5th
133: Grant Wells – GPAC Rank: 6th
141: Creighton Baughman – GPAC Rank: 1st | NAIA Rank: 10th
157: Hagen Heistand – GPAC Rank: 2nd | NAIA Rank: 25th
157: Brent Ward – GPAC Rank: 6th
165: Tommy Wentz – GPAC Rank: 3rd | NAIA Rank: 18th
165: Cole Price – GPAC Rank: 5th
174: Barret Brandt – GPAC Rank: 5th
184: Hunter Weimer – GPAC Rank: 3rd
197: Collin Schwartzkopf – GPAC Rank: 5th
285: Mason Garcia – GPAC Rank: 4th | NAIA Rank: 17th
2024-25 Midland Preseason Ratings
141: Trevin Arlt – GPAC Rank: 6th
184: Colton Horne – GPAC Rank: 4th
184: Nate McDonald – GPAC Rank: 6th
Following Wednesday’s dual, the Bulldogs will shift their focus back to tournament action. Concordia is slated to compete at Saturday’s Dakota Wesleyan Open in Mitchell, S.D., where wrestling will get underway at 9 a.m. CT. The next dual on the schedule is set for Nov. 22 at Hastings.