SEWARD, Neb. – Days after rising to the top of the podium at the Missouri Valley Invite, Hagen Heistand has earned appropriate recognition. On Wednesday (Jan. 28), the league office announced Heistand as the GPAC/Hauff Mid-America Sports Men’s Wrestler of the Week. Heistand garnered this same award in January of 2025. He is the first member of the Concordia University, Nebraska Wrestling program to be honored by the GPAC this season.
A native of Dow City, Iowa, Heistand dominated his way through the 157-pound bracket without surrendering a single offensive point at the Missouri Valley Invite. As part of his 5-0 run in Mashall, Mo., Heistand defeated two nationally ranked opponents: No. 25 Ryan Graves of Montana State-Northern and No. 12 Josey Jernegan of the University of Saint Mary (Kan.). Three of Heistand’s victories came with bonus points attached. Heistand defeated Jernegan in sudden victory, 4-1, in the championship bout. Heistand’s efforts helped lift the Bulldogs to a third-place finish as a team (best in program history at the Missouri Valley Invite). His season record now stands at 12-1.
A Business Administration major, Heistand finished last season as the NAIA national runner up at 149 pounds. Over two seasons as a Bulldog, he has posted a combined record of 32-5. Heistand transferred to Concordia via Campbell University.
Next up for select Bulldogs will be Saturday’s Dave Edmonds Open hosted by Morningside. Many of Concordia’s starters will wait until GPAC Day of Duals No. 2 on Feb. 7 for a return to action. Head Coach Josh Watts’ squad sports a 5-1 (4-1 GPAC) season dual record.