SEWARD, Neb. – Not since hosting the 2016 GPAC Championships has the Concordia University Wrestling program put on such a large event. Friedrich Arena will be the place to be on Saturday when the Concordia Bulldog Duals will unfold. The Concordia University Wrestling team will be one of eight squads on hand for a series of 16 duals that will begin at 10 a.m. CT.
Fans will be allowed to be present at the event. Fans who plan to be in attendance are strongly encouraged to purchase advance tickets online: https://www.cune.edu/athletics/tickets. Tickets will also be sold at the door, provided capacity limits (25 percent) have not be reached via online sales. Fans are required to wear face coverings when inside Friedrich Arena.
Concordia Bulldog Duals: Full Schedule (PDF)
Saturday, Dec. 19 | 10 a.m.
Friedrich Arena | Seward, Neb.
Live Results: Track Wrestling
Webcast (select matches; no charge): Concordia Sports Network
Commentator: Aaron Swayze
Competing Teams
*Number of nationally-ranked wrestlers in parentheses
Arizona Christian University (1)
Concordia University (2)
No. 18 Doane University (6)
No. 12 Montana State University–Northern (6)
Morningside College (1)
Oklahoma Wesleyan University (0)
Texas Wesleyan University (2)
Williams Baptist University (5)
Concordia Schedule (times approximate)
10 a.m. – vs. Oklahoma Wesleyan
11:30 a.m. – vs. Arizona Christian
1 p.m. – vs. Montana State–Northern
2:30 p.m. – vs. Texas Wesleyan
Head Coach Levi Calhoun’s squad carries an overall dual record of 2-2 (2-1 GPAC) into the weekend’s action. While making their first home appearance of 2020-21 last week, the Bulldogs fell by a score of 28-12 at the hands of Morningside. Concordia eked out four individual wins by decision, courtesy of junior Mario Ybarra (141), freshman Jeaven Scdoris (149), junior Issiah Burks (157) and freshman Jacob Telles (285). Most notably, Burks earned a victory over John Diener, ranked 13th in the NAIA at 149 pounds. Meanwhile, Ybarra (8-1) has won eight-straight matches since a defeat to begin the season.
According to the preseason NAIA poll released in November, the top teams at the Concordia Bulldog Duals are 12th-ranked Montana State University–Northern and 18th-ranked Doane. A total of 23 nationally-ranked wrestlers reside on the rosters of the competing teams. That group includes three NAIA top-rated wrestlers: Nick Kunz (MSUN) at 125, Baterdene Boldmaa (Doane) at 141 and Isaac Bartel (MSUN) at 197. Six of the eight teams in the field are listed under “receiving votes” in the national poll. A new set of national rankings is scheduled to be released by the NAIA on Thursday.
Eight Bulldogs have recorded at least five wins this season: Jacob Telles (16-4), Issiah Burks (12-5), Mason Garcia (11-5), Mario Ybarra (8-1), Jeaven Scdoris (8-7), TJ Huber (8-8), Jose Sanchez (6-6) and Carter Willis (5-10). Entering this week, Ybarra is ranked third in the NAIA at 133 pounds. Ybarra and Gabe Crawford (165) were ranked first in the GPAC to begin the season. The NAIA is slated to release new conference ratings today (Dec. 15).
The Concordia Bulldog Duals will serve as the final outing of 2020. After New Year’s, Concordia will look forward to competing at the Hastings College Cusatis Open on Saturday, Jan. 9.