After an idle two weeks, the Concordia University wrestling team returns to action this weekend. The defending GPAC champion Bulldogs are readying to visit Dakota Wesleyan for a dual at 6 p.m. CT on Friday (Nov. 13) before competing in the Dakota Wesleyan open on Saturday (Nov.14) at 9 a.m. CT.
In action at York College for the second day in a row, Concordia's tournament yields included 31 total individual wins (18 via pin) and a 133-pound title for Mario Ybarra.
The top half of the Concordia lineup struggled before four Bulldogs picked up wins in their debuts in navy and white. Ultimately, York College won the season opening dual, 30-19.
The Concordia University Wrestling team returns to action this weekend. The defending GPAC champion Bulldogs are readying to visit York at 7 p.m. CT on Friday and Saturday (Oct. 30-31). The dual will be the first action for both squads this season.
In terms of athletic and academic achievement, Mario Ybarra stands out among Bulldogs who make up a perennially strong wrestling program. He's ready to take the lead and make another big step forward.
The great heights reached by the Concordia Wrestling program mean that expectations are always high. Gabe Crawford and Mario Ybarra are the leaders of a youthful roster.
An accomplished collegiate wrestler, Concordia University graduate Ceron Francisco continues to chase his dreams on the mat while also coaching within the GPAC.
The defending GPAC champions are looking ahead to the 2020-21 season. The new slate has been announced for head coach Levi Calhoun's program, which begin the campaign on Oct. 30.
The National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) has named senior Darrin Miller and sophomore Mario Ybarra as 2019-20 Scholar All-Americans. Both Bulldogs represented the program at the national tournament.
During a championship 2019-20 season, Coach Levi Calhoun's squad swept GPAC regular-season and tournament titles, sent eight qualifiers to nationals and placed 15th in the NAIA.
Rarely, if ever, has success been set on a tee for Jerry Stepps III to smash out of the ballpark. Rather, it’s been quite the opposite in some cases. It never stopped Jerry from dreaming big or making it big as a senior.
Ceron Francisco will go down as an all-time great Bulldog for the way he has handled himself on and off the mat. A national runner up back in March, Ceron is headed to Charlottesville to join the Cavalier Wrestling Club.
Kirk Kaliszewski and two other national qualifiers return for a wrestling program looking to continue a run of GPAC dominance and national prominence. The Bulldogs will have a different look with 18 newcomers.
In the first season of head coach Andrew Nicola's tenure, the Concordia wrestling program maintained its perch atop the conference and the senior class went out in style.
Ceron Francisco has gone from a fascination – largely because of his stature and physical appearance separated him – to an obvious fan favorite and to one of the most respected student-athletes at Concordia.
This isn’t exactly the way Ken Burkhardt Jr. planned it. First recruited to Concordia as a linebacker on the football team, Burkhardt Jr. has become an accomplished wrestler and owner of the most wins in program history.
As Kodie Cole himself puts it, "I might have a little different story than others." There's a lot of story left to be told for Cole, who has taken a winding path to being ranked No. 1 in the nation at 133 pounds.
Concordia University wrestling has a new leader in Andrew Nicola, but expectations remain sky high. Behind a talented senior class, the Bulldogs are again the favorite in the GPAC and in the region.
Andrew Nicola, most recently an assistant coach at California Baptist University, has been hired as head wrestling coach at Concordia University. He takes the place of former head coach Dana Vote.
- ← Previous
- 1
- 2
- 3 (current)
- 4
- Next →