A group of six Bulldogs from the Concordia Wrestling program earned GPAC All-Conference accolades. First team honors went to Creighton Baughman and Hagen Heistand.
Creighton Baughman rose to the top of the podium at 141 pounds and the Bulldogs placed third in the GPAC while earning eight auto bids to nationals. Concordia tallied 149.5 team points.
As day one concluded, Concordia Wrestling positioned itself nicely. The Bulldogs advanced eight wrestlers to the GPAC Championships semifinals and currently reside in second place in the team race.
Another academic honor came the way of Creighton Baughman, who was named a 2024-25 NAIA Scholar-Athlete. Baughman is a two-time Scholar-Athlete and two-time NCWCA Scholar All-American.
Following a week off from competition, Concordia Wrestling carries momentum into the 2025 GPAC Championships. Twelve Bulldogs will compete at Hastings in hopes of adding to the program's 19 individual GPAC championships.
With three dominant wins at GPAC Day of Duals No. 2, the Bulldogs climbed into a tie for second place in the final league standings. Concordia defeated Northwestern, Briar Cliff and Waldorf on Saturday (Feb. 8).
Concordia's final three GPAC duals of the 2024-25 season will take place in Mitchell, S.D., on Saturday. The 19th-ranked Bulldogs are preparing to face Northwestern, Briar Cliff and Waldorf.
Four Bulldogs placed at the illustrious Missouri Valley Invite at the two day tournament on Saturday. Over 50 teams showed at the Burns Athletic Complex as Head Coach Josh Watts’ squad claimed a sixth place finish with 100 total points.
Creighton Baughman and Hagen Heistand advanced to their bracket semifinals on a day that saw Concordia Wrestling show significant progress. The Bulldogs reside in the top five of the Missouri Valley Invite after day one.
For his dominant 149-pound title at the Denker Open, Concordia junior Hagen Heistand has been named the GPAC Wrestler of the Week. Heistand owns a season record of 10-1.
Featured StoryThe first year of Josh Watts’ tenure proved to be an unquestionable success. Many markers reached by the Bulldogs had not been achieved since 2020. The season ended with two Concordia wrestlers reaching the podium.
Featured StoryThe hiring of Josh Watts in July set in motion a whirlwind pre-fall semester stretch that saw Concordia Wrestling tidy up and fortify a 2024-25 roster that put the pieces together during an impressive second semester.
- Featured Story
It's a new era for Concordia Wrestling under Head Coach Josh Watts. The program welcomes back its three national qualifiers while adding nine freshmen and seven transfers to the mix.
Featured StoryUnmistakable for his physical stature and larger-than-life presence, Ceron Francisco captivated the Concordia University, Nebraska campus and left a legacy that went beyond the results on the mat.
- Featured Story
When peeling back the layers that made up the 2023-24 Concordia University Wrestling season, the program’s progress becomes more evident. The Bulldogs believe they have laid a foundation for future success.
Featured StoryTattooed just above Creighton Baughman’s right knee is the word “SAVED” in all caps. Says the accomplished Baughman, "'Saved' was always the word that came to mind when I think of the transformation that finding new faith has done for me."
- Featured Story
After surprising many outsiders last season, Concordia Wrestling believes it is equipped for greater successes in 2023-24 as Head Coach Chase Clasen enters his second year leading the program. National qualifier Creighton Baughman sets the tone in the room.
- Featured Story
Concordia Wrestling made a statement in the way that it exceeded expectations in 2022-23. In Chase Clasen's first season as head coach, the Bulldogs shrugged off their preseason GPAC placement of sixth and equaled a school record for dual wins in a season.
- Featured Story
The trials, the tribulations and six years of grinding made Issiah Burks' stunningly dominant GPAC championship run that much sweeter. The Hemet, Calif., native has seized his one last chance to reach the national championships.
- Featured Story
Head Coach Chase Clasen has entered the picture after the Bulldogs placed sixth at the GPAC tournament in back-to-back years. The 2022-23 roster features veterans with something to prove and a talented group of newcomers.
Upcoming Events
Wrestling
Friends Falcon OpenPark City, KansasWrestling
Dakota Wesleyan OpenMitchell, South DakotaWrestling
vs.
Hastings College
Concordia UniversityFriedrich ArenaSeward, Neb.
