Ceron Francisco has left a lasting impression upon Concordia and its wrestling program. The heavyweight from Fayetteville, N.C., finished as a national runner up. Teammate Ken Burkhardt Jr. also earned All-America honors.
Ken Burkhardt Jr. and Ceron Francisco are in pursuit of national titles at the 2017 NAIA Wrestling National Championships. The two senior stars have helped the Bulldogs land at No. 15 nationally heading into Saturday.
A group of nine Bulldogs will take to the mats at the Kansas Expocentre in Topeka, Kan., for the 2017 NAIA Wrestling National Championships. Three of Concordia's qualifiers are returning All-Americans.
Featured StoryCeron 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.
The GPAC champion Bulldogs raked in honors from the conference on Wednesday. Ceron Francisco collected GPAC wrestler of the year accolades and Andrew Nicola was named the conference coach of the year.
Ceron Francisco and Kirk Kaliszewski captured NAIA North Qualifier tittles while leading Concordia to its third-straight North/GPAC tournament championship. The Bulldogs outgunned Morningside by 10 team points.
Concordia wrestling has already locked up a GPAC dual three-peat. Now it hopes to win the NAIA North Group Qualifier for the third year in a row. Twelve Bulldogs will compete in Crete at the regional event on Saturday.
Foster Bunce upset No. 4 Christian Mesa last week while helping Concordia to its third-straight outright GPAC dual championship. In response, the GPAC named Bunce its wrestler of the week.
For the third-straight year, the Concordia University wrestling program has won the outright GPAC dual title. The Bulldogs dominated Hastings, 28-6, on Thursday as they celebrated senior night.
The 11th-ranked Bulldogs hope to lock up an outright GPAC dual championship for the third-straight season when they honor 11 seniors as part of Thursday night's clash with Hastings. Concordia has won 20-straight GPAC duals.
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 StoryIt'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.
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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 StoryAfter 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.
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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 StoryThe 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.
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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.
