Hagen Heistand and Creighton Baughman headlined day one of the NAIA Wrestling Championships for the Bulldogs on Thursday. Head Coach Josh Watts’ squad ends the first two sessions with 11.5 team points (18th place).
Concordia is set to take its largest group of qualifiers to nationals since 2020. The field includes returning qualifiers Creighton Baughman and Mason Garcia. Brackets were announced on Feb. 28.
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.
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.
- 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.
Featured StoryFor Concordia Wrestling, the past couple of seasons have been about following the lead of standouts Mario Ybarra and Jacob Telles and building towards a return to conference supremacy. The Bulldogs believe they made steps forward this winter.
- Featured Story
All-American Mario Ybarra and GPAC champion Jacob Telles return to form the backbone of a Concordia Wrestling program now led by first-year Head Coach Myron Bradbury. Bradbury has the task of bringing along a young team.
Featured StoryIt wasn't always easy in 2020-21 considering all that the program dealt with, but the season may have been an important one for growth and reflection. It also ended with Mario Ybarra on the podium.
Featured StoryIn 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.
Featured StoryThe 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.
Featured StoryAn accomplished collegiate wrestler, Concordia University graduate Ceron Francisco continues to chase his dreams on the mat while also coaching within the GPAC.
Featured StoryDuring 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.
Featured StoryIn his short time as a Concordia athlete, Farmer produced something that will never be forgotten, even if he did come up just a bit short of the ultimate goal. What he achieved was about more than winning wrestling matches.
Featured StoryIt was a big season for the likes of Deandre Chery, Alberto Garcia and Michael Stann, who helped lead the Bulldogs to a GPAC dual title in 2018-19. Garcia then found his way onto the All-America podium.
Upcoming Events
Wrestling
GPAC Wrestling ChampionshipsOrange City, IowaWrestling
GPAC Wrestling ChampionshipsOrange City, IowaWrestling
NAIA Wrestling National ChampionshipsPark City Arena | Park City, Kansas
