Concordia Sports - The First 100 Years by Finn Grinaker

"Concordia Men's Sports - The First One Hundred Years"
by Vernon Finn Grinaker
| Return to Index | Chapter 1 | 1903-1921 | 20's | 30's | 40's | 50's | 60' | 70's | 80's | 90's |
Chapter 9-- The 80's

| 1980-1981 | 1981-1982 | 1982-1983 | 1983-1984 | 1984-1985 | 1985-1986 | 1986-1987 | 1987-1988 | 1988-1989 | 1989-1990 |

1982 Football

Losses by the 1982 Cobber football team in its final games against St. John’s and Gustavus kept them from earning a fifth -straight MIAC title and a playoff bid. The Cobbers finished the season in a three-way tie for second place with a 6 - 2 conference record and a 7 - 3 record overall. The team averaged over 400 yards per game. Seven team members were named to the all-MIAC team, Kevin Arndt, Joe Gotta, Doug McMillan, Dan Olson, David Roen, Mark Tommerdahl, and Reid Christopherson.

A season highlight for Jim Christopherson, who just completed his 14th year as head coach, was his 100th win, the homecoming victory over Mankato State University.

Scores for the season were:
Concordia 9 Moorhead State 30
Concordia 23 Augsburg 0
Concordia 39 St. Olaf 11
Concordia 36 Macalester 0
Concordia 27 Mankato State 0
Concordia 28 Bethel 0
Concordia 2 Hamline 0
Concordia 42 St. Thomas 29
Concordia 10 St. John’s 14
Concordia 23 Gustavus 26

Conference standings were:
St. John’s 8 - 0
St. Thomas 6 - 2
Gustavus 6 - 2
Concordia 6 - 2
Hamline 5 - 3
Augsburg 2 - 6
Bethel 2 - 6
Macalester 1 - 7
St. Olaf 1 - 7

The 1982 roster included Shawn Anderson, Neil Fuller, Reid Christopherson, Craig Sawyer, Stuart Stangeland, Ron Rasmus, Alan Klingbeil, Howard Berglund, Jeffrey Rodin, Lance Stover, Jon Hegre, Jeff Myaer, Brad Rasmus, Dave Vandersteen, Dan Olson, John Pratt, Paul Riihiluoma, Wayne Hansmann, Bob Michaelson, Kent Kuball, Scott Sheldon, Steve Ringdahl, Matt Appleby, Jim Lee, Mark Davies, Nelson Rotto, Rod McKeag, Marshall Boline, Joe Savageau, Kevin Arndt, Mark Redemske, John Solheim, Ryan Haaland, Mark Larson, Paul Samuelson, Dan Hertel, Dave Borchard, Scott Knutson, Rich Michaelson, Mark Anderson, Davin Heyd, Steve Emerson, Robert Bye, Charles Nelson, James Desai, Allan Haugo, Roger Lindahl, Todd Ruppert, Jim Cleveland, Tim Scott, Ron Baglien, Scott Schultz, John Teeling, Jon Gadberry, Gary Gilbert, Mark Tommerdahl, Doug McMillan, Steve Thompson, Donnie Klatt, Bruce Winter, Kris Lahren, Lee Crum, Stuart Alger, Harry Teaster, Tony Paul, Craig Simmons, Eric Ness, Tom Shepley, Howard Heisler, Mitch Hofstedt, Dave Roen, Peter Seljevold, Dave Anderson, Joe Gotta, Brad Peterson, Brian Leines, Jeff Olson, Craig Brandeen, Mike Hoganson, Roe Hasse, Mark Nelson, Mark Spangrud, and Mark Thornton.

1982 Cross Country

The 1982 cross-country team, under Coach Paul Frederickson, tied for fifth place at the MIAC meet with nine schools and achieved an eighth-place finish out of 19 at the NCAA Division III regional meet. Sophomore Hans Henrik Pedersen from Norway was the men’s top performer in the conference and regional meets, placing 19th and 26th respectively.

Cross-country team members included Mike Pederson, Chris Miller, Dave Link, Dave Johnson, Peter Fagerland, Hans Henrik Peterson, Blair McNea, and Clay Loeffler.

1982-83 Golf

John Eidsness’ 1982 golf team had hoped to repeat as the MIAC conference champions, but it was not to be as three of its top five players had graduated. The Cobbers took fourth place in the conference meet with Gary Martinson earning all-MIAC status by finishing in second place. Freshman Paul Stageberg shot a hole in one at the St. John’s Invitational at the Owatonna Country Club.

1982-83 Basketball

The 1982 - 1983 Cobber basketball team won its second straight MIAC crown in 52 years. Concordia chalked up a 14 - 4 conference record and ended 17 - 8 overall in regular season play. The Cobbers earned a berth in the NAIA District 13 playoffs, winning their first game against Southwest State University, Marshall, Minnesota, and losing to St. John’s University in the final game.

Garrett Byrne and Ricky Simpson were named to the all-conference team. John Eidsness was named MIAC Coach of the Year for the second consecutive year. On the roster were John Reiwer, Bob Nelson, Robert Booker, Craig Wolhowe, Mich Moser, Brad Willis, Ricky Simpson, Dale Moe, Kurt Larson, Soren Haugen, Garrett Byrne, Kerry Nelson, and Jon Eide. Bill Quenette and Duane Siverson were the assistant coaches.

Results for the season were:
Concordia 68 Bethel   59
Concordia 61 Macalester 59
Concordia 64 Gustavus 59
Concordia 78 St. Olaf 65
Concordia 75 St. John’s 63
Concordia 87 St. Thomas 84
Concordia 70 Augsburg 59
Concordia 69 St. Mary’s 68
Concordia 54 Hamline 56
Concordia 68 Bethel   63
Concordia 71 Mayville State 86
Concordia 62 Valley City State 68
Concordia 82 Moorhead State 68
Concordia 79 Bemidji State 98
Concordia 56 Moorhead State 55
Concordia 50 Macalester 42
Concordia 84 Gustavus 72
Concordia 90 St. Olaf 75
Concordia 53 St. John’s 56
Concordia 78 St. Thomas 71
Concordia 70 St. Mary’s 67
Concordia 55 Augsburg 59
Concordia 45 Hamline 52
Concordia 72 St. Scholastica 56
Concordia 64 Duluth   65
Concordia 100 SW State 88
Concordia 70 St. John’s 84

Standings in the conference at the end of the season were:
Concordia 14 - 4
Augsburg 12 - 6
Bethel 12 - 6
St. John’s 12 - 6
St. Thomas 10 - 8
Macalester 8 - 10
Gustavus 7 - 11
Hamline 7 - 11
St. Mary’s 5 - 13
St. Olaf 3 - 15

1982-83 Hockey

The 1982-1983 Cobber hockey team, coached by Al Rice, was in a building year with only one senior on the squad. They finished the season with an overall 9 - 18 record, and 6 - 10 in the conference. Andy Odegaard, David Swanberg, and Lonnie Vatnsdal were the bright spots on the team accounting for 57 goals and 52 assists among them.

On the roster were Steve Little, Jim Pelowski, Jon Rutar, Tony Klangher, Mel Bailey, Andy Odegaard, Steve Nornes, Shawn Anderson, John Stensgard, Mark Parker, Lonnie Vatnsdal, Craig Shaw, Tom Strinden, Mike Pitsenberger, Lyndell Vatnsdal, John Latterell, Sam Bakken, Scott Engum, Dave Noah, Dave Swanberg, Mike Berg, Chip Ammerman, David Larson, Jeff Bergom, Todd Johnson, Gary Bergos, Reid Christopherson, Eric Dahlgren, Andy Mack, Brent Pietsch, Gary Tolkinen, and Mark Vatnsdal.

Scores for the season were:
Concordia 1 Bemidji State 4
Concordia 6 Gustavus 8
Concordia 5 Augsburg 7
Concordia 6 St. John’s 5
Concordia 4 St. Cloud State 2
Concordia 3 St. Scholastica 4
Concordia 6 St. Scholastica 2
Concordia 2 Bemidji State 9
Concordia 5 U of Manitoba 7
Concordia 3 U of Manitoba 8
Concordia 3 Bethel 7 Forfeited
Concordia 4 Bethel 9 Forfeited
Concordia 5 St. Olaf 6
Concordia 4 St. Olaf 5
Concordia 7 St. Mary’s 9
Concordia 12 St. Mary’s 8
Concordia 3 St. Cloud State 5
Concordia 3 Hamline 4
Concordia 5 Hamline 4
Concordia 9 St. John’s 3
Concordia 1 St. Thomas 9
Concordia 3 St. Thomas 7
Concordia 3 Augsburg 11
Concordia 1 Augsburg 9
Concordia 11 St. John’s 7
Concordia 4 Gustavus 5
Concordia 7 Gustavus 8

Conference standings were:
St. Thomas 14 - 2 - 0
Augsburg 13 - 3 - 0
Gustavus 12 - 4 - 0
St. Olaf 10 - 5 - 1
Concordia 6 - 10 - 0
St. Mary’s 5 - 10 - 1
St. John’s 4 - 12 - 0
Hamline 4 - 12 - 0
Bethel 3 - 24 - 0

1982-83 Wrestling

The 1982 - 1983 wrestling team had a successful season under Coach Finn Grinaker, with senior Malcolm “Molly” McLeod leading the way. Molly was selected for all-America honors by both the NCAA Division III and the NAIA. The honors were given in recognition of his second- and fifth-place finishes in their respective national tournaments. This year marks the fourth year he has received the NCAA award and the first time he has earned the NAIA honor.

The ten wrestlers on the Concordia team combined efforts to take second place in the MIAC meet behind Augsburg College. Jeff Neil earned a share of the Carl Larson Memorial Trophy, an award given to outstanding wrestlers in the conference meet. As a team, the Cobbers tallied an 8 - 6 dual meet record for the season.

Concordia took 15th place in a field of 78 squads participating in the NCAA Division III Midwest Regional Tournament. Molly McLeod and Wade Christensen both won in their weight classes and Paul Morlock took second at 190 lbs. McLeod went on to finish second in the national tournament.
Wrestlers on the squad were: Brad Bateman, Jim Cleveland, Wade Christensen, Pat Emerson, Steve Emerson, Mark Gadberry, Bob Hasse, Fred Knutsvig, Wayne Lunke, Neal Mobraten, Murdick McLeod, Molly McLeod, Paul Morlock, Greg Nellermoe, Jeff Neil, Scott Putz, Jim Ridge, Harry Teaster, and Mike Werner.

Results for the season were:
St. Cloud State Tournament: 8th place out of 16 teams
North Country Invitational: 3rd place out of 10 teams (Molly McLeod 1st)
All-Lutheran Tournament: 4th place out of 7 teams (Paul Morlock 1st)
MIAC Conference Meet: 2nd place out of 8 teams (Jeff Neil, Paul Morlock, Molly
McLeod, 1st)
Concordia 18 Valley City State 28
Concordia 0 NDSU   55
Concordia 35 Gustavus 24
Concordia 21 St. John’s 22
Concordia 27 Moorhead State 25
Concordia 32 Bemidji State 33
Concordia 8 Augsburg 40
Concordia 48 Hamline 10
Concordia 6 UND   37
Concordia 18 St. Thomas 26
Concordia 27 Westmor 21
Concordia 51 St. Olaf 6
Concordia 40 Carleton 14
Concordia 25 Bethel   20

1983 Baseball

Coach Bucky Burgau’s 1983 baseball team had a good year finishing third in the MIAC with a 12 - 6 record and an overall record of 20 - 14. The team extended their season an extra three games when they were invited to participate in the NCAA Division III Midwest Regional Tournament at Oshkosh, Wisconsin. There the Cobbers lost twice in three games during the double elimination playoff. Pitcher Stephen Anderson and Mark Nelson were named the team MVP’s. Nelson, Anderson, and Brent Helmeke were named to the all-conference baseball team.

The scores for the season were:
Concordia 3 Benedictine 7
Concordia 2 Emporia 16
Concordia 4 Emporia 6
Concordia 16 Valley City State 1
Concordia 2 NDSU   7
Concordia 5 Minot State 1
Concordia 0 Minot State 5
Concordia 12 NDSU   6
Concordia 7 Mayville State 2
Concordia 13 Hamline 4
Concordia 7 Hamline 1
Concordia 4 Mayville State 7
Concordia 7 Mayville State 3
Concordia 4 Bethel   0
Concordia 12 Bethel   4
Concordia 5 St. John’s 4
Concordia 4 St. John’s 0
Concordia 3 Augsburg 7
Concordia 3 Augsburg 2
Concordia 3 St. Thomas 6
Concordia 2 St. Thomas 5
Concordia 8 St. Olaf 7
Concordia 11 St. Olaf 10
Concordia 10 NDSU   5
Concordia 6 Moorhead State 5
Concordia 4 Gustavus 5
Concordia 1 Gustavus 0
Concordia 12 Macalester 1
Concordia 11 Macalester 0
Concordia 7 St. Mary’s 8
Concordia 1 St. Mary’s 4
Concordia 3 Otterbein 8
Concordia 13 Washington U. 7
Concordia 4 UW - Oshkosh 5

On the baseball roster were Steve Anderson, Dave Anderson, Jon Ahrndt, Doug Fick, Brent Helmeke, Greg Schmid, Dan Schroeder, Will Stearns, Guy Gilbert, Howard Berglund, Dan Hertel, John Kost, Craig Simmons, Mark Nelson, Craig Smith, Tim Anderson, Ray Brekke, Kent Kuball, Craig Sawyer, Dan Solbrack, Keith Farnick, John Stearns, Tim Flom, Doug Kovash, Kevin Hansen, Paul Hanson, and Eric Jacobson.

1983 Track

In 1983 John Osland took over the reins as coach of the track team. Two athletes, Howard Berglund and David “Buzz” Dahl, competed in the NCAA Divison III track meet. Berglund placed seventh in the javelin with a throw of 198'2", after winning the javelin at the conference meet. Dahl placed 15th in the pole vault in the nationals and set a new record at the conference meet with a vault of 14'11". The team finished in sixth place in the conference meet.

On the team were Paul Yetter, Jay Myers, Jeff Block, Ron Baglien, Andy Mack, Todd Finlayson, Kevin Benson, Brad Bateman, Jim Bellefeuille, Dave Swanberg, Doug Haugen, Greg Enerson, Henrik Pedersen, Clay Loeffler, John Landgaard, Mark Larson, Matt Harris, Godwin Segbefia, Pete Seljevold, Dan Hauer, Gil Irey, Ron Rasmus, Nate Lund, and Phil Elkin.

1983 Tennis

Highlights for the 1983 tennis team were wins over NDSU (twice), U of M-Morris, and MSU. The Cobbers were 14 - 6 for the season and placed fifth in tournament action at the conference championship. Finishing the year with the best record on the team was David Eidsmoe, who was 15 - 3.
Playing for Concordia were Wayne Rice, Andy Odegaard, David Eidsmoe, Vic Youngs, Scott Engum, Paul Lysne, Steve Storm, Tom Johnsrud, Al Klingbeil, Jim Baker, Cory Lell, and John Paulson.

Match results were:
Concordia 8 Augustana 1
Concordia 9 Hamline 0
Concordia 9 NDSU   0
Concordia 6 SDSU   3
Concordia 9 Valley City State 0
Concordia 4 Northern 5
Concordia 8 Moorhead State 1
Concordia 4 St. Thomas 5
Concordia 8 Moorhead State 1
Concordia 1 St. John’s 8
Concordia 2 Gustavus 7
Concordia 1 St. Olaf 8
Concordia 6 St. Mary’s 3
Concordia 8 Macalester 1
Concordia 9 Bethel   0
Concordia 7 NDSU   2
Concordia 4 Northern 5
Concordia 8 Minot State 1
Concordia 9 Valley City State 0
Concordia 7 UM - Morris 2

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These pages are maintained by Jerry Pyle - pyle@cord.edu and Finn Grinaker - cgrinaker@juno.com. These pages are copyrighted © and may not be published or reproduced without the express permission of Finn Grinaker.