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 |

1984 Football

After a strong victory over cross-town rival Moorhead State University in the first annual Crystal bowl, the 1984 Cobber football team finished the season in seventh place in the MIAC with a 3 - 5 - 1 record, a 4 - 5 - 1 record overall. Stuart Alger was named the team’s most valuable player and was named to the all-conference team. Todd Shierkolk and Howard Heisler received all-conference honorable mention.

The football team included Jeff Sawyer, Neil Fuller, Reid Christopherson, Mickey Shumaker, Stuart Stangeland, David Stover, Randy Cramer, Mike Twedt, Brett Larson, Lance Stover, Jon Hegre, Kurt Waters, Mark Wright, Mike Palosaari, Kurt Muesing, Darren Kessler, Gregg Kruse, Paul Rihiluoma, Wayne Hansmann, Craig Emerson, Kent Kuball, Dale McCullough, Brian Durkop, Steve Ringdahl, Mike Borgen, Dave Urness, Mike Enslin, Russ Winkels, Mike Mills, Rob Jorstad, Todd Grages, Craig Sawyer, Jay Schultz, Joe Savageau, Tim Bellon, Greg Shiffleu, Paul Holland, Dion Warne, Tom Ohlgren, Scott Troen, Paul Haugo, Kent Diehl, Scott Knutson, Peter Naugle, Allen Larson, Keith Schleeter, Chris Bonnell, Davin Heyd, Joel Anderson, Steve Emerson, Rob Bye, Doug Wanous, Matt Appleby, Todd Johnson, Shannon Farley, Al Haugo, Chris Nellermoe, Craig Seaberg, Jim Cleveland, Tim Adair, Lee Carlson, Steve Schmitz, Tim Pillar, Mark Kratzke, Don Klatt, Steve Donnelly, Chuck Miller, Craid Sommer, Jim Southwick, Mike Schriner, Mike Malmberg, Jon Fisher, Bruce Winter, Mike Meroens, Lee Drum, Stuart Alger, Gary Jamison, Harry Teaster, Tony Paul, Scott Swedin, Rodney Thompson, Mark Durkop, Howard Heisler, Sheldon Anderson, Shawn Anderson, Todd Schierkolk, Jon Freeman, Paul Miller, Brian Leines, Dan Hauer, Erik Olson, Mark Kindem, Mark Jondahl, Tim Kruse, Keith Youngberg, David Nelson, Todd Hauge, Murray Smith, Mark Spangrud, and Mark Thornton.

Scores for the season were:
Concordia 17 Moorhead State 14
Concordia 15 Hamline 26
Concordia 22 Macalester 23
Concordia 10 Gustavus 6
Concordia 40 Bethel 8
Concordia 9 St. John’s 13
Concordia 14 St. Thomas 44
Concordia 10 St. Olaf 10
Concordia 3 Carleton 14
Concordia 31 Augsburg 15

The MIAC football standings were:
Hamline 8 - 0 - 1
Gustavus 6 - 2 - 1
St. Thomas 6 - 2 - 1
St. John’s 6 - 3
St. Olaf 4 - 3 - 2
Macalester 4 - 5
Augsburg 3 - 5 - 1
Concordia 3 - 5 - 1
Bethel 0 - 9

1984 Soccer

One of the best teams on the Cobber campus does not compete on the varsity level. The 1984 men’s soccer team finished a very successful season with an impressive 6 - 0 record, including wins over NDSU and Moorhead State. Under the guidance of co-captains Rod McCutcheon and Steen Gilbertson, the team held its own practices and covers its own expenses.

Soccer players were John Eidum, Khalid Yaakoub, Rod McCutheon, Jon Fuglestad, Knut Kummeneje, Scott Larson, Don Xaba, Bjorn Berge, Bernard Maucort, Fred Hausmann, Steen Gilbertson, Gregg Heppner, Greg Hanson, and Randy McCutheon.

1984 Cross Country

The 1984 cross-country team, coached by Paul Frederickson, finished in eighth place at the MIAC conference meet. Henrik Pedersen from Norway placed fifth overall and was named to the all-conference team. At the NCAA Division II Regional meet, the Cobber men finished 12th out of 16 teams, with Pederson placing ninth and qualifying for the national meet.

Those on the cross-country team were Mike Pederson, Henrik Pedersen, Paul Beck, Curt Mathisen, Peter Langer, and Tom Idstrom.

1984-85 Golf

Concordia’s 1984 men’s golf team finished third out of l l teams at the MIAC tournament. John Eidsness was the team coach. Golfers were Paul Sletten, Paul Stageberg, Tom Fuglestad, Lance Butner, Tom Price, Marc Beulke, and Dave Melin.

During the season, the men placed fifth out of 11 teams at the Erv Kaiser Invitational in Fargo, and sixth out of 12 teams at both the Bemidji State Invitational and the St. John’s Invitational. A first-place finish at the Valley City Invitational was the team’s best performance.

1984-85 Basketball

John Eidsness’ Running Cobber Basketball Team for the 1984 - 1985 season ended up in seventh place in the MIAC conference with a 9 - 11 record, and a 13 - 12 record overall. Brad Willis was named to the all-conference team while Dan Douglas and Darrel Pederson received honorable mention.
On the team were Kevin Thimjon, Karl Camrud, Dan Douglas, Dave Holland, Dave Rund, Doug Orham, Scott Haakenson, Mike Dreyer, Tim Wahlin, Tim Swenson, Rod Taylor, Brady Odom, Mike Schwartz, and Marv Eberling.

The season’s results were:
Concordia 96 UM- Morris 63
Concordia 62 Moorhead State 66
Concordia 67 Hamline 65
Concordia 73 St. Thomas 75
Concordia 75 Moorhead State 67
Concordia 83 Gustavus 89
Concordia 51 St. John’s 69
Concordia 64 UW - Superior 55
Concordia 81 Sioux Falls 79
Concordia 74 St. Mary’s 75
Concordia 80 St. Olaf 71
Concordia 69 Carleton 47
Concordia 55 Augsburg 63
Concordia 61 Bethel 62
Concordia 96 Macalester 70
Concordia 60 St. John’s 62
Concordia 67 Hamline 73
Concordia 99 St. Thomas 64
Concordia 77 Gustavus 80
Concordia 57 St. Mary’s 59
Concordia 76 St. Olaf 71
Concordia 69 Carleton 65
Concordia 75 Augsburg 87
Concordia 87 Bethel 75
Concordia 83 Macalester 71

Final standings in the conference were:
Augsburg 18 - 2
Hamline 14 - 6
St. John’s 13 - 7
St. Mary’s 13 - 7
Gustavus 12 - 8
St. Thomas 12 - 8
Concordia 9 - 11
Bethel 8 - 12
St. Olaf 8 - 12
Carleton 2 - 18
Macalester 1 - 19

1984-85 Hockey

Although the 1984 - 1985 Cobber hockey team finished the season with a disappointing 3 - 13 conference record and overall 6 - 20 record, Coach Al Rice felt that the team still had several high points with some outstanding performances. Mark Rice was named to the MIAC all-conference team, while Larry Goos, Todd Thompson, and Brian Johnston were accorded honorable mention honors. Captains were Shawn Anderson, Bart Grafstrom, Steve Nornes, and Sam Bakken.

Besides these players, the team included Dave Swanberg, Andy Mack, John Stensgard, Brad Bergstrom, Brad Lacomy, Ron Clark, Todd Thompson, Clayton Wiffen, Shawn Lund, Bruce Elson, Kirk Arnold, John Breyer, Mike Burkel, Ryan Bakke, John Arbogast, Brian Johnston, Guy Distad, Craig Tietz, Colin Kerslake, Randy Roth, and Joe Snipper.

Hockey results were:
Concordia 3 NDSU   6
Concordia 6 St. Cloud 5
Concordia 5 St. Olaf 4
Concordia 5 St. Thomas 9
Concordia 5 Augsburg 6
Concordia 4 Hamline 6
Concordia 6 Hamline 3
Concordia 5 NDSU   4
Concordia 6 Augsburg 5
Concordia 3 Augsburg 7
Concordia 0 NDSU   5
Concordia 1 St. Olaf 4
Concordia 6 St. Olaf 7
Concordia 4 Gustavus 6
Concordia 2 Gustavus 9
Concordia 5 St. Mary’s 10
Concordia 9 St. Mary’s 12
Concordia 4 St. Thomas 5
Concordia 4 St. Thomas 8
Concordia 2 Bemidji State 12
Concordia 4 Bethel   8
Concordia 1 Bethel   10
Concordia 1 Bemidji State 12
Concordia 6 St. John’s 10
Concordia 8 St. John’s 7
Concordia 2 St. Cloud State 9

Conference results were:
St. Thomas 12 - 2
Bethel 11 - 5
Gustavus 11 - 5
St. Mary’s 11 - 5
Augsburg 9 - 7
St. John’s 5 - 11
St. Olaf 5 - 11
Concordia 3 - 13

1984-85 Wrestling

The 1984 - 1985 wrestling team was led by senior Jeff Neil who won the MIAC conference title for the third consecutive year and was voted the conference outstanding wrestler for the second time. Paul Donner and Paul Morlock also won conference titles and the three wrestlers qualified for the NCAA Division III tournament.

Coach Finn Grinaker, who started the wrestling program at Concordia, retired as head coach at the end of the season after 30 years at the helm. Under Grinaker, the Cobbers produced a dual meet record of 190 - 157 - 7 and finished third or better in the MIAC 23 times. During those years the Cobbers produced 18 all-Americans, a three-time national champion Barry Bennett, four national runners-up, 49 conference champions and 12 most outstanding MIAC tournament wrestlers. Assistant Coach Ron Nellermoe assumed the head coaching duties the following year.

Wrestlers on the squad were Neal Mobraten, Gary Parenteau, Todd Risa, Jeff Neil, Darren Glynn, Mike Poore, Paul Donner, Brett Larson, Greg Nellermoe, Tom Raedeke, Dave Erickson, Ryan Haaland, Mark Kratzke, Steve Emerson, Paul Morlock, and Fred Knudsvig.

1985 Baseball

Coach Don “Bucky” Burgau’s 1985 baseball team had an excellent season, finishing on top of the MIAC conference race with a 15 - 5 record, 23 - 12 - 1 overall. This was the second conference championship for the team, the first coming in 1962. Named to the all-conference team were Ray Brekke, Timothy Anderson, Kent Kuball, Greg Toivonen, and Joel Smith. Anderson also received the Max Morlock Most Valuable Player Award, which goes to one player in the MIAC. Kuball and Smith were also named all-district players.

Those on the squad were Tim Anderson, Ray Brekke, Kent Kuball, Craig Sawyer, Paul Hanson, Eric Jacobson, Doug Kovash, Mark Rice, John Riewer, John Stearns, Greg Toivonen, Randy Cramer, Jay Harter, Colin Kerslake, Todd Larson, Shawn Lund, Steve Rohloff, Joel Smith, Steve Smith, Chad Swanson, Mark Wright, Al Hanson, Kevin Hiedeman, Todd Johnson, Dan Leer, Scott Lundy, Doug Napierala, Malcolm Neill, Drew Nelson, Scott Oeffling, David Przymus, Jeff Sawyer, and Vance Zuehlsdorff.

Game scores were:
Concordia 2 Northern State 4
Concordia 11 Northern State 3
Concordia 4 UM - Duluth 2
Concordia 6 UM - Duluth 3
Concordia 5 Winona State 15
Concordia 2 Winona State 8
Concordia 1 NDSU   13
Concordia 16 UND   3
Concordia 11 UND   1
Concordia 9 Minot State 0
Concordia 11 Minot State 7
Concordia 0 Valley City State 3
Concordia 4 Valley City State 5
Concordia 5 UM - Morris 0
Concordia 6 UM - Morris 10
Concordia 8 Bethel   1
Concordia 12 Bethel   3
Concordia 7 St. Thomas 6
Concordia 13 St. Thomas 5
Concordia 5 St. Mary’s 7
Concordia 5 St. Mary’s 8
Concordia 6 Hamline 1
Concordia 6 Hamline 5
Concordia 14 Carleton 1
Concordia 10 Carleton 3
Concordia 9 Augsburg 3
Concordia 2 Augsburg 8
Concordia 5 NDSU   5
Concordia 9 St. Olaf 10
Concordia 3 St. John’s 0
Concordia 6 St. John’s 3
Concordia 18 Macalester 6
Concordia 16 Macalester 0
Concordia 13 Gustavus 2
Concordia 11 Gustavus 13
Concordia 5 St. Olaf 1

At the end of the season, the conference standings in baseball were:
Concordia 15 - 5
St. Olaf 15 - 5
St. Mary’s 14 - 6
Augsburg 13 - 7
St. Thomas 13 - 7
Gustavus 12 - 8
Hamline 9 - 11
St. John’s 8 - 12
Bethel 5 - 13
Macalester 2 - 14
Carleton 2 - 18

1985 Tennis

The tennis team in the spring of 1985 had a won-lost dual meet record of 14 - 9 and finished in 7th place in the MIAC conference meet. Bob Nick was the team coach. On the tennis team were Scott Engum, Vic Youngs, Tom Johnsrud, Cory Lell, Dave Vandersteen, Leif Johnson, Tyler Johnson, Tom Ness, Dan Vandersteen, Todd Webb, Eric Ziegler, Dan Larson, and Mike Patzla.

Scores in the season’s matches were:
Concordia 6 Moorhead State 3
Concordia 8 NDSU   1
Concordia 9 Valley City 0
Concordia 4 UM - Duluth 5
Concordia 2 St. Olaf 7
Concordia 1 Carleton 8
Concordia 9 UM - Morris 0
Concordia 7 Northern State 2
Concordia 8 Moorhead State 1
Concordia 9 Hamline 0
Concordia 2 St. John’s 7
Concordia 9 St. Mary’s 0
Concordia 0 Gustavus 9
Concordia 3 Macalester 6
Concordia 7 NDSSS 2
Concordia 7 NDSU   2
Concordia 0 UND   9
Concordia 0 St. Thomas 9
Concordia 9 Bethel   0
Concordia 8 S. Dakota Tech 1
Concordia 9 Minot State 0
Concordia 6 Valley City State 3
Concordia 6 Northern State 3

1985 Track

The men’s track team in 1985 closed their season with a sixth place finish in the conference meet and sent three to the NCAA Division III national meet — Kurt Waters, who placed fifth in the pole vault, Daniel Flauer, hurdles and Henrik Pedersen, steeple chase.

The track team included Mike Palosaari, Todd Finlayson, Henrik Pedersen, Craig Bohall, Steve Schmitz, Keith Zander, Are Hestvedt, Jim Lundstrom, Jon Efraimson, Jason Ness, Nick Newton, Tom Bowman, Kurt Waters, Pete Walker, John Torvik, Mark Durkop, Pete Langer, Jay Jorgenson, Terry Carr, Jeff Grasto,Al Haugo, Keith Schleeter, Chuck Miller,John Faust, Michael Scott, Sheldon Anderson, and Nate Lund. Doug Perry was the team’s coach.

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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.