Winter 94-95 Cobber Sports Seasons Wrap-Up

 

It's been an exciting and rewarding winter sports season at Concordia. The Cobber men's basketball team returned to the MIAC playoffs for the first time since 1987. Women's basketball recorded their 21st consecutive winning season and advanced to the NCAA tournament for a record 13th consecutive time.

Five Cobbers earned indoor track all-America honors, including a national title in the shot put. The hockey and wrestling teams wereeach led by two all-MIAC underclassmen. And five Cobber student-athletes captured Academic All-MIAC honors.

Men's Basketball Returns to Playoffs

The Cobber men posted an 18-7 record, 15-5 and tied for second in the MIAC, and advanced to the MIAC playoffs for the first time since 1987. Fourth-year coach Duane Siverson saw his first recruiting class cap their senior years with the second most wins in Cobber history, including an overtime win at Moorhead State.

The team set Cobber season records for scoring (86.4 per game) and field goal shooting (51.2%) while leading the league in rebounding, scoring, shooting percentage and defense. Only a 72-67 playoff loss to St. John's kept the Cobbers from a first ever NCAA tournament bid. Brett Inniger '95, Fargo, N.D., who earned his second All-MIAC award, scored 20.6 points per game, set the school career 3-point field goal record with 133, and also was named to the MIAC All-Defensive team.

Brad Keenan '95, Moorhead, Minn., returned from life in baseball's minor leagues to finish his degree and All-MIAC basketball honors. He averaged 15 points per game, set the Cobber career rebound record (544), and shot a school-record 64.9% from the field, 6th best in the nation. Matt Northrop '96, Omaha, Neb., earned Academic All-MIAC honors by averaging 8 points and 4 rebounds and maintaining his 3.3 GPA in Health and Physical Education.

Kurt Motschenbacher '95, Glyndon, Minn., averaged 12 points per game to cap a career that totaled 831 points, 16th best in Cobber history.

Women's Basketball Posts 20-7 Season

Third-year coach Bob Kohler ran his career MIAC record to 49-11 with a 16-4 season in league play. The Cobbers finished third in the MIAC and advanced to the NCAA tourney for a record 13th consecutive year. After defeating Bethel 54-50 in the NCAA first-round game, the Cobbers finished their 20-7 season with a loss to league-champion St. Ben's. Ann Merhkens '97, Goodhue, Minn., was named All-MIAC on the strength of her team-leading 13.2 points and 8.4 rebounds per game.

Jody Tulibaski '96, Pennock, Minn., followed up on last fall's All-MIAC volleyball season with All-MIAC basketball honors. Jody averaged 11 points and 5.6 rebounds.

Jennifer Hale '95, Worthington, Minn., closed her career as a four-year starter with a third Academic All-MIAC award on the strength of her 786 career points, 436 career rebounds, and a 3.74 GPA in Biology.

Banks Wins Men's NCAA Shot Put Title

The improving Cobber men's indoor track team, under 2nd-year coach Garrick Larson, finished 7th in the MIAC championship meet and then brought home an individual national championship in the shot put. Aaron Banks '96, Lynd, Minn., repeated as the MIAC indoor shot titleist and then went on to capture the National Division III shot put crown March 11 with a toss of 54'4.5". One week later he extended his school record in the shot with a toss of 57'6" in the season's third indoor meet in the Olson Forum. Banks earned a second All-America award at indoor nationals with a toss of 54'7" to finish 6th in the 35-pound weight. To cap off his exceptional indoor season, Banks, who carries a 3.28 GPA in Biology, was named Academic All-MIAC.

Bob Drobinski '95, Inver Grove Heights, Minn., captured the MIAC triple jump title with a leap of 44'8" and earned Acadeimc All-MIAC honors as well, maintaining a 3.86 GPA in Economics.

Berntsen Leads Women's Track to 3rd

Concordia women's track and field, under the direction of 4th year coach Marion Strand, placed 3rd at the MIAC Indoor Championship Meet and then saw their 4 x 400 relay team earn All-America honors at Nationals. Tracy Berntsen '95, Hermantown, placed 2nd in the 400 at the MIAC, 3rd in the 55 meter hurdles, 4th in the 200, and anchored the 4 x 400 relay team to 1st in an MIAC-record 4:00.98. She also earned Academic All-MIAC honors for a third time with her 3.59 GPA in Math. Berntsen then led her 4 x 400 relay team to 4th place at the NCAA Division III Nationals in Ada, Ohio on March 10th. Joining her in earning Indoor All-America honors were her relay teammates Britt Jacobson '98, Wales, N.D., Michele Haugen '97, Alexander, N.D., and Mollee Ludtke '98, Albert Lea, Minn. Ludtke, in addition to her relay duties, also finished first at the MIAC meet in the 600 meter run and took second in the 800

Hockey Starts Fast, Ends 7th in MIAC

The Cobber hockey team, under 9th year head coach Steve Baumgartner, opened the season with a win over Division II Bemidji State and four straight MIAC wins. But injuries and youthfulness contributed to a fade as the season progressed. The Cobbers ended 6-17-2 overall, 5-9-2 and seventh in the MIAC.

Greg Salvevold '97, Moorhead, Minn., was named All-MIAC after leading the Cobbers in scoring with 13 goals and 12 assists.

Ryan Johnson '97, Brainerd, Minn., was named All-MIAC as the Cobbers' top defenseman. He also scored 3 goals and had 12 assists.

Wrestlers Finish 5th at MIAC

Doug Perry, Concordia's 4th year head wrestling coach, worked with an expanded roster in the new Olson Forum wrestling room and came away with two All-MIAC wrestlers and a 5th place finish at the MIAC Meet. Kevin Jackson '97, Chicago, Ill., earned All-MIAC honors at 126 pounds with a 3rd place finish at the MIAC. Joey Richman '98, Harlem, Mont., placed third and earned All-MIAC honors in the heavyweight division.

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