CSP announces 2024 Concordia Athletic Hall of Fame inductees

The 10 inductees for 2024 form CSP’s 20th Hall of Fame class

8.1.24

By: Josh Deer & Patrick Rydeen

ST. PAUL, Minn. - Concordia University has announced the Athletic Hall of Fame induction class of 2024. The 10 new members in the 20th Concordia Athletic Hall of Fame class include: Geoff Bray (Baseball), Matthew Eicheldinger (Track & Field), Kayla Koenecke (Volleyball), Amanda (Konetchy) Bloomer (Volleyball), Kyle Marxhausen (Men’s Basketball), Mark “Lunch” McKenzie (Baseball & Athletic Administration), Candace (Olstad) Dudley (Women’s Basketball), John Pimental (Track & Field & Football), Jonathan Smothers (Soccer & Baseball) and Nate Thienes (Track & Field & Football).

This year’s class represents eight different sports led by three selections from the track & field program, two each from volleyball, baseball, and football, along with one member from women’s basketball, men’s basketball, men’s soccer, and athletic administration. This year's class also features three dual-sport selections and a dual-designation selection.

The 2024 Concordia St. Paul Athletic Hall of Fame class will be officially inducted at the Athletic Hall of Fame brunch during Homecoming 2024 weekend on Saturday, September 28, at 9 a.m. on the St. Paul campus at the Buenger Education Center (BEC). Tickets to the brunch are limited but available on the CSP homecoming registration website.

The 10 new members represent the 20th induction class to the Athletic Hall of Fame, dating back to its origination in 1992. The Hall of Fame now has 161 members.

Concordia began sponsoring four-year college athletics in 1967-68, competing as a junior college and high school (academy) from its founding in 1893 until that time. Until 1999, CSP was known as the Comets and competed as members of the NAIA before its transition to NCAA Division II with membership in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) starting in the 1999-2000 academic year through the present day.

MEET THE 2024 ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME INDUCTION CLASS

After beginning his collegiate career at South Dakota State, Geoff Bray returned home to make an immediate impact on the mound in two impressive seasons at Concordia.

The Minnetonka, Minnesota native helped the program reach new heights in his first year on campus, with the Golden Bears delivering their best-ever NSIC regular season finish, taking second while setting a new school record with 29 wins in 2005.

Bray was a jack of all trades in year one as he compiled a 6-2 record with a pair of saves to go along with a 3.53 ERA in 58.2 innings to earn All-NSIC First Team honors.

It was more of the same in year two as CSP matched their previous year's record with a mark of 29-12 to finish third in the league, while Bray upped his record to 7-2 while adding NSIC All-Tournament Team recognition to go along with his second straight All-NSIC First Team selection.

Bray matched his success on the field with success in the classroom as he became the program's first-ever CSC (then ESPN The Magazine) Academic All-District pick in addition to garnering a spot on the NSIC All-Academic Team.

After earning a kinesiology degree, Bray has gone on to become the owner and managing broker of Engel & Völkers Minneapolis, a reputable and thriving business specializing in both residential and commercial real estate.

At the heart of Geoffrey's life is his family and faith. As a devoted husband to Jessica (Lucia) Bray, BA ‘07, and father to Gianna, Bennett, and Donald, he places immense value on family time, ensuring that his loved ones remain his top priority. His wife, Jessica, was a standout for the Golden Bears volleyball program and was elected to the Concordia Athletic Hall of Fame in 2018. They reside in Minnetonka.
Career Awards
All-NSIC First Team (2005, 2006)
NSIC All-Tournament Team (2006)
ESPN Academic All-District (2006)
NSIC All-Academic (2006)
CSP Records
1st - career shutouts (5)
1st - season shutouts (3, 2005)
2nd - career fewest walks per nine innings (1.60)
t-2nd - season shutouts (2, 2006)
4th (at time of graduation, now 10th) - career earned run average (3.70)
t-4th - season wins (7, 2006)
t-4th (at time of graduation, now 6th) - career complete games (10)
5th - season fewest walks per nine innings (1.24)
5th (at time of graduation, now 10th) - season innings pitched (65.1, 2006)
Career & Season Stats
Career 13-4 record with two saves and a 3.70 ERA over 23 appearances
Career 91 strikeouts and 22 walks in 124.0 innings
Career opponent average of .260 over his two seasons
Contributed an ERA of 3.86 or lower and six wins or more in both seasons on campus
An eight-time NSIC Champion on the track, Matt Eicheldinger was a consistent contributor over his four seasons with Golden Bear track and field.

The Montrose, Colorado native made his presence known from day one on campus as he scored points in all eight NSIC Championship meets he competed in, never placing below fifth as an individual.

In his freshman season, he grabbed his first three NSIC crowns, helping a star-studded 4x400m relay group to victory in both the indoor and outdoor seasons while also picking up his first individual title in the indoor 400m.

It was more of the same in 2007 as the 4x400m relay team repeated as conference champions in both indoor and outdoor to go along with an indoor 4x100m relay win. That season, he also joined forces with the CSP Hall of Fame trio of Adrian Perryman, BA ‘07, MBA ‘18, Kyle Warren, BA ‘07 and Kawaskii Bacon, BA ‘09 to set a school record in the sprint medley relay that still stands today.

Over his final two seasons on campus, Eicheldinger went back-to-back as NSIC Champion in the indoor 800m to bring his career total to eight.

In addition to his impact on the track, Eicheldinger was also involved in other ways on campus, including serving as a guitarist and singer for one of the weekly student-led worship bands. He was also presented with the "Honoree for Outstanding Accomplishments in the College of Education" award upon graduation.

Since earning his Bachelor’s degree in elementary education and Master’s degree in educational leadership, he spent over a decade teaching sixth grade, primarily reading and writing, in the metro area. In 2023, Eicheldinger went on leave from teaching to pursue his author career after he released his debut middle-grade novel Matt Sprouts and The Curse of The Ten Broken Toes (March, 2024). The book became an instant New York Times Bestseller, and has sent Eicheldinger across the country for speaking engagements and author visits. He is set to release four more books in the next year, including two more in the Matt Sprouts series. Eicheldinger lives in Bloomington with his wife, Briana, and their two daughters.
Career Awards
Four-time NSIC Champion in the 4x400m Relay (2006 indoor, 2006 outdoor, 2007 indoor, 2007 outdoor)
Two-time NSIC Champion in the 800m (2008 indoor and 2009 indoor)
NSIC Champion in the 400m (2006 indoor)
NSIC Champion in the 4x100m Relay (2007 indoor)
Five-time All-NSIC in the 800m (2007 indoor, 2008 indoor, 2008 outdoor, 2009 indoor, 2009 outdoor)
Four-time All-NSIC in the 4x400m Relay (2006 indoor, 2006 outdoor, 2007 indoor, 2007 outdoor)
All-NSIC in the 400m (2006 indoor)
All-NSIC in the 4x100m Relay (2007 outdoor)
Golden Bear Award winner (2007)
CSP Records
1st - indoor 500m (1:05.76)
1st - sprint medley relay (3:25.01)
1st (at time of graduation) - 800m (1:55.48)
Career & Season Stats
Scored in each NSIC Championship during his career
Reached the finals and never finished below fifth in any event at the NSIC Championships
Had a career-best point total in the 2007 NSIC Indoor Championships (1st in 4x400m relay, 2nd in 800m, 3rd in 400m)
Put up second-best total in the 2008 NSIC Outdoor Championships (1st in 4x400m relay, 1st in 4x100m relay, 4th in 400m)
One of the most dominant and versatile athletes in program history, Kayle Koenecke played a starring role in guiding the Golden Bear volleyball team to four consecutive NCAA Division II Championships during her time on campus.

In her four years in navy and gold, Koenecke helped Concordia to an incredible 134-13 record to go along with a 75-5 mark in NSIC play and a 24-0 mark in NCAA Tournament action while CSP extended their unprecedented run to seven straight titles.

An efficient and explosive weapon on the right side, the Delano, Minnesota native is one of two players in school history to put up over 1,400 kills and 1,400 digs as she finished her career in third in kills and sixth in digs at Concordia. She also held the top spot in both single-season and career attack percentage upon graduation.

Joining a program coming off back-to-back-to-back national championships, Koenecke contributed to the program’s third consecutive perfect conference slate en route to another NCAA title and AVCA All-America Third Team honors as a freshman.

Koenecke took a big step forward in year two as she became the first player in program history to put up a .400 attack percentage, earning her her first of three straight AVCA All-America honors while the team made it five titles in a row.

Following another season with a title and a First Team All-America pick as a junior, she raised the bar again with career bests virtually across the board in her senior campaign to garner unanimous All-America First Team recognition and a fourth championship in a row.

Koenecke matched her success on the court with success in the classroom as she claimed Academic All-America Second Team honors as a senior as well as multiple Academic All-District and NSIC All-Academic selections.

Upon graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Marketing, she moved to Denver to pursue coaching at Metropolitan State University of Denver, where she also earned a Master of Professional Accountancy. Koenecke then returned home to the Golden Bear volleyball program to coach for one season before starting her career at Gradient Financial Group. She currently serves as Project Director for the Corporate Communications marketing department.

Koenecke resides in Maple Grove with her corgi, Murphy.
Career Awards
Four-time NCAA Champion
Three-time AVCA All-America First Team (2011, 2012, 2013)
Daktronics All-America First Team (2013)
Daktronics All-America Second Team (2012)
AVCA All-America Third Team (2010)
Daktronics All-America Third Team (2010)
Four-time AVCA All-Region First Team (2010, 2011, 2012, 2013)
Three-time Daktronics All-Region First Team (2010, 2012, 2013)
Four-time All-NSIC First Team (2010, 2011, 2012, 2013)
CSC Academic All-America Second Team (2013)
Two-time CSC Academic All-District First Team (2012, 2013)
Three-time NSIC All-Academic (2011, 2012, 2013)
Four-time NCAA All-Tournament Team (2010, 2011, 2012, 2013)
Three-time NCAA Central Region All-Tournament Team (2011, 2012, 2013)
Colorado Premier Challenge MVP (2013)
Four-time Colorado Premier Challenge All-Tournament Team (2010, 2011, 2012, 2013)
NSIC All-Tournament Team (2013)
CSP Records
1st (at time of graduation, now 2nd) - career attack percentage (.392)
1st (at time of graduation, now 4th) - season attack percentage (.410, 2013)
3rd (at time of graduation, now 4th) - career kills (1663)
3rd (at time of graduation, now 6th) - season attack percentage (.400, 2011)
4th - career matches played (147)
4th (at time of graduation, now 7th) - season attack percentage (.396, 2012)
5th (at time of graduation, now 6th) - career points (1950.0)
6th (at time of graduation, now 8th) - career digs (1424)
6th (at time of graduation, now t-9th) - career service aces (127)
Career & Season Stats
One of seven members of the 1,000/1,000 club with 1,663 kills and 1,424 digs
Career 3.39 kills per set and 2.90 digs per set
Career .392 hitting percentage on 3,356 attempts
Career 429 assists, 284 total blocks and 127 service aces
Career 51 double-doubles
Hit over .350 in all four seasons, including a nation-leading .410 in 2013
Averaged 3.48 kills or more and 2.68 digs or more in her last three seasons
One of just two four-time D2CCA All-America First Team selections for the program, Amanda (Konetchy) Bloomer guided a potent Golden Bear offense to four NCAA Division II Volleyball Championships during her career.

Tasked with filling the shoes of 2020 CSP Hall of Fame inductee Maggie McNamara, BA ‘10, Bloomer didn’t miss a beat as she led the nation in assists per set in all four seasons on campus, finishing her career as the NCAA DII leader in total assists and assists per set in the 25-point scoring format. She holds three of the top nine single-season assists per set averages in that format.

Concordia compiled a staggering record of 134-13 overall, with a 75-5 record in conference action and a perfect 24-0 record in the NCAA Tournament over her four years at CSP.

Bloomer burst onto the scene in 2010 as she led the team to their fourth of seven straight championships, earning AVCA National Freshman of the Year honors in the process.

She followed it up with another nation-leading setting season in her sophomore campaign. She orchestrated an offense that also led the nation in attack percentage, leading to a second title and her first of three consecutive AVCA All-America First Team selections.

Bloomer raised the bar even higher as the Concordia offense improved their attack percentage by .010 or more in each of her last three seasons, culminating in a program-best mark of .343 in her senior season. In addition to adding two more national championships and two more First Team All-America picks, Bloomer added a pair of NSIC All-Academic honors and a spot on the CSC Academic All-District Team in 2013.

After earning her degree in marketing from CSP, she has held executive assistant positions, managed marketing teams, managed many projects for Fortune 500 companies, and started her own physical therapy business with her husband.

She resides in Chanhassen with her husband, Ben, and their daughter, Ashlynn.
Career Awards
Four-time NCAA Champion
AVCA National Freshman of the Year (2010)
Four-time Daktronics All-America First Team (2010, 2011, 2012, 2013)
Three-time AVCA All-America First Team (2011, 2012, 2013)
AVCA All-America Second Team (2010)
Four-time Daktronics All-Region First Team (2010, 2011, 2012, 2013)
Four-time AVCA All-Region First Team (2010, 2011, 2012, 2013)
NSIC Freshman of the Year (2010)
Four-time All-NSIC First Team (2010, 2011, 2012, 2013)
CSC Academic All-District (2013)
Two-time NSIC All-Academic (2012, 2013)
Four-time NCAA All-Tournament Team (2010, 2011, 2012, 2013)
Four-time NCAA Central Region All-Tournament Team (2010, 2011, 2012, 2013)
NSIC All-Tournament Team (2013)
Two-time Colorado Premier Challenge All-Tournament Team (2011, 2013)
AVCA National Player of the Week (2013)
15-time NSIC Setter of the Week
CSP Records
1st (in 25-point scoring format, 3rd overall) - career assists (6189)
1st (in 25-point scoring format, 3rd overall) - career assists per set (13.08)
2nd (in 25-point scoring format, 7th overall) - season assists (1660, 2012)
3rd (in 25-point scoring format, 9th overall) - season assists per set (13.23, 2013)
3rd (at time of graduation, now 5th) - career service attempts (1891)
4th (in 25-point scoring format, 10th overall) - season assists (1584, 2010)
Career & Season Stats
NCAA Division II leader in total assists (6189) and career assists per set (13.08) in the 25-point scoring format
Led the nation in assists per set in each of her four seasons, averaging 12.85 or more in each
Ranks fourth (2013), sixth (2012), ninth (2010) and 14th (2011) in assists per set in NCAA history in the 25-point scoring format
Career 988 digs (2.09 per set), 123 kills, 120 total blocks and 110 service aces
Guided the offense to an attack percentage over .300 in all four seasons, including nation-leading marks in 2011 and 2013
Reached 50+ assists in 32 career matches
A key performer during the winningest three-year run in Concordia men’s basketball history, Kyle Marxhausen culminated his three years as a Golden Bear with an All-NSIC First Team campaign as Concordia set the single-season wins record with a 21-8 finish in 2006-07.

The transfer from Minnesota State University, Mankato was a two-time team captain as the Golden Bears produced a 55-31 overall record during his career, including a 25-21 record in the NSIC during an era when the conference featured multiple nationally-ranked teams and a national champion. As a senior, in addition to the 21-win overall finish, he helped the Golden Bears finish third in the NSIC with a 13-5 conference record.

A Rosemount, Minnesota native, Marxhausen made an immediate impact in his return to the Twin Cities as a key ingredient in the team’s turnaround from a 7-win season the year before to an 18-11 record in 2004-05 as he averaged 11.2 points and 6.8 rebounds, adding 67 assists and shooting 38.7 percent (36-93) from three-point distance.

In just three years, he reached the 1,000-point club, finishing with 1,105 career points in 86 games (79 starts), adding 480 career rebounds, 163 assists, 91 steals, and 105 three-pointers.

In his senior year, he averaged a career-best 16.7 points per game but raised his game during conference play as the league’s second-leading scorer with 17.7 points per league game.

Following his time at Concordia, Marxhausen has spent his career in higher education and is currently the executive director of marketing and communications at the College of St. Scholastica in Duluth, Minnesota.

He met his wife, Janine (Kuklis), a two-sport athlete with basketball and softball, while at CSP. They’ve been together for 17 years, and have four kids: Solo, Harper, Pieper, and Kody. Marxhausen remains active in coaching and training youth basketball and serves as an assistant boys basketball coach at Duluth East High School.
Career Awards
All-NSIC First Team (2006-07)
Two-time NSIC All-Academic (2005-06, 2006-07)
NSIC Player of the Week (2/19/07)
Two-time Team Captain (2005-06, 2006-07)
CSP Records
t-2nd (at time of graduation, now t-3rd) - season games started (29, 2006-07)
5th (at time of graduation, now t-11th) - career rebounds (480)
5th (at time of graduation, now 11th) - career games started (79)
6th (at time of graduation, now 11th) - career three-point field goals made (105)
6th (at time of graduation, now 11th) - career defensive rebounds (327)
6th (at time of graduation, now 11th) - career offensive rebounds (153)
6th (at time of graduation, now 13th) - career minutes played (2435)
7th (at time of graduation, now 12th) - career field goals made (389)
7th (at time of graduation, now 12th) - career free throws made (222)
7th (at time of graduation, now t-13th) - career steals (91)
8th (at time of graduation, now 13th) - career points (1105)
8th (at time of graduation, now 13th) - career rebounds per game (5.6)
8th (at time of graduation, now 12th) - season offensive rebounds (68, 2004-05)
Career & Season Stats
Career 1,247 points, 560 rebounds, 200 assists and 109 steals in his three seasons at Concordia and one at Minnesota State
Career 12.8 points, 5.6 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.1 steals in 86 games at CSP
Became 11th member of the 1,000 point club at Concordia in 2006-07
Averaged at least 10.5 points and 4.6 rebounds in all three seasons on campus
Career 389 field goals made, 105 three-pointers made and 222 free throws made in 2435 minutes
Ranked second in the NSIC with 17.7 points per game in NSIC play in 2006-07
Ranked eighth in rebounds (6.7) and ninth in assists (2.79) in NSIC action in 2004-05
Ranked seventh in steals (1.71) in league play in 2005-06
Concordia's all-time winningest coach on the baseball diamond, Mark “Lunch” McKenzie also served the University as Director of Athletics for his final three years while in a dual coaching/administrator role. He has remained involved with the baseball program as an assistant coach following his retirement as head coach and AD.

He posted a 456-361-1 career overall record and added a 281-234 record during conference play, coaching CSP’s first 20 years of NCAA Division II baseball, including all 20 in the Northern Sun (NSIC).

He was a two-time NSIC Tournament Champion, capturing the honors in 2003 and 2008, with the 2008 team earning the program’s first-ever NCAA Central Region Tournament appearance, which was also the first men’s team to qualify for an NCAA regional at the DII level.

Lunch guided his teams to the NSIC Tournament championship game five times in all, adding runner-up finishes in 2006, 2016, and 2018, and his 2009 squad’s 35 victories remains a single-season program record today. By 2009, McKenzie and the Golden Bears had tied or set the school’s single-season wins record four times in five years (29, 29, 30, 35).

A coach with a hitting instructor background, the Golden Bears had a .310 average, .392 on-base percentage, and .451 slugging percentage, amassing 7,758 hits (24,997 at-bats) and 613 home runs in his 20 seasons at the helm.

But of the four players the program had selected in the MLB Draft under McKenzie’s tenure, three were drafted as pitchers (Jake Schmidt, Gus Varland, Louie Varland), with the other being the NCAA DII batting champion (Bryan Lippincott).

As Director of Athletics, the University opened the $1.5 million multi-purpose Athletic Performance Center, expanded locker room space and added full-time staff members to the athletic training and sports information teams.

On the field of play, McKenzie presided over a pair of NCAA Division II National Championships when the volleyball program won their eighth and ninth championships in 2016 and 2017.

In the classroom, CSP’s student-athletes achieved a 90-percent academic success rate two years in a row and captured the 2017-18 NSIC Sportsmanship Award.

McKenzie has three adult children, Paul, Marcus, and Kelly. All earned degrees from Concordia St. Paul, and all three were college athletes with two competing at CSP as athletes and the other serving as a coach. McKenzie is a proud grandfather with five grandchildren: Linnie, Maddie, Reagan, Peyton, and Anna.
Career Awards
2005 NSIC Baseball Coach of the Year
2003 Minnesota Baseball College Coach of the Year
Four CSP players selected in MLB Draft & two MLB free agent contracts
19 CSP players signed professionally
2021 Minnetonka High School Hall of Fame inductee
2019 CSP Honorary Doctorate of Letters
CSP Records
1st - NCAA Tournament appearance for a men’s program in CSP’s Division II era (2008)
1st - NSIC men’s team championship in CSP’s Division II era (2003)
1st - career victories (456)
1st - season victories (35, 2009)
Career & Season Stats
456-361-1 overall career record, 281-234 NSIC career record
2008 NSIC Tournament Champions
2003 NSIC Tournament Champions
Three-time NSIC Tournament runner-up (2006, 2016, 2018)
12 overall winning seasons & 12 NSIC winning seasons
Coached 67 All-NSIC baseball players
Coached 152 NSIC All-Academic student-athletes
Candace (Olstad) Dudley was a proven winner and one of the more consistent standout performers for Golden Bear women’s basketball. She helped lead the program to four straight 20-plus win seasons and held a 91-36 career overall record and 51-19 record during NSIC action.

But the Elgin, Minnesota native (Elgin-Millville High School) rose to the occasion when it mattered most, producing three-straight NSIC All-Tournament Team honors that included a pair of NSIC Tournament championships for the Golden Bears, who also secured a pair of NSIC Regular Season titles. During her three All-Tournament Team performances, the Golden Bears reached the championship game all three years as she averaged 13.4 points and 8.3 rebounds in the league playoffs.

She helped the program to three straight NCAA Central Region Tournament berths, including a pair of first-round victories. The team peaked by finishing the 2007-08 season ranked #14 in the WBCA Division II Coaches Poll.

A three-year full-time starter, she also cracked the starting lineup seven times during her freshman campaign, and then proceeded to increase her scoring average each of the next three seasons, culminating in being named the team’s MVP as a senior.

Her career includes the distinction of being the only player in program history to score 1,200 or more points, grab 600 or more rebounds, and shoot 40 percent or better from three-point range as a true threat in the paint and from the perimeter.

She was the first of four Olstad siblings to compete in Concordia basketball, playing three seasons alongside her sister, Kali, while her younger brothers Clay and Cole also played together for three seasons from 2011-12 to 2013-14.

Dudley began her post-CSP career as an elementary school teacher for 13 years in Lake City, Minnesota, leaving the classroom in 2022 to pursue her entrepreneurial career. She is now an online business manager and owns a wholesale product-based business (Willow & Wren).

Candace and her husband, Nick, have been married for 11 years, and have three children (Jalen, Willow, and Millie). She continues her involvement in basketball as a youth basketball coach.
Career Awards
All-NSIC Second Team (2008-09)
All-NSIC Honorable Mention (2007-08)
Three-time NSIC All-Tournament Team selection (2007, 2008, 2009)
Three-time NSIC All-Academic Team selection (2006-07, 2007-08, 2008-09)
Senior captain & team MVP (2008-09)
Named team Most Improved Player three times (2005-06, 2006-07, 2007-08)
CSP Records
1st (at time of graduation, now 5th) - career defensive rebounds (514)
1st (at time of graduation, now t-1st) - career games played (125)
2nd - season three-point percentage (.452, 33-73, 2007-08)
3rd (at time of graduation, now 7th) - career rebounds (676)
4th - career three-point percentage (.405, 96-237)
4th (at time of graduation, now 10th) - career blocked shots (84)
4th (at time of graduation, now 7th) - career game started (100)
4th (at time of graduation, now 9th) - career minutes played (3,007)
8th (at time of graduation, now 15th) - career points (1,267)
8th (at time of graduation, now 15th) - career field goals made (467)
t-8th (at time of graduation, now t-13th) - career three-point field goals made (96)
10th (at time of graduation, now 13th) - career free throw percentage (.760, 237-312)
Career & Season Stats
One of nine players in program history with 1,200-plus points and 600-plus rebounds
The only player to achieve 1,200-plus points, 600-plus rebounds and .400-plus three-point field goal percentage
Season scoring average increased each season (4.8, 10.4, 11.8, 13.4)
Averaged at least 10.0 points and 5.0 rebounds three years in a row
Ranked eighth in the NSIC in blocked shots (0.64/game) in 2005-06
Ranked fifth in the NSIC in field goal percentage (.518) in 2006-07
Ranked in the top-10 of the NSIC in three-point percentage (.514, 4th), blocks (0.9, 8th), rebounding (6.3, 10th) and field goal percentage (.481, 10th) in 2007-08
In a program known for its dominance in the multi-event realm, John Pimental was a trailblazer as the first multi-event national qualifier in Golden Bear track and field history, setting the tone for the successes in recent years.

A versatile athlete who contributed to the squad in several events, the Ripon, Wisconsin native held school records in the heptathlon, decathlon, and long jump at the time of his graduation while also joining forces with fellow CSP Hall of Famers Diahn Zeon, Jr., BA ‘12 and Kawaskii Bacon, BA ‘09 to set the 4x100m relay record that still stands today.

Pimental racked up significant hardware during his career, bringing home nine individual All-NSIC honors and being crowned an NSIC Champion five times.

He picked up his first of four NSIC Long Jump titles in the 2009 NSIC Indoor Championships before repeating in the 2009 NSIC Outdoor Championships, adding a crown in the 4x100m relay in that meet.

He made it four straight conference championships in the long jump as he earned the top spot in both the indoor and outdoor championships in 2010.

His success on the track was matched in the classroom as he earned USTFCCCA All-Academic honors in 2009 before being named CSP’s NSIC Male Honor Student-Athlete of the Year in 2009-10. He also collected NSIC All-Academic recognition six times in his career.

After graduating with a health and physical education degree, he began work as an elementary physical education teacher with College Prep Elementary and a year later added a hall director position with CSP. In 2015, Pimental became a Flight Instructor and, a year later, an airline pilot. Since 2021, he has worked as a pilot for Delta Air Lines. Pimental lives in the south metro with his wife, fellow CSP Alum Sara (Sather) Pimental, BA ‘11, and their three boys, Isaac, Percy, and Liam.
Career Awards
Four-time NSIC Long Jump Champion (2009 indoor, 2009 outdoor, 2010 indoor, 2010 outdoor)
NSIC Champion in the 4x100m Relay (2009 outdoor)
National qualifier in the heptathlon (2010 NCAA Indoor Championships)
Nine-time All-NSIC between long jump and multi-event
USTFCCCA All-Academic (2009)
Six-time NSIC All-Academic
NSIC Male Honor Student-Athlete of the Year (2009-10)
CSP Top 4 Award (2009-10)
Team Captain (2009-10)
CSP Records
1st - 4x100m relay (41.04)
1st (at time of graduation) - heptathlon
1st (at time of graduation) - decathlon
1st (at time of graduation) - long jump (outdoor)
Career & Season Stats
Scored eight points in both the 2010 NSIC Indoor & Outdoor Championships
Finished 11th in the heptathlon at the 2010 NCAA Indoor Championships with 4660 points
CSP’s sixth national qualifier and first multi-event national qualifier
Won the long jump in each of his final four NSIC Championships
A two-sport athlete for the Comets, Jonathan Smothers was a leader both on and off the field during his time on campus, playing a key role in the successes of both the men’s soccer and baseball programs.

After beginning his collegiate career at Lakewood Junior College and transferring to Concordia Teachers College in Seward, Nebraska, the Concordia Academy graduate returned home to Concordia St. Paul.

While a broken neck derailed his football career in Seward, Smothers made a seamless transition to star on the soccer and baseball fields, being named the 1978-79 CSP Male Athlete of the Year.

Smothers helped the Comets to back-to-back Twin River Collegiate Conference titles in his two seasons with the soccer program, registering All-Conference recognition in both seasons.

On the baseball field, he led the team in hits, runs, stolen bases, and fielding percentages, earning All-Conference honors in 1977.

After graduation, he started working in the industrial insulation industry. Smothers completed most of his career at Tri-Star Insulation, where he recently retired after 43 years in the supply side of the industry.

Through the years, Smothers coached basketball at King of Kings in Roseville, Minnesota, while his wife, Gizelle, taught. He also coached soccer and basketball when his children attended. In addition, he was an assistant football coach at St. Bernards, and coached JV and assisted with varsity girls’ basketball at Concordia Academy.

Smothers and his wife have two children, Charles and Paige, and eight grandchildren.
Career Awards
1978-79 CSP Male Athlete of the Year
Two-time All-Twin River Collegiate Conference in soccer (1978, 1979)
All-Conference in baseball (1977)
Team MVP in baseball (1977)
Team MVP in soccer (1978)
Career & Season Stats
Leading scorer in both 1978 and 1979 for the soccer team
Led the baseball team in hits, runs, stolen bases and fielding percentage in 1977
Put up seven goals and 10 assists in 1978
Contributed nine goals and nine assists in 1979
Hit .321 with 18 hits, 17 runs and 10 stolen bases in 1977
Added three doubles, a triple, a home run and seven RBIs while fielding .977 that season
One of the best tight ends in CSP football history, Nate Thienes concluded his career as a two-sport athlete by also scoring points in all four throws events at the 2013 NSIC Outdoor Track & Field Championships.

A big, physical target with steady hands, his athleticism matches his strength to make him a dominant force as a pass catcher as well as a blocker. Playing in more of a reserve and complementary role in his first two years behind an All-NSIC tight end, Thienes flourished when ascending to the starting role by catching 38 passes for 387 yards and three touchdowns as a junior before exploding for 43 catches for 450 yards and five touchdowns as a senior.

He contributed to winning football, too, playing a key role in the 2010 team’s five-win turnaround for an 8-4 finish and trip to the program’s third Mineral Water Bowl as a sophomore, before expanding his role on the team to help the Golden Bears finish 6-5 in 2011.

He was a back-to-back All-NSIC selection, earning Second Team honors as a junior before being bumped up to a First Team selection as a senior when he was named an All-America Third Team tight end by Beyond Sports Network while also securing Don Hansen’s Football Gazette All-America honorable mention accolades.

As a track & field athlete, he used his strength and skill to leave CSP with five school records across four different throws events while securing the indoor and outdoor records in the shot put.

Following his time at Concordia, Thienes began his career in law enforcement in 2013 at Alexandria Technical College before joining the Moorhead Police Department in 2014. He joined the Washington County Sherriff’s office in 2017, earning him a spot on the SWAT team in 2018 as an operator, explosive breacher, and K9 handler with his partner, Goose.

Much like his dedication to his athletic career, Thienes brings a competitive nature and expertise to his career, finishing second place at the United States Police Canine Association (USPCA) Region 18 Patrol Dog Trials along with earning the prestigious title of top rookie team in 2023. They’ve gone on to help the department clinch Top Department in the nation, with Nate and Goose earning sixth-place honors nationally.

He and his wife, Natalie, have been married since 2021, and reside in Forest Lake with their dogs, Maverick and K9 Goose.
Career Awards
Beyond Sports Network All-America Third Team (2012)
Don Hansen’s Football Gazette All-America honorable mention (2012)
Two-time D2CCA All-Region Second Team (2011, 2012)
Don Hansen’s Football Gazette All-Region Third Team (2012)
All-NSIC South Division First Team (2012)
All-NSIC South Division Second Team (2011)
CSP Male Athlete of the Year (2012-13)
Bear of the Year (2012)
Three-time NSIC All-Academic (2010 fall, 2011 winter, 2011 spring)
CSP Records
1st (at time of graduation) - indoor shot put (51’ 11.75”)
1st (at time of graduation) - outdoor shot put (51’ 4.25”)
1st (at time of graduation) - weight throw (51’ 3.5”)
1st (at time of graduation) - discus throw (157’ 11”)
1st (at time of graduation) - hammer throw (159’ 3”)
t-2nd - single-game touchdowns (3, Oct. 29, 2011 vs UMC)
14th - career receptions (85)
14th - career touchdowns (8)
Career & Season Stats
Career 85 receptions for 872 yards and eight touchdowns
Contributed a career-best 43 catches for 450 yards and five TDs in 2012
Put up 38 catches for 387 yards and three TDs in 2011
Picked up points in each of his final six NSIC Championships meets
Scored 14 of the team’s 34 points at the 2013 NSIC Outdoor Championships, finishing fourth in the discus, fifth in the javelin, sixth in the shot put and seventh in the hammer
Grabbed fourth in the shot put as well as seventh in the discus and javelin at the 2012 NSIC Outdoor Championships
Had at least three catches in 15 of his final 17 career games, catching touchdowns in five of them