By Ainsley Schafer
More than two dozen graduating Northfield High School seniors have committed to continuing their athletic career at colleges and universities across the country.
On May 6, many of those Raider athletes – and a crowd of supportive coaches, friends and family members – gathered in the Northfield High School gymnasium for a spring “signing day” event. Other graduating seniors were honored in similar celebrations earlier in the school year.
Northfield athletes have signed on with programs at the NCAA Division I, II and III levels in sports ranging from basketball to wrestling, swimming, golf and dance. They will join the 6% of high school students that transition into playing NCAA collegiate sports. Approximately 2% of collegiate athletes nationwide receive athletic scholarships.
Several of the committed students are dual-sport athletes at Northfield High School. Grace Mostad, who has committed to playing basketball for College of Saint Benedict, has competed on the Northfield varsity softball team. Kayden Oakland, who will play for South Dakota State’s football team, was a part of the record-breaking Northfield Boys Basketball team.
Activities Director John Mahal opened the ceremony with welcoming remarks that honored the work and dedication the senior class of athletes have shown through their high school careers. Coaches gave speeches about each of the 22 students recognized at the event.
“If there is any question around why Northfield is having a lot of success in many of our programs and competing at high levels, then you don’t have to look much further than here,” Mahal said. “This is really a fun morning for everybody.”
It was a shared moment of pride for many parents, including Barret Froehle, the mother of Sam Froehle, who has committed to compete in track at Lake Forest College in Illinois.
“It has been a lot of feeling really proud,” she said. “It is a huge accomplishment for everything they have to do with academics and friendships and navigating growing up.”
Listed here are the committed senior athletes:
Women’s Athletics
Ella Holleran – Luther College, Swimming
Ashlyn Paukert – College of St. Scholastica, Hockey
Annika Johnson – Gustavus Adolphus College, Golf
Evelyn Bauer – Carleton College, Swimming
Ella Porter – St. Norbert College, Swimming
Karina Johnson – Gustavus Adolphus College, Golf
Megan Carlson – Taylor University, Track & Field
Kate Sand – St. Catherine University, Basketball
Grace Mostad – College of Saint Benedict, Basketball
Taylor Krohn – College of Saint Benedict, Hockey
Kalea Lipins – University of Wisconsin-Stout, Dance
Tara Alaniz – College of St. Benedict, Lacrosse
Caley Graber – McKendree College, Wrestling
Ivy Brandenburg – Upper Iowa University, Wrestling
Mia Miller – Minnesota State University, Mankato, Hockey
Amber Mahal – University of South Alabama, Track & Field
Zaniea Brown – Virginia State University, Lacrosse
Emerson Carlson – Luther College, Swimming
Men’s Athletics
Theo Menk – St. Olaf College, Soccer
Grant Selchow – Aurora University, Lacrosse
Sam Froehle – Lake Forest College, Track & Field
Will Udelhofen – Gustavus Adolphus College, Swimming
Rourke Bennett – Clarke University, Baseball
Marcos Gallardo – Johnson & Wales University, Soccer
Julian Vazquez – University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, Football
Elias Ekern – North Dakota State University, Golf
Garrett Hoernke – University of Alabama in Huntsville, Lacrosse
George Peterson – Wingate University, Lacrosse
JT Graupmann – Minnesota State University, Mankato, Baseball
Will Redetzke – University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, Swimming
Kayden Oakland – South Dakota State University, Football
Ainsley Schafer is a KYMN News intern, specializing in sports writing. Contact her at news@kymnradio.net
