A look at area college commitments

[ASFN Admin]

May 26—It takes a lot to be a college athlete.

It takes talent, of course. But it also involves a commitment that overshadows the amount of time required of even the most involved high school athletes. And, of course, there is the academic end of things.

So far this year, the West Central Tribune area has five students have made commitments to NCAA Division I programs for athletics, making them the elite of the elite. Three are from the the Class of 2026 and two are from the Class of 2027.

The seniors are

and Litchfield football player Noah Dietel. Both are headed to South Dakota State University in Brookings. The other senior is Minnewaska track and field star Jayda Kolstoe, who is going to North Dakota State University in Fargo.

From the Class of '27, the two are Willmar's Ellery DeBoer and Montevideo's Griffin Epema. DeBoer will compete in volleyball at Michigan State University. Epema is headed to the University of St. Thomas for baseball.

NCAA Division II athletes also receive athletic scholarships and there are a bevy of area athletes headed to colleges in Division II. There are also NCAA Division III commtiments. In Division III, there are no athletic scholarships. The same goes for those attending Division III junior colleges.

Here is a list of known college commitments from the West Central Tribune area. If there is someone not listed, please send an email to

Sport: Track and field

College: Gustavus Adolphus

Affiliation: Division III

Sport: Football

College: Southwest Minnesota State

Affiliation: Division II

Sport: Track and field

College: Minnesota State-Mankato

Affiliation: Division II

Sport: Wrestling

College: South Dakota State

Affiliation: Division I

Sport: Women's basketball, track and field

College: Hamline University

Affiliation: Division III

Sport: Basketball

College: Northern State (S.D.)

Affiliation: Division II

Sport: Football

College: South Dakota State

Affiliation: Division I

Sport: Baseball

College: Northern State (S.D.)

Affiliation: Division II

Sport: Wrestling

College: Augustana University (S.D.)

Affiliation: Division II

Sport: Wrestling

College: University of Chicago

Affiliation: Division III

Sport: Basketball

College: Minnesota-Morris

Affiliation: Division III

Sport: Basketball

College: Minnesota State-Mankato

Affiliation: Division II

Sport: Basketball

College: United States Merchant Marines

Affiliation: Division III

Sport: Basketball

College: Northwestern of Iowa

Affiliation: NAIA

Sport: Track and Field

College: North Dakota State

Affiliation: Division I

Sport: Golf

College: Augustana University (S.D.)

Affiliation: Division II

Sport: Football

College: Concordia-Moorhead

Affiliation: Division III

Sport: Cross-country and track

College: Southwest Minnesota State

Affiliation: Division II

Sport: Baseball

College: Southwest Minnesota State

Affiliation: Division II

Sport: Golf

College: Northwest Nazarene (Idaho)

Affiliation: Division II

Sport: Baseball

College: Minnesota State-Mankato

Affiliation: Division II

Sport: Volleyball

College: Michigan State University

Affiliation: Division I

Sport: Baseball

College: University of St. Thomas

Affiliation: Division I

Sport: Volleyball

College: University of Sioux Falls

Affiliation: Division II

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