UMC football signings

The University of Minnesota, Crookston Golden Eagle Football program announced today that 16 players have committed to play for the Golden Eagles during the 2011 season.

This is the inaugural recruiting class for Coach Moller and his coaching staff. Moller states, “We have had a tremendous start to the 2011 season with the commitment of these student-athletes. Our players and assistant coaches have done a great job recruiting and representing the University of Minnesota, Crookston.” He adds, “We are able to attract such talented individuals because this university, OUR UNIVERSITY, has the right people reaching out to help at every turn. The staff would like to send a special thank you to all the faculty, athletics directors, food service members and admissions staff that freely gave up their weekends in support of our recruiting efforts. The recruiting process is never-ending at the Division II level and we will continue to search for additional student-athletes to join this fine group of recruits.”

Brody Davidson #61
Davidson is a 6’1, 210 lb, linebacker from Crookston High School in Crookston, Minn. He was recognized as an All-State selection as a junior and senior. Brody broke the Pirate record for career tackles being involved in 130 stops over the course of his career at Crookston High School. He was a two-year captain for Head Coach Chris Trostad’s Pirates, and the first athlete at Crookston to start as a freshman. In wrestling, he is currently undefeated at 27-0. Brody will play linebacker and plans to major in psychology at the University of Minnesota, Crookston. He is the son of Mike and Vicky Davidson.

Justin Emmerich #4
Emmerich is a 6’2, 175 lb, outside linebacker from Andover High School in Andover, Minn. He was an Honorable Mention All-Conference selection as a junior and senior. The Huskies reached the Section Finals in 2010 finishing with 8-2 season mark under Head Coach Rich Wilkie. Justin will play outside linebacker and plans to major in biology or business at the University of Minnesota, Crookston. He is the son of Larry and Karen Emmerich.

Ryan Emmerich #42
Emmerich is a 6’0, 210 lb, outside linebacker from Andover High School in Andover, Minn. where he was a three-year starter. In 2010, Ryan was voted Defensive MVP by his teammates and was also recognized as an All-Conference selection. As a junior, Ryan, captured Honorable Mention All-Conference honors. He was part of the eight win campaign at Andover being selected as Defensive Player of the Game on three occasions where the Rich Wilkie led Huskies reached the Section Finals before falling to Blaine High School. Ryan ranks among the Career Sack Leaders for the Huskies at Andover. Rated by Rivels.com as one of the top 20 Linebackers in Minnesota, he will play outside linebacker and plans to major in business or health sciences at the University of Minnesota, Crookston. He is the son of Larry and Karen Emmerich.

Greg Lofquist #33
Lofquist is a 6’1, 220 lb, defensive end from South St. Paul High School in South St. Paul, Minn. In 2010, he was voted team captain by his teammates and also earned All-Conference and Honorable Mention All-State honors. He was three-year starter for Head Coach Chad Sexauer. Greg finished as the runner-up for Classic Suburban Conference Defensive Player of the Year based on a vote of league coaches. South St. Paul won the Classic Suburban Conference title this fall finishing with a 10-1 mark. The school’s last conference championship had been in 1966 a span of 44 years. Greg will play linebacker and plans to major in health sciences at the University of Minnesota, Crookston. He is the son of Walter and Deb Lofquist.

Drew Selvestra #91
Selvestra is a 6’2, 230 lb, defensive lineman from Eagan High School in Eagan, Minn. where he played for Head Coach Rick Sutton. He was one of the statistical leaders of an outstanding Eagan Wildcat defense this fall with 58 tackles, three fumble recoveries, and two deflected passes. Drew was selected as the player of the game in Eagan’s Section win over Henry Sibley. The Wildcats reached the Section Finals before losing to Cretin-Derham Hall. A member of the National Honor Society at Eagan, Drew will play defensive line and plans to major in biology or criminal justice at the University of Minnesota, Crookston. He is the son of John and Jennifer Selvestra. His Father, John, played football for the Gophers at the Twin Cities campus.

Sam Smith #75
Smith is a 6’3, 265 lb, offensive lineman from South St. Paul High School in South St. Paul, Minn. A three-year starter for the Packers he was voted team captain by his teammates this fall and also earned All-Conference and Honorable Mention All-State honors. South St. Paul won the Classic Suburban Conference title this fall finishing with a 10-1 mark. The school’s last conference championship had been in 1966 a span of 44 years. Sam was a three year fixture in the middle at Center for the Packers under the direction of Head Coach Chad Sexauer. Sam will play offensive line and plans to major in communication at the University of Minnesota, Crookston. He is the son of Dennis and Peggy Smith.

Grant Lokken #81
Lokken is a 6’4 210 lb, wide receiver from North High School in Eau Claire, Wis. In 2009, he earned All-City and Honorable Mention All-Conference honors competing in the Big Rivers Conference featuring many of the top football schools in western Wisconsin. Grant played for Head Coach Ben King at North. He will play wide receiver and plans to major in criminal justice at the University of Minnesota, Crookston. He is the son of Paul and Carla Lokken.

Antonio Baker #37
Baker is a 6’1, 205 lb, linebacker from Carrollton High School in Carrollton, Ga. In 2010, he received the team’s Outstanding Linebacker Award and Iron Trojan Award. Antonio also earned 2nd Team All-Area honors for Head Coach Rayvan Teague’s Trojans. Baker’s team finished as the state runner up in Georgia, Class AAA in 2010. He recorded 73 tackles this past fall including 26 unassisted stops. In addition, Antonio had eight tackles for loss and recovered a fumble in 13 games. He missed two games with a high ankle sprain. Antonio will play linebacker at the University of Minnesota, Crookston and is undeclared on his major. He is the son of James and Tijuana Cooley.

A.J. Barge #6
Barge is a 6’3, 190 lb, quarterback from Carrollton High School in Carrollton, Ga. In 2010, he was named Permanent Team Captain and received the team’s Iron Trojan Award. He also earned All-Area MVP and Honorable Mention All-State honors. Barge’s team under the guidance of Head Coach Rayvan Teague reached the State Class AAA Championship Game in 2010 and finished the season with a 14-1 record. This past fall he completed 70 % of his throws. A.J. threw for 1,168 yards and 17 touchdowns while throwing for only four interceptions in 15 ballgames. MAXPreps had A.J. ranked 6th in Total Offense in Class AAA in Georgia. He will play quarterback and plans to major in software engineering at the University of Minnesota, Crookston. A.J. is the son of Cindy Barge.

Myint Maung #3
Maung is a 5’9, 170 lb, running back/kick returner from St. Paul Highland Park. He is two-time St. Paul City Conference selection and was named to several All-State Honorable Mention teams last fall. The Scot’s under the direction of Head Coach Dave Zeitchick have enjoyed considerable success in the St. Paul City Conference including capturing the City Championship in Myint’s junior season. He had 1,152 yds in Total Offense last fall. A great kick returner Maung had four touchdown returns as a senior. Possessing great speed he placed 2nd last spring in the finals of the 100 meter dash at the Large School Minnesota State Track Meet, and placed in the finals as a freshman and sophomore. Myint will play running back and receiver along with being involved in the kick return game, and plans to major in software engineering at the University of Minnesota, Crookston. He is the son of Patrick and Cho Hmwe Aung.

Lethzee Calderon #11
Calderon is a 6’0, 185 lb, defensive back from Eastview High School in Apple Valley,Minn. He was an Honorable Mention All-Conference Selection in the “new” South Suburban Conference last fall. The Lightning directed by Head Coach Kelly Sherwin finished with a 7-4 record in 2010 placing 2nd in the South Suburban and as the Section runner-up losing to eventual state runner-up Rosemount High School. Lethzee recorded 48 tackles along with three interceptions during the 2010 Lightning campaign. He will play cornerback, and plans to major in marketing at the University of Minnesota, Crookston. Lethzee is the son of Iris Baez.

Tyler Hansen # 21
Hansen is a 6’0, 195 lb, running back from Morris High School where he was a three-year starter. The Tigers under the direction of Head Coach Jerry Witt enjoyed an outstanding seven win season in 2010. Tyler was the West Central Conference “Player of the Year” last fall. He is the all-time Career Rushing leader at Morris High School with over 2,700 yards. In addition, Tyler is the first running back in Tiger history to rush for over a 1,000 yards in consecutive seasons. He was selected to the West Central All-Area Team as a junior and a senior. Tyler served as the Tiger’s team captain last fall. He will play running back at the University of Minnesota, Crookston and plans to major in pre-veterinary medicine. Tyler is the son of Gary and Marie Hansen.

Tanner Dahlen #24
Dahlen is a 6’1, 205 lb, linebacker from East Grand Forks High School. He was coached by Scott Oliver at East Grand Forks. The Green Wave under Oliver’s direction reached the State AAA Play-offs this fall and finished with an 8-3 record. Tanner was named the 2010 Most Valuable Defensive Player in the Heart O’ Lakes Conference. In addition, he was named to the All-Grand Forks Area Team along with several All-State Teams in Minnesota. This summer Tanner has been selected to play in the North Dakota State High School All-Star game. He will play linebacker at the University of Minnesota, Crookston and is undeclared on a major. Tanner is the son of Jim and Jody Dahlen.

Dalton Hurn
Hurn is a 5’9, 155 lb, wide receiver/defensive back from Blue Earth High School. He was coached by Randy Kuchenmeister at Blue Earth. As a senior, he was named a team captain and Defensive Back of the Year. Dalton plans to major in golf & turf management at the University of Minnesota, Crookston. He is the son of Elaine and Dave Hurn.

Chris Marsh
Marsh is a 5’10, 175 lb, running back/ defensive back from Anoka Ramsey Community College (Anoka High School). He was coached by Jeff Buerkle at Anoka. Chris plans to major in health sciences at the University of Minnesota, Crookston. He is the son of Diane Marsh.

Ethan Olson
Olson is a 6’2, 295 lb, offensive/defensive lineman from Cook High School. He was coached by Mark Fabish at Cook. He was named All-Conference in 2009 and 2010 and was an All-Conference Lineman MVP following the 2011 season. Ethan plans to major in wildlife management at the University of Minnesota, Crookston. He is the son of Deb and Dan Olson.