Ellsworth held its signing day Dec. 3, watching four students sign to continue their academic and athletic journeys. Lexi Marks signed to play golf at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, Chace Kressin signed to the University of Wisconsin-Plattville for football, George Rohl signed to the University of Minnesota for football and Gavin Klos signed to St. Mary’s (Minn.) for baseball.

Lexi Marks

Marks, one of Ellsworth’s most decorated golfers ever, is heading to River Falls.

“I wanted to play golf and stay close to home, and River Falls was kind of just the perfect opportunity for me to do that,” Marks said.

River Falls also had the academic programs Marks is interested in. Marks made State individually three times in her career and led the team to a Regional title this season.

“My favorite memory is definitely the van rides because those are the most fun,” Marks said. “Really good bonding with the team and being with everybody.”

Marks said it means a lot to compete at the next level because it gives younger golfers someone to look up to. It was 2020 graduate Holly Carlson golfing at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire who Marks looked up to, and now Marks can be the same type of role model.

“It’s really nice to just start getting going with somebody who can start the program to hopefully send more golfers to college,” Marks said.

Chace Kressin

For Kressin, playing football for Ellsworth was always the dream.

“It’s meant a lot to me. Ever since I was little, I could always remember wanting to start up and play on that field and run out of the helmet to ‘Enter Sandman,’” Kressin said.

At the conclusion of his junior season, the lineman realized he had potential to play at the next level, a rare feat.

“I owe myself a chance to go out there and try,” Kressin said.

Kressin attended camps and talked to schools until he landed on the University of Wisconsin-Platteville. At Platteville, a strong football program is already established making waves in the Division III playoffs. Platteville also has a construction management program that Kressin is interested in.

“I just really aligned well with Plateville’s identity. I really like the coaching staff there,” Kressin said. “It just seemed like a good fit.”

As Kressin’s first offer, Platteville held a special place in his heart the whole way.

“It means a lot to me because I think back to previous years, the years we went to State, and just all the guys that I’ve seen go do great things at the next level,” Kressin said. “I want to be a part of that. I really want to represent Ellsworth.”

George Rohl

Competing at the collegiate level is already a rare achievement, but the Division I level is even rarer. Rohl will have that opportunity, signing with the Minnesota Gophers.

“It’s awesome, it’s a blessing. It’s going to be fun. I’m going to work hard and do my best, see where it takes me,” Rohl said.

Rohl was originally committed to North Dakota for a lengthy stretch, but receiving an offer from Minnesota threw a wrench into the plan. Rohl thought long and hard about a final decision before deciding on Minnesota.

He is a three-star, six-foot-six tight end who is ranked as one of Wisconsin’s best recruits.

“It was just too good of an opportunity, and it’s 50 minutes from home and I love the program,” Rohl said.

What stuck out most in Rohl’s time at Ellsworth was just hanging out after practice, enjoying every second of his time on the team.

“The Ellsworth journey has been awesome. It’s been just really fun to be able to build relationships and have those memories with the guys before I leave,” Rohl said.

Gavin Klos

Klos is excited to join St. Mary’s for baseball. He said he reached out to a lot of schools, but St. Mary’s was the first that reached out to him which meant a lot. Three visits later, Klos decided it was the place for him.

“I just loved the atmosphere, loved what they were about, where they were headed with their program,” Klos said. “Academically it fit good, so I ended up making my decision kind of early, but it felt right.”

Playing for Ellsworth has been special. He remembers his freshman year, walking off Prescott and getting a Gatorade shower. He is excited for one final season on the field at Summit Park.

“It’s been really fun. Freshman year I was on varsity, wasn’t playing great, but had a lot of leaders that were seniors like Anthony Madsen and Carter Pierce that I looked up to,” Klos said.

Many in the community have reached out to Klos to congratulate him which he is extremely thankful for. He knows eyes are on him and is ready to be a good role model.

“It feels good to just know that the work I put in is paying out,” Klos said. “That means the world, seeing that people actually care.”