For many, the end of high school marks the end of competitive athletics in their lives. The story does not end there for everyone, though, as nine Pierce County students inked their names on National Signing Day on Nov. 13.

Prescott

Four Prescott students made their decisions official in what turned out to be a significant signing day for the school.

Gabbi Matzek is headed to UW-La Crosse to join the golf team. Matzek won the Middle Border Conference Golfer of the Year award in 2024 and has been a core part of Prescott’s historic run in recent years. Matzek made the All-State third team this year and became the second golfer in school history to make an All-State team. Matzek finished 2024 with the fifth best scoring average in school history behind only Ava Salay’s four seasons.

Jeanne Rohl is also sticking with golf at the next level, heading to UW-Stout to continue her career. Rohl has also been nothing short of excellent, making the Middle Border Conference first team in 2024 and picking up three individual wins on the year. She was a key piece to multiple State titles and made All-State honorable mention this year.

The two golfers were in high school for three Division 2 State championships and a Division 1 runner-up.

Leah French made it official with Concordia to join the softball team. French has been a top hitter for Prescott softball for three years now with a senior season rapidly approaching. Through those years, French has tallied a .363 batting average and .449 slugging percentage. French’s best season was in 2023 when she accumulated 31 hits and 23 runs batted in over 28 games.

Cole Platson is taking on baseball at the collegiate level, heading to Dakota County Technical College. Platson is a pitcher and outfielder for Prescott, earning honorable mention All-District and second team All-Conference a year ago. Platson still has a senior season to play and is looking to continue to build on his success.

Why did you choose that college?

Matzek: “I chose La Crosse because I not only really liked the coaches and players, but I also loved the school. I love that the campus is smaller, but there is still a lot to do. The location was also a big part of the decision for me because I feel that it is a good distance from home.”

Rohl: “There are many reasons I decided on UW-Stout. I was very split at first on where to go. Once I met the golf team there on my visit I knew Stout was the place for me. The program is not only very talented, but the girls are also fun to be around. The team reminds me a lot of Prescott with the girls, and the mentality expected. Not only did the golf team draw me there but the school itself is very hands-on and will provide me with a great education. UW-Stout reminds me of home and I cannot wait to start my next four years there!”

French: “I chose this school to continue my athletic and academic career because it was the most suitable for my abilities as a player and a student. When I first visited the school I knew it was going to be one of my top picks because it had everything that I wanted in a college, it was the perfect distance away from home and I felt very comfortable with the idea of spending my next four years at Concordia.”

Platson: “I chose DCTC as my next move because their baseball program is beyond good, and they have had a ton of success in the past. They are also close to home.”

What did your time at Prescott mean to you?

Matzek: “My time at Prescott meant a lot to me because it helped me become the player I am today. I would not have gotten here without my coaches, family or teammates. They have helped shape me into the player that I am today.”

Rohl: “My time at Prescott means the world to me. I am so grateful for all three sports and who they made me become as a person. Being a part of three state championship teams and one runner-up team at the D1 level were some of the greatest moments of my life. I will cherish the memories and the teams that I was a part of forever. Prescott has shaped me into a better person, leader and teammate. I am incredibly sad to be leaving Prescott High School, but I am very excited to begin the new chapter of my life at Stout!”

French: “When I think about my past sports career, I will always remember how Prescott has shaped me as an athlete and person. Growing up in Prescott has taught me a lot about having a good work ethic because there are so many talented athletes that come through this town. Looking back, there are so many people I can thank, but someone who I need to thank most is my dad, he has pushed me to be the best I can be on and off the field over the last 15 years and he is a huge reason I am at this point.”

Platson: “My time at Prescott meant a lot to me because I made so many amazing friends with whom I love to play sports. Prescott’s baseball and football teams have left me with lifetime memories that I will always cherish.”

How do you plan to navigate the challenges that come with the college transition?

Matzek: “When making the college transition, I plan to stay true to my roots and transition over what I have already accomplished. I intend to keep up with practicing, workouts and a good mindset.”

Rohl: “I know college will be a major change in my life, but I am very excited about what it brings my way. Though it will be a major life change, I am lucky enough to have some of my family members who attend Stout. My sister Liz and my first cousin Ava Franco attend Stout. So I know I will always have them close to help with my transition into college and they will make Stout feel more like home. I also think that golf will help with the transition to college. The team is so fun to be around so it will be another outlet for me. I believe I am going to love the college experience and I cannot wait to start my journey at UW-Stout next fall!”

French: “Over the next four years at Concordia I know there are going to be hardships that I face with softball and school, but I am lucky enough to have a great support system at home to help guide me through them. I am also grateful to be going into such an amazing and kind team of girls at CSP, with a great coaching staff to help me with the transition of high school to college. I am so excited to see what the next four years have to bring!”

Platson: “I plan to navigate through the college transition by listening to my parents because they have helped me with everything I have overcome so far.”

River Falls

River Falls also saw four signings, as some of their top seniors made the commitment to the next step.

Volleyball player Maddy Range has held it down for River Falls for years, and will now look to translate that to Southwest Minnesota State. Range had a career to remember at River Falls, picking up 829 kills and 546 digs over a four-year varsity career as an outside hitter. In that span, the Wildcats appeared at State in both 2021 and 2023. Range battled injury in 2024, but still made Big Rivers All-Conference first team through it all.

Auden Pankonin has been an ace on the mound for River Falls and is taking his talents to Nebraska. Pankonin was a top pitcher in 2024, earning second team All-Conference in the Big Rivers Conference and leading the team with a 2.58 earned run average. Pankonin threw a no-hitter against New Richmond back in April.

Riley Schmidt is headed to Fresno State for equestrian, while Ayden Welman is headed to Oklahoma State for the same. The two have collected many trophies over the years and look to take that to the collegiate level.

Why did you choose that college?

Range: “There was like three main things that kind of stuck out at Southwest out of all the other schools. The first one is the community around it. It’s not a very big town, but volleyball is definitely a big piece of it and it is like a center there which is cool. Second, I would say the overall team culture between the coaches and the players, I could just see myself fitting in there. Third, the overall competitiveness within their gym and then their conference is super competitive too.”

Schmidt: “I went on a visit late July, early August, and I really just loved the place. The coaches were so welcoming and the facilities were brand new so all that was awesome. They’re a really good team, so that helped encourage the decision. Everything about it just felt like home.”

Welman: “Just the school, and the people, and the teammates and the coaches really made me want to go there and want to pursue equestrian.”

What did your time at River Falls mean to you?

Range: “It’s been really special. I made varsity as a freshman with a limited role, but being able to experience that team as a freshman was really cool. Then, working my way up to playing six rotations my junior and senior year.”

Pankonin: “I wouldn’t have rather grown up in any other place than here. This is the ideal place for me to grow up. Everybody’s so supportive and it has that small town feeling which I really love.”

Schmidt: “Senior year flew by. I mean, my whole high school career has just flown by. It’s been great, I love River Falls.”

Welman: “I’ve been part of River Falls my whole school career, so it was really special for them to have a signing.”

How do you plan to navigate the challenges that come with the college transition?

Range: “Just keep working. I have club season that just started up, so working in the weight room, and obviously on the court too to pick up my pace of play.”

Pankonin: “I’m going to start schooling early in July, so that will help make the transition a little bit easier.”

Schmidt: “Keep my friends and family close. Talk to people, make sure I’m practicing, having fun, make sure my academics are good and just have a good last year of high school.”

Welman: “My school has a lot of academic help for their student athletes, so I’m super excited to be able to utilize that.”

Ellsworth

Aliza Acker of Ellsworth was the school’s lone fall signing, making it official with Southwest Minnesota State softball. Acker was dominant on both sides during her junior softball season, pitching to a 2.27 earned run average while batting .423 with 21 extra-base hits. Acker was first team All-Conference in Ellsworth’s season that ended at Sectionals in the spring. Ellsworth won the Middle Border Conference in 2024.

Why did you choose that college?

“I made [the decision] kind of early, but I just really liked the campus and the coaching. Coach Bouman is really nice and I felt really welcomed, and it’s a small town like Ellsworth.”

What did your time at Ellsworth mean to you?

“High school softball started off pretty rough and I was pretty unmotivated… I just love [Head Coach Tom Diercks] and [assistant coach Brad Giese], they just make it really enjoyable, and the team culture is really awesome.”

How do you want to close out high school during your senior season?

“Obviously, the goal for Ellsworth this year is to go to State. We were really close last year, and this year our toughest opponent will probably be Rice Lake again, but I think we can get past them.”