As the winter student-athlete college signings heat up again, the county’s athletes are starting to ink their names to their next destinations. Four students did so this week, with more signings expected in the near future.

Preston Johnson

River Falls senior Preston Johnson has been a standout on the football field, basketball court and the track, signing with Minnesota State University Moorhead for football. The six-foot-one defensive back has become a leader and extremely versatile player for the Wildcats, racking up 80 total tackles in nine games including a 22-tackle game.

“It was a lot like our football team. They do a lot of similar stuff, and the coaches are super cool,” Johnson said. “You could just tell with these guys, they were super good. I like the coaching staff and it’s a good fit for me.”

Johnson said he went to a camp at the school and met with the coaches at a few other camps. Through this, he felt a connection with the university and the football team. He has cherished his time at River Falls where he feels his biggest development has been going from a freshman being led by the senior class to a senior that is asked to lead the rest of the squad.

“It’s been a really good journey,” Johnson said. “I’ve dealt with all kinds of relationships with guys that graduated three years ago and younger kids now. I’ve just grown a lot as a leader.

“For football, it’s a ton of kids on a team obviously, so I think just easy to build relationships and it’s going to be easy to make friends with our team,” Johnson said.

Johnson is undecided about his major, but is leaning toward the communications field.

Ava Peters

River Falls senior Ava Peters was one of the leaders of a perennially good Wildcat volleyball team. The setter has been a part of many highs for the team including trips to State in her freshman and junior seasons.

Peters committed to the University of Tennessee Martin because the team had a similar culture to that of River Falls.

“When I talked to the coaches, they reminded me a lot of our program here,” Peters said. “I wanted a coach that cared about my athletic performance, but also who I was as a person.”

Peters has played volleyball throughout high school, spent a year on the track and takes pride in contributing to many activities and events.

“I try to build as much relationships as I can, whether it’s helping out or just joining any activity I can,” Peters said.

To make the transition to college, Peters plans to use her relationships as a springboard to reach the highest heights.

“I know that it’s obviously going to be quite different,” Peters said. “I’m going to just try to lean on my teammates and coaches as much as possible and ask them for help if I need anything.

She is undecided on a major, leaning toward finance.

Nolan Kummer

Ellsworth’s senior football player Nolan Kummer signed with Minnesota State Mankato to play defensive tackle.

“It was a big decision between Bemidji and Mankato, but Mankato was just closer to home, more family involved,” Kummer said. “The coaches, they were involved in my recruitment a lot, reached out every day, showed that they actually wanted me there. Everybody that I talked to that is on the football team, there is a family.”

Kummer knows there are challenges that come with going from a small town to college football, but is focusing on education first, with the rest to come.

“It’s going to be a big challenge for me just coming from high school to college,” Kummer said. “I’m going to do a lot of study room, probably have a tutor once in a while. Just to stay up on my education because that’s what I’m going there for. Football is my secondary there.”

He plans to double major in business management and physical education. On the field, he hopes hard work in the weight room and bonding with his teammates will get him where he needs to be.

“Just staying here at home, close to the school, just meant everything,” Kummer said. “I’ve never met a better family than here at Ellsworth.”

His favorite high school memory was making it to the State Championship game at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison during his freshman season.

“It’s just a different experience that I hope everybody can experience one time, even if it’s just watching,” Kummer said. “High school football on that field is different than college.”

David Regnier

Prescott lineman David Regnier was a force to be reckoned with all season long, making the All-State small school first team as an offensive lineman and honorable mention as a defensive lineman.

“I chose St. Thomas because they are a Division I football program. I also chose them because they are a Catholic university and have a great business program,” Regnier stated.

Regnier has felt the love from Prescott over the years, looking to take what he has learned to the next level.

“I plan to navigate the college transition both athletically and academically with confidence, knowing where I came from and making goals about where I’m going,” Regnier stated.

He said the coaches have especially welcomed him with open arms.

“The Prescott journey has meant a ton to me,” Regnier stated. “I know I’m an unusual case being a homeschooler, but the school and coaches have welcomed me with open arms, especially Coach Hansen, Coach Carl, and Coach Emily.”

Regnier’s favorite high school memory was taking down Ellsworth 28-14 in his senior season. He plans to major in business management at St. Thomas.

Stay tuned as there are more students across the county’s school districts expected to sign in the coming months.