By: Cade Wilson –

Seventeen LSE athletes were recognized for signing onto a college to play sports at the collegiate level onWednesday, Feb. 7. The students were listed off one by one, each being recognized for the college they would attend, which was followed by a round of applause. Around every five students listed, they would pause and allow family and friends to go down to the table where the athletes were sitting at order to take photographs with them. After the event concluded, the audience gave the athletes one last round of applause. The students involved had fairly optimistic views for the future, and what college has in store for them.

“I’m excited to get to college and get started with it,” said Senior Ty Crandon. “I’m going to Kearney, I think it’ll be a good fit, a good opportunity to play and hopefully have fun and get a good degree.”

Senior Melanie Brecka was looking forward to her time in college.

“[I’m feeling] pretty good, it’s exciting to have [the signing] done and over with and, excited for the next chapter,” said Brecka.

Senior DJ Rediger is feeling positive about the college he’ll be attending.

“[I’m] pretty excited, it’s a big day, [I’m] kind of looking forward to the future,” said

Rediger. “I feel pretty good about it. I really like the college[Dakota Wesleyan], I really like the people I met there and I’m excited to see what’s in store there for me.”

LSE Athletic Director Joseph Toczek sees signing day as a great opportunity for these students to showcase themselves and be recognized for the great things they did as student athletes.

“[We get to celebrate] the hard work they put in and the dedication, but again it’s not only solely for them, also their families, their moms, dads, brothers, sisters, their relatives, their friends here at Southeast, their friends from other schools that have come to support them today, also their teammates and their coaches. So I think it’s a great experience, again, not only for recognition but it’s also a team building and a team bonding experience as well,” said Toczek.