SIOUX FALLS - With an emphasis on offensive and defensive linemen and defensive backs, Augustana College head football coach Jim Heinitz announced today that 17 players have signed national letters of intent to attend Augustana and play football for the Vikings. The class consists of 16 high school players and one junior college transfer.
Of the 17 new recruits, four are offensive linemen, four are defensive backs and four are defensive linemen. The class consists of seven players from Minnesota, three players from South Dakota, two players from Iowa and Wisconsin and one each from Nebraska, Missouri and Arizona.
"I think we signed an outstanding class," said Heinitz, the winningest coach in Augustana history. "We had some specific areas that we wanted to address, particularly the lines, the secondary and punter. I feel we recruited some key people at all of those positions."
Heinitz is also proud of the academic accomplishments of this year's recruiting class. He said the average ACT score of the 17 signees is 25.7.
"That's pretty outstanding," Heinitz said. "I don't think people recognize that. I feel academically that this class will make significant contributions to this college, and athletically, they fit in very well with our program."
Augustana was 3-8 in 2003 and 1-6 in the North Central Conference. The Vikings return only eight seniors in 2004.
"We'll be a young football team," Heinitz said. "A lot of these kids will be counted on to provide some depth next season, along with several of our other young players."
Heinitz said he anticipates signing five or six additional players during the signing period.
Transfer
Player, Pos., Ht., Wt., Hometown/High School/Previous College
Chris Driving Hawk, OL, 6-3, 275, Chandler, Ariz./Hamilton HS/Scottsdale CC
High School Signees
Player, Pos., Ht., Wt., Hometown/High School
Cody Alexander, DB, 5-11, 165, Liberty, Mo./Liberty HS
Brian Baumgartner, DB, 6-4, 180, Blaine, Minn./Blaine HS
Mark Booth, OL, 6-4, 260, Prior Lake, Minn./Lakeville HS
Mike DuFrane, DL, 6-4, 250, Hortonville, Wis./Hortonville HS
Mike Klepatz, QB, 6-6, 230, New Berlin, Wis./Eisenhower HS
Todd Lamont, RB/LB, 5-10, 195, Aberdeen, S.D./Central HS
Matt Lien, DB, 6-3, 185, Duluth, Minn./Denfeld HS
Brandon McMichael, LB, 6-2, 215, St. Louis Park, Minn./Breck HS
Alan Mueller, DL, 6-3, 235, Bloomington, Minn./Breck HS
Joe Nordin, P, 6-3, 205, Lake Lillian, Minn./Atwater-Cosmos-Grove City HS
Marcus Paulson, DB, 6-0, 170, Fremont, Neb./Fremont HS
Chase Robers, DL, 6-7, 240, Sioux Falls, S.D./Lincoln HS
Grant Sather, OL, 6-3, 285, Ramsey, Minn./Anoka HS
Luke Sterbick, TE/FB, 6-1, 215, West Des Moines, Iowa/Valley HS
Joe Walloch, DL, 6-4, 230, Lesterville, S.D./Scotland HS
Brad Westphal, OL, 6-3, 280, LeMars, Iowa/LeMars Community HS
Here's a closer look at the 2004 Augustana College football recruiting class:
Transfer
Chris Driving Hawk, OL, 6-3, 275, Chandler, Ariz./Hamilton HS/Scottsdale CC
Transfer from Scottsdale Community College in Scottsdale, Ariz., where he played center … Was an all-region second team performer at Hamilton High School … Earned All-Tribune honorable mention recognition as a senior … Selected to play in the Down Under Bowl … Helped HHS to a state runner-up finish as a senior … Son of Jim and Vikki Driving Hawk.
High School Signees
Cody Alexander, DB, 5-11, 165, Liberty, Mo./Liberty HS
Earned All-Suburban Big 8 Conference honors as a senior at Liberty High School … Registered 96 tackles, 4 interceptions, 15 pass breakups and 6 blocked kicks in his career … Helped lead the Blue Jays to a 21-8 record from 2001-03 … Helped lead Liberty to the 2002 Suburban Big 8 Conference championship in 202 and a third-place finish in the Class 6A state playoffs … Also a three-time all-conference and all-district track performer … Earned all-state recognition in 2003 … Son of Ted and Dana Alexander.
Brian Baumgartner, DB, 6-4, 180, Blaine, Minn./Blaine HS
A standout defensive back at Blaine High School … Led the Northwest Suburban Conference with 9 interceptions in 2003 … Helped lead the Bengals to a 10-1 record and a berth in the state quarterfinals … Selected to the All-Northwest Suburban Conference Team and to the All-Metro Second Team and the Associated Press All-State Second Team as a defensive back … Son of Mike and Vicky Baumgartner.
Mark Booth, OL, 6-4, 260, Prior Lake, Minn./Lakeville HS
A 2003 All-Lake Conference First Team and Class 5A All-State Second Team performer at Lakeville High School … Helped the Panthers to a 14-0 record in 2003 and the Class 5A state title …The Panthers also won the 2003 Lake Conference championship … A team captain, he was selected to the All-Metro Second Team … Son of Joel Booth and Julie Booth.
Mike DuFrane, DL, 6-4, 250, Hortonville, Wis./Hortonville HS
Pronounced Doo-frain …. A three-year letterwinner at Hortonville High School … A two-year starter and defensive end and tight end for the Polar Bears … Earned all-conference honors as a defensive end during his junior and senior seasons … As a senior, he was named his team's Defensive Lineman of the Year … Also a two-year letterwinner in basketball and track and field … Son of Terry and Chris DuFrane.
Mike Klepatz, QB, 6-6, 230, New Berlin, Wis./Eisenhower HS
Pronounced Klepp-itz … A standout football and basketball player at Eisenhower High School … A two-year starting quarterback and defensive end for the Lions … Completed 70 of 128 passes for 1,178 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2003 in helping the Lions to an 8-3 record and the Woodland Conference title … Was named a first team all-conference performers at quarterback and defensive end … As a junior, he completed 72 of 164 passes for 1,270 yards and 19 touchdowns as Eisenhower went 9-3 and won the conference crown … The Lions advanced to the third round of the Class D2 state playoffs in 2002 … Was a second team all-conference pick at quarterback and defensive end … In basketball, he averaged 18.2 points, 9.3 rebounds and 3.1 blocks per game in earning fist team all-conference honors in 2002-03 … Helped Eisenhower to a 17-5 record and the conference title … This season he is averaging 20 points and 12 rebounds … Plans to be a multi-sport athlete at Augustana College … Son of Paul and Lanette Klepatz.
Todd Lamont, RB/LB, 5-10, 195, Aberdeen, S.D./Central HS
An all-conference and all-state linebacker at Aberdeen Central High School … Led the Eagles to a 12-1 record, the ESD championship and a runner-up finish in the Class 11AA state playoffs … Led the team with 100 tackles, including 20 for loss …Also rushed for over 500 yards and scored five touchdowns … Earned all-state, academic all-state, and all-conference accolades in 2003 … Named CHS's Most Valuable Linebacker and Defensive Player … A 2003 Argus Leader Elite 45 honorable mention performer … Son of Mary Lamont.
Matt Lien, DB, 6-3, 185, Duluth, Minn./Denfeld HS
Prounounced Leen … A three-year starting defensive back and wide receiver at Denfeld High School … A three-time All-North Country Conference selection and a three-time all-area performer … Earned Class 4A All-State Honorable Mention recognition at both defensive back and wide receiver … Holds Denfeld career records for interceptions (11), receptions (87), yards receiving (1,503) and touchdown catches (19) … Helped Denfeld to a 7-3 record this past season and a share of the conference championship … Also a four-year starter on the basketball team … Is the second-leading scorer in Denfeld history with onver 1,300 career points … A three-time all-conference selection, he has helped the Hunters to a 14-1 record and a No. 2 state ranking in Class 4A … Is a three-year starter in baseball … Son of Mike and Cheryl Lien.
Brandon McMichael, LB, 6-2, 215, St. Louis Park, Minn./Breck HS
A standout linebacker at Breck High School … Helped the Mustangs to a 43-6 record during his four-year career … The Mustangs were 14-0 and won the Class AA state championship in 2003 … Helped Breck to conference championships in 2001 and 2003 and state playoff appearances in 2001, 2002 and 2003 … High school teammate of another Augustana signee, Alan Mueller.
Alan Mueller, DL, 6-3, 235, Bloomington, Minn./Breck HS
A four-year letterwinner at Breck High School, where he was a defensive end, offensive tackle and long snapper … Among the team leaders in tackles, sacks and fumble recoveries as a senior … Earned All-Tri-Metro Conference honors as a junior and senior … Helped the Mustangs to a 43-6 record during his four-year career … The Mustangs were 14-0 and won the Class AA state championship in 2003 … Helped Breck to conference championships in 2001 and 2003 and state playoff appearances in 2001, 2002 and 2003 … High school teammate of another Augustana signee, Brandon McMichael …Son of Randy and Linda Mueller.
Joe Nordin, P, 6-3, 205, Lake Lillian, Minn./Atwater-Cosmos-Grove City HS
Pronounced Nor-deen … An all-area punter at Atwater-Cosmos-Grove City High School … Helped team win the Class AA state championship in 2001 … Son of Richard and Patricia Nordin.
Marcus Paulson, DB, 6-0, 170, Fremont, Neb./Fremont HS
A three-year starter at Fremont High School, where he was a wide receiver, defensive back and kick returner … Earned all-conference honors as a junior and senior after receiving honorable mention status as a sophomore … A two-time all-area performer … Twice received Class A honorable mention recognition … A team captain in 2003, he had three interceptions, returning one for a touchdown … Offensively, he carried the ball 38 times for 200 yards and 5 touchdowns, while catching 23 passes for 324 yards and 2 scores … Averaged 20.8 yards per kickoff return … As a junior, he had 222 yards rushing with 2 touchdowns and 154 yards receiving … Intercepted 3 passes and recovered 3 fumbles … Averaged 19.7 yards per kickoff return and 10.9 yards per punt return … Is also a two-year starter on the basketball team and a state qualifier in the pole vault … Son of Don and Heidi Paulson.
Chase Robers, DL, 6-7, 240, Sioux Falls, S.D./Lincoln HS
Pronounced Roe-bers … A three-year starting defensive lineman at Lincoln High School … Named Lincoln's Most Valuable Player in 2003 after collecting a team-high 62 tackles along with five sacks … Earned All-Greater Dakota Conference and Class 11AA all-state honors … Selected to play in the South Dakota High School All-Star Game … Named to the Argus Leader Elite 45 in 2003 … Chosen as a Son of Russ and Jami Robers … His father Russ played football at Augustana College.
Grant Sather, OL, 6-3, 285, Ramsey, Minn./Anoka HS
Pronounced Say-ther … Is also a standout wrestler … Older brother Ryan was an All-North Central Conference center for Augustana in 2000 … Son of John and Chris Sather.
Luke Sterbick, TE/FB, 6-1, 215, West Des Moines, Iowa/Valley HS
A two-year starting tight end at Valley High School … Had 10 catches in 2003 … Was a key blocker for the state's leading rusher, Jason Scales … Earned All-CIML Conference Second Team recognition ... Was also an academic all-conference selection … Helped the Tigers to a 10-3 record in 2002 and a 13-0 mark in 2003 … The Tigers won the Class 4-A state championship both seasons … Also lettered in track in 2003 and helped the Tigers win the state championship … Older brother Pete played football at Augustana College … Son of Kay Sterbick and Larry Sterbick.
Joe Walloch, DL, 6-4, 230, Lesterville, S.D./Scotland HS
Prounounced Wall-ick … An All-Great Plains Conference defensive end at Scotland High School … Also earned Class 9A all-state and academic all-state honors … Named to the Argus Leader Elite 45 in 2003 … Helped lead the Highlanders to an 8-2 record and an appearance in the second round of the state playoffs … Also a standout wrestler … Won the Class B state heavyweight title as a junior after finishing second as a sophomore … A two-time state qualifier in the shot put … Plans to be a multi-sport athlete at Augustana College … Son of Bob and Julie Walloch
Brad Westphal, OL, 6-3, 280, LeMars, Iowa/LeMars Community HS
A two-year starting offensive lineman at LeMars Community High School … Earned Class 3A All-State First Team honors in 2003 after helping the Bulldogs to a 10-2 record and a berth in the state semifinals … Named to the All-State First Team by the Des Moines Register and Iowa Newspaper Association … An academic all-state performer, he also was an all-district first team selection and an All-Northwest Iowa First Team honoree … As a junior in 2002, he was an he helped LeMars to a 9-3 record and a berth in the state semifinals … Earned all-district, All-Northwest Iowa and All-Sentinel Team honors … Also a three-year letterwinner for the golf team … Son of Kent and Jane Westphal.
