Blair High School has celebrated 14 college athletics signings this school year.
Bears Dawson Fricke, Taylor Larson and Kaden Sears are the latest seniors to put pen to paper and pose for photos as they did Friday morning inside the school library.
Dawson Fricke, Wartburg track
Fricke, a long-distance runner, has set high goals for his future at Warburg College in Waverly, Iowa.
“I'm hoping I can be an All-American for (Division III),” he said Friday.
The Blair standout helped his cross-country team to its highest state finish in school history last fall — third — and medaled ninth individually in 2021. He also finished 11th in the Class B 3,200-meter run last May during track season, but believes he can reach even higher heights in college.
“There's a reason I'm going 4.5 hours away,” Fricke said.
In his view, Wartburg College gives him the opportunity to improve. The Knights' cross-country team finished second during the NCAA Division III National Championships this past season.
“Their training facility for track is very, very nice,” Fricke said. “Their track is nice. Their indoor track is nice and they have a specific cross-country course that is just a cross-country course.”
The Bear said he's looking forward to having college teammates pushing him to success year-round. He's also excited for his future in his new school's engineering program, which provides his desired educational opportunities going forward.
Taylor Larson, Iowa Lakes softball
Larson is set to continue her softball career at Iowa Lakes Community College in Estherville, Iowa.
“I feel like my dream finally came true,” she said Friday.
Continuing past high school ball has been a goal for the Blair Bear, who will accomplish it next school year. Coach Katie King's Lakers were off to a 26-10 start this season as of Friday morning, competing at the NJCAA level. Their roster includes one Nebraskan, Omaha Burke graduate Alyssa Thorson.
“I just felt very welcomed,” Larson said of her impression of the school. “All of the players, I love them.”
Last fall, the senior helped her BHS team to a 31-6 record, batting at a .395 average going into the state tournament. She had two homers and 13 RBIs.
Now, though, Larson joins Iowa Lakes looking to start her general studies on a small, easy-to-navigate campus, and to excel on the diamond. Her goals don't stop there, though.
“I want to go to a four-year college after that,” she said.
Kaden Sears, Concordia football
Concordia University is Sears' opportunity to continue playing football at the next level.
“It's my passion,” he said Friday. “Something I love.”
The Class B honorable mention linebacker will move to Seward after finishing with a Blair-best 77 total tackles last fall. The athletic standout was fifth at state wrestling in February and is a regular contributor on the baseball team this spring, too.
As a Bulldog, he wants to contribute in any way he can.
“Just try to help the team,” Sears said. “Work on myself. Better myself every day.”
Concordia's coach, Patrick Daberkow, and the school's facilities were selling points leading to his commitment. He said he'll likely play on the defensive side of the ball and plans to major in business.
“Business is broad and covers a lot,” Sears said when asked why he picked the course of study.
The senior is the third BHS football player to celebrate his college destination with a signing celebration this school year, joining teammates Dane Larsen (Wayne State College) and Seagan Packett-Trisdale (Peru State College). Seniors Josie Biffar (Morningside wrestling), Allison Hernandez (Newman soccer), Kaitlyn Johnson (Hastings basketball), Shelby Kain (Midland wrestling), Jake Raymond (Midland soccer), Nolan Slominski (Dakota State track), Shea Wendt (Creighton baseball), Keara Chaffee (Omaha soccer), Tessa Villotta (South Dakota softball), Norah Cloudt (Doane track) and Ally Lynch (Northwestern College softball) have also signed to join college teams thus far.
