Wednesday was National Signing Day for high school student-athletes all around the country to sign their commitment and continue their athletic careers at the next level.
The event is something that’s recognized all over the country and Wednesday afternoon two Shawano football players signed their letter to play football at their respective universities.
Dylan Sumnicht made his commitment official by signing with Division 2 Upper Iowa University out of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference South Division.
Running back Kien Moorman signed on to play Division 3 football in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference with the UW-Platteville Pioneers.
“We had the top scoring offense in our conference and a big part of it is [Sumnicht and Moorman] here,” said Shawano head coach Al Tomow. “It was a lot of fun to watch. They provided some great moments this past year, really the past four years for our football team, and hopefully for our school.”
With Zeke Gueths one year removed from committing to Division 1 Northern Illinois, Shawano High School has participated in a National Signing Day for consecutive years now, something coach Tomow says he hopes becomes a consistent event.
“It’s exciting to go through and I think as more college coaches are coming through here, Shawano is not just a stop between Wausau and Bay Port. I think we’re starting to have some football players that can compete at different levels. I hope this continues and it’s definitely a lot of fun.”
Coach Tomow also applauded the universities that Moorman and Sumnicht have chosen and the strong competition they will compete against.
Last season, Upper Iowa finished below .500 for the first time four years. The Peacocks were 3-8 to end the season.
UW-Platteville competes in arguably the best Division 3 conference in the country in the WIAC, a conference that has sent a representative to the Division 3 National Championship game 9 of the previous 12 seasons.
Sumnicht became the school’s all-time leading receiver with 1,945 yards and 21 touchdowns. The previous year he was one of the leading receivers in the state with 1,123 yards and 14 touchdowns.
Kien Moorman ended his Shawano career with 1,786 yards and 19 touchdowns. He carried the ball 145 times for 983 yards and 12 scores during his senior season.
Other area athletes:
Football
Brody Bazile (Freedom) – LB – Upper Iowa University
Logan Bruss (Kimberly) – OL – University of Wisconsin
Mohammed Elazazy (Menasha) – OL – Western Michigan University
Jared Gossen (De Pere) – OL – University of Minnesota State at Mankato
Trey Halfmann (Fond du Lac) – SF – University of Minnesota State at Mankato
Jake Hansen (Bay Port) – OL – University of Minnesota-Duluth
Kyle Hietpas (Little Chute) – DB – University of North Dakota
Jacob Hiltunen (Appleton North) – WR – Michigan Tech
Donte Johnson (Fond du Lac) – DL – University of Minnesota-Duluth
Ryan Johnson (Ashwaubenon) – QB – Northern Michigan
Brandon Kolgen (Appleton North) – DL – University of Minnesota-Duluth
Devon Krzanowski (Fond du Lac) – ILB – St. Cloud State
Matt Lorbeck (Bay Port) – LB – Northern Illinois University
Logan McCormick (Kimberly) – DE – North Dakota State University
Luke Romnek (Menasha) – TE – University of Minnesota State at Mankato
Adam Stage (Kimberly) – K – St. Cloud State
Danny Vanden Boom (Kimberly) – QB – University of Wisconsin
Tyler Verstegen (Kimberly) – WR – St. Norbert College
Aaron Vopal (De Pere) – DE – University of Wisconsin
Coy Wanner (Green Bay Preble) – ATH – University of Wisconsin