Chaska high school celebrated three student/athletes who signed athletic aid agreements with Division I or Division II institutions on Feb. 5.
Assistant Principal/Athletic Director Anita Woodrow kicked off the signing event by explaining the timing of the commitment process. She went on to recognize the commitment and competitive nature of the three committing athletes, adding additional gratitude to the football program and its staff. Chaska coaching staff indicated that three commitments is typical for the program each year, and they are proud of this being a great capstone for each season’s efforts.
Head Football Coach Bryan Dahl provided comments on each of the three commits. All were multi-sport athletes, with Prentiss Derrick also in wrestling, Connor Regnier is (in Dahl’s terms) “the world’s largest tennis player” and Josh Wedel being a track star. Dahl praised their leadership with the football team and had a number of “friendly” insights on their less-than-effusive speaking styles.
Prentiss Derrick was an offensive and defensive lineman for Chaska and will be attending Bemidji State University (a Division II program). He intends to major in exercise science and is excited to be a part of such a competitive program. He chose Bemidji because he connected with the coaching staff and felt their concern for his athletic and academic goals.
“I was impressed with how much they wanted me to play there,” he said.
He is well aware of Bemidji’s extensive winter climate and looks forward to what it can offer. Coach Dahl shared that “Prentiss was fun to have on the team, and I enjoyed watching him trying to use some of his wrestling moves on opposing teams.”
Connor Regnier was another offensive and defensive lineman and will be “just down” Highway 169 at Minnesota State University – Mankato (also a DII program). Coach Dahl was targeted in his comments on Regnier’s skills.
“He has long arms and can really break up plays. I can think of a few games where he made some key plays that impacted the direction of the game,” he said.
Regnier plans to study engineering at MSU.
“I chose Mankato as I felt I just bonded so well with the coaches and the campus,” he said. “It’s a competitive program and guys from Chaska have played here and done well.”
Josh Wedel was a multi-purpose offensive threat for Chaska. He’ll be attending Washington State University (a Division 1 program). Wedel had originally committed to South Dakota State University, but when the SDSU coach was hired at WSU, the coach brought a number of his coaches with him and they wanted Wedel.
Wedel will be studying kinesiology at WSU and is both excited and concerned about being “away” from home.
“My folks have already scouted out some VRBO locations so they can visit and come to games,” he said. “It will be a challenge, but I’m excited to get to know a different part of the country. I’m following the coaching staff because they made me feel like family and that’s important to me.”
Woodrow concluded the event by asking each commit to “officially” sign their papers in front of family, teammates and coaches.
“Coaches work hard at making all activities, arts and athletics a family affair here at Chaska,” Woodrow said. “We will miss each of you, but it’s good to know that your new families will embrace you as we did.”
