ORANGE CITY, Iowa – The Northwestern College athletic communications office announces the signings of 13 Raider recruits during the month of April.

Women's Soccer
Autumn Nemitz (Denison, Iowa) has signed a letter of intent to continue her soccer career at Northwestern College. 

Nemitz primarily a defender that also has some midfield experience at Denison High School. She started seven of 15 games and tallied one assist. Nemitz earned Hawkeye-10 All-Conference honors for her efforts on the pitch.

Nemitz is an "A" Honor Roll student and plans to study Physical Therapy at Northwestern. She is the daughter of Alan and Callie.

"When I was visiting Northwestern's campus, it felt extremely welcoming and I was comfortable with the environment," stated Nemitz. "I also loved how it felt like a safe place for me to be. The campus just felt like home to me and this was a huge part of me choosing Northwestern since I want to be somewhere that made me feel safe."

Cheer & Dance
Rachel Henriksen (Ringsted, Iowa) has signed a letter of intent to continue her competitive dance career at Northwestern College.  

Henriksen was the captain for her team at North Union High School and has four years of competitive dance experience.

Head coach Taylor Decker stated, "We're excited to have Rachel join us in the fall. She was a great asset on her high school team and she will be a great addition to our team!"

Henriksen is the Valedictorian of her class and plans to study Nursing at Northwestern. She is the daughter of Philip and Lisa.

"I chose Northwestern College because of the college's Christian beliefs, the excellent nursing program, the home-like atmosphere of the college, and the opportunity to continue dancing," said Henriksen. Dance has been an important part of my life since I was three years old, and I am looking forward to continuing this passion during my time at Northwestern College."

Darley Carrillo (Remsen, Iowa) has signed a letter of intent to continue her cheerleading career at Northwestern College. 

Carrillo has two years of football cheer and three of basketball cheer experience at MMCRU. She also lettered in track and cheer.

"We're excited to have Darley join our team next year," said head coach Taylor Decker. "She has a great personality and will make a great addition to both of our squads!"

Carrillo plans to study Nursing at Northwestern. She is the daughter of Byron and Claudia.

When asked what made her choose Northwestern Carrillo stated, "To be a part of a great community with a Christian aspect."

Men's Basketball
Mason Gerleman (Rock Rapids, Iowa) has signed a letter of intent to continue his basketball career at Northwestern College. 

Gerleman is a multisport athlete from Central Lyon High School. He averaged 16.9 points, 2.2 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and shot over 45% from the three in his final season. Gerleman totaled 1083 points, 153 assists, and 240 three-point field goals in his high school career. He earned third team all-state, first team all-conference, and was selected to the all-tournament team.

"Mason is a gym rat and the son of a coach," stated head coach Kris Korver. "He loves the game and he wants to improve. Mason has had a great high school career and he earned that by working hard. He can shoot the ball and he knows how to play. Mason will be an excellent addition to our program and a blessing to our campus community. We are excited he is joining us!"

Gerleman is an Honor Roll student and plans to study Business Finance at Northwestern. He is the son of Ben and Nicole.

Gerleman on what made him choose to join the Raiders, "The basketball coaches and their nice campus."

James Bouma (Orange City, Iowa) has signed a letter of intent to continue his basketball career at Northwestern College. 

Bouma played multiple sports at Unity Christian, including basketball, football, and baseball. He was a first team all-conference and a 2A all-district selection. Bouma was also a NW Iowa Review Honorable Mention nominee. He averaged 11.4 points, 2.0 steals, and 2.7 assists per game during his senior season.

"James is a hard worker and he knows how to play the game," said Kris Korver. "He is a good athlete and he is a guy who makes winning plays. He is the son of a coach and he wants to get better. We are excited James is joining us! We look forward to having him join Raider basketball and we are confident he will be a blessing to our campus!"

Bouma is the son of Ross and Angie, and the brother to future Raider volleyball player Jenna.

Bouma noted that, "family members went to Northwestern and it is close to home," as some of the deciding factors.

Men's Soccer
Kendall Bickford (Grimes, Iowa) has signed a letter of intent to continue his soccer career at Northwestern College. 

Bickford is a forward from Dallas Center-Grimes. In his most recent season, Bickford totaled 10 goals, six assists, and his team finished with a 17-4 record. For his career he has netted 24 goals and totaled seven assists. Bickford is a first team all-state and first team all-conference selection. He holds the school record for most goals in a single season.

Head coach Dan Swier stated, "We were excited about Kendall from the very first time we met him and saw him play. He is technically sound, tactically advanced, and possesses a competitive spirit that will contribute to the culture we promote in our program. He is a versatile player, but most importantly, he knows how to score goals. We are eager to see what the future holds for him at Northwestern."

Bickford plans to study Criminal Justice at Northwestern. He is the son of Doug and Penny.

"I liked the campus and have the opportunity to attend a top tier academic and athletic school," stated Bickford.

Carson Belik (O'Neill, Neb.) has signed a letter of intent to continue his soccer career at Northwestern College. 

Belik is a striker from O'Neill Jr./Sr. High. In his most recent completed season, Belik has tallied 16 goals and 13 assists in six games. For his career thus far, Belik has netted 28 goals.

Head coach Dan Swier stated, "Carson is going to be a great fit for us. He is mature and hard-working, and has a great attitude. It is our hope that being exposed to a high level of play day-in and day-out will help him realize his potential as a player. We know he will make Northwestern a better place during his time here."
 
Belik is an Honor Roll student and plans to study Youth Ministry/Christian Education at Northwestern. He is the son of Kristy Sigler.

"Northwestern has an amazing faithful community where I feel I can definitely grow spiritually," said Belik.

Esports
 
Karlton Reuter (Orange City, Iowa) has signed a letter of intent to continue his esports career at Northwestern College. 
 
Reuter plans to play on Northwestern's Rocket League team. He is a Valedictorian and Student Council President at MOC-Floyd Valley. He is also a National Honor Society member.
 
Head coach Cole Prescott stated, "Karlton is a player we've been excited about for quite a while now. He's a great team player and communicator, and that fits right in with our Rocket League team's philosophy." 
 
Reuter plans to study Computer Science at Northwestern. He is the son of Jeffrey and Janette.
 
Reuter stated about his decision to attend Northwestern, "it is a quality education and I can stay close to family."
 
Izaac Green (Sioux Falls, S.D.) has signed a letter of intent to continue his esports career at Northwestern College.  
 
Green is a Diamond 3 level player and plans to join the Rocket League team at Northwestern. He is a National Honor Society member and a High Honor Roll student at Sioux Falls Christian.
 
Head coach Cole Prescott stated, "We're incredibly excited to have Izaac join our Rocket League squad this fall. He's a growing and developing talent, but even more importantly, he embodies the values and character of our program. He's a servant leader and he will bring an excellent presence to our team."
 
Green plans to study Business Administration and Spanish at Northwestern. He is the son of Casey and Teissa.
 
"I chose Northwestern College because it is a Christ-centered college and I was very impressed with their commitment to community and an excellent education," said Green.
 
Levi Sullivan (Shelby Twp., Mich.) has signed a letter of intent to continue his esports career at Northwestern College. 
 
Sullivan plans to join the Overwatch team at Northwestern. Head coach Cole Prescott stated, "Levi embodies the values of our program. His faith, leadership, and active love and service towards others is evident and ongoing. I am very excited for the impact he is going to have on our roster this fall."
 
Sullivan is graduating from Eisenhower High School with honors. He plans to study Psychology at Northwestern.
 
"When I visited Northwestern, it stood out to me because it seemed like a school that put faith above all else, which was not something I had previously noticed from other college," stated Sullivan. "The staff and students at Northwestern were all very passionate about what they do there and have been very helpful even after I visited the campus. So, if you asked me why I chose Northwester it's a place where I think I will be able to grow in not just my education, but also in my faith as well."
 
Men's Tennis
 
Leandro Costa (Caratinga, Minas Gerias, Brazil) has signed a letter of intent to continue his tennis career at Northwestern College. 
 
Costa was the a three-time National Tournament Champion in doubles and #1 doubles in the nation until 18. He reached the semi-finals in two national singles tournaments. Costa was the UTR doubles champion twice and was runner-up three times.
 
Head coach Monte Tilgner stated, "Leandro is the first international student athlete that I have recruited to Northwestern for tennis. I'm very excited to have him joining our program. He comes with a great work ethic and a dedication to tennis that few young men of his age have attained. He is very excited to come to Northwestern, and I look forward to working with him and seeing him grow as a player and young man at Northwestern and in our community."
 
Coast plans to study Business and Communication at Northwestern. He is the son of Donato and Luciene.
 
"Knowing that I'll feel supported through out my acts and decisions, and that I know I can make the difference, and helping and serving," stated Costa about his decision to attend Northwestern.
 
Arthur Vicente (São Paulo, Brazil) has signed a letter of intent to continue his tennis career at Northwestern College. 
 
Vicente was ranked in the top-100 in the U18 national ranking for Brazil. He was 14-13 in his most recent season.
 
Head coach Monte Tilgner stated, "Arthur is another international student athlete who is also from Brazil. He has spent a great deal of time focusing on tennis and will also be a great asset to our team. I am happy that he has chosen Northwestern, and know that he will enjoy his time here and will grow not only in his tennis game, but as a young man as well. I am excited for his arrival in the fall and look forward to some great times on the court."
 
Vicente plans to study Computer Science at Northwestern. He is the son of Sérgio and Leida.
 
"I chose Northwestern College because I will be majoring in Computer Science, and Iowa seemed like a good place to live, and I will keep growing as a student and an athlete," stated Vicente about his collegiate decision.
 
Carson Madsen (Estherville, Iowa) has signed a letter of intent to continue his tennis career at Northwestern College. 
 
Madsen is an all-conference honorable mention honoree from Estherville Lincoln Central. For his career he has 8 matches won and only one match lost.
 
Head coach Monte Tilgner stated, "Carson is a young man with great character and work ethic. He will be involved in many things at Northwestern and I'm sure we will help him grow in all aspects of his life. Carson will bring a positive attitude and work ethic to practice every day and will be a terrific teammate. I look forward to seeing what Carson brings to Northwestern, and I know the college will prepare him well for life after graduation."
 
Madsen is an Honor Roll student and plans to study Ag Business at Northwestern. He is the son of Craig and Tara.
 
"The faith-based college where I can grow and also continue my studies with athletics on the side," said Madsen.
 

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