Recruits Thursday, December 21, 2023 NWC Athletic Communications

17 Recruits Join 2024-25 Signing Class

ORANGE CITY, Iowa – Red Raider athletics announces the signings of 17 recruits for the 2024-25 class.

Baseball
Joseph DeYoung (Lakewood, Calif.) has announced his intention to join the Red Raider baseball program. Prepping at Valley Christian, DeYoung is a team captain and multi-sport athlete in baseball and football.

"Northwestern has been a special place in my family for years, both my parents having gone there," DeYoung commented. "Once I started looking for a home for the next four years, God started to make it obvious that Northwestern was the place for me. I'm excited for the next chapter in my life and for new opportunities to learn and spread the love of God."

DeYoung is the son of Matt and Dawn DeYoung. He plans to study engineering at Northwestern.

Trenton Gilbert (Ida Grove, Iowa) has signed with the Red Raider baseball team. A pitcher at OABCIG, Gilbert is a three-year player and a member of the National Honor Society.

"Northwestern has a great community and campus that is welcoming and it will grow my relationship with God," Gilbert commented.

Gilbert is the son of Jeff and Kristy Gilbert. He plans to study secondary education at Northwestern.

Men's Basketball
Maddox Hammerstrom, a senior at Panorama High School (Iowa), has announced his intention to join the Northwestern men's basketball program. Averaging 14.4 points with 8.2 rebounds and 4.9 assists this season, Hammerstrom is a First Team All-Conference selection.

"The reason I chose Northwestern is because of the people and Christian family that I'm joining," Hammerstrom said. "It feels like the right place that God wants me at. Northwestern is a place will grow as more than just an athlete or student, but as a man!"

Hammerstrom is the son of Chris and Sarah Hammerstrom. He plans to study business at Northwestern.

Jalen Langsy (Shakopee, Minn.) has signed with Northwestern men's basketball for the upcoming year. A senior at Shakopee High School, he is a three-year player averaging 18.6 points with 5.7 rebounds and 3.5 assists. A First Team All-Conference selection, Langsy has over 700 career points.

"I loved the campus, and it felt like a second home when I visited," Langsy said.

Langsy is the son of Jasmina and Lee Langsy. He plans to study exercise science at Northwestern.

Noah McPeek (Murray, Neb.) has signed with the Red Raider men's basketball program. A four-year player at First Baptist School, McPeek has averaged 11 points with three boards and four assists for his career.

"I chose Northwestern for a few reasons. First being the personable feel I got when touring the campus. The tour guides were very welcoming and helpful throughout the tour. Second, would be the kindness shown from all I have communicated with over this process, coaches, councilors etc. Third and most importantly would be the peace God has given me in the decision to attend Northwestern College," McPeek commented.

McPeek is the son of Liz and Mike McPeek. He plans to study management at Northwestern.

Gavin Thomas, a senior at Aplington-Parkersburg (Iowa) has announced his intention to join the men's basketball team at Northwestern. A 900-point scorer for his career, he is averaging 16 points with 5.1 rebounds this season. For his performances, he has earned First Team All-District and Second Team All-State accolades.

"I chose Northwestern because of the culture that has been built there. I will also become a better person as well as basketball player," Thomas said.

Thomas is the son of Aaron and Ellie Thomas. He plans to study business at Northwestern.

Esports
Ezekiel Pruitt (Ashland, Neb.) has signed to play on the Smash Brothers Ultimate team at Northwestern.

"I chose Northwestern because it truly showed care for what I wanted to do," Pruitt said. "The Christian environment guaranteed that my faith would remain strong, and that I would be invited into a truly interesting family."

Pruitt is the son of Melissa and Ted Pruitt. He plans to study engineering at Northwestern.

Men's Golf
Ray Greller (Newberg, Ore.) has signed a letter of intent to attend Northwestern and join the men's golf team. A four-year player at Newberg High School, Greller has an 18-hole low of 66 at the 2023 regionals and is a two-time conference champion. mgolf-recruit-raygreller

"I chose Northwestern because my family has gone here, the Christian atmosphere, and great athletics," Greller commented.

"Ray is exactly who we're looking for to represent the Raiders," said head coach Aaron Aberson. "He's committed to his faith, academics and his golf game. He is really talented around the greens and has proven to be a great competitor. We're looking forward to Ray's arrival on campus this fall."

Greller is the son of Tom and Tabitha Greller. He plans to study business at Northwestern.

Axton Miller (Arthur, Iowa) has announced his intention to join the Red Raider men's golf program. A four-year player at OABCIG, Miller is averaging a 71.5 this season with a low score of 65. He has 22 tournament wins, is a two-time individual conference champion, First Team All-State selection, and 2022 Iowa individual state champion.

"I chose Northwestern because of the golf program, facilities, coach, and teammates," Miller said.

"Axton is a great addition to this talented recruiting class," head coach Aaron Aberson noted. "I love the fact that he's a proven winner and has shown that he is capable of shooting some really low scores. Axton's work ethic really stands out as well and I'm confident he'll continue to see improvement during his time as a Raider."

Miller is the son of Cory and Mindy Miller. He plans to study accounting at Northwestern.

Men's Soccer
Andre Fuentes (Elgin, Iowa) has announced his intention to join the Northwestern men's soccer program. A midfielder at North Fayette Valley High School, Fuentes has 57 assists and 43 goals in three years of high school play. He is a three-time All-State selection and has also played club soccer with FC United.

"I visited campus and immediately could tell that it was an amazing environment," Fuentes said. "Everyone was extremely friendly and were displaying God's love."

Fuentes is the son of Ignacio and Jennifer. He plans to study finance at Northwestern.

Jannes Kuehn (Leipzig, Germany) has announced his intention to join the Red Raider men's soccer team. He played left back at Karl-Heine-Schule in Germany.

"I chose Northwestern because of the conversations I had with the coaches and the school's soccer program," Kuehn said.

He is the son of Kai and Susanne Kuehn. Kuehn plans to study psychology at Northwestern.

Daniel Lindahl (Stockholm, Sweden) has signed with the Red Raider men's soccer team after a high school and club career with Sjolins Gymnasium and Nacka FC. The forward scored 26 career goals with 16 assists, with three goals this season.

"Northwestern stood out because of the facilities, which allow us to practice year round and constantly improve as players and as a team" Lindahl commented. "Coach Swier also brought a sense of professionalism the first time we spoke and also after. This made me feel safe with my choice and in the end it was an easy one."

Lindahl is the son of Carl Lindahl and Katarina Hulden.

Men's Track & Field
Caleb Noeske (Exeter, Calif.) has announced his intention to join the Red Raider track and field and football programs. A four-year multi-sport athlete at Central Valley Christian High School, Noeske competed in the shot put and discus, being named a track and field conference champion and conference thrower of the year. mtrack-recruit-calebnoeske

"Northwestern College offers a faith based community for me to continue my academic and athletic career," Noeske said. "I have appreciated the connections I have made with students, athletes, professors and coaches during my visits. These were instrumental to my choice."

He is the son of Todd and Keri Noeske. Noeske plans to study Biology - Health Professions at Northwestern.

Women's Track & Field/Cross Country wtrack-recruit-brooklynfryar

Brooklyn Fryar (Waukee, Iowa) has announced her commitment to the Northwestern women's cross country and track and field teams. A senior at Van Meter High School, Fryar is a multiple-time team cross country champion and individual state qualifier, also placing in state track and field, earning the Class 2A state championship in the 4x800m relay in 2022 and 2023.

"I chose Northwestern because of the campus environment, the Christian based atmosphere that will allow me to grow my faith, and the relationships I look forward to making," Fryar commented.

She is the daughter of Matt and Bridget Fryar.

Kenna Gustafson (Fort Collins, Colo.) has announced her intention to join the Red Raider women's track and field and cross country teams. Running a career best 5K of 21:31 and competing in jumps, distance, and mid-distance events, Gustafson is an Academic All-State selection.

"Northwestern College gave me the most sense of home and family," Gustafson said. "While the athletics programs I am interested in, cross country and track, showed me on my visit how they love on each other. Overall God gave me the most peace and comfort here. So that is why I chose Northwestern."

She is the daughter of Holly and Kyle Gustafson. She plans to study nursing at Northwestern.

Alexis Grover (Sanborn, Iowa) has announced her commitment to join the Northwestern women's track and field team. A two-year thrower at Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn, Grover has a c wtrack-recruit-alexisgrover

areer mark of 28'6" in the shot put.

"I chose Northwestern College because I have always loved the atmosphere and the people there," Grover commented. "I have been in track for my third year now and I would have never guessed that I would go to college for it. I went to a track practice in October and got to meet most of the throwers and lift with them. After that practice, I knew that I wanted to come here. It is filled with amazing people as well as good academics. I am excited to continue my academic and track career here!"

Grover is the daughter of Holly and Ben Halverson. She plans to study psychology and criminal justice at Northwestern.

Jordan Shull (Hornick, Iowa) has announced her commitment to join the Red Raider women's track and field and volleyball teams. A multi-sport athlete at Westwood High School, Shull has 682 career kills with 457 digs and 96 service aces. On the track, Shull has a 100m PR of 13.66 and a 200m PR of 27.14. She is a state track qualifier and First Team All-Conference volleyball selection.
wtrack-recruit-jordanshull

"I chose Northwestern College because of the academic opportunities and a place to strengthen my faith and relationship with God," Shull commented. "I also felt that Northwestern would be a great opportunity to meet new people and create new friendships!"

Shull is the daughter of Kyle and Jodi Shull. She plans to study environmental science at Northwestern.

Volleyball
Jordan Shull (Hornick, Iowa) has announced her commitment to join the Red Raider women's track and field and volleyball teams. A multi-sport athlete at Westwood High School, Shull has 682 career kills with 457 digs and 96 service aces. On the track, Shull has a 100m PR of 13.66 and a 200m PR of 27.14. She is a state track qualifier and First Team All-Conference volleyball selection.

"I chose Northwestern College because of the academic opportunities and a place to strengthen my faith and relationship with God," Shull commented. "I also felt that Northwestern would be a great opportunity to meet new people and create new friendships!"

Shull is the daughter of Kyle and Jodi Shull. She plans to study environmental science at Northwestern.

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