Recruits Friday, July 11, 2025 NWC Athletic Communications

Northwestern Rounds Out Fall Signing Class

ORANGE CITY, Iowa – Northwestern College has announced the signings of 10 recruits to its 2025-26 class.

Men's Soccer
Sawyer Bolton, a forward and defender from MOC-Floyd Valley High School, has joined the Northwestern men's soccer team.

With the Dutch, Bolton contributed to a team that achieved a top 16 finish in class 2A.

His choice of Northwestern was influenced by the college's Christian community and the friendships he has formed.

He is the son of Gail and Keith, and brother to Paisley. Bolton has expressed his intention to major in marketing at Northwestern.

Men's Track & Field/Cross Country
Aren Hellbusch, a distance runner, has officially joined the Northwestern men's track and field program. Hellbusch comes from Pella High School in Pella, Iowa.

During his high school career, Hellbusch achieved a personal best of 16:33 in the 5K. He was a key cog in his team's success, contributing to their achievements as district team champions and securing a third-place finish at the state level in cross country. Over his career, he was a two-time team state qualifier, with his team finishing as runners-up in 2023 and third in 2024. His individual accomplishments include being named All-Conference in 2023 and earning four varsity letters in cross country.

In addition to his athletic prowess, Hellbusch has been recognized for his academic excellence. He was a member of the National Honor Society and made multiple appearances on the Conference All-Academic team.

When asked about his decision, he stated, "I chose Northwestern because I felt at home when I stepped onto campus and met all the incredible people here."

He is the son of Anne and Austin Hellbusch, and brother to Alllysen. Hellbusch has chosen to major in business administration at Northwestern College.

Kalarga Mukhtar, a hurdles competitor, has officially joined the Northwestern men's track and field team. Mukhtar, previously from Northwest High School in Waukee, Iowa, brings a strong track record to the program.

During his career, Mukhtar has achieved notable success, including being an 8-time state qualifier. He has also qualified for the Drake Relays four times and has been a champion at the event. His personal bests include a time of 15.1 seconds in the 110-meter hurdles and 54.55 seconds in the 400-meter hurdles.

Mukhtar is the son of Ekrahm Kachu and has three siblings: Bill, Kannya, and Kume. He plans to major in health science at Northwestern College.

Caleb Tofteland has officially joined the Northwestern College men's cross country and track and field teams. Tofteland, an accomplished athlete from Trinity Academy in Wichita, Kansas, brings an impressive record of achievements to Northwestern.

At Trinity Academy, Tofteland was the Kansas 3A state champion in cross country, 1600m, and 3200m events during the most recent season. His career includes being a three-time team state champion in cross country and a four-time individual state medalist. In track, he is a three-time state medalist in both the 1600m and 3200m events. His academic accolades include being named to the Kansas XC Academic All-State team, and he has earned athletic honors such as Wichita XC All-Metro Runner of the Year and 1st Team All-Metro Track & Field.

"I chose Northwestern because of the incredible Christian community and the way Christ is at the center of everything, both in athletics and everything else," Tofteland stated.

He is the son of Nate and Angela, and brother to Abby and Ethan. Tofteland will be studying Pre-Med at Northwestern College.

Women's Track & Field/Cross Country
Anastyn Baade, specializing in the 100m, 200m, long jump, and triple jump, has signed with the Northwestern College women's track and field team.

Baade comes from T.F. Riggs High School in Pierre, South Dakota, where she distinguished herself with notable achievements in track and field. In her most recent season, Baade clocked 12.98 in the 100m dash and 28.01 in the 200m dash. She also achieved distances of 16'4" in the long jump and 32'8" in the triple jump. Her performance earned her an athletic all-state honor in 2024.

Baade expressed her reasons for choosing Northwestern College, stating, "My high school track and field coaches recommended NWC for me, and I visited this fall and fell in love."

She is the daughter of Darcy and Steve Baade, and sister to Tristen, Nevaeh, Kohen, and Brynn. Baade plans to study criminal justice at Northwestern.

Edith Deubner, specializing in throwing events, has officially joined the Northwestern College women's track and field team.

Deubner comes to Northwestern from Washington High School in Cherokee, Iowa. She has achieved notable career stats in her events, with a 108" discus throw and a 28.7" shot put. In addition to her athletic accomplishments, Deubner has excelled academically. She served as the Vice President of the National Honor Society, earned a Silver Cord for her achievements, and was ranked 6th in her class of 77 with a 3.8 GPA. She also held leadership roles as an FCA Leader and Speech Vice President.

She stated, "I chose Northwestern because there's no better place to grow in faith, build meaningful relationships, and pursue a degree I love with the support of inspiring coaches and professors than Northwestern!"

She is the daughter of Benjy and Ona and sister to Frances, August, and Roland. Deubner plans to study English teaching at Northwestern.

Carly Dunn, specializing in hurdles and relays, has signed with the Northwestern College women's track and field team. Dunn joins the program from Sioux Center High School.

Throughout her high school career, Dunn has consistently demonstrated her prowess on the track. In her most recent season, she recorded a personal best of 15.57 seconds in the 100-meter hurdles and qualified for the state track meet in four events: the 100-meter hurdles, sprint medley relay, shuttle hurdle relay, and 4x100 relay. Her career statistics also include a steady improvement in the 100m hurdles, starting with a time of 17.23 seconds in 2022 and achieving 15.57 seconds by 2025. Additionally, Dunn has been a state qualifier multiple times across various relay events.

She expressed her motivation for choosing Northwestern College, stating, "I chose Northwestern College because it feels the most like home and it is a strong, safe, welcoming environment that will encourage me to grow in my Christian Faith."

She is the daughter of Dan and Dana Dunn, and sister to Tyler and Eli. Dunn plans to study nursing at Northwestern.

Maci Schmalbeck, a mid-distance and relay competitor, has officially signed with the Northwestern women's track and field team.

Schmalbeck joins Northwestern from Sioux Center High School, where she established an impressive track record. She is a seven-time state qualifier, including three recent qualifications in the 400m, 4x400m, and 4x800m events. In her most recent season, she earned All-Conference honors and contributed to her team's victories in both conference and district championships. Her athletic excellence extends beyond track, as she has received multiple All-Conference honors in volleyball, softball, and basketball.

In addition to her athletic achievements, Schmalbeck has demonstrated exceptional academic performance. She is a member of the National Honor Society and has consistently achieved Academic All-Conference and All-State recognitions. Furthermore, she has been honored with the Governor's Scholar Award in 2025 and has maintained her position on the Honor Roll from 2022 to 2025.

Regarding her decision to join Northwestern, Schmalbeck stated, "Northwestern's faith-centered education and familial culture best equips me to live out God's calling for my life. Northwestern felt like home because they boldly live out their faith in both the sciences and on the track."

She is the daughter of Kari and Brian Schmalbeck, and sister to Tatum. Schmalbeck plans to major in Biology Health Professions.

Addison Smith, specializing in relays and high jump, has officially joined the Northwestern College women's track and field team. Smith, from Bronson, Iowa, transitions from Lawton-Bronson High School, where she made a significant impact in athletics and academics.

During her high school career, Smith achieved All-Conference honors in track and field, specifically in the 4x100 meter relay, 4x200 meter relay, 4x400 meter relay, and high jump. Notably, she set new records in the high jump with a leap of 5'7" and established new benchmarks for the 4x100 (49.99), 4x200 (1.44.44), 4x400 (4.07), and Distance Medley Relay (4.12). Her athletic prowess was not limited to track and field, as she also earned All-Conference status for cross country throughout all four years of high school and received an honorable mention in basketball.

Academically, Smith excelled as the valedictorian of her graduating class, maintaining a Gold Honor Roll status for all four years and earning the American Citizenship Award. Her leadership was recognized through her roles as a Cross Country Captain, Basketball Captain, and as the Female Athlete of the Year for Lawton's 2025 graduating class.

Smith's choice to attend Northwestern College was influenced by the institution's strong community values and its welcoming atmosphere.

Smith plans to major in Biology, drawn by the college's abundant love for God and the supportive environment she experienced during her visits. She is the daughter of Brandon and Sarah Smith, and sister to Hannah and Keegan.

Kayden Spencer, a distance runner from Boone, Iowa, has officially joined the Northwestern College women's cross country and track and field team. Spencer comes from Des Moines Area Community College and is a former student of Ogden High School.

Spencer has an impressive record in her running career. She has been named an All-American twice in cross country and competed at nationals in 2025 in both the indoor and outdoor 5K events. Her most recent season stats include a 24:54 in the 6K in cross country, 19:01 in the 5K in cross country, 18:40 in the indoor track 5K, 10:41 in the indoor 3K, 5:24 in the indoor mile, 2:38 in the indoor 800, 4:57 in the outdoor 1500, and 18:39 in the outdoor 5K.

In addition to her athletic accomplishments, Spencer is also a member of the academic honors program and plans to major in business administration at Northwestern College. She expressed her enthusiasm for joining a faith-based institution, saying, "I was looking for a school that would help me grow in my running and academic career. I am also excited that I get to continue my college experience at a faith-based school."

She is the daughter of Nate and Jill Spencer, and sister to Mckenzie, Kelsey, and Sadie.

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Players Mentioned

Aren Hellbusch: 5' 11"; Freshman

Kalarga Mukhtar: 5' 11"; Freshman

Caleb Tofteland: Freshman

Edith Deubner: 5' 8"; Freshman

Carly Dunn: 5' 4"; Freshman

Maci Schmalbeck: 5' 7"; Freshman

Addison Smith: 5' 7"; Freshman

Kayden Spencer: 5' 6"; Junior

Players Mentioned

Aren Hellbusch
: 5' 11"; Freshman

Kalarga Mukhtar
: 5' 11"; Freshman

Caleb Tofteland
: Freshman

Edith Deubner
: 5' 8"; Freshman

Carly Dunn
: 5' 4"; Freshman

Maci Schmalbeck
: 5' 7"; Freshman

Addison Smith
: 5' 7"; Freshman

Kayden Spencer
: 5' 6"; Junior