Four Gopher Conference athletes sign

Four Gopher Conference athletes in Steele County signed letters of intent committing to play on college teams during National Signing Day on Wednesday.
Blooming Prairie’s Bobbie Bruns, Drew Kittelson and Lauren Schammel made their commitments official, while NRHEG’s Sophie Stork also officially inked her college commitment.
Blooming Prairie’s Drew Kittelson committed to Minnesota State University, Mankato official to be the Awesome Blossom’s sole NCAA Division One athlete.
Kittelson’s career at Blooming Prairie was one for the record books as the senior led the Awesome Blossoms to a 15-1 record over two seasons as a starter.
Over the span of three seasons as Blooming Prairie’s quarterback, Kittelson totaled 3,635 passing yards for 59 touchdowns and added 698 yards rushing on 90 carries for 15 touchdowns.
Kittelson was also a Minnesota Mr. Football finalist and earned all-state honors from the Minnesota Vikings after competing in the annual Minnesota Football Showcase held at U.S. Bank stadium.
Blooming Prairie’s Bobbie Bruns also made her college decision official and signed her letter of intent to become part of the Gustavus Adolphus College’s women’s basketball team next winter.
Bruns, a three-sport athlete at Blooming Prairie in basketball, cross-country and softball, said she chose Gustavus Adolphus after multiple positive experiences on campus during visits with the staff and team.
This season alone, Bruns reached multiple career milestones with the Awesome Blossoms, surpassing the 1,000 career points mark in her first game of the season and setting the Blooming Prairie all-time single-game scoring record with 37 points against Randolph in January.
Blooming Prairie’s final signee of the day was Lauren Schammel, who chose to continue her softball career at St. Mary’s University.
Schammel has been a staple on the Awesome Blossom’s softball team for three seasons and shined in her junior year as an infielder for the team.
In 2021, Schammel compiled a .300 batting average and added nine runs-batted-in (RBI’s) over the course of 40 plate appearances.
Schammel’s contributions were key in Blooming Prairie’s run to the quarterfinals of the Section 1A playoffs.
NRHEG’s lone signee last week was Sophie Stork, who chose to pursue both basketball and softball at Hamline University.
Stork, a standout for the Panthers in volleyball, basketball and softball, will also study law at Hamline.
NRHEG girls basketball fans have been able to watch their fair share of Stork’s accomplishments on the court and the diamond, as Stork has reached the record books in both sports.
Last year, Stork came off a knee injury during basketball season and did not play a full season.
However, she added 65 points, 40 rebounds, nine assists, 10 steals and three blocks in limited play for the Panthers.
By softball season, Stork led the Panthers in games played (20), RBI’s (27) and hits (28) as NRHEG finished the year 21-5 and lost 1-0 to Belle Plaine in the Section 2AA championship game.