College Athlete Commits: Football

All photos by Roberta Pratt.

Owen Peterson

This series will showcase the HHS athletes that competed tirelessly at Hamilton and will continue to do so at the college level! This week we’re starting with the sport that is graduating the most future collegiate athletes from Hamilton: Football!

Following a State semi-final playoff run, many football athletes from Hamilton got exposure to play ball at the next level. Of the class of 19 seniors, 9 are playing college football next year. On the team’s recent success and these particular athletes' futures, Head Coach Justin Gumm has a lot to say: “It's been such a fun ride and blessing to see and be a part of what this past year's senior class accomplished.” He also marvels at the fact that nearly half of the senior football class is playing in college. When asked, Gumm says, “As far as the 9 guys we have playing at the next level, that number is staggering. Not many programs, if any, in the state can say they have 9 players going to play college football next year! If they stick to the values and characteristics that got them to where they are, they will be making the same impact they did here at their new spot!”

Read about each of these Hamilton Seniors below!

Austin Eklund:

Coming off of a 1st team all-conference season as the best cornerback in the Greater Metro, Hamilton defensive back Austin Eklund plans to take his talents north to UW-Oshkosh! While competing as a Titan, Eklund plans on majoring in Special Education. When asked why he picked UW-Oshkosh, he cites the “relationships [he] built with the coaches” and that they made him feel wanted every time he talked to them.

During his time at HHS, Eklund developed a strong relationship with Andrew, a student with Down Syndrome. While being scouted, Eklund says that his family and Andrew were treated especially well by the UW-Oshkosh coach and he attributes this as one of the biggest reasons for his commitment.

Eklund credits his cousins Bayley and Colten for igniting his love for football. Both of them played in college and are a major inspiration to him as he makes his journey to the collegiate level.

Eklund also would like to give a quick shout out to Coaches Neary and Ray, both members of the HHS coaching staff. He says they are both huge role models for him and are the reason he wants to coach and teach the next generation of athletes one day. Eklund says, “I hope to someday be able to do half of what they do for our school and student body.”

Scout Lauer:

Hamilton DB/Linebacker Scout Lauer will be continuing his football career up north at UW-Lacrosse! After a stellar season as team captain, racking up 80 tackles and a pair of sacks, Lauer looks forward to spending the next 4 years of his life on Lacrosse’s beautiful campus, which he says was a big contributing factor to his commitment.

Lauer intends to major in Computer Science. A good computer science program, as well as a close, but not too close, distance from home were attractive to Lauer when making his decision.

Similar to many of his teammates, Lauer cites Coach Neary as his inspiration to keep playing football!

Nate Kollath:

Nate comes off of the most prolific season in Sussex Hamilton football history. He caps his senior year off with 2600 passing yards and 28 TDs, as well as his second straight Greater Metro Conference Offensive Back of the Year and All-State honors! Kollath will be heading west in the fall to Northern State University in Aberdeen, South Dakota. When asked about what made him choose NSU, he speaks highly of their coaching staff, facilities, and small-town feel.

After a good 4 years at NSU, Kollath plans to use his degree in business to pursue a career in real estate.

Kollath’s inspiration is a unique one. His grandfather played in the NFL and says that he taught him the many nuances of the game and a lot of what he knows about the game currently is drawn from him. Kollath’s shoutout goes to Coach Gumm, whom he says made him a “better athlete, but more importantly a better person.”

Avidan Trujillo:

Trujillo, like a few of his teammates, will be competing as a Titan of UW-Oshkosh! He will be spending his time in Oshkosh due to his desired distance from home, a well-priced education, and his fellow teammates, Jordan and Austin, who will be playing ball with him.

Trujillo is 100% committed to school but isn't sure what his major will be as he is currently undecided.

Although there are a plethora of talented pro football players to look up to, Trujillo calls attention to his teammates at HHS as a source of inspiration. His shoutout goes to 4 of Hamilton’s coaching staff. Coaches Hahn, Ray, Gumm, and Dingle are to whom Trujillo credits much of his success. When asked why, he responded, “[they] pushed me to be my very best while also being there for me. Asking how I was doing and so forth. These coaches I will remember for years to come.”

Nick Blair:

For Blair, UW-Eau Claire was far and away the best choice. He explained that as well as being a solid spot for his major, Eau Claire has the added benefit of attending school with both his best friend and brother. Those bonuses were a few that Blair couldn't overlook.

Speaking of his major, Blair plans to major in Sales and Marketing while he represents the Blugolds on the field!

Blair’s shoutout and inspiration go to the same man: Coach Ray! As Blair explains, “He’s pushed me to better myself and taught me to give it my all when doing things that I love.”

Evan Herrmann:

Hamilton Defensive End Evan Herrmann will be headed to the SEC conference next year! The senior stated that he chose Vanderbilt because of the combination of a world-class education and a great place to play high-level football. He also mentions that the Tennessee weather and proximity to Nashville were great added benefits.

While playing SEC football, Herrmann also plans on majoring in Human Organizational Development.

Herrmann looks up to J.J. Watt for inspiration. A defensive end like him, Watt grew up down the road in Pewaukee and Herrmann models his game after this hometown hero. Herrmann’s sole shoutout goes to Coach Ray. He says that although he appreciates the many ways that Ray developed his gameplay and technique, he values him so highly because Coach Ray “did so much for me and a ton of others off the field.”

Max Prell:

Next fall, Prell will be suiting up for the UW-Oshkosh Titans! Prell decided on committing to Oshkosh because it “felt like home.” He values the warm and inviting atmosphere at Oshkosh, and the coaches that create said environment. Prell, along with playing football, will be majoring in Business.

His shoutouts go to two HHS coaches: Dingle and Gumm. He appreciated Dingle for going through the grind with him and the offensive line day in and day out. Prell shouts out Gumm for “striving to make our team better every day.”

Dayton Licklider:

Licklider will be joining Blair in becoming an Eau-Claire Blugold this fall! Licklider enjoys their campus and says it was a major pull factor for his school choice.

Putting the student in student-athlete, he will be double majoring in Physics and Engineering.

Licklider’s biggest football influence is future Hall of Fame lineman, Jason Kelce. His shoutout goes towards former HHS Offensive Line Coach, Coach Nass. He admires the energy Nass brought to practice every day and to his daily life.