Wolfpack football stars OT Omot and David Ola-Kazeem and softball standout Noelle Krumie signed National Letters of Intent early Wednesday morning, then celebrated before an afternoon gathering of coaches, teammates, friends and parents on signing day Feb. 1 in Park High School’s lecture hall.

Krumrie committed to play softball at the University of Minnesota – Duluth. Omot signed to play football at the Minnesota State University Moorhead and Ola-Kazeem committed to football at Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall.

The three Feb. 1 signees join seven Park athletes who signed early National Letters of Intent on Nov. 9: Emma Amboz (softball, University of Minnesota-Duluth), Brenden Bloedel (lacrosse, Maryville University), Skyler Croker (softball, Loyola University – Chicago), Bryleigh Dana (softball, Concordia University), Shelby Hansen (lacrosse, Concordia), Sydnee Nelson (basketball, Upper Iowa University) and Olivia Opichka (soccer, University of Sioux Falls).

Feb. 1 is the first day of the regular signing period for Division I and II football athletes to sign a National Letter of Intent to participate in inter-collegiate athletics next year.

Krumrie, nicknamed by Park coach Tony Young several years back, will end up being a three-year letter winner in softball. She was named All-Conference her junior year while playing centerfield for the Wolfpack and was also named to the All-Section team.

“I had a few options but it really came down to like the school itself,” Krumie said. “UMD is beautiful and I really love coach (Lynn) Anderson and I just think that I will really learn from that school and do the opportunities it gets me.

“It was a very tough choice and process,” Krumie added. “To go to numerous college camps and it was very tough to write emails and decide if I was able to be good enough to go Division II.”

An outfielder at Park, Krumie said she’ll likely switch to the infield at UMD.

Krumie will join teammate Ambroz at the University of Minnesota – Duluth next season. Sidney Zavoral of Cottage Grove, who attended East Ridge, is a senior on this year; UMD team.

Ola-Kazeem was a threeyear letter winner in football and plays basketball for the Wolfpack. He led the team in receiving with 41 catches for 491 yards and five touchdowns, earning him All-District honors. Ola-Kazeem averaged 12 yards per catch as a senior.

The where to attend decision became easier as time went by, said Ola-Kazeem.

“At first it was but once I narrowed my options down and really looked at what I would want when I go there, like the people and the coaches and the environment and everything it made it an easy decision,” said Ola-Kazeem.

Ola-Kazeem also considered Bemidji State and Upper Iowa.

One thing Ola-Kazeem will miss is his close relationship with Omot. They’ve been friends since before high school.

“He’s been like a brother to me,” said Ola-Kazeem. “But the love not going to change.”

Omot was a three-year letter winner in football. He had 34 catches for 746 yards and eight touchdowns as a senior, earning him All-District honors. Omot averaged 22 yards per catch. He also plays basketball and was a state meet participant in the high jump and long jump as a junior.

The leading player on the Park basketball team, Omot said his toughest decision was whether to play football or basketball in college.

“I had a couple of options, basketball and football, so it was pretty tough,” Omot said. “It was just about getting out and visiting but it all came down to the coaching staff at Moorhead. They really showed me a lot when I went there, so that’s what it came down to.

“Since a kid I’ve been playing basketball and football,” Omot added. “It was really tough taking a step back from basketball but I really felt football was what I could really do in the future.”

Coaches are encouraging both Omot and Ola-Kazeem to hit the weight room and get stronger to prepare for college football.

“Right now it’s all about putting on muscle,” Omot said. “I don’t know whether I’m redshirting yet or not. It all depends on how fall camp goes. But hopefully it’s good.”