Jack Trio Sign Letters

Kerry Rodd – NSO

A trio of Cloquet High School athletes signed National Letters of Intent for college in a ceremony at the high school on Wednesday afternoon. Signing letters were; Nick Niemi, Aiden Yellin and Alex Oakes.

Alex Oakes signed her letter to attend Minnesota State-Crookston where she will be a setter on the Division II volleyball team. A starter since seventh grade at Cloquet High School, Oakes stated that the process was a lengthy one, but she has had the chance to visit the school a number of times including a couple of times since making her decision to continue her schooling at Crookston and since then she has gotten to know a number of current, as well as, incoming players to the program. “I’ve really gotten to know the coaches now,” mentioned Oakes. “I like the chance to move on to the next level and play close enough for my family to see me play, but still far enough where I get the whole college experience a little bit further from home.”

Niemi, a defensive and and kicker for the Lumberjack football team, will be attending Bemidji State a Division II program which plays in the same conference as the UMD Bulldogs. Ironically, Niemi’s grandfather and father both played for UMD and that means the family will now spend the next four years rooting for their son who will play for the Beavers. At this point Bemidji will look at Niemi as a defensive end prospect and his kicking days are behind him. “There aren’t many 230 pound lineman kicking the football in college,” mentioned Niemi on Wednesday.

Yellin, a 6′ 7″ behemoth will move on to play for the Jimmies of Jamestown, North Dakota which plays in the NAIA. At 300 pounds Yellin is being projected as an offensive linemen for Jamestown, but according to the coaching staff that could be as a tackle or a guard. Either way Yellin will add a huge body for the small private college. “I am excited about the chance to play,” said Yellin. “I will play where ever they ask me to play.”