Four North Branch Area High School student athletes signed college Letters of Intent to continue their athletic careers after high school on Wednesday, Nov. 8. They are (l to r): Andrew Orf, attending Southwest Minnesota State University (SMSU) to play baseball; Peyton Verdon, SMSU, softball; Hannah Bernier, St. Catherine's, softball, and Noah Thorsen, SMSU, baseball.
Andrew Orf:
Andrew Orf signed his Letter of Intent to play baseball for Southwest Minnesota State University on Wednesday, Nov. 8. Andrew is a three-time All Conference/Section/Section Tournament Team, and was the Mississippi 8 Player of the Year as a sophomore. He is first in school history in career hits, doubles, triples, runs, RBIs, and average. Said coach Matt Solberg, “More impressive than these accolades is watching the effort and love Andrew has for the game of baseball. Even down to minor details of bunting and baserunning, Andrew works to perfect his craft in any way possible.”
Peyton Verdon
Peyton Verdon signed her Letter of Intent to play softball for Southwest Minnesota State University on Wednesday, Nov. 8. Peyton is two-time All Conference, one-time All Section, six-time varsity letter, and two-year varsity captain for soccer. She is also a four-time varsity letter in soccer, two-year soccer captain, and two-year NBAMS Mentor. Said coach Kathy Crudo, “Peyton will be missed not only for her compact stature in the box and behind the plate, her ability to change the outcome of the game with one swing, her heads up reactiveness on defense, but also her coachability and willingness to do whatever is asked and demanded of her.”
Hannah Bernier
Hannah Bernier signed her Letter of Intent to play softball for Southwest Minnesota State University on Wednesday, Nov. 8. Hannah is an ExCel Award Winner, two-year National Honor Society Member, Academic All State for Tennis, five-time Academic All Conference (tennis and Softball), two-year varsity letter winner for tennis, four-year varsity letter winner for softball, All Conference Honorable Mention for softball, two-time All Section Softball, a state participant, defensive MVP, two-time All Conference, and All State Honorable Mention. Said coach Kathy Crudo, “Hannah is never satisfied with just doing the minimum or what everyone else is doing. She works herself to the max to create a new max and isn’t afraid to ever be in game winning or losing situations due to her preparation. Hannah is the kid that wants the ball in her hands no matter what.”
Noah Thorsen
Noah Thorsen signed his Letter of Intent to play baseball for Southwest Minnesota State University on Wednesday, Nov. 8. Noah is a two-time All Conference and All Section player. He is in the top five in school history in season and career doubles, triples, and runs scored, and had an ERA of 1.94 in 2022. He is also 7th in school history in strikeouts. Said coach Matt Solberg, “As the kids say big time players make big time plays, Noah has been a performer in big spots from his very first game.”