WINONA, Minn. - Head coach Brian Bergstrom and the Winona State football program welcomed 28 new student-athletes to the Warrior program on Wednesday, February 7. The 2024 Winona State class includes 11 players from Minnesota, nine Wisconsin standouts, seven signees from Illinois and one player from Arizona.

Peter Anderson | QB | 6'1, 205 | Hoffman Estates, Illinois | Barrington H.S.

Anderson earned the 2021 MSL Conference Offensive Player of the Year award as well as being tabbed 2021 8A IHSA All-State Honorable Mention. The 6'1  Hoffman Estates, Illinois product was also named 2021 8A Prep Redzone Illinois All-State. Anderson transferred to Winona State from North Dakota State. 

Branden Cole | OL | 6'4, 280 | Minneapolis, Minnesota | Armstrong H.S.

The 6'4 standout lineman earned MSHSL Football Honorable Mention while competing at Armstrong High School in Minneapolis. 

LJ Dagen | ATH | 6'1, 170 | Kenosha, Wisconsin | Indian Trail H.S.

The 6'1 Dagen was the named the SEC QB of the Year, as well as a 3-Time All-Conference and All-County Player of the Year.  The Kenosha, Wis. product was also a 3-time First Team All-County selection. 

Maurice Densmore | WR | 5'11, 175 | Chicago, Illinois | Mount Carmel H.S.

The 5'11 Chicago product earned All-Conference accolades as both a junior and senior at Illinois prep football power Mount Carmel High School. Was also named to Illinois Academic All-State Honor Roll. 

Jack Donovan | OL | 6'2, 275 | Carol Stream, Illinois | St. Francis H.S. 

Donovan was a team captain at St. Francis High School, earning First Team All-Conference honors.  The lineman was also named to the Kane County Preps Second Team, as well as DuPage County All-Area Honorable Mention. Was selected as an CCL All-Area Second Team player and a Honor Roll Patrick Mannelly Award Recipient. Concluded prep career as the 2023 St. Francis O-Lineman of the Year.

Santana English | DB | 6'3, 190 | Rockford, Illinois | Boylan Catholic

The 6'3 English earned First Team All-Conference Defense honors and was All-NIC 10 and 2022 Most Improved Defensive Player over his career.  Was also tabbed First Team All-Conference Offense in 2023 while competing for Boylan Catholic High School. 

Kade Frisby | DL | 6'4, 215 |  Genoa City, Wisconsin | Wilmot Union H.S. 

Frisby was a four-year starter and earned First Team All-Conference honors. Also tabbed as a Second Team All-Conference receiver. Served as a two-year captain while being named Offensive and Defensive MVP for his team. 

Remington Gau | FB | 6'3, 250 | Rochester, Minnesota | Mayo H.S.

While competing at Mayo High School in Rochester, Minn., Rau earned First Team All-District honors. The 6'3 standout was a two year starter for the Spartans. 

Carter Holcomb | WR | 5'8, 170 | Rochester, Minnesota | Mayo H.S. 

Holcomb earned four All-Conference awards and was a two-time First Team All-State selection.  Was selected for the MSHSL All-Star Game and tabbed as a Vikings All State Team member. Also excelled in track and was named All Conference on five occasions and a four-time Track & Field All-State selection. 

Caleb Jannsen | LB | 6'4,  220 | Stewartville, Minnesota | Stewartville H.S.

Jannsen earned Minnesota All-Star Honors while competing at Stewartville High School.  Also garnered First Team All-District and All-Conference with Distinction. Was named captain of the Minnesota All Star team as a senior.

Anton Kadlec | OL | 6'2, 315 | Hutchinson, Minnesota | Hutchinson H.S.

Kadlec was a team captain at Hutchinson and 3-year starter for the Tigers.  Named All-District Most Valuable Offensive Lineman on two occasions, as well as All-District Team twice. Tabbed as Minnesota Class 4A Player of the Year while helping lead HHS to Minnesota State 4A Championship in 2021 and 2023. The 6'2 lineman was part of a Hutchinson Tigers Football program with three year record of 34-5.

Jayce Kiehne | WR | 6'3, 175 | Harmony, Minnesota | Fillmore Central H.S.

Kiehne was named 2023 District Player of the Year and 2023 Academic All-State as a senior. Was also a Minnesota All Star game participant and Minnesota Mr. Football Nominee. The three-time Academic All-District Team member earned a school-record 1,846 receiving yards in his career. 
 

Ashton Krause | LB | 6'2, 195 | Wind Lake, Wisconsin | Muskego H.S.

Krause earned Honorable Mention honors in both basketball and football as a junior. In 2023, the 6'2 Wind Lake, Wis. product was a First Team All-Conference in football as well as an All Region and Honorable Mention All State selection. Served as a team captain in football as a senior. 

Aiden Krause | TE | 6'3, 216 | Wind Lake, Wisconsin | Muskego H.S.

Was a two-time First Team All-Conference selection as well a First Team All-Region in both his junior and senior seasons. Earned Honorable Mention All-State as a senior.  Served as captain of both the MHS basketball and football teams. Leaves Muskego High School with the most receiving yards and TD's in school history.

Hayden McDaniel | K | 5'10, 177 | Victoria, Minnesota | Chanhassen H.S. 

Was part of a 2023 Class 5A Minnesota State Champion team as a senior. Earned 2022 All-District Special Teams Player of the Year as well as two-time Special Teams MVP. Served as a team captain as a senior, and was three-time varsity letter winner.

Max Mengel | DL | 6'3, 240 | Fond Du Lac, Wisconsin | Fond Du Lac H.S.

The 6'3 Mengel earned 2023 First Team All-FVA honors as a senior, while also claiming 2023 All-Region honors.  Was also named 2022 Second Team All-FVA as a junior. 
 

Matt Miklosy | LB | 6'0, 195 | Waukesha, Wisconsin | Catholic Memorial H.S. 

Earned First Team All Conference twice and was a two-time All Region selection.  Was part of a three-time undefeated Conference Champion squad and unbeaten State Championship team as a sophomore.  

Tyler Nichols | TE | 6'4, 210 | Cicero, Illinois | Morton West H.S. 

The 6'4 tight end was a two-time WSC All-Conference performer at Morton West High School.  Also earned WSC Defensive Player of the Year as a senior.

Alex Oechsner | DB | 5'9, 180 | Muskego, Wisconsin | Catholic Memorial H.S. 

Oechsner was a All-State defensive back in Wisconsin, while also earning Academic All-State honors. Was a two-time All-Conference selection at Catholic Memorial High School. Oechsner transferred to Winona State from North Dakota State. 

Joshua Oechsner | DB | 6'1, 185 | Muskego, Wisconsin | Catholic Memorial H.S.

Was a three-time All-Conference selection on defense and also earned All-Region honors twice. Named All-County twice and competed for a state champion squad. Helped lead his high school team to four consecutive undefeated conference championship campaigns. 

Arthur Palicki | QB | 6'4, 207 | Lombard, Illinois | Willowbrook H.S. 

The 6'4 Palicki was an Illinois All-State selection. Also earned All-District, All-Area, and All-Conference accolades. 

Charles Renner | LB | 6'3, 200 | Hutchinson, Minnesota | Hutchinson H.S. 

The 6'3 Renner was part of a both a 2021 State Champion and 2023 State Champion squad while competing for Hutchinson High School.

Logan Rogers | LB | 5'11, 205 | Mesa, Arizona | Desert Ridge H.S. 

Rogers earned 6A Fiesta Region Defensive Player of the Year honors as a senior. Named an Arizona First Team All-State selection and was a Ed Doherty Award Nominee.  Finished with 368 career tackles at Desert Ridge High School.

John Schwaab | OL | 6'2, 250 | Waukesha, Wisconsin | Catholic Memorial H.S.

Earned All-Conference honors and was a Joe Thomas Award Semifinalist as a senior. Served as team captain for state champion team. Also was a state Track & Field qualifier in the discus.

Luke Speedling | OL | 6'4, 250 | Minnetonka, Minnesota | Minnetonka H.S.

The 6'4 Speedling was a All District honoree at Minnetonka High School as a senior.

Easton Suess | DL | 6'5, 220 | Kasson, Minnesota | Kasson-Mantorville H.S.

Was named a District MVP and earned District Defensive Player of the Year.  Earned spot on Minnesota Football All-Star team and was a two-time All District selection. Also was two-time, All-Area First Team.

Taiden Thomas | DL | 6'3, 220 | Oswego, Illinois | Oswego H.S.

Earned SPC All-Conference honors and was a SPC All-Area selection. Also earned Rookie of the Year honors and received the Ken Pickerill Award.

Beau Wiersma | RB | 5'9, 195 | Spring Valley, Minnesota | Kingsland H.S. 

The 5'9 Wiersma earned Minnesota 9-man All State honors and multiple All-Area awards. Named KTTC Athlete of the Week twice and served as four-year varsity captain for Kingsland High School. 

The Winona State University football team is set to host a National Letter of Intent (NLI) signing day party on Wednesday, February 7 at River City Grill; fans, families and followers of Warrior football are invited to attend. 

Head coach Brian Bergstrom and the Warrior staff will introduce the 2024 signees at 7 p.m.  The open house format begins at 5 pm and is scheduled to conclude at 8 p.m.  Free food and drink will be provided, and a cash bar is available. River City Grill is located at 1025 US-61 E, Winona, Minn. 55987. 

In 2024, Winona State will open at home against Saginaw Valley State University on Thursday, September 5. The NSIC slate opens in week two, with WSU traveling to Concordia University, St. Paul on Saturday, September 14. 

For the most up to date news in Warrior Athletics, please visit: www.WINONASTATEWARRIORS.com and @WinonaStateATH.

About Winona State University Athletics: 

The Winona State University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics, as an integral part of the educational mission of the institution, is committed to offering opportunities to experience academic and athletic excellence for our student-athletes through two simple words: 

Graduate Champions.

Fourteen Warrior programs compete at the NCAA Division II level within the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC).  Winona State University competes as an affiliate member of the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) in the sport of women's gymnastics.