Moose Lake-Willow River running back Jake Disterhaupt has orally committed to play football at the University of North Dakota next fall, having made his collegiate decision Sunday, Dec. 2.
Disterhaupt, a Willow River High School senior who lives in nearby Sturgeon Lake, explained he toured the Grand Forks, N.D., campus recently, and on the third day of his official visit with the Football Championship Subdivision school, he said he decided it would be the right place for him.
Fellow Division I schools Minnesota, Iowa State, North Dakota State, South Dakota State and Northern Iowa were also in dialogue with Disterhaupt, who said Wednesday he plans to major in athletic science.
"I really liked it," Disterhaupt said of UND. "I thought 'Why am I waiting to talk to other colleges when I like this place most?' Ever since the first day of seventh-grade practices, I wanted to play football. This is the real deal. It's the right place."
Disterhaupt, a 6-foot-1, 192-pound superstar, helped guide the Rebels to three Class AA Prep Bowl runners-up in 2009, 2011 and 2012, totaling 4,608 rushing yards - second-most in Rebels program history - along with 80 touchdowns and an amazing 11.6 yards per carry.
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Wednesday, Disterhaupt was named the Duluth News Tribune All-Area Player of the Year for a second straight time, after rushing for 1,614 yards and 30 touchdowns in leading ML-WR to a 13-1 overall record this past fall.
The senior was also a finalist for the Mr. Football award - by the Minnesota State High School Football Coaches Association - which went to Bridgeport Tusler of Osseo on Sunday.
"Obviously, he's a great athlete on the field, but he's one of the best captains I've ever had," Rebels Coach Dave Louzek said. "He helps our younger players and elementary kids, too. Everything he does stands out. This is another step for him. He's got the speed. And he's very driven."
