Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

LEROY – LeRoy-Ostrander seniors Camden Hungerholt and Tyson Stevens took one big look at LeRoy-Ostrander’s Gym that was filled with all of their high school classmates both smiling for a moment as they each inked their college futures in front of their peers.

Hungerholt, who was the first ever nine-man football player to win the Minnesota Mr. Football Award this fall, signed his national letter-of-intent to play college football at Minnesota State University-Mankato and Stevens signed his national letter-of-intent to play baseball at Division II Upper Iowa.

“It’s bittersweet,” Hungerholt said. “I’m looking at all of the younger kids and I was once that young kid who looked up to those older guys. Now I’m the guy that they look up to and it’s been pretty cool seeing it go full circle.”

Stevens moved back to LeRoy this fall after spending a few years in Southland and he’ll be back around familiar faces when he arrives in Upper Iowa next fall. The Peacocks are coached by Stevens’ uncle, Brian Voigt, a Southland grad who went on to play at Riverland Community College and Augustana University in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Stevens will also pair with Lyle-Pacelli senior Landon Meyer, who also committed to play baseball at Upper Iowa.

Stevens, who is projected to play middle infield at Upper Iowa, said he’s wanted to play college baseball for a long time now, and he’s ecstatic to have the opportunity, especially because he has fond memories of watching Voigt play college baseball.

“You don’t think it’s going to happen, but dreams come true. It takes a lot of work and a lot of dedication,” Stevens said. “It means a lot. Landon Meyer and I always talked about going and playing for Brian, wherever he ends up at. To make that a reality is unreal.”

Hungerholt not only starred on the football field for the Cardinals, he is closing in on his older brother Trey’s scoring record for the L-O boys basketball program. He is on pace to finish with well over 1,800 career points.

“Sports have taught me everything in life,” Hungerholt said. “That’s all I’ve grown up doing here and to break my brother’s record will be pretty cool. I hope he’s here to see that.”

Hungerholt still has some time left in L-O, but he’s already starting to think about earning a spot as wide receiver or defensive back with the Mavericks next season.

“I’m trying to enjoy the last bit of high school, but it’s tough,” Hungerholt said. “You’ve got to get stronger and faster. Where we’re going, all of those guys were the best players in their high school. To be able to compete, you’ve got to work hard every day.”

The MSUM Mavericks went 11-4 overall last season and they lost to No. 1 Valdosta State 35-21 in the NCAA semifinals. The team included LeRoy-Ostrander grad Tanner Olson, a defensive lineman, who won a state championship with Hungerholt and the Cardinals in 2021.

The Peacocks baseball team went 13-34 overall last season and the team will start its 2025 season this week.

Stevens said that he’s enjoyed coming back to his L-O for his senior year and he’s pushed himself to be his best.

“The standard is high here,” Stevens said. “You’ve just got to be able to take it all in and learn.”