By Parker Cotton
pcotton@thedickinsonpress.com
Abe Axtmann will be playing his college football in a familiar atmosphere.
The Richardton-Taylor-Hebron senior signed his NAIA letter of intent Friday morning to play wide receiver at the University of Jamestown.
Not only is Jamestown within three hours from Richardton, but Axtmann said he was drawn to the Jimmies’ program because of how similar the culture was to that of the Raiders.
“When I went there to visit, it seemed like the team was really close,” he said. “It was a family-orientated group of guys that seemed like they cared a lot about each other. That’s what I had in Richardton, and I didn’t want to stray from that. … Jamestown just felt right for me.”
Raiders co-head coach Travis Olson said to have that kind of experience on a football team comes from having the right leaders, and he said Axtmann was among those that helped foster that atmosphere.
“He’s one of those kids that was a great leader for us,” Olson said. “He did it silently. He wasn’t real vocal or anything, but he came up with some big plays for us. He was very consistent.”
Axtmann also played defensive back at RTH, but he said he’s glad to have the opportunity to strictly play wide receiver in college. Olson said Axtmann - at 6-foot-1 - has all the talent required to excel at the position.
“I think that’s the best fit for him. He’s tall, got good hands, good reach and a real good feel for the ball,” Olson said. “He’s a diamond in the rough. He’s got some great skills and a great work ethic.”
Axtmann said he also looked hard at the University of Mary and Dickinson State, but Jamestown was ultimately where he wanted to be. He is still undecided on a major.
Axtmann made up his mind Thursday, when he texted Jimmies head coach Josh Kittell that he wanted to sign there.
“I got a text that said ‘woo hoo!’ and he seemed pretty jacked,” Axtmann said. “I’m definitely very excited that I get to continue playing football at the next level. It’s a really good experience, for sure. You only get to sign once. It’s a very emotional and exciting decision you get to make.”
