ALAMOSA – Three Alamosa High School student-athletes determined where they will continue their academic and athletic careers as they signed national letters of intent with four-year universities on Wednesday.
Brant Jackson signed to play football at Western Colorado University, Karter Tolsma will play football at Dordt University, an NAIA school in Sioux Center, Iowa, and Kaidence Boehm will go to Colorado State University Pueblo to compete on the track and field team.
“I really like the school and I like the football program,” Jackson said. “I felt like it was the right place for me. So I chose it.”
“It’s a good Christian school,” Tolsma said. “I think they will make me a better person, a better football player, and they have a really good Ag program. I was thinking of my future as well.”
“They’re Division II so I figured it would be more reasonable,” Boehm said. “I figured it would be a fun experience after high school.”
Both Jackson and Tolsma had stellar careers at Alamosa. The Mean Moose went to the playoffs in each of the last three seasons.
Jackson was the Mean Moose’s leading receiver with 45 catches for 810 yards and he scored seven touchdowns. He also ran the ball eight times for 49 yards. On defense, Jackson had 29 tackles, two sacks, and four pass deflections. He was named All-Tri-Peaks League and All-State and he was also the league’s Most Outstanding Receiver.
“The whole team just went to work in the off-season, and in the season we were pretty good,” Jackson said. “It was a really good season. Good years.”
Tolsma ran the ball 37 times for 318 yards and he scored four touchdowns, and he had 16 receptions for 181 yards and one touchdown. Defensively he had 43 tackles, one sack, one pass interception and one pass deflection. He too was named All-League.
“It was a big team effort,” Tolsma said. “I love the class I’m in. We really buckled down and just did our best and tried to make more of a name for Alamosa.”
“I’m proud of those boys,” said Alamosa football coach Drew Sandlin. “They put in the effort and the time. So I’m glad to see the recognition they deserved. They’ve been a huge part of the success for this team over the last four years. We don’t have the success that we did without Karter or Brant.”
Boehm also had a good career at AHS. She was a part of the Lady Mean Moose’s state championship team last season.
“I made it to state for the first time last year,” Boehm said. “It was really fun. It was a little nerve-wracking the first time, but it was definitely more competitive than regular meets and it was kind of fun.”
All three athletes said they have good memories in their athletic careers with the Mean Moose.
“I like the bonds we had on the football team, and the bus rides and having fun on game days,” Jackson said.”
“The summer work-outs were really my favorite,” Tolsma said. “Waking up early and everybody is working together. It was a good bond. During the summer, we had team bonding days. Those were really fun. Just to get to know the team brotherhood together and becoming a family.”
“My best friend, Allie Espinoza, has been kind of been my inspiration through all of this,” Boehm said. “I’m happy to have her memory of her with me.”
