A host of St. Michael-Albertville athletes took advantage of Early Signing Day Wednesday, Nov. 8 as they announced their commitment to continue their education and athletic endeavors at the next level. They are: Alia Dorland-Life University (GA-NAIA) Volleyball Ryley Zopfi-Young Harris College (GA-Div 2) Lacrosse Max Buskey-Carthage College (WI-Div 3) Lacrosse Patrick McKee-University of Minnesota (MN-Div 1) Wrestling Jordyn Schnell-University of South Dakota (SD-Div 1) Swimming and Diving Paxton Thompson-Bradley University (IL-Div 1) Baseball 
Dorland was a key member of the STMA Knights girls’ volleyball team that captured a conference championship this year and finished runners up to Champlin Park – a 4-time state qualifier- in a thrilling two-point loss at the section tournament. Zopfi, Buskey and the Knights lacrosse team were also section qualifiers and conferenece champions last year, and could be a tough out in this spring’s section tournament. McKee, meanwhile, continues the tradition of Knights wrestling for the Gophers. The state champion follows in the path of his brother, Mitchell, as well as current All-American Tommy Thorn on the squad, among others. Thompson is a key cog in the Knights baseball machine, a team that just missed a state tournament berth last year and dominated local play. STMA is a favorite to repeat in the Mississippi 8 and should vie for a state tournament spot in section play this spring. 