Champlin Park’s offense grabbed most of the headlines on the Rebels’ journey to the Class AAAAAA state semifinals, but their defense had several players with stellar 2016 seasons. One of those performers was senior linebacker Colton Aydt. Aydt lead the…
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Subscribe Already a subscriber? Log inChamplin Park’s offense grabbed most of the headlines on the Rebels’ journey to the Class AAAAAA state semifinals, but their defense had several players with stellar 2016 seasons.
One of those performers was senior linebacker Colton Aydt. Aydt lead the team with 99 total tackles, four forced fumbles and two interceptions. He earned a spot in the MFCA All-Star Game, joining teammate Cameron Witt on the North squad.
He recorded double-digit tackles in half of the Rebels’ 12 contests and was the anchor of a fast, but undersized defense.
“He worked very hard in the offseason to get himself ready,” said Champlin Park coach Mike Korton via email. “This work gave him the confidence to be a very good player.”
Aydt echoed what his coach said about his improvement. He said his productive senior season was largely because of hard work and intangibles away from the field.
He said he became more of a student of the game as a senior, trying to learn opponents through film study and scouting reports. The preparation showed up when Aydt, who was rarely the fastest or strongest player on the field, consistently made plays from sideline-to-sideline on Friday nights last season.
“I thought I became a more accountable teammate too,” said Aydt via email. “My teammates were able to trust and believe that I was doing the right things on and off the field.”
Aydt pointed out three Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference schools as the top choices for his college destination. He said St. Thomas, St. John’s and Gustavus Adolphus are the programs in which he’s interested.
He has already visited St. Thomas in St. Paul, and has visits to Collegeville and St. Peter planned for early next week. As far as an academic path is concerned, Aydt said he’s “thinking of going into the medical field” and added that actuarial science could be a possible major.
The 5-foot-9, 200-pound tackler is quiet away from football, Korton said, but has a switch that he flips when stepping on the field. Korton said it’s that kind of passion and loyalty to his teammates that Aydt will bring to the MIAC.
“When he has friends on the team to care about, watch out,” Korton said. “He turns it on for them.”
Aydt said he enjoys learning about World War II history and hanging with his friends, many of whom play on the same community league basketball team together. He said he’s hoping to gain that sense of closeness with his college teammates, wherever he ends up playing.
