Three Bulldogs celebrate commitments to play collegiately
Sandpoint's Tag Benefield, Max Thielbahr and Elijah Larson celebrated their commitments to play collegiately on Tuesday morning. Tag received a preferred walk-on offer to the University of Idaho football team, Max is heading to Occidental College for baseball and Elijah will be playing football at Carroll College this fall. Pictured in the front row (from left): Tag Benefield, Max Thielbahr and Elijah Larson. Back row: Sandpoint offensive coordinator Jeremy Thielbahr (left) and Sandpoint head football coach Ryan Knowles.
(Photo by DYLAN GREENE)
Senior Elijah Larson celebrates his commitment to Carroll College with family and Sandpoint coaches on Tuesday. Larson said he is looking forward to getting on the field for the Fighting Saints and making an immediate impact. "Honestly, I feel like they're the team that will best fit me and my skill set," he said. For Larson, getting a chance to play college football is a dream come true. "I think it's honestly the best feeling in the world," he said. "Just overcoming so many obstacles in life and then being able to make it through and say I'm going to college ... it's pretty sweet."
(Photo by DYLAN GREENE)
Senior Max Thielbahr poses for a photo Tuesday with Sandpoint head baseball coach Chase Tigert (left) and Sandpoint head football coach Ryan Knowles (right) to celebrate his commitment to play baseball at Occidental College in Los Angeles.
(Photo by DYLAN GREENE)
From left: Tag Benefield, Max Thielbahr and Elijah Larson pose for a photo on Tuesday.
(Photo by DYLAN GREENE)
SANDPOINT — Sandpoint held a delayed signing day on Tuesday morning to celebrate three Bulldogs who have committed to play collegiately.
Linebacker Tag Benefield has accepted an offer to walk on the University of Idaho football team this fall, Max Thielbahr has committed to play baseball at Occidental College in Los Angeles, and defensive back Elijah Larson is headed to Carroll College in Helena, Montana, to join the football team.
Sandpoint head football coach Ryan Knowles, offensive coordinator Jeremy Thielbahr and SHS head baseball coach Chase Tigert were all on hand to celebrate the commitments. All three athletes played on the SHS football team this past fall and Max is gearing up for his senior year of baseball for the Bulldogs.
Larson, the 2019 4A Inland Empire Defensive MVP and 2020 all-league selection, had 39 tackles, one forced fumble and one interception for the Bulldogs this fall. He joins a Carroll College program that has won six NAIA National Championships in football.
Larson said he is looking forward to getting on the field for the Fighting Saints and making an immediate impact.
"Honestly, I feel like they're the team that will best fit me and my skill set," he said.
For Larson, getting a chance to play college football is a dream come true.
"I think it's honestly the best feeling in the world," he said. "Just overcoming so many obstacles in life and then being able to make it through and say I'm going to college ... it's pretty sweet."
