Dahlstrom named to Class 2A All-State first team

Just weeks after a heartbreaking loss to Heritage Christian at regional, North Putnam junior Griffen Dahlstrom was named to the first team Class 2A All-State team.

North?Putnam junior Griffen Dahlstrom was selected to the 2007 Class 2A All-State first team. Teammates Kyle Rooker and Adam Vondersaar, along with Cloverdale's Aaron Dayhuff and Zach McCallie earned honorable mention.

Dahlstrom anchored the Cougar squad on both sides of the ball but it was his bone-crushing tackles that earned him a place on the All-State team.

"It's a huge honor that I get to represent my team like that but I felt like we had lots of guys who deserved it," Dahlstrom said. "It's a small selection so it was a nice achievement that I feel honored to receive."

Joining Dahlstrom were teammates Kyle Rooker and Adam Vondersaar, who received honorable mention. Dahlstrom echoed his previous sentiment about his teammates were just as worthy of the praise.

Of Rooker's and Vondersaar's selections, Dahlstrom commented, "It's great. They're both good buddies of mine and I have nothing but good things to say about them. They both work really heard and they definitely deserved it."

Falling short of the goal of winning a state championship, Dahlstrom understands what he must do in the offseason to prepare for his final year with the Cougars. It will be the hard work on and off the field that makes it happen. Desire is not enough.

"Just get in the summers and work hard. We still have that goal that we didn't quite get to this year. It all starts in the summer and carries over into the season," Dahlstrom concluded.