Four-year varsity wrestler Deven Altenburg-Lasher made it official on May 11. After signing papers for his collegiate career, he is now officially committed to compete for the University of Mary in Bismarck, N.D. 

“Their coaching staff is great,” he said. “They reached out to me.”

From an academic standpoint, he said he is interested in the school’s athletic training program. As for why he has a passion for the sport, Altenburg-Lasher said it’s simple.

“It’s focused. It’s based on a team, but you’re the only one who can go out there,” he said. “You have to break them to win.”

He said he is not sure if he will red shirt his freshman year, using the time to adjust to the collegiate competitive level and build strength.

His mother, Brenda, held back tears as her son signed the papers. She said she and her husband, Larry Lasher, are proud and excited that Deven is being given the opportunity to compete in college.

“Coach [Aaron] Jensen made this possible,” she said, expressing her gratitude for everything the coach has done for her son.

Altenburg-Lasher will graduate from CMR on June 3.