Flath stays on gridiron for 4 more

RAPID RIVER -- Next year, Griffin Flath will become a knight. A Green Knight, that is, as he signed to attend St. Norbert College and play football last week in Rapid River.

"I'm greatly thankful to play the sport I love for another four years, especially with a school like St. Norbert," said Flath. "After everything, all the hard work and tears, I was not letting myself not go and play."

For Flath, St. Norbert was always the choice.

"St. Norbert was definitely my number one from the beginning," he said. "I love the program and the coaches and the campus.

"The togetherness of the whole college really stood out. Family is first there, and -- coming from a small town school -- it has the same virtues I carry."

He noted that a beautiful campus and new weight room facilities helped make the decision a bit easier than it already was.

At the moment, Flath is undecided as far as his field of study is concerned. Though, he is considering majoring in business or something in the sciences.

The transitions on the gridiron and in the classroom Flath expects will go smoothly.

"Football is football," he said. "The field should be a smooth transition, and just getting used to the mechanics and more moving pieces will come pretty easily for me.

"In the classroom, I feel it will be alright for the most part. High school, if you come in as the 'new kid', it gets pretty rough, but in college, there are hundreds of other new kids, so I think it will be a fun, new, experience."

Overall, Flath is thrilled about the adventures that await him in Wisconsin next year.

"Of course (I am looking forward to) football, but also being able to set new roots in a new area is extremely exciting," he said. "Starting a new family, a new brotherhood, with a new team is probably what I'm most excited about.

"All I can say is I'm ready to be a St. Norbert Green Knight. Let's Go!"

There are numerous people Flath gave thanks to for helping him along his journey thus far.

"Well, my first thanks is to my dad. He never made me do anything I did not want to do but presented me with opportunities to get better, and it made me fall in love with the game. He always knew what to say and always knew how to get me ready for the game," he said. "My mom also is my biggest fan. She never missed a game unless she absolutely could not go, and even then, she was there in spirit. (Also) the rest of my family for always showing me love and support.

"And, of course, all of my coaches, coach Ostrenga and coach Almonroeder in particular. Coach Almonroeder knew that I would end up being a great football player, and he put his faith in me even as a sophomore on playing the year on varsity. Coach Ostrenga and I always clicked. Since the beginning, we always respected each other, and by the time my senior year rolled around, he was my go-to man, and I was his ... It turned into more like partners instead of just coach and athlete."

Coach Steve Ostrenga shared his excitement for Flath's signing.

"First of all, I think St. Norbert has a quality program," Ostrenga said. "We've had a couple players from here go to St. Norbert, so there's a bit of a tradition.

"The best thing I can say about Griffin is he is a football player. For him to want to continue playing football, I'm thrilled for him taking the opportunity to continue playing and see where it takes him."

Ostrenga added that Flath is not only a standout on the field but also is solid in his studies as well, making him someone the underclassmen have looked up to.

"I'm probably stating the same cliches that every coach is going to have for athletes on their team," he said. "But that's why we use them those cliches. They're true.

"The kid is a leader, and he's a football player."