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LYLE – Three Lyle seniors sat side by side in front of their entire school as they locked up their future in education and athletics in the Lyle High School gym Wednesday.

Hunter VaDeer signed his national letter-of-intent to play baseball at Division I Creighton University with an intent on majoring in business or accounting, Landon Meyer signed to play baseball at Division II Upper Iowa University with an intent on majoring in exercise science, and Dylan Christianson signed to play football at St. Olaf College, where he plans to study in ministry in pursuit of a career in being a youth pastor.

“We all grew up in Lyle and it’s such a small community,” said Meyer. “The support is amazing, no matter what we’re doing. I love living here and all of my friends and family were here today.”

Meyer and VaDeer each started on both of the state tournament qualifying LP baseball teams in 2023 and 2024. VaDeer had an ERA of 1.64, while striking out 134 and hitting .452 with five homers last season and Meyer hit .463 with 13 doubles.

Meyer said playing and training next to VaDeer helped motivate him into becoming the best player he can be.

“Hunter’s the best. You always want to aim for the best and he’s a guy who pushed all of us,” said Meyer, who also played on the LOLP football team and is the leading scorer on the LP boys basketball team.

VaDeer echoed Meyer’s respect and he’s hoping the Athletics can team up for one more big run in his final season with the team this spring.

“It’s been good to have someone like Landon to push me, whether it’s working out or in the batting cage,” VaDeer said. “This spring, we’re hoping to get back to state, so we’re telling our young guys to keep working and get ready.”

Christianson had 100 tackles and 13.5 sacks this past season for the LeRoy-Ostrander/Lyle-Pacelli football team that advanced all the way to the state semifinals. While he is currently recovering from an injury, Christianson is beyond excited to have the chance to play college football, especially after having to play JV for LP, when there was no varsity program in 2023.

“It’s very exciting,” Christianson said. “This was always a dream, but last year kind of slowed it down. If we didn’t co-op with LeRoy-Ostrander this year, I don’t think this would’ve happened. Me and those guys grew so close during the football season and to have them here today was great.”

It was a surreal moment for the trio to face all of their friends, peers, and teachers while announcing their future. It was also a moment of joy.

“It’s pretty unheard of to see a small school like this to have three guys going on to play in the NCAA, especially at the Division I, II and III levels,” VaDeer said.

Creighton went 35-17 overall last season, Upper Iowa, which is coached by Southland and Riverland Community College grad Brian Voigt went 13-34 overall last season and St. Olaf finished 7-3 overall this fall.