Hard work pays off, Shelmerdine signs with DSU

SEELEY LAKE – On Feb. 1, national signing day, Seeley-Swan High School Senior Sawyer Shelmerdine took a big step toward fulfilling a childhood dream. He signed a letter of intent to play football for Dakota State University.

Shelmerdine's goal of playing college football goes back to his earliest school days. He remembers writing it in his kindergarten goal book. He has kept his goal as the years went by but it hasn't always been easy.

An injury sidelined Shelmerdine for much of his sophomore year and another injury kept him out of play all of his senior year. While most people would have given up, Blackhawks Head Coach Jay Crum said it didn't get to Shelmerdine and he remained determined.

"If you asked him are you upset or sad that you're unable to play he goes, 'I'm gonna play college football.' He knew all along he was going to do it," said Crum.

"The injury really pushed me to keep working towards that goal," said Shelmerdine

Crum said Shelmerdine spent many days working out in the gym even when nobody else was there to cheer him on. His hard work and athletic ability have shaped his body into what Crum says is not like an average eight-man football player.

That determination and hard work paid off.

"[Crum] had nothing but good things to say about him and his character and his work ethic," said Dakota State Defensive Coordinator Anvil Sinsabaugh.

Sinsabaugh said they were also interested in Shelmerdine because he's a big kid that can run fast.

"That is what we look for in football players," Sinsabaugh said. "As a junior we watched him and he played a lot of quarterback and tight end and a lot of things on defense. Overall, he is really talented and his character and work ethic were even better than that. He is a good student as well."

Shelmerdine is the only player from Montana that signed this year onto the team of 120 players.

"It was fun to get to know Sawyer but obviously looking forward to building that relationship," Sinsabaugh said. "We are looking forward to how we can help him with football and his career goals and how he can help improve and leave his legacy at this school as well."

Crum is extremely proud of Shelmerdine and he hopes other kids will see that hard work and determination can make dreams come true.

Shelmerdine plans to study exercise science and is excited to experience a new state. He is looking forward to the new experiences that Madison, South Dakota can offer.