By Savanah Huffman
Fillmore Central High School seniors, Zoey Case and Kane Larson, have officially signed their letters of intent for their upcoming collegiate athletic careers, an exciting milestone for both students. They both plan to attend four year universities in the fall of 2026. They are the only seniors from Fillmore Central to continue their athletic journeys at a collegiate level. Though their sports are very different, they each have shown great dedication and passion for their sports that has earned them opportunities at competitive division II programs. They both share a common path toward continued success in college athletics.
Zoey Case, daughter of Trevor and Bridget Case, is from Canton, Minn. She is a 17 year-old senior in high school who participates in FFA, National Honor Society, Scholar Club and Choir. Zoey devotes countless hours to her horses; the passion that has shaped her childhood, shaped her as a person and led her toward collegiate athletics. She also has an interest in becoming a pilot one day, showing drive for something outside of horse showing.
Zoey has been interested in horses her whole life. She started taking lessons when she was seven years old. When she turned nine, she got her own horse. She’s been riding competitively for eight years now, gaining tons of experience. She has won many championships showing several different breeds of horses, proving her wide range of skills. As she prepares to enter college, Zoey is excited to continue her path further into her life.
Next fall, Zoey will attend University of Minnesota Crookston. She has signed to join the school’s division II equestrian team. Zoey will compete for the western side of the team. She will travel around the country with her teammates, competing against other equestrian teams. Although she is unsure of what her major will be, she is excited to explore academic opportunities and discover where her passions might lead. Some things that motivates Zoey is her family and success in her future. Her coaches, Eric Petersen and Brandon Freiheit, push her to be her best.
Kane Larson, son of Leigh and Jessica Larson, is from Preston, Minn. He is also a 17 year-old senior. He participates in extra curricular activities like football, wrestling, radio show, and National Honor Society. Kane enjoys hunting and hanging out with friends. In March 2025, Kane earned the title of state wrestling champion, which is a major accomplishment in his athletic career.
Kane’s wrestling story began in kindergarten. That same year he joined his first wrestling tournament and won. This success led to a passion that would grow over time. He started to truly succeed in fifth grade, winning about 15 tournaments in just a year. He also started attending wrestling camps that same year, gaining extra training that helped him advance his skills. Kane has steadily improved with every year, pushing himself further. Some things that motivate Kane are his family and winning. Kane is thankful for his great opportunities and his coaches, such as Cody Buchanan.
Kane plans to attend Northern State University in Aberdeen, S. Dak., in the fall of 2026. He had officially committed to wrestling for their division II school. He plans to major in accounting, combining his academic path with his athletic path, leading to a wide range of career options.
As Zoey Case and Kane Larson prepare to graduate from Fillmore Central and take their next steps into collegiate athletics, they will take this opportunity to use the skills they’ve learned at this level to help them attain their future goals and prove what dedication and passion can achieve. Their accomplishments not only reflect personal drive but also the support of their families, coaches, teachers and the entire Fillmore Central community. Their futures at University of Minnesota Crookston and Northern State University will bring them new experiences and opportunities. As Zoey and Kane move into this next chapter in their lives, Fillmore Central is proud to see them succeed.
Savanah Huffman is a Fillmore Central High School student, one of 10 area students participating in the Journal Writing Project, now in its 27th year.
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