Winfield, IA- It’s been an exciting couple of year for Winfield-Mt. Union athletics with multiple Wolves bringing their talents to the next level. You can add a pair of names to that list after a joint reception for Max Edwards and Konner Kinneberg saw the two sign their Letters of Intent.
Surrounded by community members, teachers, and friends, Edwards committed to play football at the University of Dubuque, while Kinneberg will be taking his golf talents to Central College in Pella. For the pair, it was a huge weight lifted as they reach the end of their senior year,
“It feels great,” said Edwards. “I spent a lot of time thinking with my family. I always knew since sophomore year that I wanted to do something football related in college. So, to be able to make that decision at this point, it feels good.”
“Yeah, I’d say it feels great,” discussed Kinneberg. “It was a real big weight on my shoulders because I had parents and friends pushing me to go to all these different places. And going to see different colleges, Central just stuck out to me the most. It was a great campus. I really liked all the people, all the staff that greeted me. It was just all around a great place.”
Kinneberg gave his head coach Mitch Wachs the credit for getting him to this point, as his love and knowledge of the game has progressed. Since his freshman season, Kinneberg has knocked off nine strokes from his nine-hole average, sitting second on the team last season, a pivotal year for the Wolve,
“I really thought about it last year, my junior year, because I started getting really big in the game of golf. I just got a lot better since then. I had a few coaches talking to me about coming to play for them. And this coach just kind of stuck out to me the most. He saw the most in me, I guess.”
Edwards has gotten used to this procedure at this point after watching his brother Abram commit to play football at the University of Army two years ago and his other brother Jake sign on to play basketball at Western Illinois University last year. For Max, it fueled his competitive fire,
“Yeah, it was nice seeing them because it motivated me to get to where I am. Being able to see them do this and see all the support they got, it really helped push me to become who I am right now and help me become a better athlete in person.”
Winfield-Mt. Union had a year that most programs dream about in the 2023-24 school year, as the football team rattled off 11 victories and made the state semifinals, the basketball team qualified for the state tournament and made the semifinals as well, then the golf team punched their ticket to the state tournament and finished in 6th place as a team.
They might not have been the focal points of their teams that season, but it laid the foundation for what success looks like and cemented their favorite memory throughout their four years in the Wolves Den,
“I’d probably say the sophomore year,” said Edwards. “We went to state three times and being able to make those memories with a bunch of different guys. It was a lot of fun. Something I’ll remember forever.”
The trip to state extended past spending time with his teammates, for Kinneberg it was a chance to connect with his family as well,
“I’d have to say state golf sophomore year. We played a practice round up in Des Moines and my grandparents lived there. We stayed at their house for a few days, and we had a bunch of fun. It was just great memories, especially because we had one senior that year. We got to spend a lot of time with him, and he taught us a lot.”
That motivation allowed Edwards to earn consecutive All-District First Team honors on the gridiron. He’s been a focal point in the Wolves passing attack over the last two seasons, hauling in 77 receptions for 1,432 yards and 15 touchdowns. He also added 17.5 tackles for loss on the defensive side.
More than anything, Edwards enjoyed playing the game with his friends,
“Being able to work with my teammates. On the field, you always have to work together. It’s not just a one-person sport. You have to be able to communicate and make sure you’re on the same page. A football team is just a big family, so being able to have a big family of a bunch of other guys that have your back is nice.”
Kinneberg nearly averaged a card of 40 through nine holes last season and his best round of 18 saw the Wolve shoot a 79. Additionally, he finished 7th in conference meet and 13th at districts. While competition is enthralling, Kinneberg enjoys the game for simpler reasons,
“It’s really a game that you can carry with you for the rest of your life. My dad’s been playing ever since he was young. Him and I grew up playing together for years. I get to play with my grandpa a lot, which is pretty fun because I don’t get to do a whole lot of activities with him, especially because he lives farther away. It’s just a sport that really brings us all together.”
When it comes to studies, both are looking to go the business route,
“I’ve chose some sort of business,” said Kinneberg. “I don’t know exactly what yet. I’m hoping that next year something will come to me.”
For Edwards, he’s looking to stay attached to the sports world,
“I chose sports management. I’m going to hope to try to become a sports agent with that.”
The two teammates on the fairway got out to a quick start this season, as the Wolves finished in 3rd place at the Nike invitational, including a pair of top ten finishes from Kinneberg and Edwards. Despite the strong start, both have set higher expectations,
“I’m really hoping to shoot under 70 this year,” explained Kinneberg. “I’ve gotten pretty close over the summer and shot a few rounds under par. We had our first meet yesterday, which I didn’t really play the best. I shot 80. We actually got third as a team and I got fifth individually. It was a really good milestone to hit for our first meet. It was a really good starting score that I’m hoping to take down a few times.”
“My goal going into the season was to consistently break 90,” said Edwards. “As Konner said, we had our first meet last night and I shot an 81. I’d say that’s a pretty good tone setter. Now I’m thinking to consistently be low 80s. With that tone setter, low 80s is something that’s in range for me to get. Then break 40 for the first time on nine holes.”
Winfield-Mt. Union will be back on the fairways on Tuesday, April 8th, for the Wapello Invite.