Lamppa, Herberg commit to play at the next level

VIRGINIA—Two Rock Ridge seniors made their future plans known on Friday with Emma Lamppa committing to play basketball at Hamline University and Ryan Herberg signing on to play football at Minnesota North-Mesabi Range.

For both, it was the next step in their already successful academic and athletic careers as they’re just days away from receiving their high school diplomas.

With the Rock Ridge girls’ basketball team making their first ever state tournament this past season, Lamppa said she knew once she played her last minutes as a Wolverines that she didn’t want to be finished just yet.

“Once we played our last game and it was over, I knew I wasn’t ready to give it up,” Lamppa said. “I’ve had this newfound love for basketball these past few years and I just wanted to keep it going.”

That newfound love came courtesy of the combination of the Virginia and Eveleth-Gilbert programs two seasons ago.

“Once we combined, I was really happy playing basketball and everything with the team. We’re all so close and we knew that we could have success and I think that made my love for the game grow even more.”

Her teammates watching in support as she signed her letter of intent, Lamppa says her success came because of them being behind her every step of the way.

“Every single one of them wants me to succeed and I want the same for them and for us to do the best we can. We’re so supportive of each other. If we mess up, we’re picking each other up every night. We connect so well off the court too. We just have these great bonds that’ll probably never be broken.”

Wolverines head coach Byron Negen spoke before the signing and praised Lamppa for her hard work and dedication to the team and the sport of basketball. On the legacy she leaves, Negen says she’s the model teammate.

“What she leaves behind here is that work ethic and all that extra time she put into the sport,” Negen said. “Every other kid noticed that and fed off of that. She was the first ti get into the gym and always one of the last to leave and that made her teammates want to spend more time in the gym as well.

“She’s so coachable and that’s what Hamline will notice right away. If they ask her to do something, she’ll be able to give it to them. They’re also getting a great student in the classroom and that’s something we really want to have as part of our program.”

A sharpshooter on the court, Lamppa’s game has continued to grow over the years, making her a fierce defensive player and a strong rebounder. Even outside of basketball, her athletic abilities and competitive fire let her succeed at whatever she tries.

“She’s just that all-around athlete. She’s a great softball player, a great cross country runner and even if it’s pickleball or tennis or bocce ball, she’s always leaving her all and being competitive. No matter what she’s doing, she’s working hard to win. She just likes to compete and sometimes that’s hard to instill in kids. Hamline will recognize that right away.”

With an appreciation for science as well as TV dramas such as “Criminal Minds,” Lamppa says she plans to study forensic science at Hamline.

“It’s a way to combine those things. I’ve always loved science, specifically biology so I knew that was something I’d be interested in.”

When it comes to her game, Negen says the guard will need to elevate just about every aspect of what she already does successfully.

“The game is going to be faster so she’ll need to be quicker on the court and in getting her shot up. She’ll need to work some on getting that first step going on defense. It’s a lot of little things. She understands the game so as long as her coaches tell her what they want, I think she’ll be able to handle it.”

With her senior year nearly wrapped up, Lamppa says she’s excited to finish out this chapter and begin another.

“It’s been fun but it’s also a bit sad once you get to the end. I’m ready to move on and do bigger things. The end of the year has been a lot of capturing these final memories.”

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For Herberg, the three-sport athlete has found plenty of success at whatever he does, whether that be on the football field, the basketball court or the track.

When it came down to deciding what he wanted to do with his future, it was the physical nature of football that stood out the most to him as a running back and linebacker.

“Personally, I like hitting people so running people over is kind of my speciality,” the soon-to-be graduate said after his signing. “I’ve got the agility and the quickness and I like to bowl people over. Football is something I think I’m good at and I just want to play it at a higher level and go as far as I can.”

Herberg plans to spend two years at Mesabi Range and hopes to transfer to a four-year school afterwards to keep playing. For him, getting the chance to stay close to home for now is a bonus that fits in with his plans.

“I want to be a welder. It’s what my brother does and he kind of inspired me so I thought it would be a good two-in-one idea. I get to play football, learn how to weld and then after my two years, hopefully get to a D-II school or higher and play for a few more years.”

Even though he only got to coach Herberg for one season, Wolverine football head coach Brandon Borich says it’s clear that the senior brings everything it takes to whatever task is in front of him.

“Ryan will bring that hard work and dedication to any program,” Borich said. “I know he has big goals for his college football experience and what he wants to do. He’s a hard nosed football player that’s not afraid to stick his nose into anything. He plays at 100% every time and I think that’s what they’re going to get out of him, a good teammate who’s willing to work hard and do whatever it takes to be successful.”

Playing as both a running back and linebacker in high school, Herberg says he plans to stay on the offensive side of the ball next season.

“I think I’ve got a decent build for it,” he said. “Maybe I’m a bit taller than other running backs but I’ve got the size and stamina for it. I like running so it fits for me.”

With the transition to college football often comes an increase in physical bulk for a lot of players. Borich says Herberg could find great success if he puts on a bit more muscle.

“He’s got that big frame. He’s a big kid already so if he goes in and puts on 20 pounds of muscle, that’ll be huge for him. He’s not a fragile kid. When kids go to college, they can get in that weight room and put on muscle fast. He’s got the frame for it and has a big chance to be successful just with his size and natural ability.”

With hopes of playing beyond the junior college level, Herberg knows it doesn’t get any easier from here. That’s a challenge he’s ready to take on.

“There’s going to be more competition, faster guys and harder hits. I know I’ll have to work hard in the two years I’ve got there and show that I’m not afraid to play against those bigger, faster, stronger guys.”

“It’s just a faster game,” his coach said. “It’s all about finding ways to play faster, think faster and learn from your coaches as much as you can about whatever scheme they’re running up there. Hopefully he’ll get some eyes on him to play at another level after that.”

With family and teammates watching him make his commitment on Friday, Herberg says it’s their support that helped make the decision easy.

“My parents support me all the way through. My dad can be a ‘mean guy’ sometimes but he really pushes me through and helps me get better. My mom is so supportive. I took a bad hit against Hermantown this year and had to deal with a bad concussion. She was there to help me and keep me calm and really got me through that.

“And then my teammates have just been there for me. They’ve helped me get better throughout the season and they made sure I was always working hard.”