Alex Eisen/MDN Bishop Ryan senior Corbin Okeson prepares to sign a National Letter of Intent on Thursday to further his wrestling and academic career at St. Cloud State University.

Once an unimaginable possibility is now a reality for Bishop Ryan senior Corbin Okeson. The three-sport athlete committed his future to one of the premier wrestling programs at the NCAA Division II level with current No. 1-ranked St. Cloud State.

Okeson signed a National Letter of Intent Thursday afternoon in front of family, friends and coaches inside the Bishop Ryan library.

“Around November 2019 is when they first messaged me,” Okeson recalled. “I don’t even know how to put it in words. I was astonished and really excited. I came home from football practice and talked with my dad right away. I told him about it. I was super excited, and he was excited.”

After a tour of the St. Cloud State campus earlier this month in St. Cloud, Minnesota, Okeson was sold. He couldn’t wait to don the Huskies’ apparel.

“It was amazing, a beautiful campus,” Okeson said about his visit. “After that, I went to Scheels and immediately bought four or five sweatshirts. I knew right then and there that this was it.”

Okeson is in the middle of his final campaign with Ryan’s wrestling team. With his future secured, his sights return to winning an elusive North Dakota individual state championship.

Last year, Okeson lost the 182-pound Class B state championship match in a heartbreaking 7-6 decision against Hillsboro/Central Valley then-senior Mark Hastings.

That defeat still lingers, while also providing motivation.

“Every time I walk into the wrestling room, I see second (place) and I remember how bad that hurt,” Okeson said. “I don’t want to ever feel that feeling again… I want to go out on top.”

Along with being a four-year letter winner in wrestling, Okeson played four seasons of football — including a state title game appearance this past fall — and three years of track and field.

Holding his weight and continuously wrestling at 182, Okeson is already a three-time placewinner at the Class B state tournament: second in 2019, third in 2018 and eighth in 2017. He is currently the No. 1 ranked Class B wrestler at 182, according to NDwrestle.com.

Okeson expects to wrestle at 184 in college or possibly move up to 197 if needed. He is undecided in his academic pursuit at SCSU but is considering possible careers in the medical field.

“This is super awesome,” Ryan first-year head coach Brock Nagel said. “St. Cloud State has won four out of the last five national championships. So, really excited that he can go and compete for a school of that caliber. He is a great kid. It’s a great program. So, it’s a nice match.”

The top dog Huskies are undefeated this season (10-0), with their next NSIC team dual being this evening against No. 23 Minot State (4-3). The highly-anticipated showdown will take place across the street from Bishop Ryan inside the MSU Dome.

Alex Eisen covers Minot State athletics, the Minot Minotauros and high school sports. Follow him on Twitter @AEisen13.