5 Super Athletes With Ties To Northfield

Sports have a way of teaching invaluable life lessons — building character, fostering teamwork and strengthening the bonds within a community. In the Northfield area, these values have shaped some truly remarkable athletes from different eras, whose accomplishments continue to inspire.

Patch has teamed up with T-Mobile to spotlight five standout athletes whose achievements have left a lasting mark on our community. While this list is just a snapshot, there are countless others who have helped shape the rich sports culture in our area.

1. Megan Kalmoe (Rowing)

Megan Kalmoe, an accomplished Olympic rower, is best known for her success in the Women’s Quadruple Sculls, where she earned a bronze medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics. The three-time Olympian was born in Minneapolis and moved to St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin, before she represented the United States in multiple international competitions. Her bronze medal in Rio marked a historic moment for U.S. rowing, as it was the first Olympic medal in that event.

2. Caleb Thielbar (Baseball)

Caleb Thielbar, a professional baseball pitcher, was born and raised in Northfield. He played college baseball for the University of South Dakota before being signed by the Minnesota Twins. Thielbar made his MLB debut in 2013 with the Twins, and after several successful seasons, he joined the Chicago Cubs. Thielbar is recognized for his skillful pitching and has been a consistent performer in the bullpen throughout his career.

3. Jacob Petricka (Baseball)

Jacob Petricka is a former professional baseball pitcher who made his mark in Major League Baseball. Originally from Northfield, Petricka honed his pitching skills in high school before advancing to the University of Kentucky. He was drafted by the Chicago White Sox in the 2010 MLB Draft and made his MLB debut in 2013. Known for his powerful fastball and impressive control, Petricka had a successful career in the majors and became a key contributor to his team's pitching staff.

4. Patti Berg (Golf)

Patti Berg, a trailblazer in women's golf, was born in Minneapolis and became one of the most successful and influential players in the history of the sport. A member of the LPGA Tour from its inception, she won 60 professional tournaments, including five major championships, and played a key role in shaping women's professional golf. Her accomplishments on the course, combined with her efforts to promote the sport, made her a pioneer for women in athletics.

5. Mark Setterstrom (Football)

Mark Setterstrom is a former professional football player who played as a guard for the St. Louis Rams in the NFL. A native of Northfield, Setterstrom showcased his football skills early on when he played for the Northfield High School football team. He continued to excel at the University of Minnesota, where he became a standout player for the Golden Gophers. Setterstrom was drafted by the Rams in the 7th round of the 2006 NFL Draft, marking the beginning of his successful career in professional football.

This content is brought to our community in partnership with T-Mobile.