CHS senior takes next step in football career

PALMER — Dakota Wainwright could potentially play college football on a few levels. The Colony High senior fielded offers from Division II and NAIA programs. Regardless of his choice, Wainwright knew he’d be climbing the football ladder. He simply wanted to find the school and the football program that would be the best fit.

He found that in Dillon, Mont.

Wainwright recently signed his National Letter of Intent to attend the University of Montana-Western and play football for the Bulldogs.

“For me, whatever level, I know it’s going to be the next step,” Wainwright said recently. “Out of high school, going to the next level, the kids are always going to be bigger, always going to be faster.”

Wainwright said the program, school and location all drew him to the school, which sits south of Montana’s capital city, Helena.

Wainwright has family in the area, and he had a chance to visit the school after the end of his senior season at Colony.

“I really felt comfortable,” Wainwright said. “I really liked the area, liked the school.”

Wainwright is expected to play linebacker for the NAIA program, but told coaches he’d be willing to play anywhere on the field.

“I told them I just love to play football,” Wainwright said.

Wainwright was a versatile athlete for Colony, earning all-conference status at multiple positions. As a junior, he was named All-Railbelt Conference as an offensive guard. Following a senior year, in which he helped lead the Knights to an appearance in the state semifinals, Wainwright was named first-team all-conference at fullback and linebacker.

“Anywhere on the field, I don’t care where I play,” Wainwright said. “Even if they move me around, that doesn’t bother me.”

Wainwright said the opportunity to play a variety of positions at Colony will help him as he takes the next step in his career.

“I kind of got a little bit of experience all around,” Wainwright said.

Montana-Western competes in the NAIA Frontier Conference.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/matsu_sports.