Raiders Pride: 5 Unforgettable Athletes From Northfield High School

Sports run deep in Northfield, andNorthfield High School has long been at the heart of it. It’s no surprise some standout talent once wore the Raiders uniform. Today we're celebrating five unforgettable athletes from Northfield High School who made a name for themselves well beyond the hometown field.

1. Mark Setterstrom – NFL Offensive Lineman (Los Angeles Rams)

A standout at Northfield High School, Mark Setterstrom earned a full-ride scholarship to the University of Minnesota, where he started for four seasons before going on to play five years in the NFL with the Los Angeles Rams. Following his football career, Setterstrom transitioned into business leadership, serving as General Manager at Cemstone and helping grow a startup joint venture into one of the largest operations of its kind in the Upper Midwest. (Sources: ProFootballReference, SouthernMinn, TheOrg)

2. Kari Klassen Johnson – Competitive Swimmer

One of the most decorated athletes in Northfield history, Kari Klassen Johnson was a state champion, All-American, MVP, and team captain during a record-breaking high school swimming career. She competed at the University of Minnesota, later transferred to Brown University and was inducted into the Brown Athletic Hall of Fame in 2005. (Sources: BrownUniversityAthletics, Southern Minn)

3. Ayla Puppe – Women’s Ice Hockey (University of Minnesota)

Ayla Puppe emerged as one of Minnesota’s top high school hockey players at Northfield, earning the prestigious title of Ms. Hockey Minnesota in 2024. She went on to join the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers, making her collegiate debut during the 2024–25 season. (Sources: GopherSports, TheRinkLive)

4. Chad Setterstrom – NFL Defensive Lineman (New Orleans Saints)

A Northfield High School graduate, Chad Setterstrom played college football at the University of Northern Iowa before signing with the New Orleans Saints, where he spent four seasons from 2003–2006. He also competed internationally, winning a World Bowl championship with the Amsterdam Admirals in NFL Europe. (Sources: SouthernMinn, IowaUnion)

5. Steve Mathre – Track & Field Coach and All-American Athlete

A member of Northfield’s 1983 state championship track team, Steve Mathre was a standout hurdler and relay runner who later became a five-time All-American at St. Olaf College. He has since built a legendary coaching career as head track coach at the University of St. Thomas, leading his teams to 25 MIAC titles and earning multiple Coach of the Year honors. (Sources: StThomasAthletics, SouthernMinn)

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