A junior at Owatonna High School, Nolan Rolloff has become the first Division 1 baseball player to come out of Owatonna in 20-plus years. He is also the first Division 1 commit under Head Coach Tate Cummins, who has been the Head Coach of Owatonna Baseball since 2007. Rolloff announced his commitment to the University of St. Thomas back in September of last year, being one of the first commits of the school year and the first and only member of the class of 2027 so far to commit to a school for athletics.

Rolloff came off an exceptional season last spring, achieving all-conference and all-section
honors as a sophomore for the Huskies. Some of his stats from last year include a .455 batting average, .571 on-base percentage, and 35 hits. Nolan was awarded both Team MVP and Offensive Player of the Year for his performance in the 2025 season and will serve as a key player this upcoming season.

The road to St Thomas demanded a lot of time and dedication from Rolloff, putting countless hours in all aspects of his game, whether that be on the field, in the cage, or in the weight room. He said, “It takes work every day, it’s so competitive, and everyone’s out there working, and if you’re not working, somebody’s gonna come take your spot, so it’s kill or be killed,” said Rolloff of what it took to play at the highest level of collegiate baseball.

Rolloff also added on when asked who he credits for this opportunity, “First off, I would like to give thanks to God. I really give credit to my coaches and family, and most of all, I give it to my dad. He’s been with me every step of the way, and I wouldn’t have done it without him.”

Baseball has been a critical part of his life growing up, as Rolloff was a bat boy at five years old. He has had a lifelong passion for the sport, further fueled by the support and mentorship of his father, Brandon Rolloff.

Brandon played college baseball at the University of Augustana and has been there for Nolan ever since he first touched a bat. “As a father, seeing Nolan reach this milestone is special. His commitment to the University of St Thomas and the opportunity to play Division 1 college baseball reflect years of hard work and perseverance.” Said Rolloff about what it means as a father to see his son achieve this level of success.

Coach Cummins shares his thoughts on his experience coaching Rolloff, “We have had many
players come through our program that have played at the next level (college), but not one at
the Division Level for a long time. Nolan’s actually the first in my tenure (19 years). It takes a special player to reach those levels. You have to be skilled, but probably more importantly, as a player, you must have the drive to be the best and a work ethic that gives you the chance to continue to improve on a daily basis.”

“He’s able to check off nearly every box as a player, and we are happy to provide him the
support that’s needed to continue his dream of playing Division 1 Baseball. Talent generally will raise the bar for others. As a coach or player, Nolan continues to push all of us. We want to do everything we can to continue that progress.”

Nolan’s best qualities as a teammate and player for Owatonna Baseball are explained by
Cummins, “Nolan is a D1 Teammate. Seriously, one of the best teammates and players that
we’ve been able to coach. I’ve seen so much maturity and progress these past two years. He
crushes the weight room and continues to reach out for additional support in the offseason with weekly hitting sessions.”

“Nolan is able to put together some of the best at bats from an offensive standpoint. He has a plan at the plate and he’s able to drive the ball to all fields. His power continues to improve, so these next two years will be very exciting to watch. As a shortstop, he has range and the strongest arm at the position within the conference (88 MPH) so he’s able to make plays that others can’t. From a mental approach, he’s able to stay balanced – never too high or too low based on production. He’s able to withstand those mental swings that most high school athletes really struggle with from a game-to-game basis.

“And, he’s thankful. Thankful for his teammates, his coaches, and his family. He doesn’t miss the chance to say, “Thank you” and that’s one of many things that I’ll remember about Nolan.”

A key part of Rolloff’s baseball career is the Minnesota MASH program, the club baseball team he plays on during the summer. Rolloff has been playing MASH baseball for several years now and has been putting up elite performances,  just as he has in school ball.

Coach Steve McGuiggan from MASH said this about Nolan’s development through the program, “Nolan has earned everything he has achieved. When the small kid with the Owatonna hat walked into MASH, it was clear that he loved to play the game. As he’s grown up, his work ethic has matched his natural effort and ability. His competitive drive demands the best from those around him, and I could not be more confident that he will excel at the next level. St Thomas has another culture driver heading to campus.”

A thing to keep in mind about Rolloff is that he still has the whole second half of his high school career to play out for the Huskies. He is also a multisport athlete who has cemented a name for himself on Friday nights as he will lead the Owatonna Football team as a captain next fall.

“Obviously, state championships, I want to continue the Owatonna legacy of winning and
represent my hometown well,” said Rolloff about what he hopes to accomplish before heading off to college.

Rolloff is looking to major in a business-related field at St Thomas, as the junior awaits his
senior year at Owatonna High School. When asked why he chose St Thomas to continue his
education and athletic career, Rolloff said, “It felt like the right place for me. From the first text to the most recent call, it felt like home.”

Rolloff continues to improve day by day, working hard to prepare for college in the fall of 2027.