Sports

Head Tennis Coach Byron Balkin claims his first win at the helm of UWW

Balkin

The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater women’s tennis team opened their 2025-26 campaign with a conference sweep over UW-Oshkosh. The win marks the first win for Head Coach Byron Balkin.

The doubles teams got rolling, quickly taking over the first three flights to give the Warhawks the team point. 

Molly Asfeld (Waukesha, Wis./West) and Crystina Lee (Downers Grove, Ill./Timothy Christian) took the first match of the season with a 6-2 victory at the second doubles flight. Abigail Weaver (Wakarusa, Ind./Mishawaka Marian) and Gracie Ha (Palatine, Ill./Fremd) grabbed the second necessary flight for the point with a 6-3 victory.

The freshman pair of Josie Wojcikiewicz and Kaitlyn Remke (Johnsburg, Ill./Marian Central) secured the third doubles flight with a 6-4 win.

Heading into the singles flights, the Warhawks and Titans had to play through the elements after a light misting of rain started at the Whitewater tennis courts. 

Remke would be the first singles flight to pick up a team point, taking the fifth singles flight with a straight set victory only dropping one game between the two sets.

Single flights #3 and #4 weren’t too far behind. Asfeld clinched her match in straight sets with a 6-0 victory in the second set. Lee took the fourth singles flight with a 6-3, 6-1 victory to put the Warhawks just one match away from Balkin’s first victory.

Gracie Ha (Palatine, Ill./Fremd) and Abigail Weaver (Wakarusa, Ind./Mishawaka Marian) clinched the match at the first and second flights. Weaver took her first set 6-0 and staved off a late push by UW-Oshkosh to win her second 6-3. Ha played a clean game as well, only dropping one game in the first set on her way to a 6-1, 6-0 victory. 

Abigail McIssac finished the sweep with a third set tiebreaker victory. McIsaac dropped the first set 3-6, but bounced back with a 6-3 second set. In the tiebreaker, McIsaac kept up the pressure and momentum and grabbed the tiebreaker 10-5.

Full Results
Doubles
#1 – Weaver/Ha def. Usui/Gibbs: 6-3
#2 – Asfeld/Lee def Gregory/Owens: 6-2
#3 – Wojcikiewicz/Remke def Pethan/Schaefer: 6-4

Singles
#1 – Ha def. Pethan: 6-1, 6-0
#2 – Weaver def. Usui: 6-0, 6-3
#3 – Asfeld def. Gibbs: 6-2, 6-0
#4 – Lee def. Owens: 6-3, 6-1
#5 – Remke def. Schaefer: 6-0, 6-1
#6 – McIsaac def. Gerl: 3-6, 6-3, (10-5)

Exhibition
Singles – Chloe Knutson (Deforest, Wis./Deforest) def. Dao: 6-0, 6-1
Singles – Julia Nill (Thiensville, Wis./Homestead) def. Longdin: 6-3, 6-2
Doubles – Ashley Adkisson (Licolnshire, Ill./Stevenson)/Megan Griswold (Oconomowoc, Wis./Oconomowoc) def. Dao/Longdin: 5-1

Whippets Open Cross Country Season at Palmyra Eagle Invitational, Alumni Meet to be Held Saturday

The Whippet Cross Country Team competed in the Palmyra Eagle Invitational on Thursday, August 28.

Virginia Nelson placed 7th in the girls’ race.

The boys’ race was led by freshman Tyler Carollo, who clocked a time of 20:14 and earned his first high school medal with a 24th-place finish (the top 25 received medals). Wyatt Esch and Isaiah Mendez were the team’s second and third finishers, each running within 30–35 seconds of their lifetime personal bests. Marcus Roselle and Quinton O’Toole rounded out the team’s top five, helping the Whippets place eighth out of 14 teams.

On the girls’ side, Virginia Nelson led the way with a 7th-place finish, earning a medal in 22:20—just six seconds off her lifetime best to start her sophomore season. Delaney Hammack ran strong in the No. 2 spot, finishing 31st. Melody Smith, in her first-ever 5K race, was the team’s third runner, finishing only 20 seconds behind Hammack. Ema Aranda claimed the fourth spot, while freshman Madelyn Taylor completed the team’s scoring five. The girls’ team placed sixth out of 14 teams.

Next up for the Whippets is the 22nd Annual Dirk Seibold Alumni Meet, hosted at Whitewater High School on Saturday. The boys’ race begins at 10:00 a.m. followed by the girls’ race at 10:40 a.m. This year’s course will be 1.5 miles. Fans are encouraged to come out, support the team, and reconnect with former Whippets.

Full results: https://www.athletic.net/CrossCountry/meet/258787/info

Article and Photos Submitted by Chad Carstens
Whitewater High School Head Cross Country Coach
ccarstens@wwusd.org

The Gazette: Warhawks have a bona fide quarterback competition

The following are excerpts from an article by Matt Ellis in The Gazette on August 28.

“Until the Sept. 6 season kickoff, UW-Whitewater head coach Jace Rindahl and his staff will be evaluating a quarterback competition between sophomore Justin Klinkner and transfers Jake Frantl and Aidan Lucero.

None of the three has received any meaningful snaps on a college football field.

The Warhawks’ season starts by hosting Carleton (Minn.) College at Perkins Stadium for a nonconference game.

Klinkner did not see the field as a Warhawk freshman in 2024. Frantl spent four years at Pittsburgh but did not see the field. Lucero spent three years at Grand Valley State (Mich.), where he redshirted as a freshman in 2022 and did not see the field in the two years since.

“We’re intentional,” Rindahl said about the process of determining the Week 1 starter, “You’ve got three guys fighting for it. So you make sure that you give (fairness) and balance. You give them equal reps with the ones. Then you just are very strategic when you go through fall camp.”………

Lace Up Your Running Shoes for the DWS

The 2025 Discover Whitewater Series (DWS): Half Marathon, Half Marathon Teams, & 5K is one month away!

On Sept. 21st, 2025 runners of all ages will line up at the starting line of the 13th annual DWS in Whitewater. The DWS team is thrilled to see all our participants this fall!

This year, our race starts on Schwager Drive, near Perkins Stadium, and ends on the Perkins Stadium football field.  Perkins Stadium is located at 910 W Schwager Dr, Whitewater, WI 53190. 

Below is a description of everything to expect on the week of the race.

Packet pickup will be on Friday, Sept. 19th, at 4 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. at the Kachel Gymnasium, 907 Schwager Dr, Whitewater, WI 53190. Enter on the north side of the Kachel Gymnasium. (ramp in Lot 11). The packets will include the race schedule, registration information T-shirts, and coupons for the runners. They are also available for pick up from 6 a.m. – 7:30 a.m. on Sept. 21st (race day). 

  • Online site registration is available on race day as well. For a full schedule of the day visit http://runwhitewater.com
    • Half Marathon Wheelchair Division start is 7:55 a.m.
    • Half Marathon/Half Marathon Teams start at 8 a.m. and the course will be open until 12 p.m.
    • 5K Wheel Division start is 8:10 a.m.
    • The 5K start is 8:15 a.m.
  • Because of construction on Walworth Ave, we could not guarantee that we would be able to host our race at Whitewater’s high school. This year, DWS is excited to host the start and finish lines at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater! Specifically, the team wants to highlight their new starting line on Schwager Drive and their new finish line at Perkins Stadium football field. The DWS team worked hard to make new courses that reflected the values of the race-still reflecting Whitewater’s beauty and history. The half marathon calls back to Whitewater’s racing history; this course is a part of the original Olympic Trial run that was in the 80s and 90s! 
  • We’ll have eight pacers running on the course in neon green shirts, so they’ll be easy to find. Participants can follow the pacer to keep a steady time during the race.
  • FREE childcare: Did you know the DWS offers free childcare to our participants? Our Kids Korral is a combined effort of the UW-W’s College of Education & Professional Studies and Creative and Resourceful Educators to provide activities for children in a safe environment. The Kids Korral is for children six months to ten years, and they must be registered by Wednesday Sept. 17th. This can be done at http://runwhitewater.com. 
  • Awards Ceremony: This year we split up the awards for the half marathon, half marathon teams, and 5K. First, second and third (men and women) place finishers will receive a cash prize.
  • Half Marathon Men’s/Women’s Overall winners of 1st place will receive $400, 2nd place will receive $250, and 3rd place will receive $100. Marathon Teams 1st place finishers will receive trophies. 5K Men’s/Women’s Overall 1st-3rd finishers will receive trophies. All finishers of the half marathon, half marathon teams, and 5k will receive a medal and a T-shirt.
    • 5K awards start at 9:45 a.m.
    • Half marathon and half marathon team awards start at 10 a.m.
  • Thanks to the University of Wisconsin Whitewater, we will be hosting our award ceremony and post-race nutrition at the Coulthart Family Pavilion which is located on Schwager Dr, and as a special treat.
  • Post-Race Celebration: This year’s post-race festivity will take place at 841 Brewhouse, located at 841 E Milwaukee St in Whitewater. 841 will be open and taking drink tickets starting at 10 a.m. on race day; participants can come together for one free glass of either beer, wine, or soda! For more information or to view 841’s menu make sure to visit their website at https://www.841brewhouse.com. 

Monthly newsletters are emailed to participants and volunteers of the race. Message the DWS team on Facebook or email us at info@runwhitewater.com to receive the newsletter and stay up to date on all things involving the race. 

For further details, please contact Jeffery Knight, Executive Director at 920.728.0662 or jpk@knightpublicaffairs.com

About the DWS

The goal of the DWS is to promote the City of Whitewater and highlight its greatest features. All the proceeds from the race are donated to four local charity partners: Bethel House, Whitewater LEADS, J-Hawk Aquatic Club, and Warhawk Athletics through the UWW-Foundation. The DWS partners with the city, business community, and the University to make this a tremendous event that benefits all who participate. For more information about the race visit runwhitewater.com. For general race inquiries email info@runwhitewater.com. 

WUSD Welcomes New Activities & Athletics Director

Mike Dowden


The Whitewater Unified School District has appointed Mike Dowden as activities and athletics director after a comprehensive search that drew 27 qualified applicants.

Students, coaches, boosters, and community members interviewed Dowden, rating him the highest among all candidates for his leadership, vision, and commitment to strengthening Whippet extracurricular programs.

Dowden currently serves as head coach of the Whitewater High School girls basketball team. He also has experience coaching baseball, football, softball, and track. He currently teaches mathematics and supports the district’s Equitable Multi-Level Systems of Support (EMLSS) framework.

“We are excited to begin this new chapter under Mr. Dowden’s leadership and guidance,” said Superintendent Samuel Karns. “His passion for students, experience in academics and athletics, and vision for building strong, inclusive programs will be a tremendous asset to our school community.”

Dowden earned a bachelor’s degree in history from St. Norbert College and a bachelor’s degree in education from Beloit College. A former multi-sport athlete at Big Foot High School, he competed in basketball at both colleges.

WUSD looks forward to welcoming Mr. Dowden into this new role and working together to continue building a strong foundation of excellence in both academics and activities for all students.

Editor’s note: The above press release was received from the Whitewater Unified School District.

Girls’ Swim Team Season Kicks Off At Milton Invite

What a fantastic way to start the season! The Whitewater Girls’ Swim Team dove into competition this past Saturday (August 23) at the Milton Invite, and we are already seeing impressive improvements after just two weeks of practice.

Every 50 Freestyler dropped time from their practice time trials! Huge congrats to:

  • Newcomers: Emma Maas (32.49), Grace Smith (33.95), Storm DePorter (40.55), Jalayne Hanson (44.44), and Paige Kollwelter (38.11).
  • Returners: Georgia Esch (36.46), Kendra Serrano (32.42), Laken DePorter (34.63), and Caitlin Alford (37.81).
  • Special shoutout to Laken DePorter, Caitlin Alford, and Kendra Serrano, who each achieved lifetime bests in the 50 Freestyle!

Top 16 Individual Finishes:

  • Charlotte Hajewski – 11th in the 200 Freestyle (2:32.79), 8th in the 500 Freestyle (6:56.06)
  • Maggie Maas – 9th in the 100 Freestyle (1:07.50), 10th in the 100 Backstroke (1:16.24)
  • Atreya Wilson – 14th in the 100 Breaststroke (1:30.10)

This is just the beginning, and we can’t wait to see what this talented group accomplishes this season. Way to go, ladies!

Article and Photo Submitted by Sarah Reynolds
Whitewater High School Head Swim Coach
ReynoldsSM07@uww.edu

Seniors in the Park Presents “Just a Bit Outside: The Story of the 1982 Milwaukee Brewers”

“Just a Bit Outside: The Story of the 1982 Milwaukee Brewers”

Tuesday, August 26, 1 pm 

(Sports/Baseball/Documentary)

Free and open to all.

Hopefully, by the time you read this, the Brewers will be thick into this season‘s Race for the 2025 pennant! This is the chronicle of the City of Milwaukee and the State of Wisconsin and their 55 year love affair with the Milwaukee Brewers, and the incredible yet heartbreaking run in the 1982 World Series. (Our day will come). You’ve got to believe! 

Seniors in the Park is located in Starin Park, 504 W. Starin Road. Although there is no charge to attend, regular participants are encouraged to join Seniors in the Park. The annual fee for residents of the Whitewater Unified School District is $10 and non-residents is $15. The funds support about half of the cost of our front desk staff person for 15 hours per week. The rest comes out of our fundraising monies. If you cannot afford the fee, we have a fund that will cover it for you. Fees are accepted at the Starin Park Community Building or online at https://schedulesplus.com/wwtr/kiosk/

Uecker Family Expresses Thanks to Fans on Celebration of Life Day [Updated]

Plaque that was unveiled

Updated 8/24/25 @ 10:50 p.m. to add the photo of the plaque that was unveiled today.

American Family Field was sold out on Sunday, August 24 as the Milwaukee Brewers paid tribute to Bob Uecker. The full ceremony may be viewed here.

Uecker was a Brewers legend, broadcasting for the team for 54 seasons. Before that, he played as a backup catcher in MLB, including a stint with the Milwaukee Braves, making his major league debut in 1962 and winning a World Series with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1964.

Beyond baseball, Uecker was a regular guest on Johnny Carson, he starred in the sitcom “Mr. Belvedere,” where he played the character George Owens, and had a role in the movie “Major League,” where he played himself. He even hosted “Saturday Night Live” on Oct. 13, 1984.

Uecker died at his Menomonee Falls home on January 16, 2025, ten days shy of his 91st birthday.

Our thanks to Ron Binning for passing on the kind letter of gratitude from the Uecker family.

Whippet Football Wins Home Opener

The Whitewater Whippets downed Big Foot 26-22 in the football home opener on Friday night, August 22.

Comments from Coach Bartlett:

We went into this game with the mindset of proving that Whitewater football is ready to fight for all four quarters. Our season mantra is Pound the Stone — a reminder that every play matters and that adversity is always part of the game.

Big Foot gave us a tough battle, and we had to overcome our own mistakes, but our players never stopped grinding. We opened strong with a defensive three-and-out followed by a touchdown on our first offensive play. Big Foot responded immediately, setting the tone for a back-and-forth fight the rest of the way.

Our players’ resilience showed late in the fourth quarter when, down by a score, we put together the game-winning drive. Junior quarterback Ty Bucholtz delivered a huge throw to junior Emmett Spear across the middle, while senior Christian Minett and Bucholtz powered through with tough runs to keep the chains moving. That drive was set up by a momentum-shifting kick return from junior Hayden Armstrong after Big Foot had just taken the lead.

New offensive coordinator Daniel Strause called an excellent series to close out the game, while new defensive coordinator Jacob Biesterveld kept our defense locked in and battling all night. Our entire coaching staff — Michael Maas, Michael O’Neal, Quinn Williams, and Jacob Brown — played a vital role in the victory.

#2 Casey Lyon

Senior Casey Lyon (#2) also stood out, making plays at wide receiver while anchoring our defense at middle linebacker with toughness and athleticism.

This win was a true team effort and an important step in showing who we are becoming as a program: a Whitewater team that will keep pounding the stone until the final whistle.

Stats:

Rushing

  • #4 Ty Bucholtz 8 Rushes, 60 Yards, 1 TD
  • #33 Christian Minett 14 Rushes, 85 Yards, 2 TD

Passing

  • #4 Ty Bucholtz 8-16, 156 Yards, 1 TD, 1 Int

Receiving

  • #1 Trevor Piper 1 Catch, 3 Yards
  • #2 Casey Lyon 6 Catches, 113 Yards, 1 TD
  • #3 Emmett Spear 1 Catch, 17 Yards
  • #15 Connor Brummeyer 1 Catch, 23 Yards 

Defensive Notable Stats

  • #3 Emmett Spear 5 Solo, 6 Assists, 11 Total Tackles
  • #50 Deavion Olson 2 Solo, 2 Assists, 1 TFL

Article Submitted by Sam Bartlett
Whitewater High School Head Football Coach
barsa01@wwusd.org
Photos Courtesy of Olivia Kowlaski

Tennis Downs Shoreland Lutheran 7-0

Our Whippets have been labeled the “road warriors” playing in three consecutive tennis invitationals this week. 

On Thursday night, August 21, the Whitewater Whippets Tennis Team traveled to Kenosha to play Shoreland Lutheran in a non-conference dual match. The Whippets were victorious, defeating the Pacers by a team score of 7-0. All seven players won their matches, and here were their scores:

Singles #1 Taryn Rothwell 6-0,6-0

Singles #2 Lilian Navejas-Ortiz 6-3, 6-1

Singles #3 Maddie Joseph 6-0, 6-1

Singles #4 Yareli Palomec-Garcia 6-2, 6-2

Doubles #1 Natalia Casillas/Kiani Aranda 7-6 (7-0), 6-1

Doubles #2 Izzy Lawton/Abby Treder 6-1, 6-3

Doubles #3 Ruth Lopez/Gisselle Perez 6-1, 6-2

Maddie Joseph
Ruth Lopez

Article and Photos Submitted by Greg Stewart
Whitewater High School Head Girls’ Tennis Coach
gstewart@wwusd.org