Sports

The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Department of Intercollegiate Athletics has announced its 60th class to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.

Former student-athletes Lauren Cruz Battersby ’10 (softball), Austin Bautista ’11 (wrestling), Brooke Bell Burns ’16 (track and field), Dan Gnatzig ’05 (baseball), Justine Weyer Goodman ’10 (gymnastics), Garry and Larry Grimes (basketball), Kelsey Hendrickson ’10 (basketball), Justin Jacobs ’07 (football), Alison Miller Tanking ’07 (volleyball) and Jim Winkler (tennis) will be inducted. Brian Borland who served in multiple roles with the Warhawk track and field and football programs will be inducted under the category of staff/coach, while former tennis student-athlete and longtime UW-Whitewater supporter John Buckley will be inducted for his distinguished service to the institution.

All 13 individuals will be recognized for their contributions to Warhawk Athletics as part of the UW-Whitewater football team’s game against UW-Platteville on Saturday, October 25, at 1 p.m. Inductees will be part of the Homecoming Parade, which begins at 10 a.m., will be honored at halftime of the football game and at the annual Hall of Fame Banquet, which begins following the contest at 4:30 p.m. at the University Center’s Hamilton Room.

More information on the Hall of Fame Banquet, including registration, will be posted in August.

Class Includes Whitewater High School Alum and Current Staff Member Dan Gnatzig

Dan Gnatzig was a member of the UW-Whitewater baseball team from 2002-05. A model of consistency, Gnatzig was a staple in the outfield for all four years of his career. He helped lead UW-Whitewater to Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference titles in 2003, 2004 and 2005, as well as league tournament titles in 2003 and 2004. Gnatzig made three NCAA Tournament appearances and two Division III World Series appearances, helping the Warhawks to a national title in 2005. Gnatzig is a two-time all-region honoree (2004, 2005) and a two-time All-WIAC pick (2003, 2005). He is ranked among the top ten in the program record book in multiple season categories. In the program’s career record book, Gnatzig is ranked third in runs (187), sixth in at bats (619), eighth in hits (215) and eleventh in runs batted in (141). A native of Whitewater, Wisconsin and a graduate of Whitewater High School, Gnatzig earned a bachelor’s degree in physical education with a health licensure in 2005. Gnatzig currently teaches physical education at Whitewater High School.  

For more information on each inductee: https://uwwsports.com/news/2025/6/23/general-uw-whitewater-athletics-announces-hall-of-fame-class-of-2025.aspx

In an electrifying championship match at the USTA National Campus, the University of North Carolina’s dynamic duo, Reese Brantmeier and Alanis Hamilton, staged an impressive comeback for the second day in a row! Facing off against Auburn’s formidable pair, DJ Bennett and Ava Hrastar, Brantmeier and Hamilton battled through intense rallies to clinch victory with a nail-biting score of 4-6, 7-6 (4), 7-6 (10-5). The tension was palpable as they triumphed in the decisive tiebreak, showcasing their grit and determination! By winning the championship match of the American Collegiate Wildcard Playoffs Championship, the duo punched their ticket to play in the U.S. Open in New York City!

Come meet Reese at the Reese Brantmeier Project Opening on July 12^th!

WHEN: JULY 12th, 2025, 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm 
WHERE: 506 E Main St, Whitewater

Join us for an afternoon of tennis, games, prizes, exhibitions, booths, food, and so much more! Entry is free, and there will be fun for all ages and skill levels. There will be opportunities to meet local professional, collegiate, and high school tennis players, including Whitewater native and project founder Reese Brantmeier. Come to connect with our local tennis community, celebrate the efforts of so many supporters, and have a great time!

At 1:00 pm on July 12, there will be a welcome, ribbon cutting, and dedication, followed by an afternoon of fun and games. The full itinerary is available at www.reesebrantmeierproject.com

Please contact brantmeierb@gmail.com with any questions about the event.

Attention all Whitewater youth baseball players interested in trying out for the Whitewater Club teams. Join us on July 21st-23rd for our tryouts. 

This club is created to help expose youth baseball players to next level competition. The number of teams will be determined by number of players that tryout and ages. In order to have an opportunity to earn a roster spot on one of these teams you must tryout. If you are unable to make these dates but would like to tryout please contact coach Hookstead. Only 14 players are allowed per team maximum. If your son makes one of the teams there is a $350 charge. With this you will receive a jersey, pants, hat and training that would start in January. No experience is needed.  

Please complete the form if you are interested in a try out.

Monday July 21st:  2nd-4th Grade*/ 5pm-7pm
Tuesday July 22nd:  5th-8th Grade*/ 5pm-7pm
Wednesday July 23rd:  make up date & 2nd evaluation** for all ages/ 5pm-7pm

*Grade levels are those students will be entering for the 2025/26 school year. 
**There is a possibility for a player to be asked to come back on July 23rd for a 2nd evaluation.  

Location:  Whitewater High School Baseball & Softball Field

Please contact Coach Michael Hookstead with any questions:
mhookstead@wwusd.org
(262)893-3580

The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater finished 14th in the 2024-25 Learfield Directors’ Cup. A total of 323 Division III institutions are ranked in the Directors’ Cup standings. The Warhawks have finished among the top 20 for 16 consecutive seasons dating back to 2007-08. 

UW-Whitewater compiled 737.25 points across three seasons of competition. UW-Whitewater added 360 points to the institutional total this spring behind a national title for Warhawk baseball that secured 100 points. Softball advanced to the super regional to garner 64 points while outdoor track and field combined for 72. Men’s tennis added 50 after advancing to the second round of regional action while the women secured 25 points this season. The women’s golf team rounded out the phenomenal spring with 49 points from their championship appearance. 

The winter campaign saw four Warhawk programs combine for 207.25 points. Women’s basketball led the way with yet another Sweet 16 appearance for 64 points. The wrestling team finished 13th at nationals for 63 points. Men’s indoor track and field also finished 13th for 62.25 points while the women’s program added 18 to the UWW total. UW-Whitewater ranked 20th in the standings following winter competition. 

The Warhawk volleyball team bolstered UWW in the fall with a national runner-up finish that claimed 90 Directors’ Cup points. The men’s cross country team added 80 after finishing fourth at the Division III championship for a total of 170 points in the fall. 

Four Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference institutions are ranked among the top 30 in the final Learfield Directors’ Cup standings making the WIAC the most competitive public school conference in Division III. Only two conferences had more teams among the top 30 – the University Athletic Association (UAA) and the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC). 

More Information on the Learfield Directors’ Cup:
The Directors’ Cup measures the overall athletic success of collegiate institutions. Points are awarded based on each institution’s finish in up to 18 NCAA sports – nine women’s and nine men’s. Men’s and women’s basketball and men’s and women’s soccer must be counted among the total.

The Directors’ Cup did not take place during the 2019-20 and 2020-21 years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

In 2013-14, UW-Whitewater finished second in the Directors’ Cup standings, the school’s all-time best finish.

Editor’s note: The above press release was provided by the UW-Whitewater Athletics Department. The following article is from the WIAC website.

All Eight WIAC Institutions Finish In Top 101 of Directors’ Cup Standings

CLEVELAND–All eight Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) institutions have finished in the top 101 of the 2024-25 Learfield Directors’ Cup NCAA Division III standings.
 
UW-La Crosse topped the conference entries, placing 10th with 856 points, while UW-Whitewater was 14th with 737.25, UW-Eau Claire 21st with 654.75, UW-Oshkosh 28th with 562.50, UW-Platteville 59th with 331, UW-Stout 73rd with 280, UW-Stevens Point 94th with 218.50 and UW-River Falls 101st with 194.60. A total of 324 institutions were represented in the final standings.
 
Emory University (Ga.) accumulated 1,198.75 points to claim the top spot in the standings that recognize the best NCAA Division III overall athletics programs in the country. Johns Hopkins University (Md.) finished second with 1,147, Tufts University (Mass.) third with 1,069, Washington University in St. Louis (Mo.) fourth with 1,044.75 and Middlebury College (Vt.) fifth with 971.75.
 
The WIAC secured five NCAA Division III titles during the 2024-25 academic year as UW-La Crosse won men’s cross country, men’s indoor track & field and men’s outdoor track & field, while UW-River Falls claimed the women’s ice hockey championship and UW-Whitewater posted a first-place finish in baseball. UW-La Crosse also captured the National Collegiate Gymnastics Association championship.
 
The Learfield Directors’ Cup was developed as a joint effort between the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) and USA Today. Points are awarded based on each institution’s finish in NCAA championships.

Former University of Wisconsin-Whitewater football kicker Jeff Schebler and longtime Head Coach Forrest Perkins are candidates for induction into the College Football Hall of Fame according to an announcement from the National Football Foundation [NFF]. 

To become a member of the NFF [with a $60 donation] and cast your vote for Schebler and Perkins today – click here. Votes must be cast by July 1, 2025. 

The 2026 College Football Hall of Fame ballot includes 79 players and 9 coaches from the Football Bowl Subdivision and 100 players and 35 coaches from divisional ranks. The 2026 NFF College Football Hall of Fame Class will be officially inducted during the 68th annual awards dinner on December 8, 2026 in Las Vegas. 

To be eligible, a player must have received first team All-America recognition by an NCAA-recognized selector and played in his final season at least 10 full seasons ago but no more than 50 years ago. A player’s post-football record as a citizen and academic honors accumulated are also weighted in the selection process.

Coaches must have coached a minimum of 10 years and 100 games as a head coach, won at least 60 percent of their games and be retired from coaching for at least three years.

Schebler was a four-year All-American and four-year First Team All-Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference kicker for the Warhawks from 2006-09. He helped lead UW-Whitewater to four appearances in the Stagg Bowl, including national championships in 2007 and 2009, when he was selected as a First Team All-American by D3football.com. The team also earned WIAC titles during all four years of Schebler’s career.

Schebler earned the Fred Mitchell Award as the nation’s best non-FBS kicker in 2009 after converting 14-of-18 on field goals and 83-of-85 on PATs. He also averaged 60.3 yards per kickoff as UW-W finished with a perfect 15-0 mark on its way to the national title.

For his career, Schebler is the program’s all-time leader in PATs attempted (256), PATs made (245) and field goals made (75). He tied the school record for longest field goal with a pair of 52-yarders in 2007. Schebler still holds the Division III career records for points scored by a kicker (470), highest percentage of field goals made (78.9) and field goals made (75).

Perkins coached the Warhawks for 29 seasons from 1956-84. He is currently the school’s all-time leader in victories after leading UW-Whitewater to a 190-88-8 record, good for a .678 winning percentage.

Perkins led the Warhawks to 11 conference championships and was named NAIA National Coach of the Year in 1966 after leading UW-Whitewater to a 10-1 record and the program’s first-ever postseason appearance. After a 41-18 triumph over Central (Iowa) in the national semifinals, the Warhawks reached the title game, where they fell against Waynesburg (Pa.).

At the time of his retirement, Perkins was the league’s all-time leader in wins and had the second-most wins of active coaches at the Division III level. He is currently No. 2 in the conference in victories and among the top 50 on the NCAA Division III all-time wins list.

College Football Hall of Fame votes are cast by more than 12,000 NFF members and current Hall of Famers. Their votes will be tabulated and submitted to the NFF’s Honors Court, which includes a diverse pool of athletic administrators, Hall of Famers and members of the media, for final class selection.

Further information is provided here and here.

Saturday marked the final time that Traysen Thomason and Jack Hefty would don the Whippet jersey in high school competition. Both seniors have already achieved remarkable accomplishments in their careers, but they arrived at the state meet with unfinished business—and they delivered in dramatic fashion.

Traysen Thomason – A Sprinter’s Dream Realized

Traysen was first up, with the 100-meter dash—arguably the most electrifying event in track and field—scheduled early in the day. With nearly 10,000 spectators packed in and the atmosphere electric, a rare hush fell over the crowd as the Division 2 finalists settled into their blocks. Traysen, reflecting on his mindset beforehand, said, “I simply wanted to put all the pieces together into this 100m final. All the things I’ve learned in my journey, and apply them here and now.”

He did exactly that. Launching from the blocks like a cannon, Traysen surged to an early lead, powering down the straightaway. His biggest threat came from a familiar foe—Ryan Walther of Delavan-Darien. As they barreled toward the finish, it came down to a lean at the line. The stadium collectively held its breath.

And then—it happened. Traysen Thomason’s name flashed first on the scoreboard.

With a scream of triumph and every muscle fiber bursting with adrenaline, Traysen celebrated becoming the first 100m state champion in Whitewater High School history. His winning time of 10.82 seconds edged out Walther by just two hundredths of a second.

Later that afternoon, Traysen returned for the 200-meter final, motivated by two goals: to reach the podium and break the school record he shared with Larry Gnatzig. With one final burst of brilliance down the home stretch, he achieved both. Traysen finished in third place with a new personal best and school record time of 21.97 seconds. An electrifying meet for Traysen.

He closed his high school career with three state podium finishes—including a state title in the 100m, a 4th-place finish in 2024, and now a bronze in the 200m. He holds school records in both sprint events and will continue his running career at UW-Whitewater this fall.

As is tradition, at 10:30 PM on Saturday in the auxiliary gym of Whitewater High School, Traysen was able to participate in the ceremonial ‘record-breaking ceremony’ as he now owns that mark. 

Jack Hefty – Capping Off a Storied Career

Soon after Traysen’s 200, Jack Hefty laced up for the final race of his high school career—the 3200 meters. With a loaded field and a fast early pace set by Declan Gregg (Aquinas) and Isaac Ewing (McFarland), Jack played it smart. He bided his time in eighth through the opening 400m, then steadily climbed the field.

By the 1600m mark, he had moved into third, only 1.5 seconds off the lead. Though the front-runners surged again with 800 to go, Jack fought to stay in contact and dig deep one final time. As the bell lap sounded, he battled not just for position—but for pride—and held on for a 6th-place finish in 9:22.09, the second-fastest 3200 of his career.

This race capped an incredible legacy. Jack leaves Whitewater High School with five state podium finishes over four years:

• Freshman Year: 7th in the 3200m
• Sophomore Year: State Champion in the 1600m
• Junior Year: Repeat Champion in the 1600m, 3rd in the 4x400m relay
• Senior Year: Three-peat in the 1600m, and a podium finish in the 3200m

He holds school records in both the 1600m and 3200m, with the third-fastest 4×400 team and second-fastest 800 time in school history. This fall, Jack will take his talents to the United States Naval Academy in Maryland, where he will compete for both the cross country and track & field teams.

Collectively, they scored 29 points, placing 4th overall as a team.

As Traysen and Jack sprinted and surged through their final races in Whippet uniforms, they weren’t just chasing medals—they were etching their names into Whitewater history. Their drive, talent, and leadership will be felt for years to come. From school records to state titles, from roar-of-the-crowd finishes to quiet moments of reflection, these two athletes have shown what it means to represent their school with excellence. The next chapter awaits—but their legacy is already set in stone.

Article and Photos Courtesy of Chad Carstens
Whitewater High School Assistant Track and Field Coach
ccarstens@wwusd.org

On the first day of competition at the WIAA State Track and Field Championships, seniors Jack Hefty and Traysen Thomason delivered standout performances for their team.

Traysen was the first to take the stage, lining up in Heat 1 of the 100m dash. Despite a slight stumble out of the blocks, he quickly regained his stride, showcasing his top-end speed and determination. He surged to a second-place finish in his heat and ultimately qualified fifth overall—securing a coveted spot in Saturday’s final.

Next on the track was the highly anticipated 1600 meters, where Jack Hefty sought to defend his state title for a third consecutive year. With championships already under his belt as a sophomore and junior, the field gave him due respect, resulting in a cautious opening lap of 1:11.20. Sitting back in 8th, Jack remained calm and poised.

As the pace began to build, so did Jack’s momentum. He worked his way up to 3rd by the halfway point, clocking a 63.26 second lap. The third lap was decisive—Jack surged into 2nd and then powered down the homestretch to take the lead with a 61.75 split.

Now in front, he faced a major threat: Joseph Hunt of Green Bay Notre Dame, a dangerous 800m specialist (and eventual 800m state champion). But Jack didn’t flinch. As they entered the final bend, he began to pull away. Fueled by adrenaline and roars from the crowd, Jack delivered a devastating final lap of 57.58 to cross the line in 4:13.78.

His closing 1200 meters of 3:02.58 was a dominant display of strength and tactical brilliance. With this win, Jack becomes just the fifth athlete in the 126-year history of the state meet—across all divisions—to win the 1600 meters three times. A legendary finish to a storied high school career.

Later that afternoon, Traysen returned for the 200m prelims. This time, he got out clean and charged through the curve with power and precision. Exploding into the straightaway, he crossed the line second in his heat with a new personal best—and tied the school record of 22.04, originally set by Larry Gnatzig in 1971. Heading into the final, Traysen is seeded third and primed to make more noise on championship Saturday.

On Saturday, Traysen will compete in the finals of the 100 and 200, while Jack will suit up one more time and compete in the 3200m run.

Full results can be found here: https://live.pttiming.com/?mid=7650

Article and Photos Courtesy of Chad Carstens
Whitewater High School Assistant Track and Field Coach
ccarstens@wwusd.org

 More than 1,200 athletes from across the state will compete in Cornhole, Powerlifting, Soccer, Tennis, and Track & Field at the 2025 Special Olympics Wisconsin (SOWI) Summer Games, held at UW-Whitewater June 5-7. Several health-focused activities will complement Friday and Saturday competition, providing free oral, vision, podiatry, hearing, and fitness screenings.

The public is welcome to watch the competition and cheer on the participants.

UW-Whitewater Athletics Facilities (907 Schwager Dr.)

WHEN:                Thursday, June 5

                              6:30 p.m. – 8 p.m.          Parade of Athletes & Opening Ceremony – Perkins Stadium

                              Friday, June 6

                              8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.          Cornhole & Soccer competition – Kachel Fieldhouse

                              8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.          Track & Field competition – Foster Track

                              Saturday, June 7

                              8:30 a.m. – 2 p.m.          Powerlifting, Tennis, & Soccer competition – Kachel Fieldhouse

                              8:30 a.m. – 2 p.m.          Track & Field competition concludes – Foster Track

Summer Games is one of four Special Olympics Wisconsin State-level Games held throughout the year and one of nearly 200 sporting events held annually.

SOWI Summer Games returns to Whitewater for the third consecutive year. It is made possible by support from Jersey Mike’s; Knights of Columbus; Dunkin’; Delta Dental of Wisconsin Foundation; Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Wisconsin; Kriete Truck Centers; WisPact Foundation; Ho Chunk Gaming; Spartan Nash Foundation; and OUR TEAM partners Green Bay Packers, Milwaukee Admirals, Milwaukee Brewers, and Milwaukee Bucks.

About Special Olympics Wisconsin

Special Olympics Wisconsin has empowered people with intellectual disabilities for more than 50 years, providing year-round sports training and competition, health and wellness programs, school-based inclusion initiatives, and leadership development. Learn more about how together we can create a more inclusive Wisconsin at SpecialOlympicsWisconsin.org.