Sports

Warhawks Season Comes to a Close in the Sweet 16

Photo by Dane Sheehan

Scranton, PA — A phenomenal season for the UW-Whitewater women’s basketball team came to a close in the Sweet 16 following a 62-56 loss to UW-Stout. 

The Warhawks cap the 2024-25 campaign with a 24-7 record. UWW won the WIAC Tournament title for the fourth time in program history to punch their ticket to the NCAA Tournament for the 23rd time in program history. The Sweet 16 appearance is the fourth straight for UW-Whitewater and seventh under Head Coach Keri Carollo. 

Friday’s game against UW-Stout marked just the second time two WIAC schools met in the Sweet 16, but it was the fourth time this season that the Warhawks and Blue Devils clashed. This game was like all of the others between the storied programs – a battle until the end. 

The contest was close throughout setting up a down-to-the-wire fourth quarter. The Blue Devils pushed to a seven-point lead, 50-43, at the 6:12 mark, but the Warhawks responded. Defense turned to offense as Mia Gillis (Mundelein, Ill./Carmel Catholic) came up with a big block and defensive board. On the offensive end, Bri McCurdy (St. Croix Falls, Wis./St. Croix Falls) found Maggie Trautsch (Sun Prairie, Wis./DeForest) for an in-rhythm three-pointer that cut the margin to four. 

After a layup for UW-Stout, it was McCurdy’s turn to knock one down from deep, this time it was Kacie Carollo (Whitewater, Wis./Whitewater) on the dish, to cut the gap to 52-49. Carollo pulled down the defensive board, pushed the pace and was fouled. Her two free throws narrowed the margin to one, 52-51, with 4:33 on the clock. 

Carollo hauled in another defensive board to put UWW back on the offensive. As the shot clock ticked down, Gillis found McCurdy who drove to the lane for a floater as the buzzer sounded. The shot hit the glass and went in with the officials immediately heading to the monitor. The play on the court stood, the jumper was good and the Warhawks claimed the lead, 53-52, for the first time since the first quarter with 3:29 remaining. 

A flurry of action under the Blue Devils’ hoop on their next possession led to a layup as UW-Stout reclaimed the advantage with 2:11 on the clock. 

Neither team was able to capitalize offensively for over a minute forcing UWW to foul as the clock neared the 30-second mark. The Blue Devils made a pair from the charity stripe to widen the gap to 56-53. 

UW-Whitewater called timeout and advanced the ball to their bench side but couldn’t knock down the triple forcing the squad to foul immediately. 

Stout made both once again to make it a five-point, 58-53, game with 24 left. The Warhawks called timeout and advanced the ball. This time Carollo drilled the three to pull UWW within two with under 20 seconds to play. 

UW-Stout hit four more free throws down the stretch to seal the game. 

Carollo led the Warhawks with one more double-double in her final game for UWW. The senior registered 23 points, 13 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals. She set the program record for points in a season and ends the season averaging 20.5 per game – another UW-Whitewater record. Katie Hildebrandt (McFarland, Wis./McFarland) added a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds with 4 blocks. Trautsch also registered double digits in the scoring column with 10. 

Carollo amassed one of the greatest careers in Warhawk history with 1828 points, 902 rebounds, 371 assists, 226 steals and 58 blocks. Prior to the game Friday, Carollo was named a finalist for the Jostens Trophy – a full release will be announced Saturday. 

NCAA Wrestling: 2025 Championship Preview

The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater wrestling team will be represented by four Warhawks at the 2025 NCAA Division III Wrestling Championship in Providence, Rhode Island this week. 

Championship Information:
Date: March 14-15, 2025
Host: Johnson & Wales University
Location: Amica Mutual Pavilion (AMP) in Providence, Rhode Island
Schedule (all times Eastern): Friday Sessions – 10am & 6 pm; Saturday Sessions – 10 am & 7 pm
Live Coverage: Track Wrestling Hub

NCAA Women’s Basketball: Sweet 16 Preview

The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater women’s basketball team will head to Pennsylvania for Sweet 16 action hosted by Scranton University this week. The Warhawks are set to face league-foe UW-Stout on Friday. 

SECTIONAL INFORMATION
Dates: March 14-15, 2025
Host: Scranton University in Scranton, PA
Venue: John Long Center, 1030 Ridge Row, Scranton, PA
Watch Live on NCAA Champs Pass
Follow Live via Scranton’s Live Stats Page
Tickets: Cash only on day of game; No advance sales available (doors will open one hour before the first game)

SECTIONAL SCHEDULE
Friday – Sweet 16 Game One: UW-Whitewater (24-6) vs. UW-Stout (21-7), 4:30 PM CT
Friday – Sweet 16 Game Two: Johns Hopkins (24-4) vs. Scranton (28-1), 7 PM CT
Saturday – Elite 8: Winner of Game One vs. Winner of Game Two, 7 PM CT

HOW WE GOT HERE
The Warhawks won the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Tournament title for the fourth time in program history to claim the league’s automatic bid into the NCAA Division III Tournament. UW-Whitewater is amid their 23rd national tournament appearance in program history and ninth consecutive NCAA Tournament run. UWW hosted the first and second rounds of the NCAA Tournament defeating Principia 75-53 in the opener. The Warhawks punched their ticket to the Sweet 16 with a thrilling 50-49 win over UW-La Crosse in round two. 

HISTORY vs. SECTIONAL TEAMS
This is the fourth meeting between these two WIAC squads this season. The Blue Devils won the two regular season meetings, 80-67 and 76-65. The Warhawks took the WIAC semifinal matchup played on the road 69-63. UWW leads the all-time series against UW-Stout 32-19. 

This is the second meeting between two WIAC institutions in the Sweet 16 in NCAA championship history. In 2014, the Warhawks defeated UW-Oshkosh 69-57 to advance to the Elite 8. 

An Elite 8 game between the Warhawks and Johns Hopkins or Scranton would be the first meeting between the two teams. 

SWEET 16 HISTORY
The Warhawks are in the Sweet 16 for the fourth consecutive season and seventh under Head Coach Keri Carollo. The most recent Sweet 16 win for UWW was a 72-61 win over Hope College last season. 

This is UW-Stout’s fourth Sweet 16 appearance (2024, 2006, 2005) in program history. The Blue Devils are 0-3 heading into Friday’s contest. 

COACH CAROLLO IN THE POSTSEASON
Coach Carollo has led UW-Whitewater to the NCAA Tournament 16 times in her 23 seasons at the helm for the Warhawks. Under her leadership, UWW is 31-15 in the postseason with six Sweet 16 appearances, five trips to the Elite 8, four Final Fours, a pair of third-place finishes (2008, 2014) and two national runners-up (2013, 2022). Overall, Coach Carollo is 463-178 – a win percentage of 72.2 – in her tenure at UW-Whitewater. She holds the most wins among active coaches in the WIAC.

RECORDS, MILESTONES, HONORS
The Warhawks set a number of records, reached a few milestones and added multiple honors throughout the 2024-25 campaign so far. Senior guard Kacie Carollo (Whitewater, Wis./Whitewater), the league’s Player of the Year this season and All-Defensive Team pick, broke the conference record for career three’s. She broke the UWW record for career rebounds (a record that had stood for 41 years) and three-pointers in a season. In her final game in Kachel Gym last week, Carollo set one more record in a fitting way — wearing jersey #13, she registered 13 points and 13 rebounds to break the program record for career double-doubles. Carollo, also named the WIAC Judy Kruckman Scholar Athlete for Women’s Basketball, is just two points away from breaking the single season scoring record at UW-Whitewater. 

Joining Carollo on the All-WIAC teams were seniors Katie Hildebrandt (McFarland, Wis./McFarland) (Honorable Mention) and Olivia Zuege (Green Bay, Wis./Preble) (All-Sportsmanship). 

Senior Maggie Trautsch (Sun Prairie, Wis./DeForest) hit a major milestone this season, scoring her 1,000th point to become the 20th Warhawk in program history to reach the mark. 

Gymnastics Coach Regan Named Coach of the Year


La Crosse, Wis. — The UW-Whitewater gymnastics team finished third at the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Championships/National Collegiate Gymnastics Association West Regional Saturday. Head Coach Jennifer Regan was named the WIAC Coach of the Year for the third time in her career.

UW-Whitewater posted a total of 192.850 – the eighth-highest team total in program history – to secure bronze in the nine-team field. The top two from each regional automatically qualify for the NCGA Championships with additional at-large bids determined on season average. The Warhawks consistency this season solidified their position as the top recipient for an at-large. The national championship is slated for March 22 in St. Peter, Minnesota. More information will be posted when available. 

The Warhawks opened the meet on the balance beam. Chloe Hammond (Ankeny, Iowa/Ankeny) registered the top score on the apparatus, 9.675, to tie for eighth. Sofia Spadafora (Windsor, Ontario, Canada/Saint Thomas of Villanova) (9.575), Tegan Haberstock (Alberta, Canada/National Sport School) (9.575), Kelsey Kollhoff (Miamisburg, Ohio/Miamisburg) (9.425) and Kristen Swiebocki (Naperville, Ill./Neuqua Valley) (9.375) made up UWW’s scoring five in the event. 

UWW added a top 20 mark in the program record book with a total of 48.550 on the floor exercise. Kollhoff paced the Warhawks with a 9.775 to share fourth and claim All-WIAC honors. Hammond registered a 9.750 followed by 9.7s from Carleigh Moore (Oregon, Wis./Oregon) and Ariana Goodwin (Elgin, Ill./The Einstein Academy). Elaine Copeland (Arlington, Texas/University Prep) and Zoe Jenks-Recker (Cottage Grove, Wis./Monona Grove) each scored 9.625 in the event. 

Ava Pesch (Waterford, Wis./Waterford Union) led UW-Whitewater on the vault. She claimed a share of second with a score of 9.8 to secure All-WIAC honors and spark the team from the leadoff position. That mark is the fourth-highest vault score in program history. Copeland registered a 9.75 to tie for eighth while Hammond and Alayna Fern (Gainesville, Fla./Gainesville) added 9.7s in the event. Moore rounded out the scoring five on the apparatus with a 9.5. UW-Whitewater totaled 48.450 on the vault – ranked sixth in the program record book. 

The Warhawks capped the meet on the uneven bars. UWW’s total of 48.225 is a top 20 mark in the Warhawk record book. Hayden Gough (Dallas, Texas/Dallas International School) and Kollhoff led the way with matching 9.7s to tie for fourth and claim All-WIAC recognition. Pesch and Paige Magel (Cary, Ill./Prairie Ridge) shared eighth with bars routines scoring 9.65. Goodwin rounded out the crew with a 9.525. 

Prior to the second session of the regional, the WIAC announced major award winners and recognized athletes that had earned Athlete of the Week honors throughout the course of the season. Coach Regan was honored as the Coach of the Year, the fifth time a UWW coach has earned the award in program history. Pesch was recognized as UW-Whitewater’s representative on the WIAC All-Sportsmanship Team.

Women’s Bowling Punches Ticket to Championships

Addison, Ill. – The UW-Whitewater women’s bowling team punched its ticket to the Intercollegiate Team Championships after finishing fourth in the Addison, Illinois sectional. 

The top four teams from each of the four sectional sites advance to the 2025 ITC in Las Vegas in April. 

The Warhawks came into the first session Sunday carrying a total pinfall of 6436 from 32 Baker games. UW-Whitewater dropped to fifth after the first block Sunday. Dani Swaisgood (Burbank, Calif./John Burroughs), Samantha Radig (Beaver Dam, Wis./), Zoey Darwin (Monona, Wis./Monona Grove), Kelly Whipple (Sheboygan, Wis./South) and Kayla Devine () represented UWW in the 16-game Baker set with top games of 223 and 212. After 48 Baker games, the Warhawks total pinfall was 9364 – 32 pins behind the the team holding the last qualifying spot. 

In the final block of 16 Baker games in the second session Sunday, the Warhawks totaled 3081 pins bolstered by top games of 225, 219, 218 and a pair of 214s. Emily O’Byrn (Barrington, Ill./) joined Darwin, Swaisgood, Devine and Whipple on the lanes for the session as UW-Whitewater jumped into fourth to secure their spot at the national championships. 

Over the course of two days, four sessions and 64 team Baker games, UWW registered a total pinfall of 12,445. 

Additionally, Jordyn Norvell (Pleasant Prairie, Wis./Tremper) (Pleasant Prairie, Wis./Tremper) qualified for the Intercollegiate Singles Championship after finishing among the top seven Friday in the singles competition. 

Saturday Recap
Addison, Ill. – The UW-Whitewater women’s bowling team is in third after the first day of competition in the Intercollegiate Team Championships Sectional Qualifier. 

The top four teams from each of the four sectional sites will advance to the 2025 Intercollegiate Team Championships in Las Vegas in April. Jordyn Norvell (Pleasant Prairie, Wis./Tremper) (Pleasant Prairie, Wis./Tremper) qualified for the Intercollegiate Singles Championship after finishing among the top seven individuals at the Addison sectional Friday. 

Saturday’s competition featured two sessions of 16 Baker games each. In the first session, the Warhawks totaled 3235 to hold third. UWW registered top games of 256, 243 and 235 in the 16-game series. The Warhawks added 3201 pins to their total in the second block to maintain their hold on third place in the team standings with an overall total of 6436. UW-Whitewater opened the second session with seven consecutive 200+ games. Their 25th game of the day was their best with the Warhawks rolling a 257. 

The tournament is set to conclude after two more sessions Sunday.

Friday Recap – Singles Competition
Addison, Ill. – The UW-Whitewater women’s bowling team opened competition in United States Bowling Congress (USBC) Sectionals with singles qualifying Friday. Jordyn Norvell (Pleasant Prairie, Wis./Tremper) (Pleasant Prairie, Wis./Tremper) finished among the top seven to qualify for the USBC Intercollegiate Singles Championship. 

Norvell finished fifth in a field of over 200 bowlers Friday. The top seven from each of four sectional sites advance to the singles championship that is slated for April 14-19 in Las Vegas. Norvell improved over the first five games of the six game series Friday. After opening with a 191, Norvell went 215, 222, 223 and 236 before wrapping up the day with a 231. She registered a total pinfall of 1318 on the day. 

Samantha Radig (Beaver Dam, Wis./) finished 25th in the singles competition with a total pinfall of 1222. Ashley Bowe (Brillion, Wis./) (1149), Zoey Darwin (Monona, Wis./Monona Grove) (1142) and Grace Lehmann (Huntley, Ill./) (1125) added top 100 finishes. 

Also representing UW-Whitewater in singles competition Friday were Emily Rusk (Greenfield, Wis./) (1099), Anna Heddinger (Farmington, Minn./) (1077), Dani Swaisgood (Burbank, Calif./John Burroughs) (1060), Emily O’Byrn (Barrington, Ill./) (1019), Mackenzie Juedes (Menasha, Wis./Menasha) (1018), Kelly Whipple (Sheboygan, Wis./South) (1016) an Emma Johnson (Greenfield, Wis./) (924). 

The tournament continues Saturday with two sessions of team competition featuring four game Baker blocks. The sectional will wrap up Sunday with two more Baker sessions and position round. 

Still Dancing … Warhawks Advance to Sweet 16 for Fourth Consecutive Season

(Above photo courtesy of Olivia Zinanni: Kacie Carollo, Maggie Trautsch and Bri McCurdy celebrate after defeating UW-La Crosse in the second round of the NCAA Division III Tournament)

Still Dancing … Warhawks Advance to Sweet 16 for Fourth Consecutive Season


The UW-Whitewater women’s basketball team punched its ticket to the Sweet 16 for the fourth consecutive season with a thrilling 50-49 win over UW-La Crosse Saturday night in Kachel Gym. 

The Warhawks advance to face another familiar foe – UW-Stout. This time UWW will be on the road heading to Scranton, Pennsylvania for their Sweet 16 matchup. Tipoff against the Blue Devils is set for 4:30 PM Central on Friday, March 14. In the other game of the sectional, Johns Hopkins will take on the host university, Scranton at 7 PM. More information will be posted when available.

Saturday’s game was the epitome of a WIAC battle – fast pace, physical play and stifling defense from both squads. The first half score was indicative of the shutdown defenses as the teams went into the locker room tied 20-20. 

The second half was a continuation of the first, with ties and lead changes abounding. By the end of the third the Eagles had the upper hand by just one, 37-36. 

Bri McCurdy (St. Croix Falls, Wis./St. Croix Falls) turned phenomenal defense into offense early in the fourth. Poking the ball away from the Eagle guard just a second into the quarter, her steal led to a wide open layup for Mallory Oloffson (Normal, Ill./Normal Community) off a Katie Hildebrandt (McFarland, Wis./McFarland) assist to give UWW the lead, 38-37. Hildebrandt scored on the next possession with a layin for a three-point Warhawk advantage less than a minute in forcing a quick UWL timeout. 

On the other side of the break, the Eagles drained a three-pointer to knot the game, 40-40. Oloffson broke a two-minute scoring drought with a layup to hand the Warhawks the lead, 42-40, with just over six minutes to play. Two minutes later, Oloffson made one of two at the line to extend the lead to three with 4:19 to go. 

The Eagles registered their first points in nearly five minutes with a layup at the 3:15 mark to cut the gap to one. They hauled in a defensive board and knocked down a three for a quick five-point swing to reclaim the lead, 45-43, with 2:37 on the clock. 

Kacie Carollo (Whitewater, Wis./Whitewater) answered, driving hard to the basket for a layin to tie it up, 45-45 with two minutes left. Both teams got to the basket in the final two minutes trading layups. The Eagles took the lead – Whitewater countered to tie it up. UWL once again grabbed a two-point advantage and, once again, the Warhawks responded. Carollo found Hildebrandt down low for a layin on that final layup that tied it 49-49 with 33 seconds remaining. 

As the game came down to the wire, the atmosphere in Kachel was electric. UW-La Crosse called timeout after Hildebrandt’s layup to plan an offensive set. They opted for a three-pointer as the clock ticked down. As the shot went up, it had a chance but just found the front rim and Carollo elevated for the rebound. Head Coach Keri Carollo immediately called for a timeout to advance the ball. 

Inbounding from the near side, right by their home bench, the Warhawks looked for Carollo but the Eagles had her tightly guarded. Instead, Hildebrandt took the inbounds pass, immediately drove to the rim and was fouled on the shot. The senior forward hit the first free throw to give the Warhawks a 50-49 lead with 2.3 on the clock. Her second shot hit the back rim, bounced near the top of the backboard and was tipped around before landing out of bounds as the final horn sounded. The officials signaled for replay to check both time and possession. 

After the review, the officials put 0.3 seconds on the clock and the call on possession stood – the Eagles had the ball. UWL called timeout to advance the ball, choosing to inbound from near their bench. 

The inbounds pass was a lob near the basket, but Carollo jumped in front and swatted the ball away as the horn sounded and Kachel erupted. 

Rebounding has been a huge piece of the Warhawks’ philosophy this season and it paid off Saturday. UW-Whitewater held a 41-28 advantage on the glass and allowed just a single offensive rebound for UWL. The Warhawks hauled in 14 offensive boards scoring 15 second chance points in the contest. 

Hildebrandt led the way with 14 points. Carollo set another career record Saturday in a fitting way – hitting her number, twice, for a double-double. Wearing jersey number 13, Carollo scored 13 and pulled down 13 rebounds to break the program record for career double-doubles with 29. Oloffson also posted double digits in the scoring column with 11 on 5-6 from the floor. 

Norvell Qualifies for Singles Championship on Day One of US Bowling Congress Sectionals

Jordyn Norvell – Photo by Olivia Zinanni

Addison, Ill. – The UW-Whitewater women’s bowling team opened competition in United States Bowling Congress (USBC) Sectionals with singles qualifying Friday. Jordyn Norvell (Pleasant Prairie, Wis./Tremper) finished among the top seven to qualify for the USBC Intercollegiate Singles Championship. 

Norvell finished fifth in a field of over 200 bowlers Friday. The top seven from each of four sectional sites advance to the singles championship that is slated for April 14-19 in Las Vegas. Norvell improved over the first five games of the six game series Friday. After opening with a 191, Norvell went 215, 222, 223 and 236 before wrapping up the day with a 231. She registered a total pinfall of 1318 on the day. 

Samantha Radig (Beaver Dam, Wis./) finished 25th in the singles competition with a total pinfall of 1222. Ashley Bowe (Brillion, Wis./) (1149), Zoey Darwin (Monona, Wis./Monona Grove) (1142) and Grace Lehmann (Huntley, Ill./) (1125) added top 100 finishes. 

Also representing UW-Whitewater in singles competition Friday were Emily Rusk (Greenfield, Wis./) (1099), Anna Heddinger (Farmington, Minn./) (1077), Dani Swaisgood (Burbank, Calif./John Burroughs) (1060), Emily O’Byrn (Barrington, Ill./) (1019), Mackenzie Juedes (Menasha, Wis./Menasha) (1018), Kelly Whipple (Sheboygan, Wis./South) (1016) an Emma Johnson (Greenfield, Wis./) (924). 

The tournament continues Saturday with two sessions of team competition featuring four game Baker blocks. The sectional will wrap up Sunday with two more Baker sessions and position round. 

Kacie Carollo Named the WIAC Player of the Year

UW-Whitewater senior guard Kacie Carollo (Whitewater, Wis./Whitewater) has been named the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Player of the Year. The four-time All-WIAC honoree was joined on the All-WIAC squad by Katie Hildebrandt (McFarland, Wis./McFarland). 

For the fourth consecutive season, a Warhawk has been named the league’s top player. Carollo follows Aleah Grundahl (DeForest, Wis./DeForest) who received the award the previous three seasons. In addition to the WIAC’s top honor, Carollo was selected All-WIAC for the fourth time and to the All-Defensive Team for the third consecutive season. This season, Carollo has led the conference in nearly every statistical category including scoring (21.2 per game), points (593), rebounding (9.2 per game), field goals made (202), free throw shooting (116 made, 84.1%), three-pointers made (73), assists (116, 4.1 per game), steals (62, 2.2 per game) and total minutes played (960). She ranks among the top 20 in Division III this season in points, points per game and three-pointers while holding top 50 marks in rebounds, field goals, free throws and assists. The four-time All-American (two honors from the Women’s basketball coaches association and two from D3hoops.com), set the WIAC record in career three-pointers this season and broke the program record for career rebounds – a mark that had stood for 41 years. Carollo currently has 28 career double-doubles – tied for the program record. 

Hildebrandt, a fellow senior, claimed Honorable Mention All-WIAC recognition for the second straight season. The forward ranks among the top 20 in the league in scoring (9.0 per game), rebounding (5.2 per game), field goal percentage (40.0), free throw percentage (69.6), assists (1.6 per game), blocks (1.2 per game) and steals (1.0 per game). 

Olivia Zuege (Green Bay, Wis./Preble) represented UW-Whitewater on the WIAC All-Sportsmanship Team this season. Carollo was also named the league’s Judy Kruckman Scholar Athlete for Women’s Basketball – awarded to the top senior in the conference. 

These seniors helped lead the Warhawks to the program’s fourth WIAC Tournament Championship and ninth consecutive berth into the NCAA Division III Tournament. UW-Whitewater will open NCAA regional action for the 23rd time in program history Friday against Principia College. Tipoff is slated for 7 PM in Kachel Gym. 

Baseball Coach Vodenlich Breaks WIAC All-Time Wins Record

John Vodenlich

The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater baseball team opened the season on February 28 with a double-header sweep of Asbury University in Kentucky. The Warhawks picked up right where they left off from last season, with a 26-4 mercy rule win in the first game. The Warhawks took the second game 12-2.

With the opening win, Head Coach John Vodenlich became the all-time Winningest Coach in Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference baseball history. Vodenlich has collected 730 wins, surpassing Tom Lechnir (728, UWO: 1989-2013) for most wins as a head coach in the WIAC.

In the opening game, the Warhawks blasted two home runs in the first two batters. Aaron Holland (Wheaton, Ill./Wheaton North) and Matt Scolan (Downers Grove, Ill./South) each went the distance to put the Warhawks up 2-0 after only two batters. 

The Warhawks went on to score 15 runs over the first three innings. Holland added another homer in the fourth for the warhawks only run that inning. 

Asbury held UWW off the board in the 5th, but the Warhawks answered back with 10 runs in the 6th. Scolan hit his second homer of the game, a 3-run go to start off the scoring. Holland hit his third homer of the game to cap off the inning & put the Warhawks up 26-0.

Asbury managed to avoid the shutout, scoring four runs in the 7th inning, but the run-rule ended the game after seven. 

Jack Hagen (San Clemente, Cal./San Clemente) picked up the win in the first game, going 5.0 innings with 4 Ks.

The second game started with 6 first inning runs from UWW, quickly setting the tone once again. Asbury added one run in the bottom of the third, keeping the game closer than the opener. But Eli Frank (Bayport, Wis./Bay Port) had a three-run homer in the top of the 9th to the Warhawks up 12-1. 

An unearned run from the Eagles in the bottom of the ninth added another for Asbury, but Danny Hopper (Palatine, Ill./Palatine) closed out the game with a swinging strikeout.

Cade Hansen (New Braunfels, Texas/Smithson Valley) got the win, with 5.0 innings & only 4 hits. 

Gymnasts Re-Write Record Book on Senior Night

The UW-Whitewater gymnastics team added entries to the program record book in multiple categories Saturday. The Warhawks honored the seniors with a huge 193.750-189.575 win over UW-Eau Claire in the final home meet of the season. 

The UWW overall team total – 193.750 – is the second-highest team score recorded in program history. The Warhawks also tied the team vault record that they set earlier this season with a 48.550 on the apparatus. The floor saw the second-best team total ever recorded posted Saturday – 48.925. UW-Whitewater added the seventh-best team total on the bars – 48.400 – to cap a phenomenal evening in Russell Arena. 

The Warhawks set the tone right off the bat with the eight (including exhibition) highest scores recorded on the apparatus. Carleigh Moore (Oregon, Wis./Oregon) led the way with a 9.75 followed by Elaine Copeland’s (Arlington, Texas/University Prep) 9.725. Brianna Balian (Peoria, Ariz./Sunrise Mountain) and Chloe Hammond (Ankeny, Iowa/Ankeny) each registered a score of 9.7 while Ava Pesch (Waterford, Wis./Waterford Union) and Alayna Fern (Gainesville, Fla./Gainesville) tallied matching 9.675s. 

On the bars, it was Ariana Goodwin (Elgin, Ill./The Einstein Academy) with the top routine of the night. The freshman wrote her name in the program record book with a 9.8 – tied for the eighth-best in UWW history in the event. Kelsey Kollhoff (Miamisburg, Ohio/Miamisburg) was the runner-up with a 9.675. Copeland and Hayden Gough (Dallas, Texas/Dallas International School) shared third with scores of 9.65 and Paige Magel (Cary, Ill./Prairie Ridge) rounded out the scoring five with a 9.625. 

Kristen Swiebocki (Naperville, Ill./Neuqua Valley) and Hammond paced UW-Whitewater on the balance beam with 9.7s to tie for second. Ashnaya Gupta (Carmel, Ind./Carmel) was fifth with a 9.6 followed by Kollhoff’s 9.575 and Magel’s 9.3. 

Capping the meet on the always exciting floor exercise, the Warhawks combined for the best score since 2014 in the event. Moore and Kollhoff shared gold with incredible routines scoring 9.85. Zoe Jenks-Recker (Cottage Grove, Wis./Monona Grove) secured bronze with a 9.825 and Hammond was fourth with a 9.775. Copeland wrapped up the scoring five with a 9.625. 

The Warhawks will head to La Crosse for the WIAC Championship/NCGA West Regional next Saturday. UWW, the top seed heading into the regional, will compete in the second session that is set to begin at 6 PM.