Sports

Wrestlers Squeak Out Close Dual

On Thursday night, January 9, the Whippet Wrestlers were back in action after some time off from hosting the 46th annual Mid-States Tournament and recovering over Winter Break by hosting neighboring Delavan-Darien. 

Coming into the evening Coach Schimming knew without a doubt that this was going to be a competitive dual meet with quality wrestlers at both ends setting the tone for a great night for fans. The Whippet JV team did not disappoint, coming out and winning 9 out of the 10 matches and looking much improved in the process.

132 Pounds – Brady Friend
285 Pounds – Junior Soto

In Varsity action, the Whippets got things started strong with two first period pins at 144 and 150 pounds by Connor Friend and Traysen Thomason. Ironically both used the exact same technique on their way to their pins. A fan mentioned to Coach Schimming afterward, “Well, can see what was drilled over break!” 

The Whippets dropped the next four matches in a row, all by pins, putting the team in a hole that would require the team to really dig their heals in down the homestretch. Junior Soto stopped the Comets in their trajectory toward a victory by getting a first period pin over his opponent at heavyweight. The teams traded forfeits at 106 and 113. To Jarvis Porcaro and Jasen Porras’s displeasure they each received a forfeit, bringing the team score to a deadlock at 36-36. Brady Friend came out with a lot of confidence and was able to secure a big pin to put the Whippets up 42-36. Adding to the excitement, the Comets were able to get the pin in the final match to tie up the dual meet.

After the excitement of the dual meet for fans, students, and coaches, it was determined by criteria letter F that Whitewater would win based on having filled more of the weight classes. This pushed the Whippets to 4-1 overall and 2-0 in the Rock Valley Conference “Valley” Standings.

The team is next in action on Tuesday night, January 14, when they travel to Edgerton to take on the Tiders of Edgerton and the Trojans of Beloit Turner. Both duals look to be good competitive matches for the Whippets as well to help prepare them for the upcoming tournament series less than one month away. Wrestling at Edgerton High School will begin at 5:00.

Article Submitted by John Schimming
Whitewater High School Head Wrestling Coach
jschimming@wwusd.org
Photos Courtesy of Bob Mischka

Swim Splits Triple Dual

After two weeks of no competitions, the Whippet Boys’ Swim Team was back in action on Tuesday, January 7th. The Whippets took on Badger and Platteville Lancaster in a triple dual. The Whippets were victorious against Platteville/Lancaster with a score of 131 to 35; they however fell short against a very tough Badger team with a score of 67 to 103. The boys swam really well and had many best times on the night!

Boys’ Swim Team

Best Times Include:

200 Freestyle:

  • Cruz Aranda – 1:54.75 (Improved his 5th place spot on the Whippet Top 10 List)
  • Caleb Kluck – 2:31.34
  • Sam Nickelsburg – 2:44.75

200 IM:

  • Jack Hefty – 2:26.18 (10 second drop from previous time)
  • Myles Morse – 2:27.77 (15 second drop from previous time)
  • Miles Nickelsburg 2:33.81 (5 second drop from previous time)

50 Freestyle:

  • Mateo Bazeley – 24.74
  • Wyatt Esch – 27.12
  • Andrew O’Toole – 27.31

100 Butterfly:

  • Langdon Coburn – 1:01.78 (10th on the Whippet Top 10 List)
  • Myles Morse – 1:11.14

100 Freestyle:

  • Mateo Bazeley – 53.04 (9th on the Whippet Top 10 List)
  • Isaac Straight – 1:28.00

100 Backstroke:

  • Andrew O’Toole – 1:20.52
  • Xavier Ortiz – 1:34.08 (18 second drop from previous time)

100 Breaststroke:

  • Jack Hefty – 1:14.69

The Whippets are back in the water on Tuesday, January 14th against Elkhorn & PSC at Elkhorn High School. Swimming starts at 5:30 pm; we hope to see you there!

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

WHS Track and Field History Rich with All-American Level Performances

Established in the spring of 2024, the National High School Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (NHSTFXCCA) created standards to recognize outstanding performances, at the national level, by awarding them a certificate for All-American honors. Whitewater had one athlete meet the criteria in the 1600 meter run. Jack Hefty ran 4:13.0 en route to winning his second straight state title. The standard for All American in this event is 4:16.0. Congratulations, Jack!

The coaching staff then began diving into the history books and found several other Whippet track and field athletes who would have earned this award had it been in place during their time in a Whitewater uniform. The staff wanted to recognize these athletes for their superior performances even though the program had not yet been in place for all the years these performances were recorded. Through research and help from former athletes, it was discovered that Janet Partoll had earned honorable mention All-American honors in 1985! Unfortunately, not all the athletes listed below have pictures to go with them. Thank you to all those involved in securing the photos we do have of these athletes as we take a trip down “memory lane” and remember how incredibly rich the sport of track and field is in Whitewater, Wisconsin!

  • 2024 Boys 1600 – Jack Hefty
  • 2023 Girls 4×200 – Madelynn Buehler, Sydney Schilt, Emma Weigel, Kindyl Kilar 1:42.95
  • 2023 Connor Raupp – Discus 169′ 0″
  • 2019 Boys 4×200 – Will Leibrand, Juan Cuellar, Jared Clapper, Jack Mayer 1:29.27
  • 2012 Molly Griep – Shot Put 43′ 3″
  • 2012 Molly Griep – Discus 152′ 1″
  • 2010 Loussaint Minett – Discus 178′ 9″
  • 2001 Rachael Travis – Discus 139′ 4″
  • 1987 Troy Hansen – Discus 172′ 9″
  • 1986 Girls 4×200 – Tina Partoll, Janet Partoll, Julie Paynter, Samantha Reeb 1:43.93
  • 1986 Janet Partoll – High Jump 5′ 8″
  • 1979 Jack Mead – Shot Put 60′ 1.5″
1986 Girls’ 4 x 200 Relay Samantha Reeb, Tina Partoll, Julie Paynter, Janet Partoll and their coaches Wendall Bean, Dirk Seibold, and Lois Lauretson
1979 Shot Put Jack Mead
2010 Discus Lou Minett
2012 Molly Griep Discus
2012 Molly Griep Shot Put
2019 Boys 4×200 Jack Mayer, Juan Cuellar, Will Leibbrand, Jared Clapper
2023 Discus Connor Raupp
2023 Girls 4×200 Madelynn Buehler, Sydney Schilt, Emma Weigel, Kindyl Kilar
2024 Boys 1600 Jack Hefty
1985 High Jump (State Record) Janet Partoll
High School All American Janet Partoll, Coach Wendall Bean, AD Chuck Coulthart
1987 Discus Troy Hansen

To see all the event qualifying standards, visit this link: https://www.nhstfxcca.org/all-american…/2024-outdoor-tf

If you can provide a photo for any of the athletes missing a photograph, please reach out to Coach Carstens at the email below.

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

Brodhead Downs the Whippets 57-28 in Girls’ Basketball

Brodhead jumped out to an early lead and never looked back as they beat Whitewater 57-28 in Rock Valley girls’ basketball crossover action on Tuesday, January 7. This was the first crossover game for both teams. Whitewater has a non-conference game on Saturday to begin a stretch of four games on the road. The next home game will be Tuesday, January 21.

Article Submitted by Mike Dowden
Whitewater High School Head Girls’ Basketball Coach
dowmi01@wwusd.org

Whippets Fall to Marshall

Marshall beat Whitewater 49-42 in non-conference girls’ basketball on Friday, January 3. Marshall jumped out to an early lead as Whitewater played a sluggish first half and trailed 12-26 at halftime. To begin the second half and fueled by their press, Whitewater went on a 27-5 run to take a 39-31 lead with six minutes remaining. Whitewater, however, was not able to maintain the energy and Marshall closed the game on an 18-3 run to end at the final score.

Whitewater returns to action next week with a home game on Tuesday against Brodhead and at St. Thomas More on Saturday.

Article Submitted by Mike Dowden
Whitewater High School Head Girls’ Basketball Coach
dowmi01@wwusd.org

WMS Boys & Girls Wrestling Starts Monday: Registration open

Register here.

[For those who may be unfamiliar with the process, click on “Middle School Info” and then click on “3rd to 8th grade district sports signup.” If you have not created an account, you will need to do so before proceeding. After completing the registration you will soon receive schedules and other pertinent information.]

Whippets Host Holiday Tourney, Condon Named to All-Tournament Team

The 2nd annual Whitewater Holiday Tournament Boys’ Basketball Tournament has concluded. The Laconia Spartans won the championship game over the Clinton Cougars 79-61. Clinton, Laconia, and Poynette all traveled and showed up to support their teams! 

Pictured are the all-tournament players that competed in the championship game from left to right, Camden Smit (Laconia), Cash Farrell (Laconia), Reagan Flickinger (Clinton)

The All-Tournament Team included the following:

  • Reece Condon, Whitewater High School, 19.5 points per game (second time on all-tournament team)
  • Bryce Frey, Poynette High School
  • Reagan Flickinger, Clinton High School, 24 points per game, (second time on all-tournament team)
  • Camden Smit, Laconia High School 
  • Cash Ferrell, Laconia High School, 32 points in the championship game

Friday Summary

Game 1 Laconia vs Poynette (5:30 pm):

Laconia defeated Poynette 85-44. Laconia’s defense was led by senior guard Camden Smit, who also contributed 16 points and hit four 3’s. Junior Cash Farrell led Laconia is scoring with 17 points. Head Coach Dylan Wurtz played 12 and led the team to their fourth win of the season. Poynette battled, played hard, and had two players in double figures. Paceler Moll had 13 points, and senior Bryce Frey had 10. 

Game 2 Clinton vs. Whitewater (7:00 pm):

Clinton blew out Whitewater 66-37. The Whippets of Whitewater were down two at halftime and a series of turnovers led to the Clinton Cougars extending the lead. Senior Reagan Flickinger had 20 points. Sophomore Mason Floberg contributed 11 points. Whitewater was led by Reece Condon with 21 points. He had 13 of the 17 second half points for the team. Clinton went to 4-3 with the victory and Whitewater fell to 1-7.

Saturday Summary

Game 1 Poynette vs. Whitewater (5:30 pm):

Whitewater (1-8) fell to Poynette (4-4) by a score of 72-56. The game was close until the final two minutes and was a back-and-forth contest throughout most of the second half. The Whippets had three players in double figures: Reece Condon (18), Marcos Sagrero (13), and Matthew Carollo (12). The Poynette Pumas also had three players in double figures: Paceler Moll (16), Bryce Frey (15), Mason Freimuth (13). Poynette made free throws down the stretch to seal the victory. 

Championship Game Clinton vs Laconia (7 pm):

The championship game featured two teams playing hard and playing together. Clinton competed and was led by Reagan Flickinger with 28 points. The Cougars were down by 3 with 10 minutes to go, but the Spartans poured on a run to open up a double-digit lead and never looked back. Cash Farrell was dominant on both ends of the court and finished with 32 points. 

Whitewater High School will host the tournament again next season and is appreciative of all the communities that make this two-day event possible. 

Article and Photo Submitted by Michael McCabe
Whitewater High School Head Boys’ Basketball Coach
mccmi01@wwusd.org

Mount Union Advances to the Stagg Bowl Again

The University of Mount Union of Alliance, Ohio advanced to the Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl by beating Johns Hopkins 45-37 on December 21. The Stagg Bowl is the annual championship game for D-III football, and this will be the Purple Raiders 23rd appearance. Since 1993 they have won the title 13 times.

Mount Union will face North Central (IL). It’s the fifth consecutive year for North Central to play in the title game. The Cardinals have won two titles, including in 2022 against Mount Union. The bowl is being played this year at Shell Energy Stadium in Houston, Texas. With a capacity of over 20,000, the stadium is the home of a major league soccer team as well as a national women’s soccer league team. The game will air on ESPN at 7:03 p.m. on Sunday, January 5.

The University of Wisconsin – Whitewater Warhawks have won the Stagg Bowl six times: 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, and 2014. They were runner-ups in 2005, 2006, 2008, and 2019. Mount Union was their opponent in every game except for 2019, when they were beaten by North Central.

By Lynn Binnie
Whitewater Banner volunteer staff
whitewaterbanner@gmail.com

Swim Defeats Jefferson/Cambridge 116-48

On Tuesday, December 19th, the Whippet Swim Team competed in a dual meet against Jefferson/Cambridge, where they triumphed over the EagleJays with a decisive 116-48 victory. The Whippets dominated the meet, showcasing their strength and skill across multiple events. Swimmers got a chance to swim in new events with many showing great success.

Whippet Boys’ Swim Team

In the 200 Freestyle, Miles Nickelsburg won the event with a time of 2:12.94. Caleb Kluck tried out the event for the first time and had a solid swim going a time of 2:33.25.

Cruz Aranda continues to cut time in his 200 IM. He has improved his time to a 2:13.52. Big shout out to Xavier Ortiz for taking on the challenge of the 200 IM.

David Enns, Isaac Straight, Myles Morse, and Andrew O’Toole all went best time in the 50 Freestyle.

Miles Nickelsburg and Jack Hefty both tried out the 100 Fly for the 1st time this season. Jack Hefty won the event with a time of 1:06.99 and Miles Nickelsburg placed 3rd with a time of 1:11.44.

In the 100 Freestyle, Cruz Aranda swam an impressive 52.51. That puts him 7th all-time on the Whippet Top 10 List! Langdon Coburn dropped a whole second to go a time of 57.53. Isaac Straight dropped exactly 10 seconds going a time 1:29.47!

Myles Morse dropped nearly 12 seconds in his 500 Freestyle to go a time 5:47.90. Andrew O’Toole also had a great swim going a time of 6:42.57.

Mateo Bazeley, Wyatt Esch, and Sam Nickelsburg respectively went 2, 3, 4 in the 100 Backstroke, all going best times on the night.

David Enns continues to drop time in the 100 Breaststroke going a time of 1:25.88.

The Whippets will be back up after the holiday break for a dual meet against Badger and Platteville Lancaster on Tuesday, January 7th; the meet will begin at 5:30 pm.

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

Girls Defeat Jefferson in Overtime

Whitewater beat Jefferson 43-40 in overtime in a Rock Valley Conference girls’ basketball game on Thursday, December 19. The game was a game of runs as both teams went on multiple scoring runs all night long.

Jefferson jumped out to an early double digit lead before Whitewater cut the halftime deficit to 15-21. Whitewater came out of the second half on a 7-0 run to go up 22-21 but the lead was short lived. Jefferson followed that run with an 8-0 run of their own to make it 29-22. To return the favor, Whitewater went on another 12-0 run to take a 34-29 lead with a few minutes remaining. Whitewater had a shot to win the game at the end but Jefferson blocked the potential game winning shot.

In overtime, Jefferson scored the first basket but that was the only basket they would get in the extra period. Whitewater hung on to win a well fought game by both teams.

Article Submitted by Mike Dowden
Whitewater High School Head Girls’ Basketball Coach
dowmi01@wwusd.org