Sports

WHS Sophomore Dies Sunday, Teammates Play in His Honor Monday

Photos from the WHS Facebook page

According to a story in the Daily Jefferson County Union, “Monday’s Whitewater High School basketball game versus Evansville was about much more than who won or who lost. Ricardo (Ricky) Lopez-Navejas Jr., a sophomore WHS basketball member, died unexpectedly Sunday.

“We were really wanting to cancel this evening, but the family said to go forward in his (Ricky’s) honor,” Whitewater Unified School District Superintendent Caroline Pate-Hefty said. A moment of silence was held before the games began Monday night. Basketball players wore shirts in memory of Ricky warming up before the game and on the sidelines….

Tears were shed, hugs were given, and Whitewater’s community came together to support one another Monday night after a devastating tragedy.”

Here’s the post that appeared on the high school Facebook page on Tuesday:

Teary eyes, full hearts. Last evening, Whitewater came together for Ricky. Your generosity was tremendously moving and raised almost $3000 for the family of Ricardo (Ricky) Lopez-Nivejas Jr. The stands and the gyms were packed; our community, students and staff grieved together, as a family.

So many Thank yous…

Thank you to Ricky’s family for having the intuition to know that this is what our school community needed.

Thank you to our community for your generosity.

Thank you to the students who helped to set up a beautiful memorial for Ricky.

Thank you to our coaches for ensuring our students were supported and could honor Ricky’s memory yesterday.

Thank you to Aropa Designs for printing the amazing turn around in T-shirts for our students.

Thank you to our counseling and pupil services staff that gave of themselves tirelessly to assure our students and staff were okay.

Thank you to our staff for supervising and supporting while also grieving.

Thank you to the administrative team who worked tirelessly to support everyone.

Thank you to Evansville Community School District for your understanding and sportsmanship.

During this difficult time, it was heartening to see everyone come together to support one another. We will continue to accept donations for the family at the HS office through Friday, February 24th. Thank you so much. 🫶🏼

#24foreverwhippet

#1family

#whippetnation

3rd Time’s the Charm as Girls Advance in WIAA Playoffs

3rd time’s a charm!

It was truly a team effort! The Whippet Girls’ Basketball Team (#10) defeated Clinton (#7) 57-54 in the first round of regionals on Tuesday, February 21. Losing two close games to the Cougars in the regular season, we knew we needed to play two solid halves.

Cali Kopecky

We came out on fire with two steals by Cali Grosinske resulting in a 3-point shot by Danielle DePorter in our first possession. Grosinske stole the ball and hit a shot putting us up 5-0. Clinton inched ahead 5-6, but that was the last time they would lead as Kopecky hit her first of five 3-pointers of the game, putting us up 8-6. That set the tone for us offensively. Zoe Kohl, Kindyl Kilar, and Danielle DePorter joined Kopecky in connecting on shots from the arc. 

Hitting those shots from outside was important for us a to counter Clinton’s zone defense. Mayte Navejas penetrated the gaps to score and create open looks on the perimeter. Senior, Cali Kopecky connected on four of her five 3s in the first half of the game. 

Going into halftime we led 34-26. 

The ball wouldn’t drop for us the first 5 minutes of the second half as Clinton started to close the gap 38-34. Solid defense in the lane by Kilar, Amundson, and Gillette, as well as hitting our free throws at the end of the game helped us maintain our lead. Danielle DePorter (5-5) and Kindyl Kilar (2-2) were 100% from the free throw line. Gillette hit the final bucket with 15 seconds left to secure the win. 

Cali Kopecky led the Whippets with 15 points and 7 rebounds. Danielle DePorter added 11 points, and Katie Gillette scored 8. Cali Grosinske added 7 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 steals. Mayte Navejas also scored 7 with 5 assists and 2 steals. Kilar scored 5 and rebounded 5. 

Article Submitted by Kristen Lippens
Whitewater High School Head Girls’ Basketball Coach
klippens@wwusd.org
File Photo Courtesy of Bob Mischka

Swimmers Announce Team Awards at Banquet

On Tuesday, February 20th we celebrated our Whitewater Boys’ Swim Team season accomplishments. We have been so impressed with the team this year! Every single swimmer on this team has been valuable, dedicated, and grown into a better swimmer in their own way. They all have seen possibilities of where they can go and look forward to seeing their growth both in the pool and out.

WHS Boys’ Swim Team

All Conference Awards:

2nd Team – Tyler Arnett
2nd Team – Jack Hefty
Honorable Mention – Cruz Aranda

Team Awards:

MVP – Jack Hefty
Most Dedicated – Tyler Arnett
Most Improved – Xavier Zei

Tyler Arnett, Jack Hefty, and Xavier Zei
Cruz Aranda, Jack Hefty, and Tyler Arnett

Congratulations on an amazing season!

Article and Photos Submitted by Sarah Reynolds
Whitewater High School Co-Head Boys’ Swim Coach
sreynolds@wwusd.org

Girls Open Regional Play Tuesday Night

The Whitewater Girls’ Basketball team finished our regular season and honored our seniors on Friday night, February 17 when we played Clinton at home.

For game highlights, visit https://www.hudl.com/video/2/14916/63f0af0215f6020e00e861ab

The Whippets got a spark offensively early on in the game with a steal and 3-point shot by junior Danielle DePorter within the first minute of the game. Clinton answered back, hitting two/ 3-pointers in back to back possessions. Clinton packed the lane on defense making it challenging for us to get inside looks. At half we were down 27-38.

Mayte Navejas

At the start of the second half, Cali Kopecky got our offense started, hitting a 3-point shot, but we got stuck at 30 while Clinton scored 11, putting us down by 19. We were able to close the gap a bit when we hit 4 consecutive 3-point shots. Our defense tightened up and forced some turnovers with our full court press and got within 3 with around 5 minutes left in the game. Clinton scored 11 of their 13 points in those last minutes on free throws to solidify the win 57-67. 

Mayte Navejas led the Whippets with 16 points, followed by Danielle DePorter with 12 points, and Cali Kopecky with 10.

We play our first regional game on Tuesday, February 21 against Clinton at Clinton. Game time is 7pm.

Article and Senior Posters Submitted by Kristen Lippens
Whitewater High School Head Girls’ Basketball Coach
klippens@wwusd.org
Action Photo Courtesy of Bob Mischka

UW-Platteville’s Cushman Places at WIAC Wrestling Championship

Sophomore David Cushman, of the University of Wisconsin-Platteville Wrestling team, finished in sixth place at the WIAC Wrestling Championship at 157 pounds. The WIAC Championship, presented by Culver’s, took place in UW-Stevens Point’s Quandt Fieldhouse.

Editor’s note: The above announcement was received from UW-Platteville.

Buehler and Porras Advance to State Wrestling

The Whitewater Wrestling Team traveled to Evansville on Saturday, February 18, to participate in the Sectional Wrestling tournament with the top three advancing to the individual state tournament. This is a competitive day with lots of emotions for students, coaches, and families. Whitewater competed hard in every match, and when the dust settled we will have two competing on Thursday at the Kohl Center.

Aaron Porras
Lauren Buehler

Lauren Buehler became Whitewater’s first qualifier in the new format by securing two pins on her way to the championship. She started the day with a very fast pin and in the finals was down 4-5 going into the 3rd period, went up 10-5, and then was able to secure the pin. The excitement on her face was priceless.

Post-Sectional Pizza

Aaron Porras started out the day with a convincing 15-point victory and then followed that up with a very tough win against a strong young man from Belleville. This brought him into the championship. This was an outstanding match but unfortunately ended up in a scramble and got put to his back in a tied match. He then had to hold onto his second-place finish and did so defeating a young man who had defeated him at the Mid-States tournament. 

Just missing out on a trip to state was Connor Friend who placed fourth, losing his 3rd place match 6-5.

Great job Lauren and Aaron!

Article and Photos Submitted by John Schimming
Whitewater High School Head Wrestling Coach
jschimming@wwusd.org

Gymnasts Compete in Conference Meet

The gymnastics team competed at the conference meet on Friday night in Waterford. All the girls crushed it. Our JV team had their best meet of the season with 9 out 15 season or lifetime best scores and their highest team score! 

Every single one of our JV Beam gymnasts had a lifetime best score and a season best team score of 21.1. Brooke Bazeley, Grace Coleman, and Alexa Wildenberg all scored 5.40, while Stephanie Walters scored 4.9, and Gabby Pena Perroni scored 3.6. Brooke and Alexa had no fall beam routines. Mady Hefty and Halee Peters from the varsity side also had no fall beam routines.

Although we had no season best scores on Vault – all the girls were so close to their season best scores that they earned a season best team score of 31.375.

The Floor was another strong rotation for our JV team. Stephanie Walters earned a 6.8, followed by Brooke Bazeley with a 6.4 and Payton Brautigam with a 6.10 – lifetime best scores for all three. JV scored their highest team score on floor with a 22.8. Varsity girls also had their highest team score of the season with a 30.35. Alexa Wildenberg earned herself a season best score of 6.2. The rest of the Varsity team scored very close to their bests.

The girls will be competing at sectionals at Mount Horeb High School on Thursday, February 23 at 5:30 p.m. 

Article and Photos Submitted by Shawnda Peters
Whitewater High School Head Gymnastics Coach
speters@wwusd.org

UW-W New Head Football Coach Rindahl’s Top 3 Reasons to Attend Football Summer Camp

Players populate the football field at Perkins Stadium for speed and agility tests during preseason camp on Aug. 11, 2022. (UW-Whitewater photo/Craig Schreiner)

Editor’s note: The following press release was received from UW-Whitewater.

UW-Whitewater was thrilled to recently announce the promotion of defensive coordinator/assistant head coach Jace Rindahl to head coach of the storied Warhawk football program. Following an impressive playing career at UW-W, Rindahl had been an assistant coach with the football program for the past eight seasons. He knows the greatness of UW-W Football better than anyone.

Coach Rindahl also has extensive knowledge of the outstanding UW-W football summer camps. With five camps catering to different ages and positions, there is a camp for everyone! From players entering 5th grade to those beginning their senior year of high school, UW-W’s top-notch football coaching staff is ready to ensure that every camper has an experience they’ll never forget.

“UW-Whitewater’s football summer camps provide young players with an unmatched opportunity,” Coach Rindahl says. “It is the perfect experience for a young player looking to learn more about the game and improve their performance.”

Here are Coach Rindahl’s top 3 reasons to attend a UW-Whitewater football summer camp:

1) Skill Development: Whatever their position, players receive focused skill development, expanding and enhancing their skill-set.
2) First-class Collegiate Experience: From the best-in-class facilities to the dorms and dining, campers are exposed to a taste of college life.
3) Direct Contact with Coaches: Campers are coached by the UW-W football staff, so they learn from the best.

Registration is open now! For more information and to see a full list of football summer camps, visit https://www.uww.edu/ce/camps/athletic/football.

Gymnasts Compete in Platteville Invite

The varsity gymnastics team had their last invite of the season in Platteville, Saturday, February 11, 2023. The season may be winding down, but the girls are getting stronger!

The girls started strong on the Floor where Halee Peters did a front layout for the first time. She led the team with an 8.0725, followed by Makayla Bazeley with a 7.725, and Mady Hefty with a 7.45. Rounding out our Floor competitors were Nola Coburn with a 6.9 and Alexa Wildenberg scoring 5.75. The team scored 30.1475 on Floor.

The next rotation brought the girls to the Vault where they were all very close to their season best scores. Mady Hefty led the team with an 8.0, followed close by Halee Peters with a 7.9. Makayla Bazeley scored a 7.5, while Nola Coburn came in with a 7.3 and Brenda Aguilar scored a 6.95. The Vault team scored a 30.7.

Uneven Bars was another amazing rotation for the girls where all of them scored very close to their season bests or exceeded. Makayla Bazeley led this round scoring her lifetime best of 7.70 when she included uprises into her routine. She has been working extremely hard to be able to add them into a meet; we were all so excited to see her do them so confidently. Halee Peters was just behind her with a 7.625, while Mady Hefty scored 5.875 and Nola Coburn scored 4.325. The team scored 25.525 on Bars.

The last rotation was on the Balance Beam where the team scored 27.2. Halee Peters led the way again with her no fall Beam routine and earned a 7.775 while Mady Hefty scored a season best of 7.0 and also had a no fall routine. Makayla Bazeley came in at 6.325, Nola Coburn scored a 6.1 and Brenda Aguilar scored 5.85.

All Around scores came in with Halee Peters at 31.3725, Makayla Bazeley at 29.25, Mady Hefty at 28.325 and Nola Coburn at 24.625.

Come watch more twists, flips, leaps, and turns on Friday, February 17th, when the girls compete at the conference meet at Waterford High School. Sectionals will take place on Thursday, February 23rd. 

Article and Photos Submitted by Shawnda Peters
Whitewater High School Head Gymnastics Coach
speters@wwusd.org

Whippets Fall to Evansville

The Whitewater Whippets traveled to Evansville Monday night for a girls basketball game. We played a very strong 1st half. Our defense was tough both inside and out. The key was our communication, which helped us protect the hoop and close out on the shooters on the perimeter. Offensively, we attacked the rim and shot confidently from outside. We went into half up 25-23.

Calli Grosinske

In the second half, Evansville adjusted their defense giving them an opportunity to go on a scoring run by getting steals and connecting on fast breaks. That created a 24-point scoring deficit quickly. We fought back tirelessly, putting pressure on them defensively and working our offense by getting the ball inside. We closed the gap but came up short 51-57. 

Calli Grosinske led the Whippets with 14 points, 5 assists, and 7 steals. Mayte Navejas added 12 points, 6 rebounds, and 7 steals. Cali Kopecky scored 9 points and had 6 rebounds. Danielle DePorter also added 9 points and 4 rebounds. 

The Whippets take on Clinton at home for Senior Night on Thursday, February 16. 

Article Submitted by Kristen Lippens
Whitewater High School Head Girls’ Basketball Coach
klippens@wwusd.org
File Photo Courtesy of Bob Mischka