Whitewater High School played the role of host for the 2024 Rock Valley Conference Track and Field Meet which featured all 11 teams from both divisions. When the dust settled, the teams finished in 2nd for the boys and 11th for the girls.
Quincy Boudreau, Jack Hefty, Curtis Rossmiller, and Ethan Dugan
On the boys’ side, Ty Bucholtz was the first to claim a medal with a killer 110H hurdle final. Three stepping his final flight of hurdles, he thrusted himself into third by the finish line and earned his first ever medal as a freshman. Not to be outdone, next up was Traysen Thompson who broke 11 seconds for the first time in the 100-meter dash final running 10.99 and capturing the individual title. Not long after, Jack Hefty raced to his first of three conference titles on the day by winning the 1600 and closing in under 60 seconds for his final lap to stop the clock in 4:28.91. The track was still smoldering when the boys’ 4×200 stepped on the track and blazed to a victory in 1:32.97. This relay consisted of Traysen Thomason, Nate Black, Keenan Sheffield, and Quincy Boudreau. If the track wasn’t hot enough, Ethan Dugan was next up in his premiere event, the 400m dash, and was able to handle the field and take the crown in 50.22. Akamion McHenry placed 4th and Curtis Rossmiller placed 8th in the same event. Jack Hefty stepped back onto the track after a few events and was able to earn his second title on the day to win the 800 in 2:01.98, and teammate Nate Holden was fifth in the same race. Ethan Dugan stepped into the blocks for the second time and blazed a trail of fire behind him as he stopped the clock at 22.36 and also claimed his second title on the day in the 200m dash. In the same event, Trayson Thomason took 3rd in his final race of the day and Akamion McHenry placed 6th. Xavier Zei ran a gutsy race, much of it by himself running solo in 3rd and was only passed by one runner and earned a fourth, and final medal, in the 3200. His time was 10:36.91. The final track event for the boys was the 4×400 relay. With the walk-up song of Iron Man by Black Sabbath blaring throughout the facility, the boys got pumped to leave it all out there and did just that. The relay team of Quincy Boudreau, Jack Hefty, Curtis Rossmiller, and Ethan Dugan set a new conference meet record in their win by stopping the clock at 3:25.75. The previous mark was set by Jefferson in 1980. It was the oldest record in the books.
Jack HeftyTraysen Thomason
In the field events, Jaylyn Ewing placed 8th in the discus and 4th in the high jump. Quinton O’Toole secured fifth place in the pole vault. Three Whippets scored in the long jump by placing 5-6-7. Traysen Thomason just edged out his teammate by .75″ to lead the trio. Quincy Boudreau was 6th and Nate Black was 7th. In the triple jump, David Rubio placed 5th with a jump of 39′ 3″.
Ethan Dugan was named the male track athlete of the meet based on his performance in the meet. This is the first Whippet to earn this honor since Brett Harms earned it in 2014 when he won the 800, 1600, and 3200 events.
On the girls’ side, A’lani Ross earned a 6th place finish in the finals of the 100 with a time of 13.45. Mady Hefty ran a lifetime PR and placed 8th in the 1600 with a time of 5:53.64. The 4×2 stepped on the track and earned a fifth-place finish with a time of 1:51.95. This relay consisted of A’lani Ross, Sydney Schilt, Ava Alvarado, and Calli Grosinske. The same relay, just in a slightly different order, came back for the 4×100 and secured a top 3 finish by .01 with a hard lean by Sydney Schilt. The relay order was Calli Grosinske, A’lani Ross, Ava Alvardo, and Sydney on the anchor leg. Carley Boudreau placed 7th in the 300 hurdles with a time of 55.27. Athena Soto placed 6th in the 800 with a time of 2:35.63. Sydney Schilt blazed her way down the homestretch in the 200-meter dash to stop the clock in 27.21 and took the bronze medal position. To wrap up the track events, the girls’ 4 x 400 relay of Athena Soto, Calli Grosinske, Carley Boudreau, and Emy Islas took 7th with a time of 4:32.61. Placing in the field events, Myialynn Cobb and Makayla Bazeley took 4th and 6th in the pole vault. They cleared 8′ 0″ and 7′ 6″ respectively. A’lani Ross placed in the triple jump with a leap of 31′ 1.25″ and took 7th overall.
Warhawks pose with trophy and banner (credit: Steve Frommell)
By Angela Kelm Asst. Athletic Director for Sports Information
Oshkosh, Wis. – The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater softball team topped UW-Oshkosh 2-1 to claim the 2024 Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Tournament title and secure the league’s automatic bid into the NCAA Division III Tournament. The tournament title is the program’s eleventh overall and first since 2018.
UWW will find out where they are headed for next week for regional action in Monday’s selection show on ncaa.com at 10 a.m.
UW-Whitewater’s lucky numbers were one and two this week. The Warhawks won all four games of the WIAC Tournament by a score of 2-1. Coming in as the number four seed, two of UWW’s wins were against the number one seed, UW-Oshkosh, and a third came against number two seeded UW-Stevens Point. Warhawk pitcher Brooke Hock, who wears number 12, picked up a save in the first three of UWW’s games in the tournament and registered the win in the championship game Saturday. The theme would continue on the offensive end in the title game.
In the bottom of the second, Grace Wickman – sporting jersey number one – led off the frame with an absolute smash to left center. The second Wickman connected on the pitch, there was no doubt the ball was leaving the park. The Warhawks sprinted out of the dugout to meet Wickman at home celebrating the 1-0 lead.
With all of the momentum in Whitewater’s corner, Maggie Ward continued the frame reaching via catcher’s interference with one out. Kiera Jarrett singled up the middle and JJ Jakosalem took one for the team to load the bases with one out. The Titans opted to get the out at home on a fielder’s choice for out number two, but the bases remained loaded. Kaitlyn Weidemann – who wears number two – drew a walk to score Jarrett and give UWW a 2-0 lead.
UW-Oshkosh cut the lead in half in the top of the third using three hits to plate a single run in the frame.
After a fantastic start by Rhiann Dick, the senior passed the ball to Hock for the final four frames. Hock entered with one on base and zero outs but retired three consecutive Titans. After a leadoff walk in the fifth, Hock got the next three on a pair of groundouts and a fly out that Bella Eggert hauled in in center field.
UW-Whitewater thwarted another UWO opportunity in the sixth after the leadoff batter reached on a walk. With a full count on the next batter, the Titan runner at first bolted early on the pitch. Hock threw it by the UWO hitter for the strikeout as the first base umpire signaled indicating the runner left early and was out for a different version of a double play. Eggert tracked down a fly ball in center for the final out of the top of the sixth.
The top of the seventh went 1-2-3. Eggert captured the first out on a fly ball. Wickman fielded a grounder and threw a dart to Taylor Koehler at first for the second out. Ward secured the title by catching a deep fly ball in left field as the Warhawks streamed out of the dugout in celebration.
Each pitching staff allowed three hits in the game, all by different batters. Dick scattered three hits across three innings of work while striking out two. Hock no-hit the Titans the rest of the way fanning two to improve to 6-1 on the season.
Brooke Hock closes out the game against UW-Stevens Point (credit: Angela Kelm)
By Angela Kelm Asst. Athletic Director for Sports Information
Oshkosh, Wis. – The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater softball team defeated UW-Stevens Point 2-1 to advance to the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Tournament Championship game. The title game is slated for 12:30 p.m. Saturday. Box Score
The Warhawks will play the winner of UW-Stevens Point and UW-Stout/UW-Oshkosh for the tournament title Saturday. The WIAC Tournament champion will receive the league’s automatic bid into the NCAA Division III tournament.
UW-Whitewater had the first scoring opportunity of the game in the bottom of the second. Taylor Koehler laced a ball up the middle to lead off the frame. After advancing to second on a wild pitch, she moved up 60 feet on a Kiera Jarrett single through the left side. The speedy Belle Lapacek took over for Jarrett at first base. Lapacek drew a throw down to second on the next pitch and Koehler took off for home on the throw. Koehler was forced to the back side of home plate and attempted to slide around the catcher, but the tag was put on and an out called.
The pitcher’s duel continued into the fifth when the Warhawks broke the stalemate. Maggie Ward led off the frame with what appeared to be a fly out to left field. However, as the play was being made, the home plate umpire signaled for catcher interference and Ward stayed put on first base before moving to second on a sacrifice. Maddy Anderson came in to hit and singled on the first pitch to left center to put runners on the corners. Abby Borchardt took over to run at first base and stole second in the next at bat.
With runners on second and third and one out, head coach Brenda Volk gave the sign for a squeeze play and Meghan Dunning laid down the bunt. The first baseman fielded and shoveled to home as Ward slid into the plate. Through the dust, the ball came flying out of the catcher’s mitt and caromed off the fence. Meanwhile, Volk’s arm was circling to keep the speedy Borchardt going around third and came sliding into home for a 2-0 lead.
The Pointers cut the lead in half in the top of the sixth. After a leadoff single, a one out fielder’s choice had both the runner and batter safe. On the next pitch, the Pointer runners took off and JJ Jakosalem had a perfect throw to Dunning covering third. Catching, turning and laying the tag on UWSP’s diving runner, Dunning had out number two.
A hit-by-pitch, the Pointers’ runner at first got into a pickle between first and second. The runner from third scored but the Warhawks got the out to head to the seventh inning.
UWW didn’t capitalize on Bella Eggert’s leadoff single, but the defense held. Brooke Hock sent the first batter back to the dugout on a swinging strikeout. After a single to left center, Hock had the next batter fanning at a strike number three. The Pointers stole second, but Hock ended the game with yet another K.
UW-Whitewater’s four hits came from four different Warhawks. Maddy Anderson got the start and pitched a gem. She struck out three while scattering three hits across five innings to improve to 11-3 on the season. Hock registered the save – her third of the 2024 WIAC tournament and eleventh of the season.
Whitewater hosted East Troy for a conference soccer game on Thursday, May 9.
Whitewater won 3-0, with goals by Belle Peterson (asst. Mayte Navejas), Mayte Navejas (asst. Belle Peterson), and Isabella Aranda (asst. Mayte Navejas).
Belle Peterson
Article Submitted by Maddy Blain Whitewater High School Head Girls’ Soccer Coach mblain@wwusd.org Photo Courtesy of Bob Mischka
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater will host the first, second and third rounds of the NCAA Division III Women’s Tennis Championship May 9-11 at UW-Whitewater Outdoor Tennis Complex.
UW-Whitewater (10-9) received an automatic bid into the 49-team field by winning the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Team Tournament. The Warhawks are making the 16th NCAA appearance in program history and will open first round action against Carleton College (Minn.) (17-0) on May 9. The winner will face Case Western Reserve University (Ohio) (14-6) in the second round on May 10.
Hope College (Mich.) (19-5), Ohio Northern University (18-5) and University of Chicago (Ill.) (18-1) will also participate in the six-team regional.
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater will host the first, second and third rounds of the NCAA Division III Men’s Tennis Championship May 10-12 at UW-Whitewater Outdoor Tennis Complex.
UW-Whitewater (18-2) secured an automatic bid into the 44-team field by winning the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Championship. The Warhawks are making the 15th NCAA appearance in program history and will face the winner of Grinnell College (Iowa) (24-3) and Ohio Northern University (19-5) in the second round on May 11.
Denison University (Ohio) (19-4), Gustavus Adolphus College (Minn.) (22-7) and Kalamazoo College (Mich.) (9-10) will also participate in the six-team regional.
On Sunday, May 5th, Makayla Bazeley was recognized at the 2024 WISCA [Wisconsin Interscholastic Swim Coaches Association] All-State Honors Banquet. Makayla was awarded with an All-State Honorable Mention in the 200 Freestyle. Congrats Makayla!
Whitewater and Fort tied 2-2 in an exciting non-conference match on Monday, May 6. Fort took an early lead with a goal by Maritza Alvarado. Mayte Navejas from Whitewater scored two goals assisted by Belle Peterson in the second half (48’, 68’). Fort Atkinson tied the game with a goal in the last 20 seconds, scored by Berlyn Zorn.
Article Submitted by Maddy Blain Whitewater High School Head Girls’ Soccer Coach mblain@wwusd.org
Whitewater Track & Field competed in a Rock Valley Divisional Meet at East Troy on April 30. There were five schools at this meet; the Whitewater Boys ended in 2nd place and the Whippet Girls placed 5th.
Ethan Dugan
Senior Jaylyn Ewing won the High Jump with a jump of 6-2. He was also 3rd in the Discus throw of 126′.
Junior Alani Ross was 3rd in the Triple Jump (31′) and the 100 Meter Dash.
Senior Ethan Dugan won the 400 Meter Dash in 49.47, which is the second fastest time in school history, and junior Traysen Thomason won the 100 Meter Dash with the fourth fastest time in school history at 11.00.
Akamion McHenry placed 2nd in the 200 and 2nd in the 400.
Nate Holden placed 2nd in the 800.
Jack Hefty won the 1600 in 4:22.86.
The Boys’ 4×1 placed 2nd in 45.63. This relay consisted of Nate Black, Ty Hagedorn, Keenan Sheffield, and Quincy Boudreau.
The Boys’ 4×2 placed 1st with a time of 1:32.86 and consisted of Nate Black, Curtis Rossmiller, Traysen Thomason, and Quincy Boudreau.
The Boys’ 4×4 also won with a time of 3:28.35 and consisted of Jack Hefty, Nate Holden, Curtis Rossmiller, and Ethan Dugan.
Quinton O’Toole won the pole vault with a new personal best of 10′ 6″.
Mady Hefty placed 3rd in the 3200 with a time of 13:19.
Carley Boudreau placed 3rd in the 300H with a time of 53.62.
The Girls’ 4×1 placed first in 53.91. This relay consisted of Giulia Ristagno, Calli Grosinske, A’lani Ross, and Emy Islas.
Alani RossTraysen Thomason
The Whippets will be hosting the eleven team Rock Valley Conference Meet on Friday, May 10th. Field events start at 4:00 and running events begin at 4:30.
Jaylyn Ewing
Article Submitted by Chad Carstens Whitewater High School Track and Field Coach ccarstens@wwusd.org Photos Courtesy of Bob Mischka
