On Wednesday night, June 1, the Whitewater High School Athletic Department hosted its first ever Whippet ESPY night. ESPY stands for Excellence in Sports Performances Yearly. The night was devoted to recognizing all of the athletic accomplishments throughout the course of the 2021-22 school year.
Individual sport MVP’s, All-Conference athletes, scholarship winners, state qualifiers, and multi-sport athletes were all recognized during the ceremony. Several coaches, teachers, and community members were on hand to present the awards to the athletes in attendance. The department also recognized longtime athletic trainer Danielle Koran who is serving in her final year as the school’s trainer. Danielle has served as the school’s athletic trainer for over a decade. Also in attendance and recognized was longtime photographer and friend of the program Bob Mischka. Bob has provided the school and families high quality pictures of sporting events for years!
This year Whitewater High School had 450 individuals sign up for at least one sport, which accounts for almost 80% of the overall student body. After the awards ceremony, the athletes, coaches, and parents mingled in the lobby where refreshments were served and “selfie booths” were provided. It was a great night for all in attendance and a great night to be a Whippet! #1Family #TheStandard
Article and Photos Submitted by Justin Crandall Whitewater HS/MS Athletic Director jcrandall@wwusd.org
Rebekah Schumacher, a native of Whitewater, and student-athlete at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, is one of six Warhawks who have been named All-Americans by the National Strength and Conditioning Association for their commitment to strength and conditioning and athletic accomplishments during the 2021-22 academic year.
David Fassbender (Slinger, Wis./Slinger) of the men’s cross country and track and field teams, baseball’s Eric Hughes (Janesville, Wis./Craig), golf’s Jessica LaBerge (Bonduel, Wis./Bonduel), football’s Ryan Ponick (Stanley, Wis./Stanley-Boyd), women’s basketball’s Rebekah Schumacher (Whitewater, Wis./Whitewater) and softball’s Hannah Wusterbarth (Oconto, Wis./Oconto) garnered the NSCA All-America accolades.
Fassbender has earned three All-America medals so far in 2021-22, finishing sixth at the NCAA Cross Country Championships and placing among the top five in both the 3,000-meter run and 5,000-meter run at the NCAA Indoor Championships. He will compete this Thursday at the NCAA Outdoor Championships in the 10,000-meter run, an event he broke the school record in earlier this spring.
Hughes has appeared in 13 games for the baseball team, which won the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference regular season championship and the NCAA Whitewater Regional. The team will compete in the NCAA Whitewater Super Regional this weekend.
LaBerge played in 13 rounds during the 2021-22 season, averaging a score of 96.7 per 18-hole round. She recorded her best score of the season (91) in two rounds at the WIAC Championship. LaBerge helped the Warhawks claim their fifth straight conference team title and reach the NCAA Championship.
Ponick was named first team All-WIAC for special teams and served as a captain for the football team in 2021, helping UW-Whitewater win the WIAC championship and reach the semifinals of the NCAA Division III Playoffs. As a running back, he totaled 18 carries for 102 yards and two touchdowns.
Schumacher helped the Warhawk women’s basketball team win the WIAC regular season championship and reach the 2022 Final Four, where the team finished as national runner-up. She averaged 8.8 points per game and led the team with 58 made 3-pointers and added 52 steals on the other end. Schumacher was one of three UW-W players to start all 33 games.
Wusterbarth appeared in 10 games for the softball team primarily as a pinch hitter. She helped the Warhawks post the program’s 16th consecutive 20-win season and reach the WIAC Tournament.
By Chris Lindeke, Asst. Athletic Director, Strategic Communications and Branding, UW-W
Saturday, May 28, 2022
No. 9 Baseball Drops NCAA Super Regional Finale
The No. 9 ranked University of Wisconsin-Whitewater baseball team wrapped up its 2022 campaign in the NCAA Super Regional round Saturday, falling 11-7 against No. 12 UW-Stevens Point in Game 2 of the best-of-three series at Prucha Field at James B. Miller Stadium.
The Warhawks conclude the season with a 36-11 record, the program’s fifth straight Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference regular season championship and the NCAA Whitewater Regional title. The team was making its 14th straight appearance in the national tournament.
UW-Whitewater put the tying run at the plate in the bottom of the ninth, but UW-Stevens Point (40-8) escaped the jam to take the series in two games.
Third baseman Matt Korman, who led the Warhawks with three hits, two runs scored and four runs batted in, tied the game at 6-6 in the bottom of the seventh inning with a three-run homer, his second of the game.
The Pointers took the lead for good with five runs in the top of the eighth inning.
UW-W got one back in the bottom of the eighth and put three on base with two outs in the bottom of the ninth but came up just short in its comeback attempt.
Second baseman Sam Vomhof homered and tallied three RBIs. Left fielder Matt Scolan, first baseman Nick Paget and centerfielder Zach Campbell each totaled two hits and one run scored, while right fielder Jacob DeMeyer registered three hits.
Six different Warhawks saw action on the mound in the contest. Trey Bretl took the loss to drop to 0-2 on the year.
Thursday night, May 26, the Whitewater Track and Field Team traveled across the state to Prairie Du Chien to compete in the WIAA Division 2 Sectional Meet. The long bus ride didn’t hinder the Whippets on the track, as it was a banner day across the board for Whitewater athletes. With opportunities to qualify for the State Meet on the line, the Whippets supported one another to some incredible finishes.
The meet was kicked off by a stellar State-qualifying performance from Maddie Buehler in the 100-Meter Dash, who cruised to a 3rd place finish in a time of 12.41. That time catapulted her to 2nd place all-time in Whitewater history, as she knocked 3 tenths off her previous personal best. Buehler then teamed up with Olive Coburn, Emma Weigel, and Kindyl Kilar in the 4×100 and 4×200 relays, which both placed second. Those relays sprinted across the finish line in times of 50.95 and 1:47.46 respectively, so they too will be running in La Crosse next weekend. Kindyl Kilar capped off a phenomenal day for the short sprinters, as she blazed to a 2nd place finish in the 200-Meter Dash final in 26.27. Her time of 26.13 in the preliminary round solidified her place as the 3rd fastest in program history. In the field events, Evie Troxel cleared two PR bars in the Pole Vault, earning her a 3rd place finish and a chance to compete in La Crosse next weekend. Evie vaulted over 9’6” with ease, and then on her third attempt made it over a personal best height of 9’9”. Her mark vaulted her to a tie for the 8th highest vault in program history. Other competitors included Grace Villarreal and Calli Grosinske in the 400-Meter Dash, and they finished 14th and 15th in a loaded field. Carley Boudreau capped off an incredible freshman season finishing 15th in the 300-Meter Hurdles. She was one of five freshmen competing in the event. The Girls’ 4×400 Relay of Grosinske, Villarreal, Nola Coburn, and Gwen Truesdale finished in 14th place, although 2 seconds ahead of their Sectional-qualifying seed time, in 4:33.40. Izzy Dieter went up against a loaded field in the Discus Throw, as she finished in 12th place with a toss of 92’11”, but vaulted to a personal best in the Pole Vault, finishing 10th, with a height of 8’6”. Gwen Truesdale also competed in the High Jump, but would have had to clear a personal best bar for opening height.
Evie Troxel – Pole VaultOlive Coburn, Maddie Buehler, Kindyl Kilar, & Emma Weigel – 4 x 100 and 4 x 200Kindyl Kilar – 200 & Maddie Buehler – 100
On the boys’ side, Ethan Dugan ran a gutsy race in the 400-Meter Dash. In the final 100 meters, Ethan kicked past several competitors to cross the finish line in 4th place, marking the boys’ first state qualifier of the evening. His time of 51.93 was a personal best. Jack Hefty competed in the 3200-Meter Run, and stuck with the pack for the first mile and a half. Heading into the final 800 meters, a strong runner from Sugar River started to separate himself from the rest of the field. Jack began his kick with a lap and a half left and never looked back, separating himself from the 3rd and 4th place runners. Hefty, a freshman, crossed the line in 2nd place, and his time of 9:47.92 moved him up to #7 all-time in Whitewater history, while simultaneously securing a spot to run in La Crosse. Other competitors included senior Connor Sharlow in the 400-Meter Dash, whose time of 53.72 placed 12th. The boys’ 4×100 Relay of Traysen Thomason, Quincy Boudreau, Nate Black, and Noah Coleman finished in 13th place. This relay team consists of three sophomores and a freshman, so the team is poised to return faster in 2023. In the Pole Vault, CJ Tomomitsu placed 7th, tying his season’s best of 12’0”. In the throws, Connor Raupp and Jake Kuhlow competed in the Discus. Jake placed 10th with a toss of 122’11, and Connor had a tough time keeping the disc within the sector, and was unable to register a mark. Jake Kuhlow also competed in the Shot Put, and threw a mark of 39’5” to place 15th. Both athletes will return in 2023 after breakout seasons in 2022.
Jack Hefty – 3200Ethan Dugan – 400
Overall, the Whippets will be taking a total of five girls in three individual events and two relays up to La Crosse, while the boys notched two state qualifying individual events. Those athletes will travel to La Crosse to compete on Friday and Saturday against the best Track & Field athletes in the state of Wisconsin.
The No. 9 ranked University of Wisconsin-Whitewater baseball team erased a seven-run deficit but was edged 10-9 against No. 12 UW-Stevens Point in the first game of the best-of-three NCAA Whitewater Super Regional at Prucha Field at James B. Miller Stadium.
Trailing 9-2 through six innings, the Warhawks (36-10 overall) tallied two in the seventh, two in the eighth and three in the ninth to tie the game at 9-9, with the last two runs coming on a run-scoring double by catcher Ryan Norton.
The Pointers (39-8), who were the home team Friday by result of a coin flip, responded with one run in the bottom of the ninth to take the first game.
Left fielder Matt Scolan tallied three hits, including one home run, and totaled two runs and three RBIs. Norton finished with three hits.
Third baseman Matt Korman registered two hits, one run scored and two RBIs, while designated hitter Sam Paden collected four hits, two runs scored and one RBI. Centerfielder Zach Campbell added two hits, one run scored and one RBI.
Pitcher Cade Berendt dropped to 4-1 on the season with the loss.
Game 2 of the series is set for 11 a.m. Saturday. If UW-Whitewater wins, a third and decisive game will be played for the Super Regional title 45 minutes following conclusion of the 11 a.m. game.
Last Thursday, May 19, Whitewater traveled to Big Foot to play in the final round of the Rock Valley Conference Tournament.
In an exciting game, both teams finished regulation time with three goals. Whitewater’s goals were scored by Caelyn Caputo, Mayte Navejas, and Sophia Garcia.
Marina Linos
Each team scored an additional goal during overtime, leading to a penalty kick shootout. Big Foot won the PK shootout with two saves by keeper Maylani Venegas. Whitewater’s goalkeeper Marina Linos made a penalty kick save as well.
Big Foot finishes 5th in the conference and Whitewater finishes 6th.
Article Submitted by Maddy Blain Whitewater High School Head Girls’ Soccer Coach mblain@wwusd.org Photo Courtesy of Bob Mischka
Wednesday, May 25, in front of a large group of teammates, friends, teachers, and family members, Brock Grosinske held his signing day.
The presentation started with brief speeches from Athletic Director Mr. Justin Crandall and Head Football Coach Jason Bleck. Then Brock thanked his teammates, teachers, family, and coaches for all of their love and support over the years. He then signed his NCAA letter of intent and made it official!
Brock will be attending UW-Whitewater next fall and will be playing football for the Warhawks. We wish you all the best Brock and can’t wait to see you playing on Saturday afternoons!
Article and Photos Submitted by Justin Crandall Whitewater High School Athletic Director jcrandall@wwusd.org
According to a post on wkow.com, “A Sun Prairie man facing trial for “sexting” with a teenager in his soccer club resigned a UW-Whitewater coaching position five years ago after being accused of an inappropriate relationship with a woman student-athlete. Jamie Lieberman, 34, has a court hearing next month after being charged with felony exposing a child to harmful descriptions. Authorities say Lieberman recruited the teen to play with his soccer, or futsal, club before texting her sexually provocative proposals.
State records show Lieberman was a coach with both the men’s and women’s soccer teams at UW-Whitewater in 2016. In an Oct. 18, 2016 email from Interim Athletic Director Randy Marnocha to Lieberman, Marnocha stated Lieberman was accused of being in an “improper amorous relationship” with a player.”
Tuesday night, May 24, was another HUGE performance for a Whippet Team in the tournament! This time it was the golf team, playing in the WIAA Division 2 Lomira Regional with nine other schools.
Dane Hillmer, Jaden Condon, Reece Condon, Carson Bueschel, Camden Frye
The kids played well, shooting their best round of the year at 349. Each player improved from front 9 to back 9, and it showed as they were in 4th place after 9 (St Johns 170, Lomira 178, Lake Country Lutheran 179, Whitewater 180, Columbus 186, Lakeside Lutheran 187) and beat everyone on the back 9 except St Johns (St Johns 167, Whitewater 169, Lake Country Lutheran 172, Columbus 182, Lakeside Lutheran 182, Lomira 199).
Reece Condon finished 5th overall with 82, Camden Frye finished 7th with 85, and Jaden Condon just missed the top 10, placing 11th with 89.
Although it was cloudy in Big Foot, the sun was shining on the Whippet Track and Field Program as the team competed in its regional competition Monday, May 23. The top four finishers in each event earned a spot to compete in Thursday’s Sectional competition in Prairie du Chien.
Kindyl Kilar and Ethan Dugan
On the girls’ side, a complete team effort allowed the team to earn enough points to finish runner-up in the regional. In the 100M Dash final, Maddie Buehler placed second in 12.86 seconds, and A’Lani Rogers finished 9th with a sub 14 effort of 13.99. In the 200 Prelims, Kindyl Kilar roared to the finish line with a time of 26.14, catapulting herself to the 3rd fastest ever in program history. In the finals, Kindyl took the crown in 26.48. Grace Villarreal and Calli Grosinske torched the track and both earned spots at Sectionals by placing 2nd and 4th in the 400. Carley Boudreau is really coming on strong when it matters most and posted a PR in the 100 Hurdles with a time of 21.01, good enough for 6th. In the 300 Low Hurdles, she ripped a 54.05 to claim 2nd overall and dropped 2.5 seconds from her previous best. The 4×100 and 4×200 relays feature the same four girls and consist of Olive Coburn, Maddie Buehler, Emma Weigel, and Kindyl Kilar. The 4×100 Relay took the crown and ran the 7th fastest time in program history with a 50.78. The 4×2 was just off the top 10 list in program history but still took the tape with a time of 1:47.56. The 4×400 Relay of Callie Grosinske, Gwen Truesdale, Nola Coburn, and Grace Villarreal brought the stick home in 3rd overall with a time of 4:35.56.
The field events also produced many sectional advancers. Gwen Truesdale advanced in the High Jump by having fewer misses against her competitor and took the final spot to sectionals with a jump of 4′ 6″. Evie Troxel and Izzy Dieter advanced with 1st and 4th place finishes in the Pole Vault. Evie is on the cusp of a top ten position in program history by just brushing the bar off 9′ 6″, and advanced with a 9′ 0″ clearing. Izzy cleared 7′ 6″. Izzy got it done in the ring as well by placing 3rd in the Discus with a toss of 95′ 2″.
The boys finished in a very respectable 3rd place behind some stellar performances themselves. The 400 featured Ethan Dugan throwing down on the home stretch to run a lifetime best of 51.99 and Connor Sharlow in 3rd to take two Whippets in that event to Sectionals. Connor’s time was 53.44, which was also a personal best. In the 800, Nate Holden and Miles Nickelsburg ran PRs of 2:15.61 and 2:23.17 and were able to cap their seasons off on a high note. Cooper Hammond gutted out a strong effort in the 1600 to run his second-best time ever with a time of 5:00.04 but finished one spot short of advancing on to Sectionals. Colin Dugan ran his lifetime best in the 1600 with a time of 6:02, very close to his goal of breaking 6:00. The 3200 featured freshman Jack Hefty who ran a comfortable pace before letting his legs stretch out a bit. Jack finished under 10:00 for the first time and claimed the regional title in 9:58.92. The 300 Low Hurdles produced two lifetime bests for Caleb Clapper and Andrew McCullars. They finished 6th and 7th, respectively, with times of 49.21 and 49.34. The relays were thrilling as the Boys’ 4×100 of Traysen Thomason, Quincy Boudreau, Nate Black, and Noah Coleman took third in 46.63. The 4×200 was ever so tight but found themselves just short of 4th to take 5th in 1:40.89. That relay consisted of Traysen Thomason, Caleb Clapper, Adrian Rios, and Nate Black. On the anchor leg, Nate was mowing down the field but just ran out of track. The 4×400 finished off the track events for the evening in a heart pumping finish to take the crown. Connor Sharlow set the table giving Cooper the baton in the lead. Cooper then gave it to Quincy who blazed the home stretch to give it to Ethan in the lead. A strong athlete from Big Foot passed Ethan within the first 150m, and Ethan patiently waited until the time was right to strike; he did so in a convincing fashion to take the crown, and the best time of the year in the relay with a finish time of 3:36.18.
The field events were also very fruitful for Whippets as CJ Tomomitsu cleared 12′ in the Vault to take 2nd. The Discus again was the place to be if you are a Whippet fan as Connor Raupp and Jake Kuhlow advanced by placing 1st and 3rd. Connor’s throw was 129′ 7″ and Jake’s was 123′ 3″. The Shot-Put ring was on fire for Jake Kuhlow as he sent the 12-pound steel ball to a 3′ personal best and placed 3rd with a put of 42′ 4″. Connor was close to advancing in both events but ultimately placed 5th.
Next up is the WIAA Sectional Track and Field meet in Prairie du Chien on Thursday, May 26. Field events start at 3:30, and track events begin at 4:15. GO, WHIPPETS!
