Sports

Gymnastics Conference Tournament Held at Waterford High School

Article and Photos By Kelly O’Hara
Whitewater High School Head Gymnastics Coach
OHaraKL17@uww.edu

On Saturday, February 13th, the WHS Gymnasts were in action at their Conference Tournament at Waterford High School. The Whippets competed against Burlington-Badger (BBG), Wilmot-Union Grove-Williams Bay (WUW), Elkhorn, Waterford, and Jefferson.

At Conference, the Whippet gymnasts competed their hearts out and had a team score of 111.025.

Halee Peters had a successful meet scoring an 8.25 on Vault and a 7.35 on Beam. Anna Ejnik scored an 8.05 on Vault and a 7.075 on Floor. Jenna Caldwell scored an 8.15 on Vault and a 7.275 on Bars. Caleigh Yang scored a 7.2 on Vault and a 7.05 on Beam. Brenda Aguilar scored a 7.35 on Vault and a 6.75 on Floor.

The JV competitors had a successful meet scoring many personal bests. The personal bests included Isabelle Dieter scoring a 7.675 on Vault and Alexis Kuhnke scoring a 6.75 on Vault. Lauren Buehler also had a season high on the Floor Exercise scoring a 6.0 and also scored a 7.45 on Vault. Brooke Bazeley scored a 4.8 on Floor.

Overall, these athletes had a very successful Conference Tournament and the WHS Gymnastics Coaches and Parent- Athlete supporters couldn’t be prouder of their accomplishments. If you want to see more flips and twists, come support your Whippet Gymnasts at their Sectional Tournament on Friday, February 19th, at Whitefish Bay High School. Gooooo, WHS Gymnastics!!! 

Whippet Girls Advance to Regional Final

Article by Kristen Lippens
Whitewater High School Head Girls’ Basketball Coach
klippens@wwusd.org

The Whippet Girls Basketball Team played their first regional game against East Troy on Friday evening, February 12. It was a tight game throughout.

We were tied with 45 seconds left in the game when Kacie Carollo hit a 2 pointer deep in the lane to put us up 58-56. We fouled in transition but luckily got the ball back after a missed free throw from East Troy with 19 seconds left on the clock. Kacie was fouled to stop the clock and made 1 of 2 free throws to put us up by 3. East Troy got the ball back with 10 seconds left to go but came up short on a layup giving us the win 59-56.

We play our Regional Final tonight (Saturday) against Wilmot at 6pm. 

Highlight video link:

Gymnasts Compete Against Co-ops BBG and WUW

Article and Photo By Kelly O’Hara
Whitewater High School Head Gymnastics Coach
OHaraKL17@uww.edu

The Whitewater Whippet Gymnastics Team competed against Burlington-Badger (BBG) and Wilmot-Union Grove-Williams Bay (WUW) on Tuesday, February 9th. The gymnastics team had a successful meet scoring a team score of 113.125.

The highlights of the meet included Brenda Aguilar scoring a 7.25 on Vault and a 6.9 on Floor. Caleigh Yang scored a 7.4 on Vault and a 6.5 on Beam. Jenna Caldwell scored an 8.1 on Vault and a 7.3 on Bars. Anna Ejnik scored an 8.05 on Vault and a 6.875 on Beam. Halee Peters scored an 8.25 n Vault and a 7.825 on Beam.

On the JV side there were many improvements starting with Isabelle Dieter scoring a 7.35 on Vault and a 5.9 on Beam. Lauren Buehler scored a 7.25 on Vault and a 5.8 on Floor. Brooke Bazeley scored a 4.3 on Beam. Alexis Kuknke scored a 6.7 on Vault and a 5.2 on Floor.

For a fun morning of twists and turns come see the Whitewater gymnasts in action at their Conference Tournament Saturday, February 13th, at Waterford High School. Gooooo, Whippets! 

Two WHS Grads are on the UW-W Women’s Swimming & Diving Roster

UW-Whitewater Women’s Swimming and Diving Announces 2021 Roster

WHITEWATER, WI (02/04/2021)– The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams will start an unconventional 2021 season this Friday (2/5) at UW-Eau Claire for the program’s first of four duals against Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference teams over the next five weeks.

The following student-athletes from WHS will compete for the 2021 UW-Whitewater women’s swimming and diving team: Anna Yeazel of Whitewater (Whitewater High School), a senior majoring in physical education, and Brianna Zimdars of Whitewater (Whitewater High School), a freshman majoring in general business.

The Warhawk men and women each placed third at the 2020 WIAC Championships, the most recent competition for both teams. Renata Schlomann (New Berlin, Wis./Divine Savior Holy Angels) of the women’s team qualified for the 2020 NCAA Championship, which was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In 2019-20, UW-W swimmers combined for 22 top-three conference finishes, 28 new entries on the UW-Whitewater All-Time Top 10 lists and four new school records.

Elise Knoche returns for her third season as head coach of both the men’s and women’s programs. She helped the Warhawks capture 14 WIAC individual championships during her first two seasons.

The 2021 season includes four WIAC duals, including home meets on Feb. 20 against UW-Oshkosh and March 6 against UW-La Crosse. Both meets will be live streamed, with links becoming available soon on the swimming and diving schedule pages. The 2021 WIAC Championship has been canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Seniors Skyler Budny (Wheaton, Ill./Glenbard South), Olivia Theobald (Peoria, Ill./Dunlap) and Anna Yeazel (Whitewater, Wis./Whitewater) lead the Warhawk women into the 2021 season.

Budny is a four-time WIAC medalist, including three in the 1,650-yard freestyle and one in the 400-yard IM. She ranks among the program’s all-time Top 10 in the 1,000- and 1,650-yard freestyle events.

Theobald has reached the WIAC podium 21 times during her decorated career, including six times as a conference relay champion and three times as a conference runner-up. She finished among the top five in seven events in 2020, including four relays and three individual events. Theobald holds four Top 10 individual times or splits in program history.

Yeazel broke through to the WIAC podium in two events last season, placing sixth in the 400-yard IM and seventh in the 200-yard breaststroke. Her 400 IM time of 4:48.74 is the 10th-best personal record in program history. She was named to the WIAC All-Sportsmanship Team in 2020.

Junior Jaclyn Fohlmeister (Lakemoor, Ill./Wauconda) also returns for the Warhawks after tallying career-best times last winter in the 50-yard freestyle, 100-yard freestyle and 100-yard butterfly. Classmate Abby Thompson (De Pere, Wis./De Pere), a three-time conference medalist, placed fourth in the 200-yard butterfly and seventh in the 400-yard IM at last year’s conference meet.

Makenna Clark (Joliet, Ill./Joliet West), Morgan Nabors (Spring Green, Wis./River Valley) and Leanne Stigler (Beloit, Wis./Muskego) enter their second seasons with the program.

Stigler earned second team All-WIAC accolades in the 200-yard individual medley and 400-yard medley relay and collected five WIAC top-five finishes. She ranks among the top 10 in program history in the 100-yard breaststroke, 200-yard breaststroke and 200-yard IM.

Clark and Nabors each competed in the 50- and 100-yard freestyle events at the WIAC Championship as freshmen in 2020.

Newcomers to UW-Whitewater include Kayleigh Denruiter (Brantwood, Wis./Phillips), Amanda Harper (Appleton, Wis./Kimberly), Ciara Hynes (Eureka, Mo./Eureka), Gabby Sponseller (Goshen, Ind./Concord), Meadow Warren (Lake Geneva, Wis./Badger) and Brianna Zimdars (Whitewater, Wis./Whitewater).

For more than 150 years, UW-Whitewater has provided students with the education and training to begin their careers with a solid foundation behind them. The UW-Whitewater is committed to the development of the individual, the growth of personal and professional integrity and respect for diversity and global perspectives. These are met by providing academic and co-curricular programs that emphasize the pursuit of knowledge and understanding and a commitment to service within a safe and secure environment.

Bazeley Swims Two Lifetime Bests at State Meet

Article and Photos By Gina Foucault
Whitewater High School Head Swim Coach
gfoucault@wwusd.org

Devin Bazeley swam a lifetime best time 1:50.84, besting his old time by a full second in the 200 Freestyle at State on Friday, February 9. Devin placed 11th overall, moving up one spot from where he was seeded, and is now the 3rd fastest Whippet All Time in the 200 Freestyle.


Devin’s second State swim was equally impressive with almost a full second drop. Devin’s 55.58 is a lifetime best time, earning him the title of 3rd fastest Whippet All Time in the 100 Butterfly! Devin placed 10th overall.

Congrats on a great State Meet and swim career at Whitewater High School!

NCAA Division III Wrestling: UW-Whitewater 23, No. 14 UW-Eau Claire 12

(UW Athletics press release) UW-Whitewater 23, UW-Eau Claire 12 (February 9, 2021)

125: Alex Barbarise (UWW) d. Jack Marley (UWEC) by decision, 11-7

133: Ethan Pogorzelski (UWW) d. Thomas Severson (UWEC) by decision, 5-2

141: Josiah Lynden (UWW) d. Josh Frye (UWEC) by technical fall, 18-0 (5:00)

149: Josh Burford (UWW) d. Jake Drexler (UWEC) by decision, 5-4

157: Tristan Massie (UWEC) d. Isaiah Mohmed (UWW) by fall, 2:34

165: Tommy Hoy (UWW) d. Chase Schmidt (UWEC) by decision, 5-2

174: Jaritt Shinhoster (UWW) d. Adam Rients (UWEC) by major decision, 19-5

184: Sam Melton (UWEC) d. Ryan Vedner (UWW) by decision, 6-3

197: James Huntley (UWEC) d. Josh Nowak (UWW) by decision, 7-2

285: Dylan Uzumecki (UWW) d. Austin Hakes (UWEC) by decision, 4-2

At Russell Arena – Whiewater, Wis.

*Note – UW-Whitewater was deducted one team point for unsportsmanlike conduct.

Whippets Participate in Lisa Steger Memorial Gymnastics Invitational

Article By Kelly O’Hara
Whitewater High School Head Gymnastics Coach
OHaraKL17@uww.edu

The Whitewater High School Gymnastics team headed to Platteville on Saturday, February 6th, to compete in an 8-team invitational. Out of the 8 teams there were approximately 40 competitors on each event.

The highlights of the invitational included Halee Peters placing 6th on Beam scoring a season high of 8.05, 18th on Bars with a 7.3, and 10th in the All-Around scoring a 30.525. Jenna Caldwell placed 13th on the Bars and Vault, scoring a 7.45 on Bars and a 7.9 on Vault. Brenda Aguilar scored a 7.45 on Vault and a 6.825 on Floor. Anna Ejnik scored a 7.775 on Floor and a 7.6 on Vault. Caleigh Yang scored a 7.0 on Vault and a 6.625 on Floor.

As a team, the Whippets scored a 112.875.

If you want to see more flips and twists support your Whippet athletes as they compete in a triangular against BBG and WUW on Tuesday, February 9th.

Friend Qualifies for State Tournament; Teammates have Strong Showing

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

Saturday morning, five Whippet Wrestlers left bright and early to travel to Richland Center to compete in a very competitive sectional field of wrestlers with the hopes of finishing the day in the top two of their weight class, thus punching tickets to the state tournament. During a season that saw many changes and adjustments due to our current health situation, we were grateful as a team to be in this position and commend Richland Center on a job well done. It was an extremely well run tournament that went very smoothly.

Entering the last round of competition, the Whippets still had all 5 wrestlers competing, which was a great feat as the competition at that level is stiff. Although they may not have achieved goals they had set for themselves coming into the tournament, the coaching staff felt they all wrestled very well and should be proud of themselves.

Brian Porcaro finished off a very nice senior season taking 6th place. He lost a couple of well wrestled matches, but came up on the short end. He stated after his last match that he felt that although he lost he thought he wrestled well. 

Marcus DePorter started off the day wrestling the eventual champion, however gave the opponent his toughest match of the day. Marcus came back to win his next two matches putting himself in the 3rd place match. Marcus dropped this match, and that opponent went on to win his 2nd place match so both of Marcus’s losses came to the two guys that qualified for the state tournament. Marcus showed very nice improvement as his season progressed.

David Cushman has been a staple in the middle weights four 4 year and battled extremely well in a loaded weight class. This class saw the number 2, 3, 10, and 11 (Cushman) ranked kids in the state. David started off with a tough draw having the #3 but wrestled him tough. The opponent had lots of length and was strong. David does what he does and wrestled until the final whistle but came up short. In the wrestle backs David secured two pins for himself to put him into the 3rd place match. Again he was against a tough opponent (#10) and it was a great battle. David was extremely close to putting his opponent on his back from his feet but came up short 6-4. David has been a great worker in the program over the years, and the coaches know his future is bright at the next level.

Mason DePorter entered his first sectional tournament in nice fashion with a high scoring 14-12 victory over his first round opponent. Mason came back and dropped his next couple of matches to finish in 6th place, however the coaches are proud of the work he put in to make himself a better athlete. Mason set a goal for himself last Spring to make himself stronger physically. He crushed that goal; now he will reevaluate his goals as he goes into his senior season.

Carter Friend worked his way through a very tough bracket starting off the tournament with two nice wins to reach the finals. In the championship, he ran into a tough young man from Evansville and Carter was not able to get his style going, and dropped the championship. Because he had not wrestled the guy who took 3rd, Carter had to wrestle again to hold onto his position. This was a tough, high intensity match. Going into the 3rd period Carter was down 6-3, but his extra work that he and teammate David do after practice paid off. Carter took control of the match and came out on top 8-7, thus punching his ticket to the state tournament for the 2nd year in a row.

The coaches are proud of the student-athletes on their performance on Saturday. They should all be proud of their day even though the outcome may not be quite what they wanted.

Aaron Rodgers Joins Exclusive List as 3-time NFL MVP; Casually Mentions He’s Engaged

Per packers.com, “On Saturday night, the Packers quarterback became just the sixth player to be named the Associated Press NFL Most Valuable Player three times since the award’s inception in 1957.”

Per the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, “Rodgers indicated that he had gotten engaged at some point during the 2020 season, and twice referred to his fiancee….That would be news to Packers nation; only last week did a report link Rodgers to actress Shailene Woodley.” Rodgers, however, did not name his fiancee.