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According to a press release from Kristina (Kristy) Secord, she will be resigning from her position as Walworth County Clerk of Circuit Court. She stated, “It has been an honor to serve the public in this capacity, and I am grateful for the opportunity to have made a positive impact during my tenure. I have decided to resign in order to pursue other public service opportunities within Walworth County. I believe that this is the best decision for me at this time. I am confident that my successor will continue to uphold the high standards of excellence that we have set…..I have been fortunate to work with some of the most talented and committed individuals in the court system, and I am proud of what we have accomplished together…” Secord told the Banner that she has accepted a position as Business Office Supervisor with the Walworth County Sheriff’s Office.
According to her LinkedIn page, Secord was appointed to her position by the Circuit Court judges effective February 19, 2018. She won the November, 2022 election unopposed.
By Broderick P. Frye
Asst. Sports Information Director
Mount Vernon, Iowa -The No. 4 University of Wisconsin-Whitewater volleyball team opened the NCAA Regional in Mount Vernon, Iowa with a 3-1 (25-15, 20-25, 25-12, 25-20) win over Coe College Thursday afternoon.
The Warhawks advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament to face No. 14 Washington University-St. Louis Friday. That regional semifinal match is slated to start at 4:30 with the winner securing a spot in the regional final.
UWW won the battle of the Hawks for the second time this season. The Warhawks hit .204 in the match while holding the Kohawks to just .051.
After a back-and-forth start to the set, a huge 6-0 run with Jenna Weinfurt (Waukesha, Wis./Catholic Memorial) at the service line set up UWW with set point and Ally Warburton (St. Charles, Ill./North) registered the final point with a kill.
Coe turned the tables in set two and used a late run of their own to even the match 1-1.
UW-Whitewater cruised in set three with a 6-0 burst with Weinfurt at the service line once again. That run gave the Warhawks a 12-4 advantage and they cruised the rest of the way for a 25-12 win.
Three consecutive UWW kills in set four extended the Warhawk lead to 15-10, but the Kohawks battled back. With a one-point advantage, 20-19, UW-Whitewater ran off three in a row to build a cushion. The final two points came on Coe miscues to send the Warhawks into the second round.
Weinfurt led all players with 16 kills adding three aces and 15 digs. Warburton posted 13 kills and Kirsten Anderson (Sun Prairie, Wis./Sun Prairie) rounded out the double digit kills contingent with 11. Aurbrie Krzus dished out 45 assists in the four-setter.
Defensively, Morgan Jensen (Sun Prairie, Wis./Sun Prairie) tallied 27 digs while Ally Longden (Pewaukee, Wis./Pewaukee) added 18 and Krzus posted 14. Abbie Dix (Brodhead, Wis./Brodhead) led the UWW blocking effort with four assist blocks.
WashU advanced to the second round with a 3-0 sweep of St. Olaf in their opening match. The Warhawks defeated the Bears earlier this season in a four-set match played in Whitewater.
Posted by Stephanie Ann Goettl
Hi, Whitewater! I know many people have been asking about Hawk Bowl. I wanted to let you know we will be lighting the sign for one final time this evening until 9:00 p.m. if anyone is interested in getting a final photo. (Bowling alley will not be open.)
We are so appreciative of so many people sharing memories here and elsewhere and will miss hosting people from here for bowling nights, birthday parties, and leagues.
By Angela Kelm
Asst. Athletic Director for Sports Information
The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater football team will open the 2023 NCAA Football Playoffs at home in Perkins Stadium as the Bethel University Royals come to Whitewater for round one. Kickoff is slated for 12 p.m. on Saturday, November 18.
The winner advances to play the winner between Wheaton (IL) and Mount St. Joseph Saturday, November 25. Location of the round two contest will be announced following the completion of all round one games.
TICKETS/PARKING
Tickets are $14 for Adults, $10 Over 65 / Students and youth 5-18
Free kids under 5 (no ticket needed)
Advance Ticket Purchase: Click Here
Tickets will also be available for purchase on Saturday at Perkins Stadium.
Parking: All parking is cashless this season. To purchase in advance, click here. Fans can purchase on the day of but must go through the online purchasing portal to do so and will not be allowed into a lot until purchase is complete.
IN THE POLLS
UWW: #5 D3football.com (Prev: 5) / #5 American Football Coaches Association (Prev: 6)
BU: Receiving Votes / Receiving Votes
UWW’S PATH TO PLAYOFFS
The Warhawks wrapped up the regular season with a 9-1 record despite boasting one of the toughest schedules in Division III this season. UW-Whitewater’s lone loss came at the midway point of the season to then-No. 14 UW-La Crosse. UWW finished as the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference runner-up to the now-fourth ranked Eagles. That strength of schedule was a vital piece of the Warhawks receiving an at-large bid into the playoffs this season.
UW-Whitewater is making its 16th playoff appearance since 2005. UWW is 58-12 in postseason play with six national titles in program history.
UWW’s first six games of the 2023 campaign were against ranked opponents including contests against then-top five’s Saint Johns (week two) and UW-River Falls (week six). The Warhawks picked up back-to-back wins at home over UW-Stout and UW-Platteville before wrapping up the season with shutouts over UW-Stevens Point and UW-Eau Claire.
In the final two weeks of the regular season, UWW outscored their opponents 107-0 including a 59-0 route of the Blugolds last week.
HOW BETHEL GOT HERE
The Royals claimed their sixth MIAC Championship last week to secure the league’s automatic bid into the postseason. Bethel is making its third consecutive playoff appearance and 12th overall.
Bethel enters the postseason on a seven-game win streak – the longest for the Royals since 2013. BU made a run to the quarterfinals last season and is 13-11 in postseason play in program history.
ON THE AIR
Saturday’s game will air live online on the WIAC Network. The contest can be heard on 105.9 FM The Hog in the Whitewater area, or online at www.1059thehog.com.
SERIES
The Warhawks and Royals have met just one other time in the teams’ storied histories – and it was another postseason matchup. UW-Whitewater defeated Bethel 26-12 in the NCAA Quarterfinal at Perkins Stadium on December 1, 2018.
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Photos courtesy of Tom Ganser
Best way to jump start the Holiday Season??? Easy answer: Taking in a performance of the Whitewater High School’s red-hot production of “Mean Girls, High School Version.”
Based on the Paramount Pictures film “Mean Girls,” performances will be held November 16-18 at 7 p.m. and November 19 at 2 p.m. in the newly named James Stewart Auditorium located in the Whitewater High School.
General Admission seating is $10 for adults and $7 for students. Call the box office at 262-472-8178 for more information.
“Mean Girls, The High School Version” tells the story of Cady Heron, a teenage girl who finds herself in a public high school after years of being home-schooled on the African savanna. Confronted with the animalistic social order of American teenagers, Cady devises a plan to topple the school’s queen bee Regina George and her cohorts: The Plastics.
Under the artistic direction of Jim McCulloch and musical direction of Liz Elliott, the cast and crew have been working very hard preparing for opening night.
Due to mature themes and language a rating of PG-13 is recommended for audiences.
Cast members include Brooke Mason, Alex Sullivan, Ayden Clark, Hayleigh Pond, Haley Keltesch, Lauren Rollette, Cosette Wildermuth-Breizman, Chacha Binag, Ava Van Daele, Alex Clarksen, David Enns, Jocelyn Alcala, Ian Agen, Hailee Ambrose, Deven Bawden, Kaci Beaver, Belle Cohen, Peyton Comfort, Esteban Diaz-Gallegos, Vivian Harris, Nina Heim, Jimmy Kinson, Ameera Lin, Ruth Lopez, Sam Nickelsburg, Sophia Noonan, Kai Peterson, Lia Ramirez, A’lani Ross, Josie Selby, Taylor Speerbrecher, Willow Vogelzang, Sophia Walenton, and Elora Wildermuth-Breizman.
Putting their talents to work as part of the Production Crew are Kara Long and Gabi Kirley (Stage Managers), Taytum Atkins (Choreography), Kat Dunham (Tech Director), Alexa Casino-Pena (Costumes), Matt Zingheim (Sound), Kerry Ramsden (Scenic Painter), Payton Bunger, Natalia Gallegos, Laken DePorter, Emerson Dunham, Ava Nygren, Lucy Troxel, Joshua Nygren, Rae Breisath, Ace Hudec, Miles Nickelsburg, Taiya Kolb, Payton Peacock, and Cora Schimming.
The Pit Band Members include Sam Averill (Conductor), Liz Elliott, Thayer Coburn, Isabelle Lavertu, Liz Ngabo, Jay Downs, Dante Baker, Justin Kamp, Maddie Blain, Samantha Van Daele, Kayla Mikos, and Adam Drefs.
Before each performance, Tom Ganser’s photos will be displayed from the Whitewater High School Players productions of “The Little Mermaid” (2019), “Footloose” (2021), and “Beauty and the Beast” (2022).
Put “See ‘Mean Girls, High School Version’ on your To Do List.
By Angela Kelm
Asst. Athletic Director for Sports Information
The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater women’s volleyball team will head to Mount Vernon, Iowa for NCAA Regional action this week. The eight-team regional hosted by Cornell College will run Thursday through Saturday.
The Warhawks (26-4) will take on Coe College (21-11) to open their 34th appearance in the NCAA Tournament. The first match of the day Thursday will feature Washington-St. Louis against St. Olaf at 11:30 followed by UWW and Coe at 2 p.m. At 4:30, Northwestern (MN) will face Edgewood with Cornell hosting Millikin in the final match of the evening at 7 p.m.
REGIONAL INFORMATION
Location: Mount Vernon, Iowa
Facility: Small Athletic & Wellness Center
Click here and select UWW Match Notes (PDF) for further details.
More information will be posted on the online preview story as it becomes available
UWW’S PATH TO REGIONALS
The Warhawks finished as the runner-up in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference standings but rolled through the league tournament to claim the WIAC’s automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament. UWW swept UW-River Falls in the semifinal, beating the Falcons for the second time in less than a week. In the WIAC Tournament Championship, UW-Whitewater was phenomenal in handing UW-Oshkosh its first loss of 2023 on the Titans’ home court. The Warhawks won in straight sets to take down the No. 2 team in the nation and punch their ticket to regionals. UWW has won 18 WIAC Tournament titles.
HOW COE QUALIFIED
Coe, the number three seed in the American Rivers Conference Tournament, knocked off top-ranked Dubuque 3-1 in the title match to claim the ARC’s automatic bid into the postseason. The win is Coe’s second straight ARC tournament championship.
ALL-LEAGUE LEADERS
The Warhawks swept all major player awards in the WIAC this season. Outside hitter Jenna Weinfurt (Waukesha, Wis./Catholic Memorial) was named the league’s Offensive Player of the Year while libero Morgan Jensen (Sun Prairie, Wis./Sun Prairie) secured Defensive Player of the Years honors for the second time in her career. Setter Aubrie Krzus (Wheaton, Ill./Warrenville South) was named the WIAC Newcomer of the Year. In addition, the nation’s top blocker, Kirsten Anderson (Sun Prairie, Wis./Sun Prairie), garnered First Team All-WIAC recognition.
The Kohawks were represented by middle hitters Grace Lueken and Gracie Urbatsch, setter Maddy Maahs and pin Madi Parson on the ARC’s All-Conference listing this season.
BATTLE OF THE HAWKS
The Warhawks lead the all-time series against Coe 9-4 since 2006. UWW has won the last six and eight of the last 10. Five of the last six meetings have resulted in the Warhawk sweep. Coe has won the lone two five-setters since 2006. Thursday’s match will be the second meeting between the two squads this season – UWW won 3-0 on September 9 on the road.
By Angela Kelm
Asst. Athletic Director for Sports Information
Seven Warhawk runners have earned All-Region recognition from the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association. Honorees include Dan Anderson (Eau Claire, Wis./McDonell), Nick Hardin (Greenfield, Wis./Whitnall), Justin Krause (Ixonia, Wis./Pewaukee), Christian Patzka (Black Earth, Wis./Wisconsin Heights), Gunner Schlender (Brillion, Wis./Brillion), Ari De La Cerda (Milwaukee, Wis./Pewaukee) and Paige Fassbender (Slinger, Wis./Slinger).
Patzka claimed the North Region title for the second consecutive season last week. The junior posted a time of 24:02.0. Schlender added a top 10 finish crossing the line in 24:40.5 followed by Anderson in 13th with a time of 24:45.7. Krause was 17th in the regional meet with a time of 24:52.3 followed by Hardin’s 25:02.9 for 30th.
De La Cerda was the top finisher for the Warhawk women. Her time of 22:35.8 was good for 28th in the North Regional last week. Fassbender finished 35th with a time of 22:45.7.
Patzka, Schlender and Krause are now three-time All-Region honorees while Anderson picked up his second-straight honor. De La Cerda is also a two-time All-Region selection.
The Warhawk men finished as the North Region runner-up and received an at-large bid into the NCAA Division III Championships. Dickinson College will host the championship meet at Big Spring High School in Newville, Pennsylvania on Saturday, November 18. The 32-team race that includes an additional 70 individual entrants is slated to start at 10 a.m.
Obituaries
Janet Irene Heckert, age 87, passed away peacefully on July 25, 2024 in Delavan, Wisconsin. Born on November 1, 1936, in Elkhorn, Wisconsin, she was the daughter of Gladys and Henry Jansen. Janet was preceded in death by her loving husband Kenneth Heckert and her brothers Sonny and Paul and sister Darlene. Janet was a graduate of Elkhorn High School in 1955. On October 24, 1957, she married the love of her life, Kenneth Heckert, at Elkhorn Baptist Church in their hometown of Elkhorn, Wisconsin. Janet worked for many years as a seamstress, but her true passion was as a … Read more
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Obituary: Fred Chester Traxler, 78 Fred was born in Whitewater, Wisconsin on October 23, 1945, son of Chester and Elva (Klug) Traxler. He was born to eternal life at Ascension St. Francis Place in Milwaukee on June 1, 2024. Fred was a 1964 graduate of Whitewater High School. In his younger days Fred enjoyed bowling and polka dancing–and was very good at both. He was very competitive, especially when pitching horseshoes with his Dad, brothers, and cousin Sid. He was always ready for a card game, and was also a big fan of the Packers and Brewers. Fred is preceded … Read more
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Harry Oliver Dempsey passed away peacefully and among family in Elkhorn, WI on July 24, 2024 at the age of 80. Born on May 21, 1944 to William and Norma (Shober) Dempsey, Harry grew up on the family farm in Whitewater. In his younger years, Harry enjoyed hunting and fishing, a passion that he later passed on to his own children. All his life he could often be found in his shop, building or fixing something – from a child’s toy to lawn mowers, cars, and tractors. His passion for self-sufficiency extended to his large garden whose abundance he happily … Read more
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SHIRLEY A. KNUTESON, age 85, of Whitewater, died Thursday, June 27, 2024 at Glenwood at Mulberry Campus in Whitewater. She was born to Hugo and Helen (Wilson) Ferge of Elkhorn, WI. She attended school in Walworth High School, graduating in 1956. Shirley worked at Sterlingworth in Elkhorn and then Fairhaven Nursing Home prior to retirement. As a young woman, she loved roller skating, had a love for animals, especially her dogs and horses on the farm. She was a loyal Brewer and Packer fan. Her diverse family was her pride and joy. Shirley is survived by her six children Jerry … Read more
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A celebration of life for Dave Triebold will be held July 27 at Triebold Farms, with festivities beginning around 11:30 am. A rememberance service will take place at 12:30 pm. A pig roast will follow, and the pool will be open. The family encourages you to stay through the evening for a bonfire as well. Contact Kris (262)949-5474 or Kath (414)412-4385 with questions.
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James Paul Fisher, 86, known by friends as JP or Jay, passed away on Sunday, June 9, 2024, at UW Hospital, Madison, with his immediate family by his side. His body finally surrendered to a heart attack after battling heart and kidney ailments for many years. Born in Fond du lac, Wisconsin, on October 25, 1937, to Lorraine and James Fisher, JP was a resident of Elkhorn and then Whitewater, Wisconsin. At age 2 JP was diagnosed with polio. Through daily therapy administered by his mother and grandmother, he overcame this life threatening virus, and with a prognosis of limited … Read more
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Shirley M. Messier, 86, of Whitewater, Wisconsin, passed away on July 8, 2024. Shirley was born to Erwin and Leona Reese on May 20, 1938, in Farmington, Wisconsin. Shirley (“Shirttail”) attended the local country school, then set out on her own, taking a job doing factory work. On August 24, 1957, she married Blaine Messier in Jefferson, Wisconsin. They had three daughters, Michele (Shelly), Terry, and Karen. Shirley spent many years being a working wife and mother, finally retiring from Polymer Technologies / MacLean Fogg in Whitewater. Shirley loved country music and spent her retirement years going to George Jones … Read more
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Patricia Ann ParrBorn 7/20/42Departed to Heaven 5/10/23 About herself, Patricia often said “I love life, I love God, He always has taken care of me, and He always will”. Patricia died peacefully at Angels Grace Hospice in Oconomowoc, after a long and courageously fought season of declining health. Patricia was born in Beaver Dam, to a lovely family, which included her older brother Dennis and not too long after, her lifetime best friend and little sister Mary. They grew up on an idyllic “Gentlemen’s Farm” outside of Jefferson, with horses and many animals. Her parents, Floyd and Kathryn owned the … Read more
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Marjorie Alice “GG” Roloff, 89, passed away Tuesday, July 2, 2024, at Golden Years in Lake Geneva, WI. She was born July 31, 1934, to Fred and Martha (Arndt) Papcke, in Whitewater, WI, the fifth of eleven children. GG attended South Heart Prairie School, across the road from the family’s home farm. She is a Whitewater High School graduate. On April 19, 1953, she married her high school sweetheart, Eric. She worked a variety of jobs over the years. Her most memorable of those being the local canning factory and as a crossing guard. After retiring, she and Eric would … Read more
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Marilyn Mae Fuerstenberg, 81 of Whitewater, WI., passed away on June 27, 2024, at Agrace Hospice in Janesville, WI. Marilyn was born May 27, 1943, in Geneva Township, to Raymond and Doris Kilpin. Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents, her two younger brothers, Mike and Donny Kilpin. Marilyn married William (Bill) Fuerstenberg on September 21, 1963. Bill and Marilyn lived in Whitewater. Together they raised three children, taking the family on yearly vacations and camping trips throughout the years. Marilyn worked for Walworth County Health and Social Services as a Child Protection Social Worker. She dedicated 25 years … Read more
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