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Updated 5/23/25 @ 6:55 p.m. to add information regarding ticket prices, parking, etc.
By Broderick Frye
Assistant Sports Information Director
The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater baseball team opened up the NCAA Super Regionals with a 14-1 win over UW-Oshkosh on Prucha Field. The Warhawk bats got going early, and the momentum kept carrying through as Aaron Holland (Wheaton, Ill./Wheaton North) and Adam Cootway (DePere, Wis./Fox Valley Lutheran) both had five RBIs on the day. The Titans had no answer to a complete game win from Cade Hansen (New Braunfels, Texas/Smithson Valley) on the mound.
Head Coach John Vodenlich reached a career milestone with his 800th win (768th at UW-Whitewater). Vodenlich is the second Warhawk coach to reach the 800 win mark in as many days, with Warhawk Softball head coach Brenda Volk reaching the milestone in their own Super Regional win yesterday. Read More…
UW-Oshkosh scored their only run of the day on a wild pitch in the first inning. The Titans rallied two singles with two outs before scoring on the WP.
UW-Whitewater answered back with their own two-out rally, this time with Eli Frank (Bayport, Wis./Bay Port) driving in a run.
The Wahawks expanded their lead with an RBI-single from Holland, followed by a three-run homer from Adam Cootway (DePere, Wis./Fox Valley Lutheran). Cootway’s 18th homer of the season leads the Warhawks and ranks second on the Warhawk Single Season Record list.
The Titans grabbed two singles again in the top of the third, but both were stranded after two consecutive strike-outs from Hansen. The first and third were the only two multi-hit innings for UWO against Hansen.
In the bottom of the 4th, the Warhawks expanded on their lead with a walk and three singles. Holland, Cootway, and Andy Thies (Tallahassee, Fla./Lawton Chiles) all drove in a run during the fourth, with Frank hitting a sacrifice fly to put the Warhawks up 8-1 after four complete.
The batting didn’t slow down from there, with Sam Paden (Libertyville, Ill./Libertyville) hitting a lead-off double to start another 3-run inning in the 5th. Paden’s double and Cootway’s homer from the 2nd were the only extra-base hits of the Warhawks’ 19 total hits. Holland and Cootway both drove in more runs during the frame to put the lead at double-digits, 11-1.
Holland, Matt Scolan (Downers Grove, Ill./South), and Thies completed the third consecutive three-run inning for the Warhawks in the sixth.
With the 13-run lead, the Warhawks defense closed out the game with 9 straight outs. Oshkosh only recorded one hit in the final three frames, but the runner was put out on a double play.
Cade Hansen (New Braunfels, Texas/Smithson Valley) threw his third complete game of the season, but first 9.0-inning one. Hansen allowed only five hits, with one earned run, while fanning seven Titan batters.
The Warhawks and Titans will return to Prucha Field Saturday, May 24 at 11 am for the second game of the best of three Super Regional. If a third game is necessary, the start time will be 45-minutes after game two.
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This Whitewater Banner article provides the story of how UW-W baseball won the right to compete in the Super Regional, which will be held on their home field.
2025 NCAA Division III Baseball Super Regional
Hosted by UW-Whitewater | May 23-24, 2025
Prucha Field at Jim Miller Stadium
910 W. Schwager Dr.
*NO PETS allowed at Prucha Field per NCAA Policy*
Tickets – Cash only
$10 – Adults
$8 – Seniors / Students
Parking
Lots 22 (nearest Prucha Field) and 24 (next to Perkins Stadium)
NO PARKING IN LOT 11 (by the Williams Center)
More information regarding the teams’ records, rosters and stats may be found here.
| Gov. Evers Orders Flags to Half-Staff in Honor of Former State Rep. James F. Rooney |
| MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers signed Executive Order #261 ordering the flags of the United States and the state of Wisconsin to be flown at half-staff on Fri., May 23, 2025, in honor of former Wisconsin State Rep. James F. Rooney, who passed away on Sat., May 3, 2025, at the age of 89. “Former Rep. Rooney led an extraordinary life of selflessness, serving his community and our state with humility, perseverance, and compassion over his decades of dedicated public service,” said Gov. Evers. “Kathy and I extend our deepest condolences to Rep. Rooney’s friends, family, loved ones, and the Racine community as they honor his memory and mourn his passing.” Born in Racine, former Rep. Rooney served in the U.S. Army from 1954 to 1956. In 1972, former Rep. Rooney was elected to serve in the Wisconsin State Legislature, where he represented the 61st Assembly District and the 20th Assembly District for more than a decade. During his time in the Assembly, former Rep. Rooney served on various committees, including the committees on elections, financial institutions, government operations, rules, and more, and he was elected as majority caucus chair in 1983. During the legislative session in 1977, former Rep. Rooney aided in the creation of the Wisconsin Waterways Commission and served as chair of the commission for over three decades. In addition to his life of public service, former Rep. Rooney was also deeply committed to the Racine community, serving as a member of the Racine Yacht Club and the Racine Heritage Museum Board, Racine County highway commissioner and director of public works, chairman of both the Racine County Board of Harbor Commissioners and Racine County Board of Supervisors. Services for former Rep. Rooney will be held on Fri., May 23, 2025, in Racine. |
It’s time once again for #FlashbackFriday with the Whitewater Historical Society. This week’s image is a walkway through Hillside Cemetery, c. 1900. Historically, Memorial Day, or Decoration Day as it was known prior to World War I, was a popular day for walking through local cemeteries and laying flowers on loved ones’ graves, particularly the graves of people who died in wars. Today, we still remember and honor those who sacrificed their lives for the country.
Join us next week for more from the Whitewater Historical Society.
(555PC, Whitewater Historical Society)
UW-Whitewater at Rock County recognizes students at award ceremony
The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater at Rock County recognized more than 60 students at a recent award ceremony to celebrate the 2024-25 academic year.
The following students from your coverage area earned at least one award:
Whitewater, WI: Michelle Abarca, who is enrolled in the Arts and Science degree program and earned the following award(s): First Year Lecture – Promising Students.
Whitewater, WI: Lilith Ashmore, who is enrolled in the Liberal Arts degree program and earned the following award(s): Excellence in Critical Thinking & Engagement in Communication Studies.
Students were recognized by URock faculty and staff members for their work in the classroom and within the campus community.
UW-Whitewater at Rock County held its 2025 spring commencement ceremony for graduates of the College of Integrated Studies on May 20 in the gymnasium of the Wells Cultural Center.
The commencement speaker was Jane Blain Gilbertson, owner and executive chair of Blain’s Farm & Fleet. The company was founded in 1955 and currently employs 5,500 associates in stores throughout Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, and Michigan. A Janesville native, Blain Gilbertson received her Bachelor of Science in Retailing from Miami University. She currently serves as vice chair of the Wisconsin Manufacturing and Commerce Wisconsin Chamber of Commerce and on the board of the Wisconsin Women’s Health Foundation, Janesville Performing Arts Center, and the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce.
The student speaker was Gloria Lara, a Delavan resident and mother of three who is earning her Associate of Arts and Sciences. Her academic goal is to earn a bachelor’s degree in social work followed by a dual master’s degree in social work and public health. She eventually hopes to develop a nonprofit community-based program to support first-generation daughters of immigrants.
During the ceremony, the Outstanding Alumni Award will be presented to Aimee Thurner, who attended URock in 1998. She is the president and CEO of the Greater Beloit Chamber of Commerce, where she has worked for more than 20 years, and serves on the board of directors for Visit Beloit and the Greater Beloit Economic Development Corporation.
The Excellence in Teaching Awards will also be announced at the Rock County campus ceremony.
Learn more about UW-Whitewater at Rock County by visiting uww.edu/rock.
Editor’s note: This press release was received from UW-Whitewater.
Updated 5/23/25 @ 5:11 p.m. to correct the day of the first game to Thursday and the second game to Friday.
By Angela Kelm
Asst. Athletic Director for Sports Information
Winona, Minn. — The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater softball team opened the NCAA Division III Winona Super Regional with a 5-3 win over host Saint Mary’s on Thursday. The win marked the 800th on Head Coach Brenda Volk’s career at UWW.
The Warhawks set the tone early. Bella Eggert hit a rocket down the left field line, beating the third baseman for a leadoff single. Kiarra Kostroski laid down a sacrifice bunt to push Eggert to third and Emma Giese followed with a single to center to put runners on the corners. Grace Wickman blasted a deep ball straight back up the middle that even the center fielder turned to watch sail over the fence.
The Cardinals, a small ball style team, plated two in the bottom of the first courtesy of three base knocks.
That score held until the fourth when UWW got the offense going with two outs. Claire Kohnle sparked the bats with a hard single through the left side. JJ Jakosalem followed with a soft liner that fell just inside the foul line in shallow left field. Kaitlyn Weidemann’s single to right field had Kohnle cruising around the bases. Volk sent her and Kohnle slid to the backside of home. The catcher put the tag on, but the umpire was signaling for obstruction. Kohnle’s run counted on the call to give UWW a 4-2 advantage.
The top of the seventh saw more two-out offense from the Warhawk bats. Eggert singled to center. The speedster was flying around the bases to score on Kostroski’s double that went off the left fielder’s glove near the wall. The run gave UW-Whitewater a three-run cushion heading into the bottom of the seventh.
After a leadoff single down the left field line, Weidemann nearly robbed a second base hit. A blooper just over the infield toward the right field line had the second baseman laying out but it was just out of her reach. Brooke Hock took over for Josie Hammen in the circle and got out of the inning with three consecutive groundouts.
Eggert paced the offense with a 2-3 day at the plate while Wickman tallied three RBI on the bomb.
Hammen got the start and the win tossing six innings to improve to 18-2 on the season. Hock shutout the Cardinals in the final inning for her eighth save of the season.
The Warhawks return to the diamond in Winona tomorrow for game two of the three-game series at 1 PM on Friday. A third game will start at 3:30 Friday if necessary.
Editor’s note: This press release was received from UW-Whitewater.
The City of Whitewater is excited to announce the selected artists for the 2025 Traffic Box Art Project. This initiative aims to transform ordinary traffic control boxes into vibrant public artworks, celebrating creativity and enhancing the streetscape
of our community.
After careful review of numerous inspiring submissions, the following artists have been selected to bring their artistic vision to the city’s traffic boxes:
- Stephanie Krellwitz
- Linda Saumer
- Studio 84 Inc
- Jessica Fuchs
- Judith Perez
- Emma Siskoff (Dolan)
- Kelly Marie Hasknecht
- Kiba Freeman
In addition, the City of Whitewater has designated the following artists as alternates in
the event that additional opportunities become available: - Hollyn Peterson
- HG Little
- James Richter
- Brittany McKenzie
The Traffic Box Art Project is part of the City’s ongoing commitment to public art and community engagement. Artwork installation is scheduled to begin in the coming weeks.
Editor’s note: The above press release was received from the City of Whitewater. The artist applications that were submitted, including examples of their work, may be viewed on this Public Arts Committee agenda.
Moving sale 5/22-24
1672 Mound View Place in Whitewater
Household items, Hide-a-Bed, Lawn chairs, Lawnmower, Drop leaf table and 4 chairs, Dressers, chairs, Holiday decorations and so much more
… You don’t want to miss out on this one. Weather not an issue. Most items will be inside.
Thursday from 12 until 5
Friday 8 until 5
Saturday will be 8 until 12
all remaining items will be half price!
Moving sale
As a result of a reader’s comment that it’s hard to find garage sales in Whitewater now that we no longer have a weekly shopper, the Banner staff agreed to offer a complimentary “consolidated” garage sale posting that will be published by Thursday morning for the upcoming weekend’s sales. This announcement will only be for garage sales (a sale of miscellaneous household goods, often held in the garage or front yard of someone’s house) in the city and school district boundaries. We will not be accepting, for example, ads for cars or other items that are not part of a scheduled garage sale. There will be a limit of three times per year for a particular property.
Those wishing to place a notice must send the information to whitewaterbanner@gmail.com by Wednesday at 6 p.m. You may include a brief description of the items that are for sale, the hours and days of the sale, and of course your address. If desired you can also include a few photos; we prefer the jpg format if possible.
Superintendent Finalists Meet & Greet for Parents and Community Members
As part of the selection process for the new District Superintendent, the three finalists will spend a day in the district on Thursday, May 22. The day will include a tour of the schools and time to meet with staff and students. Parents, families, and community members will also have an opportunity to meet the candidates in a public session that evening.
All interested families, parents, and community members are invited to participate in the session, which will take place on Thursday, May 22 from 5:30 to 8:05 p.m. in the Whitewater High School Auditorium. Each of the finalists will introduce themselves and take questions during their individual 45-minute session.
All district and community participants throughout the day will be able to share their feedback with the board via an online form, available through a link and QR code. The school board will conduct final interviews with each of the candidates that evening.
Bios for the finalists are shown below.
Editor’s note: This press release was provided by the Whitewater Unified School District.
Obituaries
Lawrence “Larry” C. Hartung, a proud Marine Veteran of the Vietnam War, and longtime resident of Fort Atkinson, WI, passed away peacefully at his home on May 1, 2026. Larry was born June 7th, 1949, to Levon and Charles Hartung in Chicago, IL. Larry enlisted in the US Marine Corps in 1968 and served 3 consecutive tours in the Vietnam War. During this time, he became pen pals with his future wife, Candy, via a connection through his father. In 1970, he came home on leave to marry Candy. They celebrated 55 years of marriage on October 31st, 2025. During … Read more
Leo E. Wurzer, 65, of Eagle, Wisconsin passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, May 9, 2026 at his home. Leo was born on April 15, 1961 in Kenosha, Wisconsin to Cyril and Shirley (McNeil) Wurzer. He grew up between Pleasant Prairie and Antigo, spending his childhood summers on his uncle’s farm where he discovered his love for all things tractors. Although he never had a farm of his own, he was able to partially fulfill his dream by working as a driver for Robin’s Trucking in Whitewater, WI in his last days and collecting miniature Tonka toys. He began his career … Read more
Lois Cummings, 99, of Fond du Lac, WI (formerly of Janesville, WI, Fort Atkinson, WI, Fountain Hills, AZ, and Green Valley, AZ) passed away peacefully on May 5, 2026 at the Meadows Senior Residence in Fond du Lac surrounded by family. Lois was born on February 17, 1927 in Fort Atkinson to Edward and Clarice (Roseth) Stevens. The middle child of 9 children, she attended Fort Atkinson schools and graduated in 1944. On September 11, 1948 Lois married Grant Cummings at Saint Andrew Catholic Church in Delavan, WI. Together they had 3 children, Gary, Colleen (Tom) Sabel, and Patty (Paul) … Read more
Come celebrate William Kincaid’s Celebration of Life on Saturday, May 30th at 1 pm at Trippe Lake Park Pavillion in Whitewater. He truly enjoyed gatherings where his favorite foods and music could be enjoyed with some of his closest friends and family. We will honor him by carrying on one of his favorite traditions. Please bring your own beverages and chairs. There is limited seating. See you all there!
Gladys Jean (Riley) Hildebrandt, age 89, of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully on Friday, January 23, 2026. Gladys was born on December 26, 1936, in Whitewater, Wisconsin, to Theresa Egnoski Riley. She was married to Walter Sobolik Sr., and later married James A. Hildebrandt in 1976. Gladys was a hardworking woman who spent her life caring for others. She worked in school kitchens, restaurants, factories, and cleaning services. She concluded her working career as a full-time nanny. In that role, she lovingly cared for Andrew, Daniel, and Kaitlyn Drzewiecki, who became part of her chosen family. Gladys is survived by her sons, Wally … Read more
WHITEWATER – Nan Rowley died on April 15, 2026, at the age of 90. She was born on September 4, 1935, in a little house on the prairie in the Town of Johnstown, Wisconsin, the daughter of Wayne L. Wilbur and Florence (McQuillen) Wilbur. Nan attended primary schools in the towns of Johnstown and Richmond and in the City of Whitewater. Nan graduated with honors from Whitewater City High School. On June 19, 1954, Nancy and Ken Rowley were united in marriage in Whitewater and went to live on the Rowley family farm in Richmond. Over the years, Nan served … Read more
Marion H. Gorniak (nee Pfeiffer), 74, of Whitewater passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 11, 2026. She was born on October 24, 1951, to the late Harvey and Loraine (nee Drifke) Pfeiffer in Fort Atkinson, WI. On June 2, 1969, she was united in marriage to Alan Gorniak. She enjoyed gardening, flowers, and cooking, especially her rhubarb pies. She especially enjoyed spending time with family and friends and will be missed by all who knew her. Those Marion leaves behind to cherish her memory include her husband, Alan Gorniak; stepson, Alan Bauer; sister, Sue Ann Schultz, other relatives and friends. … Read more
Ruth Irene (Phelps) Justis, 88, of Appleton City, Missouri, passed away Friday morning, April 10, 2026, at the Missouri Veterans Home in Warrensburg, MO, with her family by her side. Ruth was born June 3, 1937 in Janesville, Wisconsin, to Charles and Ada Mae (Maly) Phelps. She joined the Marine Corps in 1956. During her time there, she met and married her husband, Forest Wayne “Wayne” Justis in 1957. They shared 62 years of marriage and to this union, 2 children, Charles and Dorene, were born. Ruth grew up in Whitewater, WI., the oldest of three children. Ruth graduated from … Read more
Dorothy C. Kau, age 101, of Eagle, Wisconsin passed away peacefully on Thursday, April 9, 2026 at Fort Memorial Hospital. Dorothy was born on March 18, 1925 in Eagle on the family farm, the daughter of John and Katherine (Faestel) VonRueden. Dorothy was a 1942 graduate of Palmyra High School. On May 21, 1949, Dorothy was united in marriage to Alvin E. Kau at St. Theresa Catholic Church in Eagle and the Lord blessed their union with 8 children. Alvin and Dorothy enjoyed 50 years of marriage together until Alvin’s death in the year 2000. Dorothy enjoyed being a farm … Read more
Dorothy E. McCracken, 95, passed away peacefully on August 30, 2025, in Sarasota, Florida. Born on April 14, 1930, in Whitewater, Wisconsin, to Carl and Joyce Meyer, Dorothy grew up in Whitewater and graduated from Whitewater High School. She then worked for a photographer and hand painted his first colored portraits, until she got married. She and her first husband, Bernard Wafle, owned and operated a 179-acre dairy farm in Helenville, Wisconsin, for 25 years before relocating to Ocala, Florida, in 1979. Dorothy later married Earl McCracken, in Ocala, Fl. She also shared a special companionship later in life with … Read more
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