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Warhawk Bold meets Paralympic Gold
By Chris Lindeke
Marketing and Communications Manager
University Marketing and Communications
Seven current or former members of the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater men’s and women’s wheelchair basketball programs won gold medals at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, continuing a strong tradition of Warhawk success on the sport’s international stage.
John Boie, AJ Fitzpatrick, Nate Hinze, Talen Jourdan, Jeromie Meyer and Jake Williams were each part of the Team USA men, who defeated Great Britain 73-69 in the championship game to finish an undefeated run through the tournament and clinch the team’s third consecutive Paralympic title.
Hinze and Williams are now three-time gold medalists in the Paralympics. Williams led Team USA with a game-high 26 points in the gold medal victory. Boie, a member of the starting lineup with Williams, earned his second gold medal.
Fitzpatrick, a current human performance major at UW-Whitewater, Jourdan, and Meyer claimed their first gold medals competing in their first Paralympic Games.
The performance capped an incredible run through the sport for several Warhawks over the last 12 months. Williams, Fitzpatrick and Jourdan were each part of the Warhawks’ 2024 National Wheelchair Basketball Association intercollegiate national championship in March. Boie and Meyer joined the trio on the gold medal-winning Team USA at the 2023 Parapan Games last November.
Warhawk alum Mariska Beijer became a two-time gold medalist after leading the Team Netherlands women to a second consecutive first-place finish. One of the world’s top players, Beijer tallied 22 points and 10 rebounds in the Dutch’s 63-49 win against Team USA in the gold medal game.
Warhawk silver medalists included those who were part of the Team USA women — Becca Murray, Lindsey Zurbrugg, coach Christina Schwab and assistant coach Desiree Miller. Murray is now a four-time Paralympics medalist, and Zurbrugg is a two-time medalist. Schwab, the former UW-Whitewater women’s coach who currently works in the First Year Experience office, was a three-time gold medalist as a player in 2004, 2008 and 2016, and now a first-time medalist as the national team’s coach.
Other Warhawk alumni who competed at the Paralympic Games include Sammy White, whose Team Australia men finished fifth, and Vanessa Erskine and Mareike (Adermann) Miller, who helped the Team Germany women place sixth.
UW-Whitewater’s wheelchair basketball programs were highlighted in a feature by The Athletic, the sports vertical of The New York Times, in late August just ahead of the start of the Paralympic Games. The piece was published online before appearing in the August 30 print edition of the Times.
UW-Whitewater’s eight current or former student-athletes who represented Team USA in wheelchair basketball were more than any other school in the country.
New artist in The TeaLux Cafe Gallery! Terry Fair.
Awesome poster collages from Terry’s radio show!
They will hang there until October 31st, so go grab a tasty tea and check them out!!
Editor’s note: This announcement was provided by Rhonda Kolander.
The women of First English Lutheran Church produce quilts annually to ship to Lutheran World Relief for distribution to people in need. The women use recycled and donated fabric to make the quilts. They accept donations and will always appreciate volunteer sewing and cutting helpers. This work is an expression of their faith and love for all people. The church also donates and assembles school bags, health kits, and layettes for Lutheran World Relief.
Back L to R Diane Carlson, Mary Salverson, Lynn Coyle, Nancy Wendt
Photos courtesy of Tom Ganser
City of Whitewater Plan & Architectural Review – Monday @ 6:00 p.m.
Agenda includes Discussion and possible approval of a Conditional Use Permit and Site Plan Review for a
multifamily development located on vacant land at the corner of Moraine View Parkway and Jakes Way Tax Parcel # /WPB 00044, and Consideration to Approve to Recommend to Common Council a change to the City of Whitewater Municipal Code Chapter 19, Specifically Repeal Section 19.51.180 Truck, Trailer, Mobile Home and Equipment Parking Restrictions
Whitewater Municipal Building Community Room, 312 West Whitewater St.
*In Person and Virtual
Citizens are welcome (and encouraged) to join our webinar via computer, smart phone, or telephone. Citizen participation is welcome during topic discussion periods.
Please join my meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone.
https://meet.goto.com/873079909
You can also dial in using your phone.
Access Code: 873-079-909
United States: +1 (872) 240-3412
Get the app now and be ready when your first meeting starts:
https://meet.goto.com/install
City of Whitewater Public Works Committee – Tuesday @ 5:00 p.m.
Agenda includes Discussion and Possible Action regarding closing Starin Road between Prairie Street and
Warhawk Drive to vehicular traffic, Discussion and Possible Action regarding the turning movement at the southeast corner
of Franklin Street and W. Main Street.
Cravath Lakefront Room, 2nd floor 312 W. Whitewater St.
*In Person and Virtual
Citizens are welcome (and encouraged) to join our webinar via computer, smart phone, or telephone. Citizen participation is welcome during topic discussion periods.
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81945735692?pwd=zp6T5k5HMqLJOpEtIoexzA40gdFvoy.1
Telephone: +1 (312) 626-6799
Webinar ID: 819 4573 5692
Passcode: 606698
Community Involvement and Cable TV Commission – Tuesday @ 5:00 p.m.
Agenda includes review of content on channel 990.
Whitewater Municipal Building Community Room,
312 West Whitewater St.
*In Person and Virtual
Citizens are welcome (and encouraged) to join our webinar via computer, smart phone, or telephone.
Citizen participation is welcome during topic discussion periods.
Please join my meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone.
https://meet.goto.com/378277861
You can also dial in using your phone.
Access Code: 378-277-861
United States: +1 (224) 501-3412
Get the app now and be ready when your first meeting starts:
https://meet.goto.com/install
City of Whitewater Special Lakes Advisory Committee – Wednesday @ 4:30 p.m.
Agenda includes Discussion and possible action on Together for Healthy Lakes Summit- October 2, 2024
Cravath Lakefront room 2nd floor 312 West Whitewater Str
*In Person and Virtual
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87461454456?pwd=AyjYBbEOxwOywAd2jfejtRIQsaUvWh.1
Meeting ID: 874 6145 4456
Passcode: 670236
Or Dial 1 312 626 6799
Special Finance Committee Meeting – Wednesday @ 5:30 p.m.
Agenda: Discussion on Employee Health Insurance Options
Whitewater Municipal Building City Manager’s Conference Room, 312 West Whitewater St.,
*In Person and Virtual
Citizens are welcome (and encouraged) to join our webinar via computer, smart phone, or telephone.
Citizen participation is welcome during topic discussion periods.
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87117022791
The phone number for dial-in participation has not yet been provided.
The following article by Maggie Hendricks was posted on olympics.com.
The United States became the first men’s wheelchair basketball team ever to win three gold medals at the Paralympics. Team USA won gold with a 73-69 win over Great Britain at Bercy Arena in Paris on Saturday, 7 September.
As he has done throughout the Paris 2024 Paralympics, Steve Serio led Team USA to the win. He scored 24 points, grabbed 10 rebounds and dished out eight assists for the win. Serio said that these would be his final Paralympics. His play is a huge reason why the United States’ men’s team has dominated over the past decade. He retires with three Paralympic golds, one bronze and five world championship medals.
“This is what dreams are made of, man. The totality of the journey, how much this team has grown up together. We’ve won together, we’ve lost together. To cap off my Team USA career with a win like this, with 12 athletes that I love and a great staff behind me, this is what dreams are made of,” Serio said to NBC after the win.
But Serio hardly got the win by himself. Jake Williams [former UW-W student athlete] led Team USA with 26 points, and Trevon Jenifer added 14. While Brian Bell didn’t score as many points as he has in previous games, he was all over the court and made a remarkable difference on defense.
Serio said that the team’s depth and chemistry is what makes them special.
“Any given day, it can be any athlete. We know that we go 12-deep. I read somewhere once that the secret of basketball is not basketball. It’s about the relationships you’ve built. These guys. We bleed together, we sweat together, we work together. We fail together, and today we won together,” he said with a big smile.
The win caps off a magical run through Paris for the U.S. men’s wheelchair basketball team. The U.S. won all three of their games in group play, and then won the quarterfinal and the semifinals with an average of 36 points. Now, they get to return home as the most successful men’s wheelchair basketball team of all time.
Editor’s note: A previous Banner article, The Athletic: “…UW-W, the bedrock of the U.S. Paralympic Wheelchair Team, may be found here.
Effective Wednesday, September 11, 2024, the hours of operation will change from 3 p.m. – 7 p.m. to 2 p.m. – 6 p.m. This will remain in effect until the site closes for the season on Wednesday, November 20, 2024. However, the site will still remain open on Saturdays from 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. through November 16, 2024.
For any questions or concerns contact the Streets Department at (262) 473-0560.
Brian Neumeister
Superintendent- Streets/Parks/Stormwater
By Angela Kelm
Asst. Athletic Director for Sports Information
St. Paul, Minn. – The No. 7 University of Wisconsin-Whitewater volleyball team topped a pair of ranked opponents to wrap up play in the KTIS Classic in St. Paul, Minnesota Saturday. The Warhawks opened the day with a 3-1 (25-20, 25-27, 25-15, 25-22) win over No. 22 Cornell before sweeping No. 12 Northwestern-St. Paul 3-0 (25-13, 25-20, 25-13).
Cornell Box Score | UNW Box Score
The Warhawks have now won three consecutive matches against teams ranked among the top 25 in the latest American Volleyball Coaches Association Division III poll. UWW swept No. 20 Berry College in the team’s first match of the invitational Friday.
UW-Whitewater’s tandem of outside hitters led the offense against Cornell. Alayna Jansky hammered down 17 kills while Jenna Weinfurt registered 15. The pair notched double-doubles with 17 and 14 digs respectively. Middle hitter Abbie Dix added nine kills in the contest.
Setter Aubrie Krzus was active in all facets of the match. In addition to dishing out 44 assists, the sophomore tallied 6 kills in 10 attempts, 6 digs, a solo and four assist blocks.
Jaedynn Evans rounded out the Warhawks in double figures with 16 digs against the Rams.
The UWW defense was phenomenal against the Eagles in the second match of the day. The Warhawks registered 13 blocks and held UNW to a negative attack percentage for the match. Meanwhile, the UW-Whitewater offense was efficient posting an attack percentage of .316 bolstered a fantastic third set. In the final set of the tournament, UWW pounded down 11 kills in 19 attempts while committing just two errors – an attack percentage of .474.
Jansky was nearly unstoppable in the match with 12 kills in 17 attempts with just a single error – an attack percentage of .647. Weinfurt added 10 kills in the three-setter.
Dix was a force at the net defensively. The sophomore tallied a solo and seven assist blocks in the match. Six Warhawks registered at least one block in the contest. In addition to Dix’s eight, fellow middle Hannah Proctor and Weinfurt each posted five assist blocks.
Krzus notched 26 assists adding three aces and three assist blocks in the match.
Evans was the lone Warhawk to post double digit digs with 10.
In the three matches against three ranked opponents in the classic, Jansky hit .417 with 50 kills — an average of 5 kills per set to lead the offense. Krzus totaled 103 assists averaging 10.30 per set. Dix led the blockers with one solo and eleven assisted – an average of 1.20 blocks per set. Evans averaged 4.30 digs per set with a three-match total of 43 on the weekend.
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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