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Swimmers Win Home Triangular

September 21, 2022

Whitewater Swim had a triangular home meet against Platteville/Lancaster and PSC on Tuesday, September 20. The Whippets came out on top beating both teams! 

Lucy Troxel competed in her first swim meet of the season! She had some impressive times in the 50 Freestyle and the 100 Backstroke. 

We had a handful of 1st and 2nd places finishes. These awesome finishes include:

🏆 200 Medley Relay (1st – 2:03.36) – Grace Foucault, Emerson Dunham, Makayla Bazeley, and Brooke Bazeley

🏆 200 Freestyle (1st – 2:03.94) – Makayla Bazeley. She also earned herself a spot on the Whippet Top 10 List at #8! 

🏆 200 Freestyle (2nd – 2:20.64) – Brooke Bazeley. 

🏆 200 IM (1st – 2:24.57) – Grace Foucault

🏆 JV 50 Freestyle (1st – 57.57) – Sanibel Fox-Simes and Andrea Alcala (2nd) with a best time of 59.90.

🏆 50 Freestyle (2nd – 31.11) – Josie Treder. She also earned herself a best time! 

🏆 JV 100 Freestyle (2nd) – Sanibel Fox-Simes 

🏆 100 Freestyle (1st – 58.12) – Grace Foucault 

🏆 500 Freestyle (1st) – Brooke Bazeley with a best time of 6:07.40! 

🏆 500 Freestyle (2nd – 6:17.13) – Emerson Dunham 

🏆 200 Freestyle Relay (1st – 1:50.82) with Makayla Bazeley, Emerson Dunham, Brooke Bazeley, and Grace Foucault 

🏆 JV 100 Backstroke (2nd) – Lucy Troxel 

🏆 100 Backstroke (2nd – 1:20.77) – Ashly Xochipa 

🏆 100 Breaststroke (1st – 1:17.24) – Makayla Bazeley. This will put her on the Whippet Top 10 List at #8! 

🏆 400 Freestyle Relay (2nd – 4:59.63) – Ashly Xochipa, Karime Velazquez, Josie Treder, and Charlotte Hajewski 

Some other notable finishes include:

✔Charlotte Hajewski finished 3rd in the 200 IM (2:56.66) and 100 Butterfly(1:24.31). 

✔Josie Treder competed in the 100 Backstroke for the first time. She earned herself a 3rd place finish with a time of 1:21.34! 

Come see our Whippets compete next week Tuesday, September 27, at 5:30pm against Badger Co-op at home!

Article and Photo Submitted by Sarah Reynolds
Whitewater High School Head Girls’ Swim Coach
sreynolds@wwusd.org

Soccer Team Falls to East Troy 3-0

September 21, 2022

In spectacular fashion, East Troy managed to go 1 up against Whitewater Boys’ Soccer with just 55 seconds played in the game on Monday, September 19. The Whippets recovered well and managed to contain East Troy for the next 38 minutes. Although unable to mount an effective attack, the Whippets also denied East Troy any clear goal scoring opportunities. Chris Cortez and Henry Mortimer played pivotal roles in keeping the score at 1-0 for the Whitewater team.

With 10 seconds to play in the first half, East Troy mounted a lethal counterattack and managed to grab a second goal.

The second half continued in the same manner with both teams vying for possession in the neutral third and no team having the clear-cut advantage. Ten minutes from full time, East Troy scored a 3rd goal, and that is the score line that ended the match.

The Whitewater Boys’ Soccer Team travels to Jefferson this Thursday and then won’t play again until 9/29.

Article Submitted by Sam Burns
Whitewater High School Assistant Varsity Soccer Coach
dburns@wwusd.org

United Way to Kick-off Season of Caring on October 2nd 2022

September 19, 2022

Editor’s Note: The following was submitted by United Way of Jefferson & North Walworth Counties

The United Way of Jefferson & North Walworth Counties is launching their second annual Season of Caring, scheduled to run for seven weeks from October 2nd  – November 12th.

“We are kicking off our 2022 campaign season focused on our theme “We are ALL the United Way” and the greatest way we believe our communities can be join us, is to generously spread kindness and caring power to as many people as they can,” states Elizabeth Ellis-Bols, United Way executive director.  “Our communities have faced very difficult times these past several years, so we want our campaign efforts focused not only on fundraising, but on taking care of one another and showing our appreciation. We want to help people recognize the importance of community engagement and give them easy opportunities to become more involved.”

The Season of Caring will consist of six different small missions across six weeks, beginning on Monday, October 3rd. The missions will be as follows: Join our Mission (week one), Donate an Hour (week two), Show Appreciation (week 3), Give Your Support (week four), Connect With Others (week five), and Treat Yourself (week six). There are no set requirements for completing each mission, and there is no sign-up or registration fee for participating.

“We wanted to make participation in this six-week series as easy as possible,” Ellis-Bols states. “We will be offering a lot of suggestions and information that will help people determine what specific acts of caring will work best for them, but we also want community members to get creative and express themselves during these small missions. Mostly, we want people to remember that small, simple acts of kindness can have a huge ripple affect across communities. And I think we can all agree that our communities need as much caring power and support as possible right now.”

Some of the suggested acts from United Way include signing up for United Way newsletters (Join Our Mission), sending a thank you note to a healthcare worker, teacher, etc. (Show Appreciation),  donate blood (Give Your Support), registering on United Way’s volunteer platform (Donate an Hour), join a book club (Connect With Others) and taking time to enjoy a favorite activity (Treat Yourself).

Any community member can participate in the Season of Caring, and United Way is encouraging workplaces to join in and use it as a team building exercise, or for parents to engage their children and make it a fun family activity. The acts can be as small or as big as an individual determines and can include acts that are completed very quickly or tasks that require a longer commitment.  The one request from United Way, is that folks share their participation and encourage others to join.

“We want to see all of these amazing acts of caring and we want the participants to share their positive impact with others and encourage them to join in,” Ellis-Bols states. “We have created specific hashtags for the week that we ask people to use anytime they post their participation on social media. We’d also love for United Way to be tagged in any postings so we can help share the information. But mostly, we want participants to find any way to share – text your friends, post something up in your break room at work, or email your family members. We want to see this have a profound, positive impact on our communities.”

Full details for the Season of Caring, including instruction sheets for each individual day, hashtag details, Facebook images and more, can be found on the Season of Caring page on the United Way’s website – https://uwjnwc.com/events/week-of-caring/.

“We’ve put together lots of details and marketing information to make it very easy for people to participate and to promote each week’s task,” Ellis-Bols states. “I’ll be sharing my personal participation each week, as well as our board of directors’ involvement, because our United Way is fully committed to spreading caring power throughout our communities. At United Way, we see one of our main responsibilities as creating connections throughout our communities – connecting individuals to needed help and resources, connecting volunteers to organizations who could benefit from their time, connecting donors to causes and missions they care about, and now connecting the power of kindness and support to those who need it.”

To join in on the week’s events, people are encouraged to visit the United Way website and subscribe to their newsletter and to “like and follow” their Facebook page (@uwjnwc). Participants are encouraged to share their acts of caring by sharing to their social media pages and using the following hashtags: #uwjnwc #seasonofcaring #2022campaign #wearealltheunitedway.

“We’re so excited to launch this version of this caring series and we think it’s the perfect way to begin our campaign season,” Hartwick adds. “We look so forward to seeing community member participation, and to see witnessing the impact that simple acts of caring can make in our communities. Thank you to those who will join us.

Anyone who would like more information on United Way or who has any questions on the Season of Caring, can visit the United Way website at www.uwjnwc.com or contact Ellis-Bols at 920.563.8880 or unitedway@idcnet.com

The United Way of Jefferson & North Walworth Counties’ mission is to fight for the health, education and financial stability of every person in our communities. We do that by providing support to community programs, projects and local agencies that provide critical health and human services to those in need.  This network of helping services can be described as a “safety net” for those in our midst in need.  Whether it is transitional housing, literacy education, after-school programs and education, health and dental care, end of life care, mentoring programs, job training or disaster relief, the United Way identifies the greatest needs in our community and helps to fund agencies that can meet those needs.

For more information about our local United Way, you may visit the website at www.uwjnwc.com  or “like” the Facebook page at “United Way of Jefferson & North Walworth Counties.”  For details regarding the United Way’s online volunteer tool, please visit www.volunteermain.com.

Whippets Race at the Angel Invite Hosted at UW-Parkside

September 19, 2022

In warm conditions with a soft course, the team laced their spikes up for the second time this week on Saturday, September 17. This meet has nearly forty teams in attendance with a good cross-section of each division represented. The day had an interesting twist as many athletes were getting stung by bees during the JV races so the meet management changed the course for the varsity athletes which provided a much safer competition venue for the athletes and allowed all races to be completed. 

The varsity girls were led once again by freshmen Maddy Hefty who ran her best time of the season on a very difficult UW-Parkside course. Her time of 22:37 was good for 62nd overall. Maddy is beginning to see some major gains after a strong summer of training. Other varsity runners ran close to their best time on Tuesday which was raced on a much less difficult course. In particular, Lauren Buehler and Emma Weigel were closest to those times and finished near each other with times of 25:16 and 25:29. The varsity girls finished in 19th overall, but 5th out of the division 2 schools in attendance.  The JV girls were led by freshman Silvia Harris in 79th place with a season-best time of 27:20. Sami Van Daele, Evie Troxel, Lucy Troxel, and Adalynn Frye all race their best times of the week. Italian exchange student Elisa Albertini ran in her first race as a Whippet and secured a time of 32:19 and said ‘it was hard but fun!’.

The boys’ varsity was led by the ever-steady Jack Hefty. He has strung together some consistently strong performances running near the front of all the races he competes in. Today he finished in 17th, two places from a medal, in the strongest field he has seen yet. His finish time was 17:25. Nate Holden is also enjoying the fruits of his labor and his summer running to place 45th with a time of 18:18. Also becoming a totally new runner this season is sophomore Xavier Zei. He is running lights out and PR’d today with a time of 20:40. He has so much pop in his stride and a strong thirst for improvement, it is a real joy to be a part of. The varsity boys placed 16th overall and 4th in the division 2 field. The JV boys were led by sophomore Andrew O’Toole who was only a few ticks off his personal best by stopping the clock in 23:33, good enough for 147th. His younger brother Quinton, a freshman, is also figuring out the sport quickly and ran his lifetime best in 24:58. Newcomer Gavin LaFlash ran his season best with a time of 25:46.

Next up for the team is the prestigious Janesville Midwest Invitational hosted by Janesville Craig at Blackhawk golf course. This event will take place on Saturday, September 24th. The first race begins at 9:00 a.m. 

Full results: https://wisconsinrunner.com/results/2022/2022angelinvite/

Article Submitted by Chad Carstens
Whitewater High School Head Cross Country Coach
ccarstens@wwusd.org

Whippets Show Improvements at Big Foot

September 17, 2022

The Whitewater Whippets traveled to Walworth to play against a top 10 state ranked Big Foot soccer program on Thursday, September 15.

Ethan Dugan

Big Foot’s leading goal scorer managed to put two early goals past Whitewater’s defense due to some formational confusion. A third goal was scored shortly after albeit through a nearly impossible angle.

However, the second half was a totally different story. Whitewater dominated possession, created chances, and had Big Foot pinned in their own defensive third for almost the entire 40 minutes. Ethan Dugan was first to react and after some sustained pressure, managed to put a beautiful ball past Big Foot’s keeper. The Whippets continued to create chances but were unable to convert throughout the remainder of the game. It was a huge improvement and a very confidence building evening for Whitewater.

The Whippets play at home vs East Troy on Monday (9/19) and away at Jefferson on Thursday (9/22).

Article submitted by Sam Burns

Whitewater High School Assistant Varsity Soccer Coach

dburns@wwusd.org

File photo courtesy of Bob Mischka

Whippets Battle McFarland, Lose in 4 Sets

September 17, 2022

Whitewater (2-1 conference, and 13-6 overall) battled an equally talented McFarland team and won the first set 25-23. The Whippets then lost the next three sets 15-25, 14-25, 22-25.

Cali Kopecky

Head Coach Mary Kilar shared, “I think what tonight told us is we have what it takes to battle and beat good teams. We gave them too many points on mental mistakes of missed serves and miscommunication. We had 12 missed serves in the match. If we shore up those lapses in our mental game, the outcome may have been different.”

Kilar continued, “This team continues to play tough. I am proud of their efforts and determination game in and game out. This past week was a tough competition week; having Brodhead away and McFarland at home all in the same week is a tough schedule. But, that’s what makes good teams great. Next week we travel to Beloit Turner Tuesday and Edgerton on Thursday. Every match matters at this point in the season. We keep building and hope to peak at the right time.”

Statistical leaders for Whitewater included Kindyl Kilar with a double-double 20 kills and 11 digs, Calli Grosinske with 23 assists, Cali Kopecky with 5 aces, Campbell Alexander, Jenna Pope, Aidyn Amundson, and Calli Grosinske with a block apiece, and Caleigh Yang with 14 digs. McFarland statistical leaders include Gwen Crull with 21 kills, Ava Dean with 36 assists, Maggie Paulias with 26 digs, and Ainsley Pennekamp with 7 aces.

We hope to regroup for a strong week next week!

Article Submitted by Mary Kilar
Whitewater High School Head Volleyball Coach
mkilar@wwusd.org
Photo courtesy of Bob Mischka

Soccer Falls to Cambridge 4-1

September 15, 2022

The Whitewater Whippet Boys’ Soccer Team struggled to find their footing in a tough 4-1 loss to Cambridge on Tuesday night, September 13. Cambridge was able to score 4 first half goals against a struggling Whitewater midfield and defense. The second half was an improvement that saw our Whippets fight back for a goal and keep a second half clean sheet.

The families of our athletes were honored before the game during the annual “Parent Night” celebration. The team has an away game this coming Thursday at Big Foot Union High before returning home to play East Troy on the 19th. 

Article Submitted by Sam Burns
Whitewater High School Assistant Varsity Soccer Coach
dburns@wwusd.org
File Photo Courtesy of Bob Mischka

Whippets Down Brodhead in Four Sets

September 15, 2022

Whitewater (2-0 conference, and 13-5 overall) prepared heavily for a tough match up in Brodhead on Tuesday night, September 13. This preparation proved worthy of a 4-set victory, 25-21, 12-25, 25-12, 26-24. Whitewater came into the match with a shortened roster due to some illness, but persevered and came out firing on all cylinders!

Marina Linos and Cambell Alexander (CC) were asked to step up on the right side and middle respectively. Kilar stated, “They both responded with outstanding play. I was so impressed with Marina and CC. CC led us with 3 aces on the night and had 2 blocks. They responded to the game plan and led in their positions. In addition, every player contributed! Calli Grosinske set a great game, with another double-double on the night with 31 assists and 17 digs. Cali Kopecky played solidly, with 3 aces on the night. Ella Spear was a defensive force. Zoe Kohl came in to give us some passing relief in serve receive, and Aidyn Amundsen held her own in the middle, against a strong Brodhead offense!”

Kilar continued, “Caleigh Yang, our libero, led the back-row defense keying in on never letting a ball drop”. Kilar stated, “Caleigh is one of the top liberos in our conference. She is playing with intensity and owning the libero role.” Kilar added, “Kindyl Kilar took care of the game plan offensively. Kilar led all players with a double-double with 33 kills (8.25 kills per set), and 14 digs. The way she leads by example is so impressive. Our whole team is committed, and I am excited about what they are doing as a team!”

Statistical leaders for Brodhead included Abbie Dix with 13 kills and 2 blocks and Alexis Kammerer with 28 assists, 3 aces, and 13 digs.

Next up will be Parents’ Night on Thursday where we host McFarland at the Whitewater High School Gym.

Article and Photos Submitted by Mary Kilar
Whitewater High School Head Volleyball Coach
mkilar@wwusd.org

Obituaries

Obituary: Richard Allen Splitter, 80, of MO

Richard Allen Splitter, age 80, of Blue Eye, Missouri, passed away November 12, 2024. He entered this life on June 16, 1944, the son of Edward and Berniece (Craig) Splitter in Whitewater, Wisconsin. Richard proudly served our country in the United States Navy for two terms. During his time in the service, he was able to get his master’s degree in engineering from California State University of Long Beach. During his working years, Richard was an engineer for different aerospace companies. He retired to Blue Eye, Missouri, and thoroughly enjoyed lake life. Richard appreciated the outdoors and loved hiking, fishing, … Read more

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Obituary: Edward W. Hamilton, 83, of Davenport, IA

Edward W. HamiltonApril 3,1941 – October 26, 2024 Edward “Edjo” Wickman Hamilton, 83, passed away peacefully on Saturday, October 26, 2024 at home.  Ed was born in Evanston, Illinois and moved to Whitewater, Wisconsin with his family when he was eight years old.  He attended Whitewater High School and then graduated from the University of Wisconsin, Whitewater with a bachelor of science degree.  He also served two years in the army.  He moved to Davenport, Iowa in 1971 and worked at John Deere Davenport Works until he retired in 2001.  Then he followed a dream, moved back to Whitewater and … Read more

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Obituary: Verne Paul Schrank, 94

Verne Paul Schrank was born on March 9, 1930 at home on the family farm in Lima Township, Rock County, to Arthur and Marie (Witte) Schrank.  He attended the Sturtevant one room school which closed when he graduated in 1944. He attended Whitewater High School and graduated in 1948. Verne farmed with his parents until 1967 when he moved to Whitewater and worked for the Whitewater Unified School District as a custodian – courier for 27 years. Verne served on various boards at St. John’s Ev. Lutheran Church, as well as playing on the dartball team for many years. Verne … Read more

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Obituary: Janine Marie (Dickerson) Weiss, 94

After a long full life, Janine Marie (Dickerson) Weiss was called home to the Lord. Janine was born on April Fool’s Day, 1930 in Milwaukee. She grew up enjoying Trolleys, dancing and school with her sisters, Donna Domagalski, Marcyl Howel, Karen Moczynski and her parents, Glenn and Lucille Dickerson. In 1950, she married Frederic Weiss in a little church in Three Lakes WI. Shortly after, the first of 5 kids was born with the next 2 shortly after. Denice Lucille (Edward DeGroot), David Arthur, and Dana Lynn (Stephen Lind). After a breather Debra Beth (Alyn Jones) and Donna Raye (Dale … Read more

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Obituary: Raymond Miles, 96

Raymond Miles, 96, Whitewater, passed away on Thursday, November 14, 2024, at Our House Senior Living in Whitewater. Raymond was born on February 10, 1928, in Elkhorn, WI to Rueben and Norma Miles. He served in the US Army. On June 18, 1955, Raymond married Waverly Sutherland in Whitewater, WI. He enjoyed a long and successful career as a Livestock Dealer. In retirement, he cherished time spent with his family and remained informed on the farming community. He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Waverly of Whitewater, sons Eddie of Madison and Todd (Barbara) Miles of Sarasota FL, … Read more

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Obituary: Connie Jean Sukowski

Connie Jean Sukowski embarked on her next big adventure on the evening of Friday, November 8, 2024. Connie enjoyed decades of adventures with friends and family. She spent 36 years teaching 2nd and 3rd grade students in the Palmyra Eagle School District, working alongside many cherished colleagues and friends. Connie and her husband, Patrick Theodore Sukowski, shared 55 and a half years of marriage. Together they raised four children: Peter, Allan, Ann and Kevin Sukowski. She took great joy in watching her five grandchildren grow into amazing adults: Sonora Sukowski, Brianne Hebbe, Jared Gundrum-Sukowski, Nolan Causey, and Lore Lai Schimmel. … Read more

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Nancy Lou Hallock Cooper, 88

Nancy Lou Hallock Cooper passed away November 8, 2024 due to complications of lungcancer. Nancy was born on April 20, 1936 in Springfield,  MA to Howard and Barbara (Corliss) Hallock. As a child, Nancy spent every summer in her beloved Piermont, NH where she and her brothers “helped” the local farmer with his chores, including riding in the truck with the milk cans every morning.  She enjoyed swimming in the local brooks, picking berries, going to the nearby library, visiting with cousins, and playing croquet every evening.  As she grew older, she spent time as a camper and then a camp … Read more

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Obituary: James Robert Trier (Jimbo), 89

James Robert Trier (Jimbo), passed away on November 10, 2024, at the age of 89. Born on December 22, 1934, in New Holstein, WI, to George and Frances Trier. He spent his later years residing in Whitewater, WI. Jim began his teaching career as a high school mathematics teacher and then dedicated 55 years of his life to education as a mathematics professor at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. He was the chairman of the faculty senate as well. He had a passion for math and an engaging teaching style, which made him a student favorite. He was known for telling … Read more

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Memorial Celebration: Martin Jack Martinelli, 64

Editor’s note: Martin Martinelli’s obituary may be found here.

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Obituary: Juan Manuel “Manny” Rodriguez, 56

Juan Manuel “Manny” Rodriguez, 56, of Whitewater, WI, passed away on Oct 31, 2024. He was born in Fort Atkinson, WI, on November 14, 1967 to Ponciano and Blanca Rodriguez. He graduated from Whitewater High School and continued his education at Gateway, earning a degree in marketing. He had a love for helping people and worked in healthcare for over 30 years as a CNA.  He enjoyed shooting darts with his lifelong friends: Robert Bramley, Brian Quass, and Todd Piper.  To know Manny, you knew he had a love for his Washington Redskins, now known as the Commanders.  He loved to play … Read more

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