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The Whippets competed in the Track and Field Sectional Friday evening, May 30, and will be sending two athletes to the State Meet!
The boys’ 4x800m relay started things off on the track and ran to a 7th place finish overall from the first heat, easily winning their heat, after they were seeded 12th going into the meet. The all-senior relay of Onyx Thompson, Miles Nickelsburg, Luc Pomazak and Xavier Zei stopped the clock in 8:40.80 and earned 2 points for the team.
Traysen Thomason then ran a solid 100m prelim in 10.97 to earn his spot into the final. After a short break, he came back and placed third in the final in 10.80, his second-best time of his career, to earn a return trip to state in this event.
While the track was heating up, so were the field events as sophomore pole vaulter Langdon Coburn was soaring to new heights. He entered the meet with a personal best of 11′ 6″ from regionals and continued to go over that bar again and set a new personal best of clearing 12′! His new personal best helped him finish in fifth place, one spot short of qualifying for state. Although close to adding another meet to his schedule, he has a lot to be proud of as he has made tremendous gains in such a short time and picked up on the event quickly. He is eager to work hard in the off season to continue learning as much as he can to go even higher next year.
Ty Bucholtz competed in his second 110 high hurdle event of the season as he returned from an injury that held him out of competition for nearly the entire season. His first hurdle race was at regionals when he qualified for the sectional meet. He placed fourth in his preliminary heat and was 8th seed in the final. Unfortunately, in the final Ty false started and was unable to run his 110H final. Also a sophomore, we are eager to see what a full healthy season will look like as he continues to grow as an athlete on the team next season.
Jack Hefty was up next in the 1600 as he looked to qualify in his signature event, and his fourth trip to the state track and field meet. The winds picked up as the flag stood straight out but that wouldn’t stop Jack from controlling the race after the first 250m. He cruised to a victory by running nearly even splits for all 4 laps and won the sectional title in 4:27.24.
The boys 4×200 quartet of Kennan Sheffield, Ty Hagedorn, Christian Minett and Vinnie Juette competed in heat one and had smooth exchanges and powered their way around the track to run their best time of the season by far. They finished 8th overall and scored one point for the team in the meet. Their time of 1:33.94 was significantly faster than this group had run before, which was 1:36.14.
Makayla Bazeley was now underway in her pole vault competition. She entered the competition with a personal best of 9′ 6″ from regionals. She had some good attempts but was unable to match her best from regionals and went out at 9′. Makayla is an athlete that joined late in her HS career but picked up a very technical event quickly and made a strong attempt to vault her way to state in limited time. She leaves her mark in the program as she is in the top 10 in this event in WHS history.
Miles Nickelsburg competed in heat one of the 800 and took control of his final race in a Whippet uniform in dominant fashion. He led from the gun and ran a new lifetime best in the event in his solo effort as the rest of the field couldn’t keep up. He stopped the clock in 2:06.99 and placed 7th overall in the event.
Traysen Thomason once again eased himself into the blocks for one final time in heat 2 in the 200m final (there are no prelims for this event at sectionals). Running a great curve and giving the crowd something to cheer about, he finished second with a new lifetime best of 22.15 and a second event to add to his state meet itinerary. His new personal best also moved him to #4 all time in Whippet history in this event.
Freshman Virginia Nelson got her first taste of sectional track competition in the 3200m event. By far the strongest field she had competed in all year, she rode the back of the train for as long as she could before some separation occurred. She gained valuable experience running in this field and gave it her all and placed 14th with a time of 13:50.11.
The 3200m proved to be an exciting race as three senior Whippets competed in this event. Jack Hefty rode the shoulder of New Berlin West’s Isaac Kryzaniak for much of the race while Xavier Zei made a strong push in the later stages of the race. Xavier injected some pace into the field and he got within 5 meters of Jack and Isaac as the field began to stretch out. Meanwhile, Luc Pomazak continued to grind out a strong effort as he passed through the mile faster than he had ever before. With less than two laps to go, Hefty took the pole position and never relinquished it as he earned his second sectional title on the night and punched his ticket to state in this event as well. His time was 9:41.24. Xavier ran a gutsy race and finished ninth overall in 10:13.75, his second-best time of his career. Luc also mirrored Xavier and gutted out a tough second mile and finished 14th, just missing his lifetime personal best and stopped the clock in 10:30.82
Traysen and Jack will now prepare to compete at the WIAA State Track and Field meet which is held at UW-La Crosse on Friday June 6th and Saturday June 7th.
Boys’ Results: https://www.wiaawi.org/Portals/0/PDF/Results/Track/2025/bigfootsectionalb.pdf
Girls’ Results: https://www.wiaawi.org/Portals/0/PDF/Results/Track/2025/bigfootsectionalg.pdf
State Meet Information:
https://www.wiaawi.org/Tournaments/State-Tourney-Central
Article and Photo Submitted by Chad Carstens
Whitewater High School Assistant Track and Field Coach
ccarstens@wwusd.org
Editor’s Note: The following was provided by Be Kind and Whitewater Unites Lives.
Steve Watson writes, “By the skate park.
Northern flicker lapping up water.
Their tongue is about 2″ long,
past the tip of its bill.
It’s a woodpecker.
They eat mostly ants, so a long
tongue that’s sticky and barbed.”
Our thanks to Steve Watson for sharing another beautiful photo together with the interesting description.
— Our Readers Share: We hope that you might have something that you’d be willing to share. Anything that’s been created by someone else should, of course, be credited, and you should ask their permission if you’re able. We cannot post copyrighted material without permission. We can’t guarantee that we’ll have space for all submissions, and contributions will be subject to editorial board approval. The one definite exclusion is anything politically oriented. We will assume that you’re willing for us to include your name as the submitter unless you indicate that you prefer to remain anonymous. Send to whitewaterbanner@gmail.com. Thanks for thinking about this!
On Saturday, May 17th Studio 84 opened its doors to the community with a night of kindness and sharing and had its annual Gala event. Studio 84 is a non-profit Art Studio, Gallery and Gift Shop in downtown Whitewater that provides fully accessible opportunities in the arts. There were artists proud to share their work, themed raffle baskets, and the room was filled with laughter and the telling of wonderful stories. Even though it was chilly outside it was nice and toasty warm inside listening to the delightful sounds of the Vox Quartet playing a whimsical medley of light-hearted tunes. The Co-Directors Ben Kelly and Lynnette Gmur were introduced, along with the board members in attendance. Karina Pittro, the Artistic Mentor, even made it there after appearing at her own graduation ceremony. She graduated with a BFA (Bachelors of Fine Arts) earlier in the day from UW-Whitewater. Another notable attendee was the recently retired founder of Studio 84, Deborah Blackwell. She was honored and appreciated for her innovation and many years of dedication to the studio and its artists. Everyone was sad to see her go, but excited for the continued success and growth of Studio 84.
Studio 84
121 W Center Street
Whitewater, WI 53190
Studio, Gallery and Gift Shop Hours
Monday, Tuesday, Friday 10-5
Thursday 10-2
262-473-9845
www.studio84inc.org
info@studio84inc.org
facebook.com/Studio 84, Inc.
Photo credit: Tom Ganser
BLOOMINGTON, IL — Brooke Mason, of Whitewater, Wisconsin, was named to the Dean’s List for the spring semester of the 2024-25 academic year at Illinois Wesleyan University. Mason is a first-year majoring in Music Theatre.
Mason was among 812 students from 29 states and 27 countries named to the spring 2025 Dean’s List.
To qualify for the Dean’s List, students must earn a GPA of 3.50 or better during the semester, based on 4.0 for straight As.
Founded in 1850, Illinois Wesleyan is a nationally recognized, highly selective liberal arts university. The University is exclusively undergraduate and enrolls approximately 1,700 students from across the nation and around the globe. Illinois Wesleyan prides itself on producing graduates who are well-rounded, broadly educated individuals with a spirit of inquiry who can successfully adapt to the demands of a rapidly changing, complex world.
Updated on 6/1/25 with link for the livestream of the game on Sunday, 6/1 @ 12:15 CDT. = GAME POSTPONED UNTIL 12:30
Cootway 3-for-3 with Solo Homer in 6th
By Broderick Frye
Asst. Sports Information Director
The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater defeated Trinity University (TX) 7-3 in the opening game of the NCAA Division III World Series. The game began on Friday, May 30th & went through five and a half innings before being suspended due to weather. When play resumed on Saturday, the Warhawks held onto their lead and opened the tournament with the victory.
The Warhawks got off to a hot start, scoring four runs in the bottom of the first. The Warhawks drew two walks, loading up the bases for Danny Hopper (Palatine, Ill./Palatine). Hopper lit the scoreboard up first in the Division III World Series with a 2-RBI single. Darryl Jackson (Milwaukee, Wis./Rufus King) and Dominik McVay (Mineral Point, Wis./Mineral Point) each had an RBI single to cap off the four run inning.
UW-Whitewater kept Trinity from moving on the bases, with only one hit per inning through three. The top of the third ended with a 463 double play stranding another runner on.
Trinity was able to get the Warhawks with two outs. But Matt Scolan (Downers Grove, Ill./South) got on with a double to center. Adam Cootway (DePere, Wis./Fox Valley Lutheran) joined him on base with a four-pitch walk. Andy Thies (Tallahassee, Fla./Lawton Chiles) cleaned them off with a triple to put the Warhawks up 6-0.
In the Top of 5, the Tigers rallied two singles with two outs, but a groundout ended the inning to leave two more stranded.
After the flip, the rain started to come down substantially, causing for the tarp to come out and a delay to follow. The decision was made to suspend the game at the bottom of the fifth.
After play resumed on Saturday, UWW wasted no time getting back on the base path. Sam Paden (Libertyville, Ill./Libertyville) started the day, reaching on the single. An inning later, Adam Cootway (DePere, Wis./Fox Valley Lutheran) hit a homer over to right field, putting the Warhawks up 7-0 after six innings.
Trinity answered back in the 7th, grabbing 2 runs to end the shutout. The Warhawks got out of the jam to keep the lead at five heading into the stretch.
The Warhawks kept making good contact, but defense plays by Trinity didn’t allow anything to go through. Trinity put a would-be two-run double into play, but the relay to home was in time for the out. The Warhawks maintained a 7-3 lead heading into the final three outs.
Two fly-outs & a strikeout later, the Warhawks clinched the victory in the weather delayed game.
Cade Hansen (New Braunfels, Texas/Smithson Valley) was the pitcher of record, pitching the first 5.0 innings on Friday night. Hansen notched five strikeouts and five hits with no earned runs.
The Warhawks will return to action on Sunday, June 1st at 12:15 PM CDT against Denison. The link for the livestream may be found here.
Revised schedule due to Friday’s weather is shown below. #1 seed John Hopkins was eliminated by #5 Kean.
- Saturday, May 31
- Sunday, June 1
- Game 7: No. 7 Rowan vs. No. 6 Trinity (TX), 10 a.m. (Elimination game)
- Game 8: No. 2 Denison vs. No. 3 Wisconsin-Whitewater, 1:15 p.m. [EDT]
- Game 9: No. 5 Kean vs. Loser of Game 6, 4:45 p.m.
- Game 10: Loser of Game 8 vs. Winner of Game 7, 8 p.m.
- Monday, June 2
- Game 11: Winner of Game 6 vs. Winner of Game 9, 10 a.m.
- Game 13: If necessary, 4:45 p.m.
- Game 12: Winner of Game 8 vs. Winner of Game 10, 1:15 p.m.
- Game 14: If necessary, 8 p.m.
- Game 11: Winner of Game 6 vs. Winner of Game 9, 10 a.m.
- Championship Series
- Game 1: 12 p.m. Wednesday, June 4
- Game 2: 11 a.m. Thursday, June 5
- Game 3: If necessary, 45 minutes after Game 2
By Broderick Frye
Asst. Sports Information Director
The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater got through five and a half innings in their opening game against Trinity (TX) in the opening round of the NCAA Division III World Series. The game will resume on Saturday at 11 AM CDT in the bottom of the fifth. Editor’s note: The link for the livestream may be found here. Gametime may be shown as noon elsewhere, but that is Eastern time. Friday’s game started almost two hours late due to previous lengthy games and rain delays.
The Warhawks got off to a hot start, scoring four runs in the bottom of the first. The Warhawks drew two walks, loading up the bases for Danny Hopper (Palatine, Ill./Palatine). Hopper lit the scoreboard up first in the Division III World Series with a 2-RBI single. Darryl Jackson (Milwaukee, Wis./Rufus King) and Dominik McVay (Mineral Point, Wis./Mineral Point) each had an RBI single to cap off the four run inning.
UW-Whitewater kept Trinity from moving on the bases, with only one hit per inning through three. The top of the third ended with a 463 double play stranding another runner on.
Trinity was able to get the Warhawks with two outs. But Matt Scolan (Downers Grove, Ill./South) got on with a double to center. Adam Cootway (DePere, Wis./Fox Valley Lutheran) joined him on base with a four-pitch walk. Andy Thies (Tallahassee, Fla./Lawton Chiles) cleaned them off with a triple to put the Warhawks up 6-0.
In the Top of 5, the Tigers rallied two singles with two outs, but a groundout ended the ending to leave two more stranded.
After the flip, the rain started to come down substantially, causing for the tarp to come out and a delay to follow. The decision was made to suspend the game at the bottom of the fifth. The opening round game will resume at 11 AM CDT tomorrow, May 31st.
RESULTS FRIDAY
Game 1—(4) Endicott (Mass.) College 6, (5) Keane (N.J.) University 4
Game 2—(8) Messiah (Pa.) University 16, (1) Johns Hopkins (Md.) University 7 — A major upset — the only unranked team beat the #1 team.
Game 3—(2) Denison (Ohio) University 12, (7) Rowan (N.J.) University, 10
Game 4—(3) UW-Whitewater vs. (6) Trinity (Texas) University, halted after 4½ innings with UW-Whitewater ahead 6-0.
GAMES TODAY
Game 5—Keane University (40-10) vs. Johns Hopkins University (44-4), 9 a.m., loser eliminated
(Resumption of UW-Whitewater-Trinity University game, 11 a.m.
Game 6—Endicott College (44-4) vs. Messiah University (37-14), 12:15 p.m.
Editor’s note: The Banner appreciates having permission to use the image on the homepage by Cyaneus from Pixabay.
The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater baseball team had four total athletes honored on the All-American lists for the 2025 season.
American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) announced their All-Americans Thursday evening during the DIII World Series Opening Ceremony.
The D3Baseball.com All-Americans were announced in a release on Wednesday afternoon.
Matt Scolan (Downers Grove, Ill./South), Adam Cootway (DePere, Wis./Fox Valley Lutheran), and Aaron Holland (Wheaton, Ill./Wheaton North) were honored on the D3Baseball All-American list in the release early in the week.
Scolan, now a two-time All-American, was selected to the First Team All-America D3Baseball list.
Cootway and Holland were selected to the Third and Fourth Team, respectively, on D3Baseball.
On Thursday night, Scolan, Cootway, Holland, and Andy Thies (Tallahassee, Fla./Lawton Chiles) were honored on field as ABCA All-Americans.
Scolan added another First Team award to his accolades. Cootway and Holland were both named to the Second Team, with Thies earning Third Team honors.
2025 is only the fourth time that the Warhawks have had four All-Americans in a single year following 2005, 2018, & 2024.
The Warhawks begin their World Series tonight against Trinity (TX) on Friday night at 8:00 PM (ET). To keep up with the Warhawk Baseball team during the world series, follow the team on Instagram/Twitter @uwwbaseball & on Facebook
Editor’s note: This announcement was posted to the UW-W Athletics website.
Obituaries
Clarence Everett Hansen, Jr. (Bud), 87, passed away on Thursday, June 5, 2025, at his family home in LaGrange, WI at 1:30 PM. Bud was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on December 6, 1937, to Clarence Hansen Sr. and Ruth (Dalson) Hansen and was baptized at Bethlehem Church in Milwaukee. Bud graduated from Lutheran High School in Milwaukee on June 9, 1955. Following high school, Bud enlisted in the US Army and was a light weapons specialist and sharpshooter. He was stationed in Germany and upon honorable discharge, served in the Army Reserves until 1962. Bud married his wife, of 63 … Read more
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Edward (Ed) Geske passed away to the Great Workshop in the Sky on May 25, 2025, due to years of severe infections of the urinary tract. Edward E. Geske was born on Thanksgiving Day to Elmer and Alice McMillan Geske on November 25, 1943 at the family home in Crystal Lake, Illinois. He was accompanied by his twin sister, Marjorie, on this momentous occasion. Edward’s siblings are: Nancy(Tom) Trewyn, Arlene (Richard) Trewyn, Marjorie Petska, Susan (Gordy) Gimiski, Ray (Patti) Geske, and Mary (Gale) Smith. Ed grew up and attended elementary school in Lima Center, WI, later graduating from Whitewater High School. … Read more
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Irv A. Madsen, 86, Whitewater, passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, March 02, 2025. He was born in Askov, MN on May 20, 1938, to Ludvig and Augusta Madsen. Irv graduated from Amery High School in 1956 and received his Bachelor’s Degree from UW-Whitewater in 1960 and his Master’s Degree from UW-Madison in 1965. He began his career teaching Business Education at Milton High School and then moved to UW-Whitewater to become the Director of Admissions for 42 years. During his time at UW-Whitewater he coached Women’s Softball, announced Football games for 50 years and was “the voice of … Read more
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Faith Ann Hansen, 83, passed away on the evening of Monday, May 19th at Alden Estates in Jefferson, Wisconsin. She was born on April 20th, 1942, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the daughter of Donald Hansen and Doris (Ceel) Hansen. Faith graduated from Brookfield Central High School. Following high school she married Clarence (Bud) Hansen, Jr. and owned and ran the Twin Oaks Inn bar in Little Prairie, WI. Faith then worked at the Lakeland Nursing Home for over 30 years, while there earning her nursing degree from MATC in 1992. She was a member of First English Lutheran Church in Whitewater … Read more
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Ann S. Eckert, 85, of Port Charlotte, FL, died on Monday, April 7, 2025, at Advent Hospital in Port Charlotte, FL. She was born in Madison, WI, on October 16, 1939. Ann was the only child of Clifford and Virginia Peterson. Ann was married for 65 years to Rev. Jerry Eckert. They had two children, David and Karen. Ann was a 1957 graduate of New London High School and earned her BS degree at Texas Women’s University in Denton, TX, in 1961 with a major in home economics education. She taught a year in Seagoville, TX, and a part of … Read more
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Robert (Bob) John O’Hara, a cherished member of our family and friends, passed away May 19, 2025. Bob was born September 14, 1956, to Charlotte Anna (Wallack) Lewers and Robert James O’Hara. Bob grew up in Elk Grove Village, IL and graduated from Elk Grove High School in 1974. He relocated to Whitewater, WI in 1986 and worked various warehouse distribution positions and ended his career as a manager. A significant life event occurred in 1998 when his precious daughter, Kelly Lynd O’Hara, was born. Kelly was an important focus of his life and he enjoyed watching her grow … Read more
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BRADLEY TERESA ANN Teresa Ann Bradley, age 84, of Yankton, SD passed away Wednesday, February 5, 2025 at Avera Sister James Care Center, Yankton, SD. Memorial service will be 10:30 am Wednesday, May 28, 2025 at St. Benedict Catholic Church in Yankton with Fr. Thi Pham officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Home & Onsite Crematory is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be sent at www.opsahl-kostelfuneralhome.com. Teresa Ann was born in Chicago, Illinois, November 23,1940, to Paul and Hildegard (Weinandt) Bradley. She lived on a 5-acre farm in what is … Read more
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Michael “Mike” J. Higgins, age 69, a lifelong resident of Whitewater, passed away May 13, 2025, at home. He was born May 15, 1955, in Fort Atkinson, the son of Merwyn “Mert” and Mary Ann (Krause) Higgins. He attended Whitewater schools and was a long-time mechanic at Fero’s Auto Repair, enjoying lunches at Rick’s at his reserved table. He retired after many years of service of the Whitewater Fire and Rescue Departments as Chief. He enjoyed spending time up north at his property hunting. He leaves behind long-time love of his life, Jody Buckingham and kids, Sherry (Al Jr.) Lemke … Read more
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Susan (Sue) Rhoda Schlough (nee Smith) was born August 11, 1936, in Barron, WI to Daniel and Ella Smith. The second of six siblings born during the Depression years, family-life was a meager and frugal experience, where Sue gained first-hand experience in making best use of all resources to meet the needs of a large family, which served her well in other life endeavors. During Sue’s teenage years, three significant events occurred that would become the foundation of her life’s work and dedication. The first of these events was choosing to become a Methodist, joining her local First United Methodist … Read more
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Jerry Wayne “Gorbs” GorbyDecember 8, 1942 – May 4, 2025 Jerry Wayne Gorby, affectionately known as “Gorbs,” passed away peacefully on May 4, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. Born on December 8, 1942, in Washington, Pennsylvania, Jerry brought joy, humor, and boundless energy to all who knew him. He is survived by his beloved wife of 61 years, Carolyn Gorby, his daughters Tricia Gorby and Tina Jones (Paul Jones), and his treasured grandchildren: Ciara, Sydney, and Donovan Jones, and Aysha and Kai Knoot. He was preceded in death by his parents, Florence and Harold Gorby, and his brother, Douglas … Read more
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