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On Saturday morning, January 20, the varsity wrestlers traveled to Monroe to participate in the Monroe Invitational. This year the event featured 15 teams as some teams joined after having their tournament canceled from last weekend’s snow storm. The added teams were some very strong teams, one featuring three returning state champions and another that is going to be in a battle for a regional title in a strong regional in southwest Wisconsin. This was an outstanding test for the Whippet Wrestlers to help analyze where they are as we are three weeks from the tournament series.
The tournament was a tale of contrasting rounds for the team. They started out extremely strong losing only one match, followed by round two where the team only won two of its matches as they ran into some extremely tough opponents in the quarter finals. After a tough round, the coaching staff was concerned on how the team would respond, but they did great, winning all but two of the matches again. One of those wins put Sebastian Cuellar (165) into the finals after a big pin in the semi-finals. Unfortunately, based on the format of the brackets, the only way a wrestler can place in the top 4 is by making the semi-finals. Besides Cuellar, those that won in the 3rd round all put themselves into the 5th place match.
The final round was another tough round for the Whippets. Cuellar lost a tough match to a young man from Belleville who is having a very strong year, putting Cuellar as runner up at 165 pounds. Junior (Vicente) Soto at heavyweight wrestled extremely well all day finishing with the bronze medal. On the 5th place mat, the Whippets saw Jasen Porras (113), Jarvis Porcaro (120), and Traysen Thomason (144) all secure victories and reach the podium. Cuellar, Soto, Porras, Porcaro, and Thomason all finished the day an impressive 4-1. Finishing the day 3-2 and in 6th place were Connor Friend (132), Odair Porras (150), JJ Gonzalez (157), Jesus Barajas (175), and Payton Lyon (190).
The team race was very close with the top two teams; Janesville Parker edged Belleville by one point! Whitewater finished in 6th place with 143 points. The two teams immediately ahead of Whitewater had 144 points. Looking back on the day, had the Whippets picked up just one more win they would have finished in 4th place. Of course, as a coach it hurts to be so close to the top four as a team. However, based on the quality of competition of the tournament, the coaching staff is happy with the performance of the team.
The Whippets are next in action on Thursday, January 25th, when they travel to compete against a strong Oregon team.
Article Submitted by John Schimming
Whitewater High School Head Wrestling Coach
jschimming@wwusd.org
File Photo Courtesy of Bob Mischka
Whitewater (2-12) fell to Evansville (2-12) in boys’ basketball at Whitewater High School on Thursday night, January 25, by a score of 65-50.
Evansville was led in scoring by Mason Brown with 16 points off the bench. Whitewater was led by sophomore Casey Lyon with 16 points. Evansville’s freshman Karter Tway had 12 points in the second half.
Next up for the Whippets is Milwaukee Reagan. Whitewater plays at JustAgame Fieldhouse in Wisconsin Dells on Saturday. JV1 and JV2 tip at 2:30 p.m., and Varsity is scheduled to start at 4:10 p.m.
Article Submitted by Mike McCabe
Whitewater High School Head Boys’ Basketball Coach
mccmi01@wwusd.org
Photo Courtesy of Bob Mischka
By Chris Lindeke
Marketing and Communications Manager
University Marketing and Communications
Web story: https://www.uww.edu/news/archive/2024-01-special-olympics
For the second consecutive year, the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater will welcome Special Olympics Wisconsin athletes and coaches to campus for the State Summer Games. The event is scheduled to take place June 6-8, 2024, and will include competition in track and field, cornhole, powerlifting, tennis and soccer.
In 2023, thousands of athletes, coaches and spectators were on campus for the Summer Games as the university welcomed a record number of visitors for camps and other events.
“We warmly welcome Special Olympics Wisconsin back to campus for the State Summer Games this June,” said Corey A. King, UW-Whitewater chancellor. “Our staff will work tirelessly to ensure that all athletes, coaches and fans enjoy a uniquely satisfying experience while they are on campus. As Warhawks, we embrace high-quality, high-energy events like this and pride ourselves on providing a welcoming, safe and inclusive environment. We are excited to watch these athletes compete.”
“We are thrilled to return to UW-Whitewater for our 2024 Summer Games,” said Chad Hershner, president and CEO of Special Olympics Wisconsin. “UW-Whitewater and the entire Whitewater community are truly collaborative hosts, and we are looking forward to having all community members join us for the games and experience the games alongside our incredible athletes.”
All events for the 2024 State Summer Games will take place on the UW-Whitewater campus.
Healthy Athletes disciplines will also be featured throughout the Summer Games. Health Promotion, a discipline of Special Olympics Healthy Athletes that focuses on healthy living, healthy lifestyle choices and nation-specific health issues, will take place on Friday, June 7. The program offers screenings for bone density, blood pressure and body mass index (BMI).
The Opening Eyes program, which will also take place on June 7, provides Special Olympics athletes with high-quality vision and eye health screenings, prescription eyewear and sports goggles and improved education and training for eye care professionals and optometry students so they are better able to meet the unique needs of this marginalized group.
Special Smiles, which provides comprehensive oral health care information including free dental screenings and instructions on correct brushing and flossing techniques to Special Olympics athletes, will take place Saturday, June 8.
The Delta Dental of Wisconsin Foundation and Golisano Foundation, CDC, support the Special Olympics Healthy Athletes initiative.
Additional information about other events and programs taking place during the games is forthcoming. Volunteers for the 2024 State Summer Games are needed, and signup will be available on SpecialOlympicsWisconsin.org. Or, contact volunteer@specialolympicswisconsin.org if you are interested.
If you have a disability and require accommodations, please advise us as soon as possible. Requests are confidential. UW-Whitewater provides equal opportunities in employment and programming, including Title IX and ADA. Please contact Morgan Anderson at andersml@uww.edu or 262-472-1095 for further information.
It’s time once again for #FlashbackFriday with the Whitewater Historical Society.
This is the last of our winter images of downtown Whitewater. It was taken in front of the Van Voorhees 1890 addition to the Armory block and the Julius Johnson Block (buildings with the bay windows). Henry Van Voorhees built the Armory Block (200-206 W. Whitewater St.) in 1887, then built the two-storefront addition in 1890. Johnson’s one-storefront building was also constructed in 1890. The bay windows were typical details of late 19th century commercial buildings and help make this building group one of the most elegant in Whitewater’s downtown.
Join us next week for more historic images from the Whitewater Historical Society.
(3727P, Whitewater Historical Society)
By Angela Kelm
Asst. Athletic Director for Sports Information
La Crosse, Wis. – The No. 4 University of Wisconsin-Whitewater women’s basketball team suffered its first loss of the 2023-24 campaign Wednesday – 77-66 at UW-La Crosse.
Box Score
The game was tight until the fourth when the Eagles’ offense took flight. UW-La Crosse shot 60-percent (6-10) from the floor and 71-percent (5-7) from three-point range to pull away in the final 10 minutes of action.
The Warhawks battled back from an early seven-point deficit to knot the game by the end of the first quarter. UW-Whitewater went on a 6-0 run with Aleah Grundahl registering an old-fashioned three-point play followed by a Kacie Carollo triple that brought the score to 17-17 at the end of the first.
UWW claimed the lead, 27-25, midway through the second quarter on a Maggie Trautsch coast-to-coast layin following a steal. Another Trautsch layup at the 1:47 mark gave UW-Whitewater its largest lead, 35-29. The Eagles hit a jumper and a three-pointer to cut the lead to one, but Katie Hildebrandt capitalized on a second chance opportunity to send UWW into the intermission with a 37-34 lead.
The third quarter was a roller coaster of a period with three ties and five lead changes. By the end, UW-La Crosse had flipped the three-point advantage in their favor.
The Warhawks trailed by just two at the halfway mark of the fourth before the Eagles really started to heat up from the floor. Following the final media timeout of the game, UWL hit 4-5 of their shots from the floor, including three from long range, and hit all of their free throw opportunities to keep UWW at bay.
Grundahl and Carollo combined for 52 points in the game. Grundahl had a double-double in hand by halftime and ended with 27 points, bolstered by 9-10 from the free throw line, and 12 rebounds. Carollo chipped in 25 points on 8-16 from the floor, 4-8 from beyond the arc and 5-6 from the charity stripe. She added six boards and five assists.
The now 17-1 Warhawks maintain position on top of the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference standings with a 6-1 league mark. UWW opens the second round through the WIAC with UW-Oshkosh Saturday, January 27 in Kachel Gym.
The community is invited to join the Winter Reading Challenge at the Irvin L. Young Memorial Library. All ages are welcome to participate. Stop by the library and pick up a bookmark anytime between January 22-March 1. Fill in a circle for every 30 minutes you read or listen to a book. When all of the circles are filled, return to the library and claim your goodie bag. All entries will go into a grand prize drawing for a snow tube.
The Irvin L. Young Memorial Library is located at 431 W. Center Street in Whitewater. Contact the library at 262-473-0530 with questions.
Editor’s note: The above press release was provided by the Irvin L. Young Library.
Milwaukee School of Engineering congratulates students named to the Fall Semester 2023 Dean’s and Honors Lists.
Grace Alderman of Whitewater was named to the Dean’s List . Alderman is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering.
Daniel Portwine of Whitewater was named to the Dean’s List. Portwine is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science.
Gwynne Sahyun was named to the Honors List. Sahyun is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering.
MSOE encourages excellence in academic achievement and, as a result, publishes the Dean’s List and Honors List each fall and spring semester. Students taking undergraduate courses who have earned at least 12 credits in residence at MSOE, are in good academic standing, and have a cumulative GPA of 3.20 or higher are on the Dean’s List. Students on that list who have maintained a 3.70 or higher receive “high honors.” Students with a term GPA of 3.20 or higher, who are not on the Dean’s List, are on the Honors List.
Milwaukee School of Engineering (www.msoe.edu) is the university of choice for those seeking an inclusive community of experiential learners driven to solve the complex challenges of today and tomorrow. The independent, non-profit university has about 2,800 students and was founded in 1903. MSOE offers bachelor’s and master’s degrees in engineering, actuarial science, business, computer science, machine learning, nursing, perfusion and user experience. Faculty are student-focused experts who bring real-world experience into the classroom. This approach to learning makes students ready now as well as prepared for the future. Longstanding partnerships with business and industry leaders enable students to learn alongside professional mentors, and challenge them to go beyond what’s possible. MSOE graduates are leaders of character, responsible professionals, passionate learners and value creators.
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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