According to an article on the Wisconsin Newspaper Association website, “After more than 40 years as a sportswriter and sports wire editor with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Mike Hart has accepted a voluntary buy-out from Gannett, the Milwaukee Business Journal reports.

He is part of a team of digital producers who work on content for the Journal Sentinel, Green Bay Press-Gazette, (Appleton) Post-Crescent and other USA TODAY-Network organizations in Wisconsin.

Hart is a 1981 graduate of UW-Whitewater. He began working for the Journal Sentinel in 1982. His last day with the newspaper will be Friday, Dec. 9.”

The Whitewater Girls’ Basketball team traveled to Beloit Turner for a conference game on Tuesday night, December 6. 

It proved to be a defensive battle with a low score of 7-6 9:00 minutes into the first half of the game. We were able to capitalize on some steals and knock down a few shots from outside to finish out the first half with the lead 20-18. 

The Whippets connected a series of breaks to the rim and some kick outs for a couple 3-point shots to give an 11-point lead 32-21, with 12 and half minutes left in the game. Being in foul trouble throughout the game, our defense shut down, and Turner took over on offense going on a 21-point scoring run. 

We battled until the end, but could not overcome the deficit, losing by 8, 60-52. 

Katie Gillette led the Whippets with 14 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 steals. Danielle DePorter added 12 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 steals. Mayte Navejas also added 12 points and 3 rebounds. Calli Grosinske scored 7 points with 3 rebounds and 2 steals. 

We travel to Jefferson this Friday, December 9, for another conference game. 

Article Submitted by Kristen Lippens
Whitewater High School Head Girls’ Basketball Coach
klippens@wwusd.org
File Photo Courtesy of Bob Mischka

Last week Thursday, December 1st, the Boys’ Swim Team competed in the Southern Lakes Conference Relay meet. The boys had some AMAZING races!

In the 1000-meter Crescendo Relay, where each swimmer swims 100-200-300-400 respectively, the relay comprised of Andrew O’Toole, Cruz Aranda, Jack Hefty, and Tyler Arnett swam strong throughout the race. This strong performance led to a 3rd place finish and geared up the team for other mentally challenging races.

The splash and dash of the evening was an amazing event to watch! Each swimmer sprints one length of the pool for a total of 100 meters to find out how quickly they can get themselves up to speed. With just over 2 seconds separating 2nd thru 5th place, the boys were able to clinch 2nd place. Cruz Aranda led off the relay followed by Jack Hefty, Myles Morse, and then Tyler Arnett for a time of 58.01!  David Enns, Xavier Zei, Onyx Thompson, and Sam Nickelsburg won their heat which was fabulous as well!

The 500-meter Crescendo Relay, 50-100-150-200, was the highlight of the night for the team. The boys came back from almost being a full length behind the 3rd and 4th place teams to taking the 3rd place medal position! There were a lot of fast swims at the beginning of the race and the swimmers’ mental toughness allowed for them to come back strong. Miles Nickelsburg, Cruz Aranda, Jack Hefty, and Tyler Arnett came in with a time of 5:52.79.

Then on Saturday, December 3rd, the Whippet Boys’ Swim Team competed at the 2nd Annual Tom Lieder Invitational in Milton. There was success for each swimmer in their individual swims, and two were able to grab hardware in their events.

Tyler Arnett started off by taking 3rd in the 200 Free. He out-touched the next person in the final yard of the race.  

Then Jack Hefty tied for 6th in the 100 Free with a time of 58.94. This was the first time Jack broke 1 minute in a 100 Free!

In the 500 Free, Tyler Arnett came on strong, and this was a grueling match-up from several swimmers from other teams. He was able to hold strong until the end; he finished first and again out-touched 2nd and 3rd place by less than half a second.

Other top 10 finishes were 8th in the 200 Medley Relay (Tyler Arnett, Cruz Aranda, Jack Hefty, and Andrew O’Toole), 7th in the 200 yard Individual Medley (Cruz Aranda), and 8th in the 200 Free Relay (Myles Morse, Xavier Zei, David Enns, and Miles Nickelsburg).

The boys swam fast and are looking forward to their next away meet against Edgerton/Evansville on Tuesday, December 6th. 

Article Submitted by Sarah Reynolds
Whitewater High School Co-Head Boys’ Swim Coach
sreynolds@wwusd.org
Photo Courtesy of Bob Mischka

Our Whippet Gymnastics team had a great 1st meet of the season where they placed 3rd overall at the Jefferson Invite on Friday, December 2. 

They started on the bars where Makayla Bazeley earned 4th place and Halee Peters earned 2nd place – both taking home hardware! 

Next up was beam where Myialynn Cobbs had a no fall beam routine. We also got to cheer on Brenda Aguilar for the first time in a while after taking a year off. We’re so happy to have her back with us.

The third rotation allowed the girls to show off their fun floor routines. Freshman Alexa Wildenberg was able to compete in her first ever gymnastics meet and performed well, while putting on an entertaining routine. Nola Coburn showed us her spunk in her floor routine where she scored close to her personal best. 

Last up was vault where all the girls did awesome! Both Makayla Bazeley and Halee Peters had lifetime best scores with a 7.75 and 8.425, respectively.  Halee earned herself another medal with a 2nd place finish.

In all-around, Halee Peters took 4th place, Makayla Bazeley took 6th, Nola Coburn took 13th, and Myialynn Cobbs took 14th.

We are so excited to watch the girls progress through the season. What a great start to what will be an amazing season!

Article Submitted by Shawnda Peters
Whitewater High School Head Gymnastics Coach
speters@wwusd.org