Today is Saturday, November 30, 2024
Editor’s note: The following information was posed on the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) website.
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater captured its 16th straight title at the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Women’s Tennis Championship (presented by Culver’s) at Nielsen Tennis Stadium on Oct. 23.
The first-place finish is the 23rd in program history for the Warhawks, who won the crown with 21 points. UW-Eau Claire placed second with 18 points, UW-Stevens Point third with 14, UW-La Crosse fourth with 13, UW-Oshkosh fifth with nine, UW-Stout sixth with five and UW-River Falls seventh with four.
This year’s team title was determined by using a combination of the regular-season dual-meet standings and the WIAC championship results. The finish in the regular-season standings accounted for one-third of the criteria, while the conference championship accounted for the remaining two-thirds.
At the two-day league championship, UW-Whitewater compiled 62 points (14 overall championship points), while UW-Eau Claire was second with 50 points (12), UW-Stevens Point third with 42 (10), UW-La Crosse fourth with 41 (8), UW-Oshkosh fifth with 23 (6), UW-Stout sixth with 19 (4) and UW-River Falls seventh with 15 (2).
Point distribution following the dual-meet rotation consisted of: UW-Whitewater (6-0) (7 points); UW-Eau Claire (5-1) (6 points); UW-La Crosse (4-2) (5 points); UW-Stevens Point (3-3) (4 points); UW-Oshkosh (2-4) (3 points); UW-River Falls (1-5) (2 points); and UW-Stout (0-6) (1 point).
UW-Whitewater, UW-Eau Claire, UW-Stevens Point and UW-La Crosse advance to the team tournament that will determine the conference’s automatic qualifier to the NCAA Division III Championship. UW-Whitewater will host the four-team event on April 29, 2023.
UW-Whitewater secured five singles crowns and three doubles titles at the championship. Autumn Bruno was victorious at No. 1 singles with a 6-1, 1-0 (retire) win over UW-Eau Claire’s Clare Palen, while Gianna Nikoleit claimed No. 2 singles with a 6-1, 6-2 victory over UW-Eau Claire’s Samantha Fuchs.
At No. 3 singles, Cassie Lee emerged with a 6-1, 6-1 triumph over UW-La Crosse’s Katie Kearney. Kellie Ha won No. 5 singles with a 7-5, 6-3 decision over UW-La Crosse’s Kate Townsend and Bethany Marshall secured No. 6 singles with a 6-2, 7-5 win over UW-La Crosse’s Emma Heinert.
UW-Eau Claire’s Anna Lee claimed the No. 4 singles title with a 6-1, 2-6, 10-8 victory over UW-Whitewater’s Kasey Schlicht.
In doubles competition, the Warhawks’ Autumn Bruno and Cassie Lee emerged with an 8-7 (7-4) triumph over UW-Eau Claire’s Clare Palen and Samantha Fuchs. Bruno won No. 1 doubles for the second straight year.
At No. 2 doubles, UW-Whitewater’s Kasey Schlicht and Kellie Ha posted an 8-2 win over UW-Eau Claire’s Morgan Nelson and Anna Lee. The No. 3 doubles title was claimed by UW-Whitewater’s Gianna Nikoleit and Courtney Day after an 8-4 victory over UW-Eau Claire’s Morgan Dekan and Sydney Presler. Day was the No. 3 doubles champion in 2019.
UW-Whitewater’s Courtney Day received the Judy Kruckman Scholar-Athlete Award.
An All-Sportsmanship Team was chosen for individuals that displayed exemplary sportsmanship throughout the season. It included one member from each school. Named to the squad were: UW-Eau Claire’s Anna Lee; UW-La Crosse’s Emma Heinert; UW-Oshkosh’s Alysa Pattee; UW-River Falls’ Karyn Duddeck; UW-Stevens Point’s Jenna Koepp; UW-Stout’s Ellie Becker; and UW-Whitewater’s Kasey Schlicht.
The Whippets battled throughout the regional final WIAA volleyball match on Saturday, October 22, that what would be their last of the season, losing to #1 seeded Edgewood in 4 sets 15-25, 15-25, 25-22, 21-25.
“Seeing this season come to an end is so bittersweet. We had such a great ride, and this team is something absolutely special; we are so sad to see it end. I think I can speak for every person who was part of this team when I say, this season is one we will all cherish. We won together, we lost together, we battled together, but most of all we supported each other, and we played some great volleyball!
This was the absolute best team I have ever coached. And, in reality, it had nothing to do with our wins, and we had some great ones, rather it had everything to do with the culture we created. We loved coming together on the floor in practice or game, and we made it our mission to make each other better. And, we did just that. We are all better because of the time we shared being part of this team. I have said many times before, I have never coached a more selfless team. These seniors led the way, and our younger players saw firsthand what it means to be part of something so special, what it means to be in a Whippet uniform.
Seniors Caroline Skindingsrude, CC Alexander, Cali Kopecky, Jenna Pope, Cristal Verduzco, Caleigh Yang, and Kindyl Kilar led this team by the example they set every day. Whether they were on the court or cheering from the sidelines, they cared about each other and played this game for each other. We definitely found success, with a record of 23-9, but saying good-bye to this team is incredibly hard. They all hold a special place in my heart, and we will all forever cherish the memories made this season!
The match found the Whippets struggling in sets one and two. However, they never quit. The Whippets rallied and took set three. This carried over to set four, and we were exchanging point for point. Ultimately, the Crusaders rallied to win the fourth. Even with the loss, I could not be more proud of this team, these athletes, and this program.
It is always hard to say goodbye to our seniors. However, what we know for certain is that each of these student athletes have bright futures. Special thanks to all our fans and families, and to Mr. Crandall, our Athletic Director, for his support this season.
Statistical leaders included Calli Grosinske with 28 assists, Cali Kopecky with 3 aces, Caleigh Yang with 20 digs, Aidyn Amundson and Kindyl Kilar with a block a piece, and Kilar with a double double with 17 kills and 18 digs. Leaders for Edgewood included Gillian Koning with 15 kills, Ella Weber with 18 assists, Jocelyn Romadka with 2 aces, Weber with 13 digs, and Addie Schmotzer with 5 blocks.
Article and Photos Submitted by Mary Kilar
Whitewater High School Head Volleyball Coach
mkilar@wwusd.org
The Whippet CC teams competed in their WIAA Sectional hosted by Racine St. Catherine’s at the UW-Parkside National CC course on Saturday, October 22. The weather was quite warm, but the racing was even better as this meet displays the best of the best as a trip to state is on the line as the top two teams and the top five individuals not on those qualifying teams earn a trip to State in one week.
The girls ran first and had a strong pack throughout their race. Mady Hefty led the team for the final time this season as she came home in 24th with a time of 23:16. Not far behind were three more Whippets. Athena Soto placed 26th, Nola Coburn 27th, and Jackie Franco 29th. Their times were 23:16, 23:28, and 23:40 respectively. Senior Caelyn Caputo gave it her all to finish 40th with a time of 24:22. Packed up in the 6th and 7th runner spots were Lauren Buehler finishing 51st and Emma Weigel in 53rd with times of 25:05 and 25:10. The girls finished in fifth place overall to cap off a great season. This girls’ program battled all season long and has done a terrific job representing not only themselves but the Whippet name, on a high level. The team officially says goodbye to the outstanding leadership from seniors Elisa Albertini, Caelyn Caputo, Evie Troxel, and Emma Weigel.
The Whippet boys toed the line next and were led by Nate Holden and Jack Hefty running side by side for the first time in program history (see the attached picture which was just over 1.5 miles into the race). They tag-teamed a runner from Clinton and put him away in the back woods loop as they spurred on. Nate emerged ahead of Jack in the final mile but Nate’s work was not done. He had secured himself a spot at state in his current position but he kept pressing and catching a few more runners and claimed 4th overall and was the first runner not on one of the qualifying teams. It was a huge race for him! Nate completed the race in 17:27. Jack came home in 7th overall, and the 4th individual qualifier to match his state qualifying position from last season. Jack finished in 18:00. Senior CJ Tomomitsu rebounded nicely after last week’s illness to finish his career off well by placing 29th in 19:36. Miles Nickelsburg placed 26th in 20:02. Sophomores Onyx Thompson and Andrew O’Toole packed together throughout to claim 66th and 67th with times of 21:44 and 21:45. Fellow Sophomore Xavier Zei placed 76th with a time of 22:13. This group placed fifth overall, one point away from fourth. They, too, had a really strong season and many reasons to keep their chin up and be proud of the accomplishments they achieved together. We officially say goodbye to the seniors as their race has come to an end. A special think you to Keith Cameron, Ben McCulloch, and CJ Tomomitsu for their leadership and guidance over the last four years!
Next up will be the WIAA State Cross Country meet for Nate Holden and Jack Hefty. The boys’ division 2 race is slated to begin at 2:35 at the Ridge Golf Course in Wisconsin Rapids on Saturday, October 29th. All state meet information can be found at this link. You can also email Coach Carstens at ccarstens@wwusd.org, should you have any questions.
Go, Whippets!
Article Submitted by Chad Carstens
Whitewater High School Head Cross Country Coach
Photos Courtesy of Erica Holden and Jeff Hefty
The Whippets had a sensational day in the pool on Saturday, October 22, in Platteville against 6 other teams! Taking a 4th place finish as a team, the Whippets brought home 18 medals and many best times!
Top 8 (medal winners):
200 Medley Relay (1st – 2:03.42): Grace Foucault, Emerson Dunham, Makayla Bazeley, Brooke Bazeley
200 Freestyle (4th – 2:16.63): Brooke Bazeley
100 IM (8th – 1:11.84): Emerson Dunham
200 IM (2nd – 2:20.91): Makayla Bazeley
50 Freestyle (2nd – 26.59): Grace Foucault
100 Butterfly (2nd – 1:02.32): Makayla Bazeley
500 Freestyle (4th – 6:00.45): Brooke Bazeley
500 Freestyle (8th – 6:49.39): Charlotte Hajewski
100 Backstroke (1st – 1:02.02): Grace Foucault
100 Breaststroke (5th – 1:24.26): Emerson Dunham
100 Breaststroke (7th – 1:25.37): Josie Treder
400 Freestyle Relay (4th – 4:02.98): Makayla Bazeley, Brooke Bazeley, Emerson Dunham, Grace Foucault
Other top 16 finishes included:
- Charlotte Hajewski (100 IM – 14th)
- Josie Treder (50 Freestyle – 15th)
- Karime Velazquez (100 Butterfly – 12th)
- Ashly Xochipa (100 Freestyle – 12th, 100 Backstroke – 12th)
- Atreya Wilson (100 Breaststroke – 15th)
Up next the Whippets head to the Conference Championship Meets. Tuesday, October 25 is JV Conference at Elkhorn, starting at 6 p.m. Saturday, October 29th is Varsity Conference at Jefferson, starting at 11a.m. Hope to see you there!
Article and Photos Submitted by Sarah Reynolds
Whitewater High School Head Girls’ Swim Coach
sreynolds@wwusd.org
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