In warm and sunny conditions, the Whitewater Whippets competed with everything they had and came away with the best team finishes in recent memory at the massive Janesville Midwest Cross Country Invitational on Saturday, September 23. This event boasts over 50 teams from Wisconsin and surrounding states and showcases numerous teams and athletes that will be competing at their respective state meets in about five weeks.

The boys’ varsity team kicked things off first with a bang as the team secured a solid 25th-place finish overall led by Jack Hefty. Jack crossed the line in 16th out of 325 finishers with a new lifetime best of 16:11 for 5000 meters. His place afforded him a medal at this prestigious event. Also running particularly well on this day for varsity was Nate Holden who placed 49th with a new lifetime best of 16:52. Xavier Zei also ran a new lifetime best with a time of 17:51, strong enough for 141st overall. 

The JV athletes all competed in the “white race” and were led by Isaiah Mendez who had a massive time drop and ran his new lifetime best of 21:36. Isaiah placed 43rd in this strong field. Also having a particularly strong day was Alex Clarksen who was not far off his lifetime best he set earlier this season and ran 25:35. Angel Kilar was even closer to his lifetime best by a mere 3 seconds and placed 365th. Collectively as a JV squad, the team placed 15th out of 33 complete teams.

The girls’ varsity was led by Mady Hefty who led the team to a 29th-place finish overall. She placed 83rd with a time of 20:44. Athena Soto placed 117th in 21:33. Carley Boudreau was just a few seconds off her lifetime best and ran 22:15, placing 164th. Ema Aranda debuted on varsity for the first time and was the team’s 5th runner with a new lifetime best of 24:27, strong enough for 231st place. 

The JV athletes were led by Lucy Troxel who ran a new lifetime best of 25:55 and did so in tremendous fashion by placing 24th, which earned her a medal. Not far behind was Sami Van Daele who also just squeaked inside the medals by placing 29th in 26:11. The JV team placed 20th overall.

Next up for the team will be a race in Platteville on Saturday, September 30th. The first race is scheduled to begin at 9:00 a.m.

RESULTS

Article Submitted by Chad Carstens
Whitewater High School Head Cross Country Coach
ccarstens@wwusd.org
Photo Courtesy of Jeff Hefty

The Whippet Volleyball Team honored our seniors at the home match against East Troy on Thursday, September 21. Meg Roselle, Emmanuella Mbifi, Marina Linos, and Aidyn Amundson were honored for their 4 years of volleyball dedication to the program. Giulia Ristagno is also a senior foreign exchange student from Italy.

Each one of the seniors were honored by a speech from their fellow teammates and a personal message from their coach. We wanted to honor them by sharing how much they will be missed:

Aidyn,

Your drive to be the best teammate you can be, even when faced with adversity and injury is inspiring. You lead by example, a true attribute of leadership. You have supported your team to achieve all they can, and given perspective about not taking this great opportunity of playing volleyball for granted. You will be so missed, but we know you are off to do BIG things!

Manny,

You are such a student of the game! You soak in every ounce of information and put it into practice. You give 100%, and lead by your work ethic. You are kind, encouraging, and the best example of a positive teammate. You will be missed!

Marina,

You want more for your team to do well than anything else- the true definition of selfless leader! To watch you encourage your teammates, and push yourself to be better for them, is such an inspiring example for our program. You have stepped up, and led with poise. You should be so proud of all you have accomplished, you will be so missed!

Meg,

Your energy, honesty, and leadership will be so missed! You know what our team needs to be focused, get better, and be there for one another. You set this example every day in team meetings and at practice. You strive to make yourself and those around you better both on and off the court! You will be so missed!

Giulia.

Your smile lights up a room! Our time together has been short, but we are so glad you chose to play volleyball! It still makes me smile when I think of your first time going in the game- Coach looked at you and said you would be going in and you smiled, and then shook your head NO! But, you overcame your fear and went in the game and passed perfectly! Never doubt your abilities!

While we couldn’t pull out a win on Senior Night, that doesn’t diminish how proud we are of each of these seniors. We wish them the best of luck in all they do!

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

The Whitewater Girls’ Swim Team competed at home against Platteville/Lancaster and Badger on Tuesday, September 19. Our athletes showed up to compete as many obtained personal best times for the season. We also want to note that a majority of the team took on new and challenging events. 

Like her fellow teammates, Makayla Bazeley shows up to compete. In the 200 Freestyle, Makayla placed 1st by over 8 seconds with a time of 2:02.52. And in the 100 Butterfly, she placed 1st with a time of 1:00.17. 

Lucy Davis went 3 of 4 best times in her events. In the 100 Backstroke, Lucy dropped 15 seconds off her time from last year. She continues to get stronger in the 200 IM despite it being one of her least favorite events. 

Emerson Dunham beat out the Platteville/Lancaster swimmer in the 100 Breaststroke with a time of 1:24.56. She had an impressive split in the 400 Freestyle Relay with a time of 1:05.24.

Georgia Esch competed in the 100 Butterfly for the first time in her swim career. Not only is this a difficult race, but Georgia completed it with an impressive time of 1:47.35.

Sanibel Fox-Simes earned herself a best time in the 100 Freestyle. She continues to gets faster and faster every week in the 100 Freestyle. We are looking forward to what next week has in store for her! 

Charlotte Hajewski sang her heart out in the National Anthem and it was beautiful! She competed in the 100 Freestyle and 100 Backstroke. Charlotte earned herself a best time in the 100 Backstroke with a time of 1:24.08.

Maggie Maas went a best time in the 50 (30.01) and 500 (6:41.05) Freestyle. Maggie is very close to earning herself a spot on the Under 30 Club for the 50 Freestyle. We are excited to see her make the list this season! 

Marijose Verduzco continues to take on new and challenging events. She completed in the 500 Freestyle where she earned herself an impressive time of 8:56.04. Marijose had a best time in the 50 Freestyle as well. 

Atreya Wilson competed in the 100 Freestyle where she dropped 11 seconds. She is now the proud owner of a new time of 1:19.08. She continues to swim a strong 100 Breaststroke. 

Zoe Zei willingly took on the 500 Freestyle for the second time this season. Within a week, Zoe dropped 15 seconds in this event. This is impressive to say the least! 

The Swim Team is back in Whippet territory on Tuesday, September 26 against Jefferson/Cambridge. We hope to see you all there!

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