Today is Tuesday, May 12, 2026
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
By Angela Kelm, Assistant Athletic Director for Sports Information, UW-Whitewater
The No. 3 University of Wisconsin-Whitewater football team fell to UW-Platteville 17-13 on the road Saturday afternoon. The Warhawks are one of three Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference teams holding a 3-1 league mark, including UW-La Crosse and UWP.
The Pioneers have won two consecutive games against top-25 teams and take the Miner’s Axe for just the third time in 27 renditions of the George Chryst Memorial Bowl.
Statistically, UW-Whitewater outplayed the Pioneers offensively with a 14-9 advantage in first downs, a 123-58 sway in rushing yards and nearly 140 more yards of total offense. The Pioneer defense made the difference forcing four turnovers.
The defenses made an impact from the get-go. The Warhawks registered the first takeaway of the game in Platteville’s first possession. On third and five from the UWP 37, Egon Hein forced a fumble after a completed pass that was scooped up by Kyle Koelblinger who took it 27 yards to the Pioneers’ 17. UW-Whitewater turned the takeaway into points, getting it done on the ground, with Evan Lewandowski running it off the left side of the line and into the endzone for the first score of the game. Jeffery Isotalo-McGuire’s extra point made it 7-0 UWW.
The defense forced a three-and-out in UWP’s next possession, but an interception on the ensuing drive led to points for Platteville and a tie game, 7-7.
On Whitewater’s next offensive series, the Pioneer defense halted the drive at their own one-yard line with another pick. The teams traded punts throughout the quarter. The Warhawks took over after a short punt went out of bounds at the UWW 48. UW-Whitewater was moving the ball until a penalty and batted down pass made it third and long from the UWP 29. The Pioneers got to Lewandowski on the next play, but the wiley quarterback was able to get rid of the ball in time to avoid a big loss. Isotalo-McGuire put the 46-yard field goal through the uprights for a 10-7 Warhawk lead with 2:34 left before the break.
UW-Platteville reclaimed the lead with a 46-yard pick-six with a minute to go in the half. The kick made it 14-10 UWP.
UWW punted on their final possession of the half and Platteville took a knee to head into the locker rooms with a 14-10 advantage.
On the other side of the break, the teams punted on three consecutive possessions. The second of those punts was a 55-yard boot from Nate Custer that pinned UWP at their own 10. The Warhawk defense forced a three-and-out on the ensuing drive to bring the UWW offense back onto the field starting from their own 44.
UW-Whitewater opened the drive with a 21-yard completion to Steven Hein but that’s where the drive stalled. Isotalo-McGuire nailed a 36-yard field goal to pull UWW to within one, 14-13, the only score of the third quarter.
Punts in three consecutive possessions for a second succession in the half, had the Warhawks once again starting from their own 44. The Pioneer defense came up with another big play, intercepting a Lewandowski pass on the first play. An additional penalty on the play had UWP starting at the Warhawk 23. UW-Platteville turned the takeaway into points with a field goal to extend their lead to 17-13 with 12:19 left in the game.
The Warhawks’ next drive stalled at the Plattevile 39. UWW went for it on third and eight but Lewandowski was sacked giving the Pioneers the ball back at their own 46. Once again UWW’s defense registered a clutch series forcing a three-and-out punt.
Pinned deep in their own zone and despite a pair of big pass plays, the Warhawks were unable to extend the drive and were forced to punt giving the Pioneers the ball back with less than five minutes remaining.
Another three-and-out gave the Warhawk offense another shot. UWW had two-and-a-half minutes to go 84 yards. On third and nine, Lewandowski looked for Tyler Holte near the sticks – Holte thought he had hauled in the low pass but the referees signaled incomplete. Lewandowski was sacked on fourth down for the turnover on downs. Platteville ran out the clock, taking a knee the rest of the way for the 17-13 win.
Lewandowski was 16-34 for 181 yards with four interceptions. Jaylon Edmonson tallied 16 carries for 68 yards while Tamir Thomas went for 59 yards on seven attempts on the ground. Sam DeLany was the top target with 64 yards on four receptions.
Defensively, Ryan Liszka was credited with 11 tackles including six solo adding 1.5 sacks in the contest. Kyle Gallagher also registered a sack for a loss of eight yards.
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