What a day for the Whippet CC Teams! In what were nearly perfect race conditions, the Whippet CC Teams were back in action to participate in the 84th Annual Janesville Midwest Invitational hosted at Blackhawk Golf Course on Saturday, September 24. The event boasts 50 teams that are all extremely high caliber and is more than a meet; it is an event. They were tasked by the coaching staff to try some new things today in the races and see if they could produce a result that would be not otherwise attainable. Whitewater didn’t disappoint and walked away with some new personal bests and experiences that will last a lifetime. 

The girls’ varsity was first to compete in this hotly contested event with 109 girls running under 21:00 for 5000m. These girls weren’t deterred and were motivated by the “slay” writing on the course. Every girl PR’d for the season and had an average time drop as a group of 67 seconds. Mady Hefty paced the Whippets with a massive PR of 21:24. From top to bottom they stayed committed to each other and the power of the team to achieve new personal bests. The collective efforts afforded them an overall place of 37th out of 50 teams in this incredible meet. The JV team picked up where the varsity left off and even brought some medals home. Isabella Aranda placed 25th and Jackie Franco debuted in her first race to take the final medal in 30th. As a collective group, several runners dropped minutes off their personal bests from before! The JV squad took 10th place overall.

The boys’ varsity race featured some outstanding times as well. In this hotly contested race, 106 boys ran under 17:30 which shows how deep the field was today on their end. Jack Hefty earned the final medal by placing 30th with a time of 16:34.5. The five runners in this event all improved by an average of 30 seconds and finished 34th out of 50 teams. The JV boys stayed gritty as well and just crushed their races. Sterling Truesdale was electric on the course to pace the Whippet JV team with a new PR of 21:38. The team all improved by an average of 1:17! The JV team finished 34th out of 50 teams.

Full Results: https://wi.milesplit.com/meets/496172-midwest-invitational-2022/results#.Yy-6h3bMK3B

The Whippets will compete in their final regular season event on Saturday, October 1st in Platteville for the Dick McKitchan Invite. Races begin at 9:00 am.

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

The JV Volleyball Teams played some good ball, but fell to the Tide in 3 sets at Edgerton on Thursday, September 22. The coaches are proud of the growth they are seeing. While the end result may not be a victory, the victories are in the improvements we are seeing in each athlete. We are excited for the program growth as a whole this season!

The Whitewater Varsity Squad (3-1 conference, and 15-6 overall) traveled to Edgerton during Edgerton’s Homecoming week and took care of business in 4 sets. Edgerton came out playing well in a loud gym in set one. The Whippets started out slowly and while they continued to keep it close, lost the first set 24-26.

That was the only loss, as this is a team that perseveres, and they never wavered, going 3 straight set wins to take the match 24-26, 25-23, 25-21, 25-14.

Edgerton played tough, but the Whippets are strong both offensively and defensively. We served tough and we stayed focused on defense. Offensively, we continued to run a faster tempo offense. Our serving was tough all night, and so we were able to get Edgerton out of system quite a bit. We capitalized on every opportunity we were given!

The team had to travel twice this week with Beloit and Edgerton. Traveling can be tough, but this varsity squad is laser focused on their goals. They continue to support one another, and they simply have fun playing the game they love!

Statistical leaders included Kindyl Kilar with another double-double, garnering 31 kills, 14 digs, and 2 blocks. Calli Grosinske also captured a double-double with 35 assists and 14 digs. Jenna Pope was blocking strong at the net with 4 blocks on the night. Finally, Caleigh Yang tallied 14 digs in the match.

Ella Spear ended the last set with a dominating ace, and the Whippets now are 3-1 in conference and 15-6 overall. Next up we are at home for Senior Night on Tuesday, September 27 against Jefferson, and on the road at Evansville on Thursday, September 29. We are hoping to continue the high level of play! Hope to see you in the gym!

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

Whitewater (3-1 conference, and 14-6 overall) traveled to Beloit Turner and took care of business winning in three straight sets 25-21, 25-14, 25-17.

First up was JV1 and JV2. JV2 lost in 3 sets, but Coach Ariel Feiertag commented, “We had a good fight in set three! Unfortunately, we dug ourselves too many deep holes that we just couldn’t dig out of. I am proud of their fight!”

JV1 saw themselves in an epic battle, winning the first set, then losing the second with a score of 28-30. Coach Rosie Jaskolski commented, “This was a true battle. Our players worked so hard, stayed focused and fought until the end. The rallies were fun to watch, and the athletes gave it all they had. Unfortunately, we fell short in the third and lost the match.”

The Varsity squad took to the court and took care of business. The Whippets never trailed in any set and won all three. Coach Mary Kilar commented, “I love that we are playing with confidence and as a team. It didn’t matter who was in the match, the play remained solid all the way through! Every member of our squad saw playing time and produced!”

Statistical leaders for the Whippets included Callie Grosinske with 21 assists, Calli Kopecky and Kindyl Kilar with 3 aces apiece, Caleigh Yang with 10 digs, and Kindyl Kilar with 16 kills. Jenna Pope had a defensive match to watch and came away with 3 blocks. “Jenna Pope is playing some ball! She is a force in the middle both offensively and defensively. She had 3 big blocks, and is truly dominating,” said Kilar.

Statistical leaders for the Beloit Turner squad included Nevayah House with 9 kills, Cacee Carl with 22 assists, Mikayla Pringle with 2 aces, and Maddi Carl with 18 digs.

“We hope to continue to play with the same determination we have had all season. This is a fun team to watch and be part of!” said Kilar. Next up, the Whippets travel to Edgerton to take on the Tide on Thursday, September 22nd.

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