Today is Tuesday, May 12, 2026
Saturday, January 29, 2022, is a day that will go down in sports history for the WIAA and Whitewater’s Ashly Xochipa had the opportunity to be a part of this historic day! For the first time ever, the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association, the Governing Body of Wisconsin High School Sports, sponsored the Women’s State Wrestling Championships in La Crosse, Wisconsin. Twelve weight classes, with over 220 girls, participated in this first ever sanctioned state tournament, with our first 12 ladies being able to say they were the first Woman State Champion in Wisconsin.
Ashly Xochipa participated in the 132-pound weight class that had 27 ladies looking to be named the first 132-pound state champion. Ashly represented her family, school, and community very well throughout the day. She started off the tournament with a quick first period pin of a young lady from Holmen. This pitted her against a very good freshman from Bonduel. She came up on the short side of this match. This girl did advance to the state championship match only to come in runner-up against a young girl who travels worldwide to compete.
Ashly did not let the loss get her down as she came back and secured two more pins in the consolation bracket. Both of these matches were extremely well wrestled and she used excellent technique to come out on top in each of these matches. Ashly saw her first state tournament come to an end with a tough loss to a very strong girl from West Salem. Once in the consolation bracket each match is a must win scenario to reach the podium, and Ashly did well for herself, placing in the top 12 in her weight class.
Whitewater is proud of the performance on the day going 3-2 in our first Women’s State Wrestling Tournament. This is just the first of what we are hoping will be many trips to this tournament for our ladies in Whitewater. The atmosphere was outstanding all day, and the excitement was excellent throughout the day watching some very good young ladies display their hard work in the sport of wrestling. We should all be thankful that the WIAA has joined others in providing these opportunities to the young women in our state.
Ashly and the rest of the Whippet Wrestling team will be in action on Tuesday night, February 1, when they host Janesville Craig in their final dual meet of the season. Wrestling with JV begins at 6 and Varsity begins at 7:00.
Article and Photo Submitted by John Schimming
Whitewater High School Head Wrestling Coach
jschimming@wwusd.org
The past week was a busy week for the Whippet wrestlers as they had two dual meets in one week for the first time all season, and both were on the road.
On Tuesday, January 25, the Whippets traveled to Beloit Turner to close out the Rock Valley Conference duals. Turner and Whitewater have historically had great dual meets with each other, and it has become an exciting event for both teams. Due to illness, the Whippets knew they were going to have to step up in some areas of competition and go after the bonus points at weight classes. The team did a great job throughout the night and was able to secure a 39-31 victory. Coming up with wins for the Whippets included Jarvis Porcaro, Connor Friend, Traysen Thomason, Marcus DePorter, Aaron Porras, Carter Friend, Mason DePorter, and Leo Ortiz.
Next on the schedule, the Whippets traveled to Oregon to battle the Panthers in a non-conference dual meet. The evening was full of wrestling as young Whippets and young Panthers in the clubs were paired up and participated in 21 matches mixed in with the junior varsity before the varsity teams participated. This was an exciting night for the young wrestlers as there were some great match ups, and for Whitewater, it was the first time many of them had competed in front of people. Feedback said a great time was had by both sides.
Onto the varsity event! Yet again, the Whippets had to make up some ground due to continued illness, so yet again, guys had to step up and get after bonus points. The meet was very exciting from the very first match to the very last, with great competition between the teams. Whitewater got the ball rolling and was able to secure the victory 41-33. Coming up with wins for the Whippets included Jarvis Porcaro, CJ Tomomitsu, Connor Friend, Traysen Thomason, Marcus DePorter, Aaron Porras, Carter Friend, and Leo Ortiz. CJ Tomomitsu showed much more control of the match from the previous week at a tournament when he defeated his opponent 2-0. This week he came up with the victory 8-1, in a very well wrestled match. Also putting in excellent matches were Connor Friend and Traysen Thomason. These three weight classes in a row helped get the needed snowball rolling for the Whippets. The two wins on the week improved the Whippets to 8-1 on the season.
Whitewater closes out their regular season with a busy week. On Tuesday night, February 1, they host another Non-Conference dual meet against Janesville Craig. JV begins at 6:00 and Varsity at 7:00. Thursday, February 3, the JV team will have the opportunity to hit the mat against Badger High School, with wrestling starting at 6:00. Saturday, February 5, the Whippet Varsity will travel to participate in the Rock Valley Individual Conference Tournament. Wrestling begins at 10:00 in Brodhead.
Article Submitted by John Schimming
Whitewater High School Head Wrestling Coach
jschimming@wwusd.org
File Photo Courtesy of Bob Mischka
The Whitewater Girls’ Basketball Team travelled to Beloit Turner for a conference match up Friday, January 28th.
After losing to Turner by 2 points earlier in the season, the Whippets were ready for a win. The first half was a low scoring, defensive battle. We were up by only 1 at half after Danielle DePorter hit Mayte Navejas for a layup right before the buzzer.
The Whippets tightened up their defense, moved the ball well, and connected on their shots in the second half, to secure the win, 51-28.
Freshman Calli Grosinske led the Whippets, scoring all of her 14 points in the second half (2 for 2 for 3 pointers) and adding 4 rebounds, 2 steals, and 2 assists. Kindyl Kilar had her second double-double in a row, with 12 points, 10 rebounds, and 2 assists. Mayte Navejas added 8 points and 4 assists, 2 rebounds, and 1 steal. Cali Kopecky contributed 6 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 steals. Gwen Truesdale also added 6 points, 8 rebounds, 4 steals, and 2 assists. Danielle DePorter contributed 3 points, 3 assists, and 2 rebounds.
The Whippets travel to Cambridge for a non-conference game Monday, January 31st. JV starts at 6:00 pm and Varsity at 7:30 pm.
Article Submitted by Kristen Lippens
Whitewater High School Head Girls’ Basketball Coach
klippens@wwusd.org
File Photo Courtesy of Bob Mischka
The Whitewater Whippet Boys’ Swim Team swam in their last regular season dual meet at home against a tough Badger Co-op. But the Whippets did not disappoint; we had multiple bests from all of our swimmers!
In the 200 Medley Relay, Tyler Arnett had a season best split in the 50 Backstroke going a 31.93, and Jack Hefty also had a season best split in the 50 Butterfly going a 28.31.
In the 200 Freestyle, Tyler Arnett improved his season best time, going a 2:06.60
In the 200 IM, Jack Hefty improved his overall time by 4 seconds, going a 2:32.80
In the 50 Freestyle, both Miles Nickelsburg (31.18) and Andrew O’Toole (32.15) went best times!
In the 100 Freestyle, Zach Tomomitsu improved his time by going a 1:23.29.
In the 500 Freestyle, Tyler Arnett put on a great race, getting a 2nd place finish and a season best time of 5:31.30.
In the 100 Backstroke, Miles Nickelsburg had a 14 second drop and went a 1:24.90. Zach Tomomitsu also had an impressive drop of 8 seconds!
In the 100 Breaststroke, Andrew O’Toole continued to drop his time, going 16 seconds faster than his previous time.
In the 400 Freestyle Relay, Jack Hefty was able to go a best time in the 100 Freestyle with a 59.13. Miles Nickelsburg also had an impressive split, going a 1:12.14
The Whippets are now entering championship season and will compete in the Conference Championship Meet at Delavan-Darien on Saturday, February 5th, beginning at 11 a.m.!
Article Submitted by Sarah Reynolds
Whitewater High School Co-Head Swim Coach
sreynolds@wwusd.org
Photo Courtesy of Bob Mischka
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