WHS Tennis season comes to a close

Photos by Bob Mischka

From Coach Dittmer:

Our tennis season concluded today with sub-sectionals at East Troy. Nick Kuzoff won his first match via forfeit against Monroe. He then lost to #1 McFarland (Tyson Laux) 6-2, 6-2 in the next round. Despite the loss, he played a good match in which he hustled to track down every ball and make his opponent work to earn every point. Of our players today, I was most impressed with #1 doubles (Cole Kinson and Austin Kaya) and #4 singles (Henry Bresser). Cole and Austin took care of Jefferson in the first round, beating them 6-4, 6-3 with some great net play. They eventually fell to top-seeded Big Foot in the next round 6-2, 6-1. Henry Bresser won a tight battle in first match against Edgerton 7-6(8), 5-7, 6-4. He then lost the next round to #1 McFarland (Jack Newman) 6-1, 6-1. Henry showed a lot of promise with his groundstrokes and I am very optimistic about his tennis future.

Unfortunately, we were unable to advance anyone to Sectionals, but I thought we played good matches and have nothing to hang our heads about. I had a great season coaching these players and look forward to seeing how our younger players grow next season. I will certainly miss our three Seniors, Cole Kinson, Anthony Reed, and captain Joe Creanza. They were great leaders to our team. I can’t wait for next season, go Whippets!

WHS Girls’ Soccer ties Edgerton

From Coach McCrea:

On Friday, May 18, the Whitewater Whippet Girls’ Soccer traveled to Edgerton for a conference match against the Tide. The Whippets, holding a 5-2-0 Rock Valley Conference record, were looking to solidify a third-place regular season conference placement with a win and goal margin to outpace Evansville for the spot behind conference-leading McFarland and second-place Big Foot.

The Tide found the goal in the fifth minute of play to take a 1-0 lead. The coaching staff made some player moves to account for Edgerton’s speed on the flanks and slow down the Tide’s pressure. In the 30th minute, Sierra Brunner scored on an assist by Kacie Carollo. In the second half, Whitewater dominated possession but lacked accuracy on its shot selection leading to a 1-1 tie with the Tide and a fourth place, out of nine, finish.

Whitewater now, 5-2-1, plays McFarland on Monday at Madison College for the first game of the RVC tournament. Play will continue on Thursday when Whitewater will travel to meet the winner of the Big Foot-Evansville match.

WHS Baseball honors Seniors, drops pair vs McFarland

Article and Photo by Nate Parrish

A night after completing a regular season sweep over Jefferson the Whitewater High School baseball team ran into a buzz saw as McFarland swept both games of a doubleheader by scores of 14-10 and 9-0 eliminating Whitewater from the conference title race. Whitewater had several chances after falling behind 9-2 and 11-4 in game 1. They crawled back to 11-10 after 6 innings but McFarland scored 3 in the top of the 7th to put the game out of reach. Whitewater left 9 runners on base and hit several lineouts to end innings with runners on base that could have changed the tide. McFarland had 7 extra base hits and Whitewater committed 3 errors that proved costly. In the second game, Whitewater was held to three hits as McFarland collected 10 hits in a 9-0 final. Coach Pease was very disappointed in the overall performance “We came out flat and fell behind but got back into the game late, just could not get a couple key hits to keep an inning going in that first game. We need to play defense better and pitch better, if we make a couple plays early in the game it changes the momentum, once McFarland got going the hitting became contagious, give them credit for hitting the ball well but we need to do a better job across the board.”

Seniors Jimmy Duval, Bryce Parrish and James Dedrick were recognized for their 4 years in the program as  Whitewater celebrated Senior night. All three were Freshmen when Coach Pease took over as Head Coach and they were a big part of rebuilding Whippet baseball. All three Seniors are 4-year letter winners with Jimmy and Bryce 4 year starters and James a 3 year starter. All three have had various all-conference recognition and are Team Captains this year. Coach Pease would like to thank the Seniors for their leadership and what they have meant to the program. Coach Pease said “All three will hold a special place with me, not just because of the first kids to go all 4 years with the Coaching staff but the type of individuals they are. They are just really good kids that show up and work hard every day to get better and it has been a pleasure to not only coach them but get to know them, they have bright futures ahead of them”.

Box Score (Game 1)

Box Score (Game 2)

Whippets complete rare sweep of season series with Jefferson

WHS 8   Jefferson 0

By Nate Parrish

The Whitewater High School baseball team completed a season sweep over Jefferson for the first time in over 10 years with an 8-0 win on Thursday night. The Whippet bats got off to a great start as James Dedrick led the bottom of the first off with a walk, Dylan Pease would sac bunt him over to second and Bryce Parrish would homer to left for a 2-0 lead. Whitewater would strike again in the 2nd inning as Cooper Pease would walk, Danny Harnack would move him over with a ground ball and Chris Dedrick would reach on an infield hit. After a balk was called on the Jefferson pitcher, James Dedrick would single driving in both runners and a 4-0 lead after 2 innings. In the bottom of the 4th inning Whitewater would add some insurance runs as Alex Fero would get things started with a one-out single, James Dedrick would follow with a line drive single and Bryce Parrish would also single to load the bases. Jimmy Duval would single to center scoring two to make it 6-0. After a Jefferson error, a fly ball would drop in by Cooper Pease for two more runs and a final score of 8-0. The hitting attack was led by Bryce Parrish 3×3, a home run and 2 RBI’s, James Dedrick 2×3 and 2 RBI’s, Chris Dedrick 2×3, Jimmy Duval and Cooper Pease had 2 RBI’s.

Bryce Parrish picked up the win on the mound by going 6.2 innings allowing 5 hits, no runs, striking out 10, and walking 1. Parrish would leave the game due to pitch count rules and Chris Dedrick needed 1 pitch to induce a ground ball to end the game. Coach Pease said, “it is a goal every year to go out and compete with Jefferson, they have been one of the top teams in the conference for many years and to pick up a couple wins is big for our program but most of all it is great for the kids. Now we need to build on the momentum”.

Next up is a doubleheader with McFarland at home on Friday evening with first pitch at 4:30

The State Baseball seedings were announced and Whitewater received the 1 seed and first-round bye with Jefferson earning the 2 seed. Whitewater will play the winner of Delavan vs East Troy and Jefferson will play the winner of Big Foot vs Clinton.  First tournament game for Whitewater will be Tuesday, May 29 at home with first pitch at 4:45

Box Score

Parker Shoots Career Round at RVC Conference Invite

Article and Photos by Coach Wiegman

On Wednesday, Whitewater senior Billie Jo Parker entered the Rock Valley Conference (RVC) Invitational comfortably seated in the top ten after last Thursday’s regular season mini-meet. Parker only needed to maintain her conference season average of 43 to secure all-conference honors. Playing in beautiful sunshine at Riverside Golf Course in Janesville, Parker fired a career-low 18-hole round of 77 to finish third place overall and secure those all-conference honors. Parker found herself with a few pre-match nerves heading into her tee time at her final conference meet, stating, “I was quite tense but slowly got into the round.”

Starting on the back nine, Parker shot a 38 with birdies on the 14th and 18th holes, making her 18th hole birdie with a chip shot. According to Parker, “Shooting a 38 for the first 9 got me really pumped for the back 9, especially being able to end the front 9 with a birdie chip. Breaking my personal best by scoring under 40 gave me a huge confidence boost for the rest of the day.”

On the final nine holes, Parker continued a hot streak shooting even par through hole six. On hole seven, she found herself in trouble with an errant drive into the left rough and finished with a triple bogey. After the triple bogey, Parker explained how she chose to lean on her four-year varsity experience. “I always tell myself when I have a bad hole that it’s in the past and the next hole is a fresh start. Being in that mindset help me push through to the very end.”

Using that experience, Parker finished with a bogey and par on the following holes, ending with a front nine score of 39. After, she reflected on her golf journey saying, “Being able to end my senior year of golf by placing third is absolutely amazing. I felt that I have worked hard not only the four years of my high school golf career but all the years before (beginning at age six). And I’m glad to say that all that work has paid off.”

The Whippets finished with a team score of 410, good for 6th place overall. Senior Jacob Zuehlke finished with a final round score of 108, continuing his steady improvement throughout the season. Fellow senior Tommy Cushman finished with a score of 112, and Bowen Babcock and Jon Brunner rounded out the scoring for the Whippets with scores of 113 and 126. Next up, the Whippets will compete in the WIAA Division 2 Racine St. Catherine’s Regional held at Ives Groves Golf Course on Wednesday, May 23.

Whitewater goes to extra innings, pulls out win at Jefferson

Photos by Bob Mischka

Article by Nate Parrish

Whitewater High School baseball team (11-4, RVC 11-3) remained in 2nd place, 1 game behind Beloit Turner, after winning a hard-fought 10 inning game at Jefferson last night, 6-4. The Whippets wasted no time getting on the board as Dylan Pease singled and, after Bryce Parrish was hit by a pitch, Jimmy Duval followed with an RBI single to left. Jordan Curtis would ground into a fielder’s choice scoring Parrish for a 2-0 lead going into the bottom of the first. Jefferson would answer as Ian Drays had an RBI double followed by a Sam Cincotta RBI single to knot the game at 2. In the top of 3rd, Bryce Parrish would drill his 7th home run of the year to deep left, this time a solo shot for a 3-2 lead. Jefferson would answer again in the bottom of the frame with two outs, after Whitewater turned a double play, Jefferson would put together a couple of hits sandwiched between a hit batter and walk to take the lead at 4-3. The lead would stay that way until the 7th inning when Dylan Pease came up with a clutch hit scoring Chris Dedrick to tie the game at 4 and head to extra innings. In the 10th inning, Whitewater caught a break with 1 out as Dylan Pease was able to reach on an error, Parrish would ground out moving him over and after a Jimmy Duval walk, Jordan Curtis would come up with a huge RBI double to right center scoring two runs and giving Whitewater the 6-4 lead. Bryce Parrish would close the door in the bottom of the frame to secure the victory. Dylan Pease led the hitting going 2 for 5 with an RBI, Jimmy Duval was 2 for 4 with an RBI, and Jordan Curtis had 3 RBI’s including the game-winning double.

Whitewater used 3 pitchers in the 10 inning affair with James Dedrick going 4 innings allowing 5 hits, 4 runs while striking out 4 and walking 2 with 1 hit batter. Hunter Martin did a great job in relief tossing 4.2 innings, not allowing a hit or run while striking out 3, walking 2, and 1 hit batter. Bryce Parrish would pick up the win throwing 1.1 innings while not allowing a hit and striking out 3 with no walks. Coach Pease was excited for the team and said, “that was a great high school baseball game with a number of ups and downs, we hung in there and the kids never quit, I am so happy for the kids to pull out a victory like that one”.

The team will have a quick a turnaround as they will complete the home and home series on Thursday with first pitch at 4:45.

It should also be noted that the Friday doubleheader at Union Grove has been canceled and replaced with a doubleheader at home against McFarland – please come out and enjoy the weather and some good baseball.

Box Score

Whippets defeat Cougars in RVC soccer play

Photos by Bob Mischka

From Coach McCrea:

On Tuesday, May 15, the Whitewater Whippets (4-2-2 overall, 4-2-0 in Rock Valley Conference play) traveled to Clinton for a conference match-up and defeated the host Cougars 8-2 to improve to 5-2-0 in RVC play. Jaden Henneman scored inside the keeper box on a short pass assist from Carmen Kraayvanger in the 7th minute of play. In the 15th minute, the Henneman – Kraayvanger duo struck again in similar fashion to put the visiting Whippets up 2-0. In the 30th minute Clinton scored and in the 33rd minute, Sierra Brunner scored inside the 18. Clinton responded with a goal in the 34th minute. The Whippets took a 3-2 lead into the half. The Whippets play was fair, but needed to improve against an improved Clinton team motivated by celebrating senior night.

In the second half the Whippets put up five goals, starting with Crystal Chan (47th minute), three more goals by Sierra Brunner for a total of four for the night (63rd, 68th and 70th), two of which were assisted by Kacie Carollo, and a final goal by Odessa Sonn in the 78th minute. Strong interior mid-field play by Carollo, Meikaylo Korf, and Carmen Kraayvanger proved too much for the Cougars.

Whitewater JV and V return to RVC play on Friday, May 18th, traveling to Edgerton with JV play beginning at 4:45 followed by the varsity match.

WHS tennis takes six of seven matches versus University Lake

WHITEWATER HIGH 6, UNIVERSITY LAKE SCHOOL 1

Singles
No. 1 — Garrison Keller, University Lake School, def. Slate Spear, WHITEWATER HIGH, 2-6, 6-3, 10-7; No. 2 — Joseph Creanza, WHITEWATER HIGH, def. Cory Muehlmeier, University Lake School, 6-1, 6-7 (4), 10-5; No. 3 — Nicholas Kuzoff, WHITEWATER HIGH, def. Sean Cavin, University Lake School, 6-1, 6-3; No. 4 — Henry Bresser, WHITEWATER HIGH, def. Leah Bryant-Nanz, University Lake School, 6-2, 6-4;

Doubles
No. 1 — Austin Kaja-Cole Kinson, WHITEWATER HIGH, def. Priscilla Bronner-Andy Xia, University Lake School 6-7 (5), 6-3, 10-3; No. 2 — Colin Chenoweth-Anthony Reed, WHITEWATER HIGH, def. Braden Anderson-Colin Chen, University Lake School 6-0, 6-1; No. 3 — Weston Lema-Broderick Frye, WHITEWATER HIGH, def. Jameson Cavin-Elias Rink, University Lake School 6-2, 6-1;

Comments from Coach Dittmer:

We won our meet 6-1 against University Lake. Our #2 and #3 doubles played great matches and won in convincing fashion. Both doubles teams were aggressive and converted on a lot of overheads. Henry Bresser and Nick Kuzoff both earned singles wins with good, consistent shot making. Joe Creanza wasn’t feeling his best, but was able to dig deep and pull out a victory in a 3rd set tiebreaker. #1 doubles rebounded to win the match after dropping the first set. Slate Spear lost his #1 singles match, but I felt like this was one of his top performances of the season. His opponent was just able to elevate his game a little more than Slate in the deciding tiebreak.

Whippets track and field compete in RVC conference championship

Photos by Bob Mischka

Comments from Coach Houwers:

Saturday afternoon the Whippets Track and Field teams competed in the Rock Valley Conference Championships held at Jefferson High School.  The boys’ team finished 3rd out of 10, while the girls finished 6th.

Sashi Popke was the only Whippet to be crowned conference champion, winning both the pole vault and the long jump.  Both efforts were personal bests.  His pole vault of 13’3″ was 3″ better than his previous best. His long jump of 21′ 5.5″ was also a personal best and put him on the top ten list in the long jump.  That’s the 3rd event he’s made the top ten list for this season.

A number of other boys had big days.  Tyler Sheffield scored in the 100m, 200m, 4×100 relay and triple jump.  The meet was the first time Tyler competed in the triple jump, going 40′ 2.5″ for 5th place.  Will Leibbrand also had 4 events and scored in them all.  He was 3rd in the 100m, ran on the 2nd place 4x100m relay and 4th place 4x200m relay, and scored in the long jump.  Jack Mayer was 3rd in both the 110 hurdles and the 200m dash, and ran on the 4th place 4×400 relay.  Jacob Korf and Trenten Zahn tripled with the 4×800 relay, 800m run, and 4×400 relay, and both scored in all three events.  Juan Cuellar joined them on both relays and also scored in the 400m dash.  The boys put together a real strong performance across the board.  Everyone who competed carried their weight and made the meet a very exciting one.

Miranda Reynolds and Abby Grosinske had the highest finishes for the girls’ team, taking 2nd in the high jump and shot put respectively.  Miranda was competing for the first time this season after injuring her quad the first week of the season.  The 4×100 relay of Morgan Radaj, Abby Grosinske, Morgan Wiedenhoeft, and Grace Black was third.  Hailey Murphy and Ali Ketterhagen finished 4th in the 300 hurdles and high jump. The 4×200 relay of Morgan Radaj, Morgan Wiedenhoeft, Lily Dunklau and Catherine Skingdingsrude and the 4×800 relay team of Nicole Tomomitsu, Allisan Barrett, Jenna Lee, and Grace Fanshaw also medalled with a 4th place finish.  Nicole had a fantastic leadoff leg, really setting the table for the rest of the team.

WHS Baseball comes up short against Beloit Turner

Bryce Parrish delivering a pitch vs Beloit Turner on May 10.

Photos by Bob Mischka

Article by Nate Parrish

WHS 1 Beloit Turner 3

Whitewater High School baseball team (10-4) lost to 6th ranked Beloit Turner 3-1 in a very good high school baseball game on Thursday evening. Whitewater would get on the board first in the top of the 4th inning in what turned out to be a pitchers’ duel. Bryce Parrish led off the inning with a double and Jimmy Duval followed with another double for a 1-0 lead. Turner would come up with one of two very good defensive plays in the game to end the inning. With a runner on 3rd and one out, Whitewater hit a hard ground ball down the 3rd base line, Turner 3rd baseman made a great snag, was able to tag the Whippet runner trying to get back to 3rd then throw to first for an inning-ending double play. In the bottom of the 4th, Turner would tie the game on a squeeze bunt to make it 1-1. In the 5th, Turner would add one more run after a Whitewater error for a 2-1 lead. In the top of the 6th, Whitewater had a golden opportunity to tie the game or take the lead with bases loaded. Turner would make the 2nd momentum-changing play of the game as Cooper Pease hit a hard ground ball that looked like a hit but the Turner 2nd baseman made a diving stop and threw him out at 1st to end the inning. Turner would get one more in the bottom of the 6th for a final score of 3-1. James Dedrick and Dylan Pease were both 2×3 as the Whippets managed just 6 hits. Bryce Parrish took the loss going 6 innings, allowing 9 hits, 3 runs, 2 earned runs while striking out 4 and walking none. The loss keeps Whitewater in 2nd place in the conference as Jefferson lost to McFarland. Beloit Turner and Jefferson are tied for 1st place with less than 2 weeks left in the regular season.

Coach Pease said, “There is no quit in this team and we battled right to the end but they made a couple more plays than we did, but that’s baseball. The good news is we have a lot of baseball left to play and we will focus on getting better every day.”

Box Score