Shawano Leader Sports Headlines

Team seeks to regain Division 2 statusBy: 

Leader Staff

Leader Photo by Jason Arndt The Shawano Ski Sharks’ ballet line will be counted on to perform well Friday at the Wisconsin State Water Ski Show Championships on Lake Wazeecha near Wisconsin Rapids.
Leader Photo by Jason Arndt The Shawano Ski Sharks perform before a crowd of hundreds at Wolf River Beach on Wednesday. The team will compete in the Wisconsin State Water Ski Show Championships Friday on Lake Wazeecha near Wisconsin Rapids.

The Shawano Ski Sharks’ hopes for a state championship could very well rest on the shoulders of its 18-woman ballet line.

The 49th annual Wisconsin State Water Ski Championships run Thursday through Sunday on Lake Wazeecha near Wisconsin Rapids. Twenty-eight teams will compete in three divisions. The Shawano squad will be in Division 3, which competes on Friday.

“Our single biggest strength on the team is that we have a lot of ladies,” said Eric Gran, a 26-year veteran of the Ski Sharks. “I would put money down that we have the largest ballet line.”

The Sharks will send a 50-member team to Lake Wazeecha in search of their first state title since 2010.

“We have a lot of girls that we are counting on to shine,” Sharks show coordinator Brad Kueschel said. “They could be one of our highest-scoring acts.”

Leah Passehl said she and her fellow ballet line members are prepared to showcase their talents.

“We have a lot of a talent and we want to show what Shawano has,” Passehl said. “It is fun to be a part of a competing team.”

Scoring is conducted by a panel of five judges. Acts are judged on flow, execution, showmanship, costuming, theme, music, spectator appeal and technical difficulty. Teams can score additional points for boat driving skills, safety and announcer quality.

Gran said the challenge is maintaining intensity for the entire 60-minute show. All teams must perform at least 13 acts.

Regardless of outcome, Passehl notes the experience of competing at state is invaluable.

“It is a great experience,” she said.

Chain Skimmers, a team based in Conover, won the Division 3 title last year. The Wisconsin Rapids Aqua Skiers placed second.

The Ski Sharks finished last in the 2014 Division 2 championships, resulting in a demotion to Division 3 this year. The only way for the team to regain Division 2 status is to win the D3 title.

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Shawano 9

Seymour 8

Jack Lacy scored the winning run in the top of the seventh inning in Game 2 of a doubleheader Tuesday against visiting Seymour.

Grant Wainio (1 for 3) hit a two-run double and scored a run for Shawano. Both Chase Henning and Ky Schmidt scored two runs.

Tommy Stueck pitched three innings in relief, allowing no hits, struck out four, walked one and allowed one run to pick up the win for Shawano (10-6, 5-1 Fox River Valley-West).

Shawano 4

Seymour 2

Brendan Cummings pitched seven innings, allowed one hit, two runs, walked five and struck out two in a Game 1 win Tuesday against Seymour.

Cummings held Seymour hitless until Clayton VanLanen (1-2, walk, two runs) singled in the sixth.

Ky Schmidt and Chase Henning each went 1 for 2 with a double and run scored for Shawano. Grant Wainio was 1 for 3 with two runs scored.

Trenton LaCombe took the loss for Seymour. He worked six innings, struck out five, walked two and allowed three hits.

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By: 

Gary Seymour, [email protected]

When the Green Bay Packers open their regular season on Sept. 13 in Chicago, they will do it without the services of defensive end Datone Jones.

Jones, the Packers’ No. 1 pick in the 2013 draft and the 26th player selected overall, was suspended for one game by the National Football League for violating the league’s substance abuse policy.

As you may have heard, Jones was booked for marijuana possession last January, on the night the Packers had returned home from their 26-20 overtime loss to Seattle in the NFC title game.

It’s likely that he wasn’t the only one in Wisconsin self-medicating after that game.

But if the report about how the bust came about is true – one of the residents in the apartment complex where he made the purchase looked out to the parking lot to see who was blaring the car radio after midnight and called police after observing what appeared to be a drug deal – he’s more guilty of stupidity than anything else. If you’re buying marijuana in one of the 48 states where it’s not legal, you might consider not drawing attention to yourself while you’re doing it.

Jones started three games last season and played in 13, with his best performance coming in the 26-21 win over Dallas in the divisional playoffs. In that game, he partially blocked a field goal attempt that would have given the Cowboys a 17-7 lead late in the first half, and recovered a fumble in the third quarter to set up a field goal that cut the Packers’ deficit to 14-13.

So, while his rookie season was regarded as a mild disappointment for a first-rounder, he did have his moments in what was at the time the Packers’ biggest game of the season.

Plus, he had the restraint to wait until after the game to catch a buzz. Not all of the consciousness-altering notables in sports history can say that.

Dock Ellis of the Pittsburgh Pirates famously threw a no-hitter against San Diego 45 years ago while tripping on acid.

Gary McClain ran the point guard position for eventual 1985 national basketball champion Villanova University in its semifinal win over Memphis State – with a quarter-gram of cocaine coursing through his bloodstream.

New York Yankees great Mickey Mantle hit a home run in the 1960s while massively hung over and maybe still legally drunk, prompting him to plop down on the dugout bench and remark about the cheering crowd, “They have no idea how hard that was.”

So, Jones’ getting popped for possession doesn’t exactly put him in exclusive company. The list of professional athletes and substance abuse issues is a long one.

The NFL’s substance-abuse policy, which last year was mercifully relaxed in relation to marijuana infractions, is byzantine and condition-layered. For example, the threshold for what is considered a presence of marijuana in the blood was changed last year from 15 nanograms of tetrahydrocannabinol per milliliter to 35 nanograms per milliliter. So a player may get stoned, just not too stoned.

Additionally, a player will be fined but not suspended until testing positive for marijuana a fourth time, barring any run-ins with the law. That last part is what will keep Jones from playing in the opener. The bottom line is fairly simple: If you’re a player who dabbles in herb outside of Colorado or Washington, don’t get caught.

Jones was scheduled to make $1,106, 509 this season. His one-game suspension, which like all NFL suspensions is without pay, plus the $880 fine he paid the court and whatever he gave to the dealer, means he’s out about 66 grand. That’s one pricey bag of weed. Hopefully it was good stuff.

Veteran sportswriter Gary Seymour’s column appears weekly in the Leader. To contact him, send email to [email protected] this article:  Select ratingGive it 1/5Give it 2/5Give it 3/5Give it 4/5Give it 5/5 No votes yet

Girls 12U squad wins tourney titleBy: 

Jason Arndt, [email protected]

Leader Photo by Jason Arndt Shawano Black pitcher Caitlin Daniel goes into her windup Saturday in a girls U12 softball game against Shiocton at the Shawano Youth League tournament at Memorial Park. Shawano lost, 12-0.
Leader Photo by Jason Arndt Shawano Black U8 left fielder Riley Moede prepares to return a ball to the infield Saturday in a 12-2 win over Bay Port at Memorial Field.

Shawano’s Red 12U softball team was bullish about winning its Shawano Youth League tournament Sunday.

Shawano defeated the New London Bulldogs, 13-4, in the title game.

Shawano also defeated the Bulldogs, 3-1, in the opening round Friday and sandwiched victories over Plover, Peshtigo and Green Bay Southwest between the New London encounters.

“The girls had a great weekend,” SYL president Dustin Beyer said. “There are a lot of talented girls there … and a lot of solid pitching.”

Shawano Red was coached by Brian Johnson, varsity softball coach at Shawano Community High School for 20 years until stepping down five years ago.

“You can’t find a better coach in town than Johnson,” Beyer said.

Johnson said his young team played like a more experienced squad.

“They are doing things my varsity team used to do. They are making pickoff plays,” Johnson said. “That is impressive when you got kids that young that understand the game.

“All the girls played hard hard out there and had fun out there. That is what is all about. The talent level was really sound here. It is a tough tournament to win.”

The team consisted of Selena O’Kimosh, Noami Wynos, Destiny Reindl, Gracyn Habeck, Abi Vomastic, Rachel Reed, Kendra Kristof, Brianna Wright, Lydia Beyer, Jadyn Peters and Jesse Kobs.

The Shawano Black 12U team went 1-2 in the tourney.

Boys 8U

Shawano versus Shawano.

That scenario played out Sunday when Shawano Black defeated Shawano Red, 14-4, in the third-place game of the Shawano Youth League boys 8U baseball tourney.

“It was a real fun game. It was fun to play against them,” said Dustin Beyer, Shawano Youth League president and coach of Shawano Black. “The red team has a real great young group of kids that are coming up through the system.”

The Black squad lost 8-6 to Menasha on Friday, then defeated Hortonville, 13-3, and Bay Port, 12-2, Saturday.

The Red squad lost 8-0 to Oconto on Friday, then defeated Clintonville, 9-6, and Bonduel, 7-2, Saturday.

Menasha defeated Oconto 12-8 to win the tourney title Sunday.

Girls 10U

Freedom beat West De Pere, 2-1, Sunday in the Girls 10U title game.

Bonduel went 1-2 in the tourney, while Shawano Red and Shawano Black each went 0-3.

AT A GLANCE

SHAWNO YOUTH LEAGUE TOURNAMENTS

BOYS 8U BASEBALL

Pool A: 1. Oconto, 2-0-1; 2. Shawano Red, 2-1; 3. Bonduel 1-2; 4. Clintonville, 0-2-1.

Pool B: 1. Menasha, 3-0; 2. Shawano Black, 2-1; 3. Bay Port, 1-2; 4. Hortonville, 0-3.

Championship: Menasha 12, Oconto 8

Third place: Shawano Black 14, Shawano Red 4.

GIRLS 10U SOFTBALL

Pool A: 1. Clintonville, 2-0; 2. Bonduel, 1-1; 3. Shawano Black, 0-2.

Pool B: 1. Freedom, 2-0; 2. Plover 10, 1-1; 3. Pulaski, 0-2.

Pool C: 1. West De Pere Black, 2-0; 2. De Pere Fire, 1-1; 3. Plover 9, 0-2; 3.

Pool D: 1. West De Pere Orange, 1-1; 2. Seymour, 2-0; 3. Shawano Red, 0-2.

Preliminaries: West De Pere Orange def. Plover 9; De Pere Fire def. Shawano Red; Plover 10 def. Shawano Black; Pulaski def. Bonduel.

Byes: Clintonville, Freedom, West De Pere Black, Seymour.

Quarterfinals: West De Pere Orange def. Clintonville; Freedom def. De Pere; West De Pere Black def. Plover 10; Seymour def. Pulaski.

Semifinals: Freedom def. West De Pere Orange; West De Pere Black def. Seymour.

Championship: Freedom 2, West De Pere Black 1

Third place: West De Pere Orange 2, Seymour 1

GIRLS 12U SOFTBALL

Pool A: 1. Shawano Black, 1-1; 2. Shiocton, 2-0; 3. Bonduel, 0-2.

Pool B: 1. Freedom, 2-0; 2. Plover 12, 1-1; 3. Green Bay Southwest, 0-2.

Pool C: 1. Peshtigo, 2-0; 2. Ripon, 0-2; 3. Antigo, 1-1.

Pool D: 1. Plover 11, 0-2; 2. New London, 1-1; 3. Shawano Red, 2-0.

Preliminaries: Plover def. Bonduel; Green Bay Southwest def. Shawano Black; Antigo def. Plover 11; New London def. Ripon.

Byes: Peshtigo, Shawano Red, Shiocton, Freedom

Quarterfinals: Peshtigo def. Plover 12; Shawano Red def. GB Southwest, Antigo def. Shiocton; New London def. Freedom.

Semifinals: Shawano Red def. Peshtigo; New London def. Antigo.

Championship: Shawano Red 13, New London 4

Third place: Peshtigo 3, Antigo 1

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Next round of games begins FridayBy: 

Jason Arndt, [email protected]

The Shawano Youth League tournament drew high praise from out-of-town participants on the first of three consecutive weekends of baseball and softball action at Memorial Field.

SYL President Dustin Beyer credited the entire community for making the opening weekend a success.

“It is a long process to get everything together,” Beyer said. “This is not going to happen unless you have a lot of volunteers in town; a lot of parents come on down and help out, which is really appreciated.”

The opening weekend featured 32 teams in three tourneys: 8U boys, 10U girls and 12U girls.

“Shawano is considered one of the oldest tournaments around the area,” Oconto 8U boys coach Jeremy Wusterbarth said. “I just enjoy coming back every year, and they run a great tournament. The fans are great.”

Wusterbarth, who was 10 when his father coached him in the tourney, this year coached his son, Ethan. In the last five years, the tournament has evolved into a vacation trip for the family.

“The kids love it.” Wusterbarth said. “It is great that they have campsites nearby.”

Menasha boys 8U baseball coach Bob Aykens experienced the tournament for the first time.

“This is our farthest tournament,” Aykens said. “It is worth it. Everybody that is here has been pretty open and friendly, and there is good sportsmanship.”

Aykens commended Shawano Park and Recreation Department officials for a well-groomed field and playing surface.

“When we are looking at tournaments for next year, when our board talks, I will let them know that Shawano is a good tournament,” he said.

Bonduel girls 12U softball coach Chris Gehm echoed the praise from other coaches.

“There is a lot of dedication here, as far as coaches, parents and even the high school programs,” Gehm said. “It is a dedication that sets Shawano apart.”

From Friday through Sunday, girls 8U softball, boys 11U baseball and boys 12U baseball will take over the diamonds. The boys 9U and 10U baseball tourneys cap off the local series from July 24-26.

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By: 

Scott Williams, [email protected]

A big crowd turned out in support of the Shawano Speedway’s fifth edition of Racing for a Reason.

For the second week in a row, a new name joined the Late Model win list. It didn’t take long for Mike Mullen to get comfortable behind the wheel of a Late Model. In only his second Late Model appearance, Mullen picked up his first career Late Model feature win.

Also, Jamie Schmidt made it two in a row in the IMCA Modified class. Travis VanStraten ran his win streak to eight in a row in the IMCA Stock Cars. Lucas Lamberies won his third of the year in the IMCA Sport Mods. Calvin Stueck scored his third feature of the season.

Late Model

Michael Stangl took the lead on the opening lap of the Late Model feature, while Mark Rose and Tom Naeyaert quickly moved to second and third on the track. Naeyaert and Mullen passed Rose in pursuit of Stangl on lap four. Stangl continued to pace the race until a caution flew after lap 10. On lap 11, Naeyaert, Mullen and Troy Springborn all snuck past Stangl.

The yellow flag again flew after lap 12. On the restart, Springborn pulled even with Naeyaert entering turn one and took the lead from Naeyaert entering turn three. With Springborn continuing to lead the race, Naeyaert and Mullen battled for second. Mullen was able to pass Naeyaert on lap 19 and set his sights on Springborn. Springborn’s car slid up to the wall entering turn one on 23, allowing Mullen to power to the inside and take the lead heading down the back stretch. Mullen held off Springborn the rest of the way. Springborn, Naeyaert, Nick Anvelink, and Ron Berna rounded out the top five.

IMCA Modified

Schmidt was dominant in winning last week’s IMCA Modified feature and he backed it up this week. Schmidt went three wide through turns three and four and raced from sixth to the lead on the opening lap. He led the entire 20-lap race for his second straight win. Jerry Wilinski moved from 10th to finish second. Marcus Yarie started 15th and finished third. Lance Arneson crossed the line in fourth but was found light on the scale after the race, moving Eddie Muenster to fourth and Kevin Feck to fifth.

IMCA Stock Car

The IMCA Stock Car feature was led on lap one by Luke Uttecht before Steven Stewart grabbed the lead on lap two. Stewart held the top spot until VanStraten overtook him on lap four. VanStraten quickly built up a big lead en route to his eighth win in a row and ninth feature overall this season. Dan Michonski, Shawn Wagner, Dustin Loberger and Mike Schmidt finished second through fifth.

IMCA Sport Mod

Jason Jach led the first six laps of the IMCA Sport Mod feature but was passed by Lamberies on lap seven. Tracy Wassenberg passed Jach on lap 10 to take second. Lamberies would hold off Wassenberg for the win. Jordan Bartz passed Jach to finish third. Jach took fourth. Brock Saunders rounded out the top five.

Mighty Four

In Mighty Four action, last week’s winner, Hollie Welch, led the first five laps before losing a tire. Brad Wedde took the lead on the restart on lap six, but he would only hold the lead for one lap when Stueck took the lead on lap seven. On lap eight, Lucas Hacker passed Wedde to move to second on the track. Hacker mounted a late race charge, but Stueck held on to win the race. Hacker, Grant Kastning, Wedde and Carl King made up the rest of the top five.

Shawano Speedway Race Summary

July 11

Late Model Feature: 1. Mike Mullen, 2. Troy Springborn, 3. Tom Naeyaert, 4. Nick Anvelink, 5. Ron Berna, 6. Doug Blashe, 7. Jared Siefert, 8. Mark Rose, 9. Robbie Bunkleman, 10. Joe Reuter.

Heat 1: 1. Berna, 2. Reuter, 3 .Mullen.

Heat 2: 1. Rose, 2. Michael Stangl, 3. Anvelink.

IMCA Modified Feature: 1. Jamie Schmidt, 2. Jerry Wilinski, 3. Marcus Yarie, 4. Eddie Muenster, 5. Kevin Feck, 6. Mark Weisnicht, 7. Cody Hudson, 8. Mitch Stankowski, 9. Jerry Muenster, 10. John Berna.

Heat 1: 1. Brian Joski, 2. Jimmy Bartelt Sr., 3. Clint Forstner.

Heat 2: 1. Jesse Peebles, 2. Matt Oreskovich, 3. Shawn Frelich.

IMCA Stock Car Feature: 1. Travis VanStraten, 2. Dan Michonski, 3. Shawn Wagner, 4. Dustin Loberger, 5. Mike Schmidt, 6. Steven Stewart, 7. Scott Stewart, 8. Kyle Frederick, 9. Tom Riehl, 10. Luke Uttecht.

Heat 1: 1. Loberger, 2. VanStraten, 3. Clint Malueg.

Heat 2: 1. Scott Stewart, 2. Michonski, 3. Steven Stewart.

Heat 3: 1. Wagner, 2. Schmidt, 3. Riehl.

IMCA Sport Mod Feature: 1. Lucas Lamberies, 2. Tracy Wassenberg, 3. Jordan Bartz, 4. Jason Jach, 5. Brock Saunders, 6. Kyle Raddant, 7. Jake Solin, 8. Jarred VanLaanen, 9. Brekken Kleinschmidt, 10. Brandon Nygaard.

Heat 1: 1. Jach, 2. Lamberies, 3. Raddant.

Heat 2: 1. Saunders, 2. Wassenberg, 3. Bartz

Mighty Four Feature: 1. Calvin Stueck, 2. Lucas Hacker, 3. Grant Kastning, 4. Brad Wedde, 5. Dalton Nelson, 6. Carl King, 7. Aaron Milavitz, 8. Travis Welch, 9. Dustin Urban, 10. Cody Bierman.

Heat 1: 1. Hollie Welch, 2. Wedde, 3. Hacker.

Heat 2: 1. Stueck, 2. Kastning, 3. Nelson.

FYI

Racing continues Saturday night with Lady Spectator Eliminators joining the program. Racing starts at 6:30 p.m. More information can be found at www.shawanospeedway.net.

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WEST DIVISION

LEOPOLIS 15, BOWLER 0 (seven innings)

WP - Hunter Hoffman; LP - Paul Murphy

LEOPOLIS: Brandon Laabs was 3 for 4. Tyler Dillenberg was 2 for 4. Aaron Hoffman was 2 for 5. Hunter Hoffman was 2 for 4. Nate Laude was 2 for 4. Kasey Kristof was 2 for 2.

BOWLER: Paul Murphy was 2 for 3.

LITTLE FALLS 15, CAROLINE 1

WP - Ryan Gullixon; LP - Nick Desrochers

LITTLE FALLS: Nate Korb was 4 for 5. Justin Miller was 3 for 4. Drew Radies was 3 for 4 with a home run.

CAROLINE: Mike Weatherwax was 3 for 4. Tyler Marquardt was 2 for 4.

EAST DIVISION

GRESHAM 12, MENOMINEE 6

WP- Jordan Stichman; LP - Lowell Chevalier

GRESHAM: Jordan Stichman was 3 for 4 with a triple. Ryan James was 3 for 4 with a home run. Tom Neitzer was 2 for 3 with a double. Kenny Casper was 2 for 4.

MENOMINEE: Allen O’Kimosh was 2 for 3 with a double; Lowell Chevalier was 2 for 3.

SHAWANO 11, NEOPIT 7

WP - Dylan Sumnicht; LP - Wil Corn

SHAWANO: Bobby Brunker was 3 for 6. Hunter Galeske was 2 for 4. Kyle Wirkus had a three-run triple.

NEOPIT: Mequon Corn was 3 for 5. Alex Frechette was 2 for 2.

CLINTONVILLE 11, MARION 3

WP- Pat VanDallwyk; LP - Chase Stenson

CLINTONVILLE: Colin Kubitz was 3 for 5. John Dunlavy was 2 for 5 with a home run. Turner Doornik was 2 for 5 with a home run. Jesse Wiley had a home run. Jared Westphal was 3 for 4. Nick Hogan was 2 for 3. Jansen VanDallwyk was 2 for 4.

MARION: Cody Reimer was 2 for 4; Jake Westphal was 2 for 4.

NORTH DIVISION

POLAR 13, BIRNAMWOOD 8

WP - Cole Kuenzli; LP - Kevin Lex

POLAR: Randy Krebs was 5 for 7 with a double and home run. Shawn Wickersheim was 3 for 4 with a double. Phil Seis was 2 for 3. Jared Tomany was 2 for 3. Mike Waldvogel was 2 for 4.

BIRNAMWOOD: Jason Reick was 3 for 5 with a double. Brian Rew was 3 for 4 with a double. Tim Rew was 3 for 6. Cory Krull was 3 for 5.

ELDERON 6, HATLEY 5

WP - Jason Zinda; LP - Josh Hahn

ELDERON: Marv Meronk was 3 for 5. Matt Meronk was 3 for 5. Brandon Groshek was 2 for 5. Kasey Morgan had a double.

HATLEY: Wyatt Brown was 3 for 5. Travis Olds was 2 for 4.

WITTENBERG 10, ANIWA 9 (10 innings)

Tom Froom singled home Blue Anderson with the winning run in the bottom of the 10th after the Pilots let a 9-5 ninth-inning lead slip away.

WP - David Owens; LP - Scott Farmer

WITTENBERG: Dom Anderson was 2 for 4 with a double. Simon Welch was 2 for 4. Jason Deruchowski was 2 for 5. Jamie Deruchowski had a double.

ANIWA: Blake Kirsch was 4 for 6 with a double. Scott Farmer was 2 for 3. Bryce Meverden was 2 for 4.

SOUTH-CENTRAL DIVISION

SCANDINAVIA 8, NEW LONDON 0

WP - Dan Candra; LP - Matt Ott

SCANDINAVIA: Rick Makuski was 2 for 5 with a three-run home run. Jesse Dickert was 2 for 4 with two RBIs. Jeremy Moe was 1 for 1.

NEW LONDON: Jim Thorp, Joe Schuster, Matt Bruette and Matt Ott each had one hit.

WAUPACA 5, PLOVER 4

WP - Cam Siedl; LP - Eric Fritz

WAUPACA: Wes Austin was 2 for 5. Rocky Mondello was 2 for 4, including the game-winning RBI.

PLOVER: Howie Heinrich was 2 for 5. Eric Fritz was 3 for 5. John Jazenovsky had a double and two RBIs.

WEYMONT AT MANAWA

Manawa forfeited to Weymont.

SCHEDULE

JULY 19

Manawa at New London

Plover at Rosholt

Lanark at Waupaca

Weymont at Scandinavia

Caroline at Bowler

Gresham at Clintonville

Little Falls at Tigerton

Neopit at Menominee

Tilleda at Leopolis

Marion at Shawano

Polar at Hatley

Wittenberg at Elderon

Eland at Aniwa

Birnamwood - Bye

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U12 girls team posts 16-1 victoryBy: 

Leader Staff

Leader Photo by Jason Arndt Shawano Youth League President Dustin Beyer gives his 8U Black baseball team a pep talk prior to its game Friday against Menasha. Shawano lost, 8-6.
Leader Photo by Jason Arndt Jaden Carroll of the Shawano 8U baseball team heads home in a matchup against Menasha on Friday. Carroll’s team, Shawano Black, lost 8-6 in the Shawano Youth League tournament’s opening night.

Shawano’s softball program could be a force to be reckoned with in the Shawano Youth League tournament if opening night is any indication.

On Friday, the Shawano girls U12 Black squad drubbed Bonduel 16-1 in four innings.

Shawano coach Alison Van Grinsven was not surprised, noting the SYL has made a push to develop the future Shawano Community High School softball players.

“Overall, we were down years prior, but we are building,” said Van Grinsven, a 2013 SCHS graduate. “It helps that we have former and current varsity letter winners and former athletes (such as Alli Raddant and Erin Isaacson) coming back to help the program.

“This year, they really wanted to push it, and wanted to have the girls look up to someone other than their parents.”

SYL this year also added a second Shawano girls 12U softball team, which placed third at a tournament in Kaukauna in June.

Both Shawano squads are among the 32 teams competing this weekend, which includes tourneys for boys 8U baseball and girls 10U softball.

In other games Friday, the Shawano girls 10U softball team lost 7-3 to Seymour and the boys 8U baseball team lost 8-6 to Menasha.

“The boys battled back. They played hard. … They are getting there,” said Dustin Beyer, SYL president. “There are some pretty talented kids.”

The tournaments continue through the weekend, with opening pitches slated for 8 a.m. both days.

“There will be more than 12 hours of baseball, so it should be a great time,” Beyer said.

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By: 

Scott Owen, Special to the Leader

Saturday night marks the fifth annual Racing for a Reason at the Shawano Speedway.

This is one of if not the most important nights of racing each season.

In the first four years, $43,000 has been raised through Racing for a Reason, which is a fundraiser for Child Life Services at St. Vincent Hospital in Green Bay and Heal Art of Red River.

The Racing for a Reason idea came after Bonduel youth Reed Luepke was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in 2009.

Reed, whose father, Brad, is the marketing and promotions director for the Shawano County Fair and the Shawano Speedway, has now been cancer free for nearly two years.

The fight still goes on though against childhood cancer.

On Saturday, there will be more items up for grabs than I can list in this article, either through silent auction or bucket drops. A few of the highlighted items are the highly coveted racing T-shirt quilt, a football signed by Barry Alvarez, a race helmet signed by the drivers of the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series, Chicagoland Speedway tickets, Green Bay Packers tickets, Wisconsin Timber Rattlers tickets, Milwaukee Admirals tickets, and a football signed by Packers kicker Mason Crosby.

On the track, the night always attracts racers who don’t normally race at Shawano. This week, drivers Brekken Kleinschmidt, Andrew Meyerhofer and Stephen Hiles have stated they plan to race at Shawano.

Also, former Hobby Stock track champion and Late Model feature winner Mark Mitchell will be racing a Mike Schmidt IMCA Stock Car. Mitchell and Lucas Hacker have also said they will donate their race winnings to Racing for a Reason. Jason Czarapata donated $275 after winning the IMCA Modified feature two weeks back. I’m certain that there will be more.

If you only get to the races once this summer, this weekend is the time to do it.

Taking a look at the current point standings, as we are at the midpoint of the season, Nick Anvelink, Jerry Wilinski, Travis VanStraten, Lucas Lamberies and Brad Wedde sit atop the standings.

Of course, there is plenty of time yet for things to change in the points. It is always good to see new drivers break through with their first career feature wins. Last week, it was Shawano’s very own Hollie Welch racing to victory in the Mighty Four division. Who will be be the next first-timer?

To find out, I’ll see you at the speedway.

Scott Owen is the track announcer at Shawano Speedway.Rate this article:  Select ratingGive it 1/5Give it 2/5Give it 3/5Give it 4/5Give it 5/5 No votes yet

2-out rally in 2nd inning yields 5 runsBy: 

Jason Arndt, [email protected]

Leader Photo by Jason Arndt Shawano American Legion pitcher Mason Boogren tossed a complete game and held Bay Port scoreless until the seventh inning Thursday in Shawano’s 5-2 win at home.
Leader Photo by Jason Arndt Shawano American Legion third baseman Kasey Kristof fields a grounder in the Patriots’ 5-2 win over visiting Bay Port on Thursday.

Zack Sousek and the Patriots infield knew they had to stay on their toes with pitcher Mason Boogren on the mound.

Boogren’s steady diet of early breaking pitches and low fastballs against visiting Bay Port helped the Shawano Legion to a 5-2 win Thursday in Shawano.

“We are always ready to make the play; we are a little more on our feet with Mason on the mound,” said Sousek, who led Shawano with a 3-for-4 game at the plate.

Boogren tossed a complete game. He allowed four hits and two walks, struck out two and held the Pirates scoreless until the seventh inning.

“He did a great job all night,” Patriots coach Will Gillis said. “He threw strikes; he challenged all of their hitters.”

Boogren forced Bay Port into 17 groundball outs and had a no-hitter through 3 2/3 innings until a single by Sam Uttrie.

Sousek also drew praise from Gillis and and Bay Port coach Jesse Wiltzius.

“Their defense was outstanding. Their shortstop made some of the best plays I have seen all summer, and saved some runs,” Wiltzius said.

“Zack made a handful of really good plays out there,” Gillis agreed.

Offensively, Sousek sparked Shawano’s five-run second inning with a two-out, two-run single, scoring Tommy Stueck and Nate Laude. Stueck reached base on a bloop single to shallow right field, and Laude singled to right field.

Ky Schmidt followed Sousek with a single to score Kasey Kristof, who drew a walk, before outfielder Chase Henning doubled in Sousek and Schmidt.

Shawano (8-6, 5-1 Fox River Valley-West) posted its second straight win after suffering an 8-0 loss Saturday to Bonduel.

“We were more focused today,” Gillis said.

The Patriots defeated New London 4-2 on Wednesday.

Jordan Noelle took the loss for Bay Port (14-9, 4-5 FRV-West). He allowed eight hits, five runs, struck out five and issued one walk.

Bay Port scored its runs in the seventh inning. Elliot Meyer’s double scored Uttrie. Meyer later scored on a single by Tanner Klaus.

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84 teams coming to town over next 3 weeksBy: 

Jason Arndt, [email protected]

The future of Shawano baseball and softball will take to the diamonds of Memorial Field over the next three weekends.

Eighty-four teams, with players ranging in age from 8-12, will participate in the Shawano Youth League tourneys. Teams come from as far away as Milwaukee, Madison and Eau Claire.

“This is our major fundraiser — the three weekends. It financially helps us for the following year,” said Dustin Beyer, SYL president.

Proceeds from the tournament go toward expenses such as purchasing uniforms, balls, bats and other equipment, as well as paying the umpires.

The tournaments have become a local tradition over the last several decades, Beyer said.

“A lot of fans and a lot of people from out of town like to come down and watch the boys and girls play,” he said. “It is just a fun atmosphere, watching the kids perform and being successful.”

The tournaments begin Friday and run through Sunday. This week’s tourneys feature boys 8U baseball and girls 10U and 12U softball.

The Shawano 12U softball program expanded to two teams this year. One of the squads recently finished third at a tournament in Kaukauna.

“We have 24 girls given the opportunity to play ball,” said Troy Beyer, SYL softball representative. “Pitching for both teams has been phenomenal. We have some talented girls at that level.”

From July 17-19, girls 8U softball, boys 11U baseball and boys 12U baseball take over the diamonds.

The Shawano 11U baseball squad recently finished first at a tournament in Oconto and third in Stevens Point.

The boys 9U and 10U baseball tourneys cap off the local series from July 24-26.

The Shawano boys 10U squad notched two first-place finishes in recent tournaments in Stevens Point and Oconto. The boys 9U team took first at the Stevens Point tournament and second in Oconto.

SYL board member Bob Hannes said the the baseball program’s success is a promising sign for Shawano Community High School.

“We are a feeder for the high school,” Hannes said. “I think things are starting to look really good. We have had some good tournament runs this year.”

Troy Beyer agreed.

“The high school has benefited immensely from our program, and we have a great relationship with the high school program, and there are great things to come,” he said.

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ARCA Midwest champ sponsors development program in ClintonvilleBy: 

Thaddeus Carroll, [email protected]

Stock car racer Ty Majeski has been leaving his competition in the dust since he was a youngster. Now he is giving back to the community where it all started.

Majeski, 20, of Seymour, has started a driver development program for go-kart drivers, ages 8-12, at Gold Star Raceway in Clintonville.

After being around the drivers for several weeks, Majeski recently selected six applicants from a list of 15 to 20 to participate in the program. They are Kayden Schlueter, of Oconto; Tyler Tellock, of Clintonville; Skyelin Krohlow, of Suamico, Jacob Hiles, of Black Creek; Alishya Kreager, of Wausau; and Blake Bartel, of Fremont.

Majeski said he selected the group based on two main criteria: on- and off-the-track attitude, involvement and race performance.

“I want to choose people who are involved with working on the kart,” he said. “I don’t want someone who just drives and then goes and plays football (prior to and after the race).”

Majeski also wanted to incorporate teams with different levels of success this season.

“I didn’t want to pick just teams up at the front,” he said. “If I helped teams that already know everything, what help would that be?”

He visits the track every Wednesday to work with the teams and their drivers.

“I am showing the teams some of the ins and outs, the good line at the track, what staggers to run, correct tire pressure,” Majeski said.

Gold Star owner Ed Bertrand sees great value in helping the kids at such a young level.

“This is where it all starts. A lot of the racers at Shawano Speedway started in karts,” Bertrand said. “I’m behind Ty 100 percent. What he’s doing is an extra candle on the cake.”

The teams will receive guidance from Majeski on how succeed in racing, including how to set up a kart or how to handle race-day struggles. At the end of the season, he will select a program winner based on race results, attitude, sportmanship, communication skills, improvement and involvement with the race car.

“I’m looking for (someone with) that drive to get better,” Majeski said.

The winner will receive $250 and a day at the track during one of Majeski’s races.

Majeski’s program is similar to the Alan Kulwicki Driver Development Program, which Majeski was selected to be a part of in March. The Kulwicki program selects stock car drivers from all over the country based on race performance, involvement on social media, and commuity service.

Majeski’s youth development program is his way of fulfilling the community service category. As of June 12, Majeski led the seven other drivers in the Kulwicki Cup points race for a chance to win more than $54,000. The program is named in honor of the late Alan Kulwicki, 1992 NASCAR champion and Wisconsin native.

Majeski, who started racing go-karts in 2005, has recorded more than 70 go-kart wins. His first win came at Hi-Go Raceway in Cecil. In 2014 he became the youngest champion of the Automobile Racing Club of America Midwest Tour stock car series.

He hopes to have a long career in racing and is studying mechanical engineering at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

AT A GLANCE

Ty Majeski’s stock car career highlights

2010: Joined the Pathfinder Race Team and began his first partial season in a stock car.

2011: Big 8 Series Rookie of the Year and sixth in points. Late Model win at Rockford Speedway. National Short Track Champion. Two wins in ASA Truck Series in four starts.

2012: Moved up into a Super Late Model. Qualified on time for all races entered on the ASA Midwest Tour.

2013: Raced full time at WIR in Kaukauna and also in a few ARCA events. Won two feature events on La Crosse.

2014: Raced full season for the ARCA Midwest Tour as well as the TUNDRA Series. He raced the Red, White, and Blue Championship series and placed third. He also raced at Wausau, Marshfield and Slinger. In 35 feature races, he had five wins, 10 second-place finishes and 21 top fives. Won the ARCA Midwest Tour championship and was rookie of the year; the tour’s first rookie champion and the youngest to ever have won the championship.

Source: tymajeskiracing.com

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ARCA Midwest champ sponsors development program in ClintonvilleBy: 

Thaddeus Carroll, [email protected]

Stock car racer Ty Majeski has been leaving his competition in the dust since he was a youngster. Now he is giving back to the community where it all started.

Majeski, 20, of Seymour, has started a driver development program for go-kart drivers, ages 8-12, at Gold Star Raceway in Clintonville.

After being around the drivers for several weeks, Majeski recently selected six applicants from a list of 15 to 20 to participate in the program. They are Kayden Schlueter, of Oconto; Tyler Tellock, of Clintonville; Skyelin Krohlow, of Suamico, Jacob Hiles, of Black Creek; Alishya Kreager, of Wausau; and Blake Bartel, of Fremont.

Majeski said he selected the group based on two main criteria: on- and off-the-track attitude, involvement and race performance.

“I want to choose people who are involved with working on the kart,” he said. “I don’t want someone who just drives and then goes and plays football (prior to and after the race).”

Majeski also wanted to incorporate teams with different levels of success this season.

“I didn’t want to pick just teams up at the front,” he said. “If I helped teams that already know everything, what help would that be?”

He visits the track every Wednesday to work with the teams and their drivers.

“I am showing the teams some of the ins and outs, the good line at the track, what staggers to run, correct tire pressure,” Majeski said.

Gold Star owner Ed Bertrand sees great value in helping the kids at such a young level.

“This is where it all starts. A lot of the racers at Shawano Speedway started in karts,” Bertrand said. “I’m behind Ty 100 percent. What he’s doing is an extra candle on the cake.”

The teams will receive guidance from Majeski on how succeed in racing, including how to set up a kart or how to handle race-day struggles. At the end of the season, he will select a program winner based on race results, attitude, sportmanship, communication skills, improvement and involvement with the race car.

“I’m looking for (someone with) that drive to get better,” Majeski said.

The winner will receive $250 and a day at the track during one of Majeski’s races.

Majeski’s program is similar to the Alan Kulwicki Driver Development Program, which Majeski was selected to be a part of in March. The Kulwicki program selects stock car drivers from all over the country based on race performance, involvement on social media, and commuity service.

Majeski’s youth development program is his way of fulfilling the community service category. As of June 12, Majeski led the seven other drivers in the Kulwicki Cup points race for a chance to win more than $54,000. The program is named in honor of the late Alan Kulwicki, 1992 NASCAR champion and Wisconsin native.

Majeski, who started racing go-karts in 2005, has recorded more than 70 go-kart wins. His first win came at Hi-Go Raceway in Cecil. In 2014 he became the youngest champion of the Automobile Racing Club of America Midwest Tour stock car series.

He hopes to have a long career in racing and is studying mechanical engineering at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

AT A GLANCE

Ty Majeski’s stock car career highlights

2010: Joined the Pathfinder Race Team and began his first partial season in a stock car.

2011: Big 8 Series Rookie of the Year and sixth in points. Late Model win at Rockford Speedway. National Short Track Champion. Two wins in ASA Truck Series in four starts.

2012: Moved up into a Super Late Model. Qualified on time for all races entered on the ASA Midwest Tour.

2013: Raced full time at WIR in Kaukauna and also in a few ARCA events. Won two feature events on La Crosse.

2014: Raced full season for the ARCA Midwest Tour as well as the TUNDRA Series. He raced the Red, White, and Blue Championship series and placed third. He also raced at Wausau, Marshfield and Slinger. In 35 feature races, he had five wins, 10 second-place finishes and 21 top fives. Won the ARCA Midwest Tour championship and was rookie of the year; the tour’s first rookie champion and the youngest to ever have won the championship.

Source: tymajeskiracing.com

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Veteran will take over girls basketball varsityBy: 

Jason Arndt, [email protected]

Leader File Photo Jerry Reinke will return to head coaching after a two-year hiatus, this time taking the reins of the Bonduel High School girls basketball varsity.

Jerry Reinke was itching to return to coaching and wanted one final opportunity to coach one of his children.

Bonduel High School satisfied the itch, naming him its new girls varsity basketball coach Monday. He replaces Missy Dowden, who left in March after nine seasons.

Reinke served as Dowden’s assistant for two seasons following a 12-year run as the boys varsity coach. He left the boys team in June 2013, citing a desire to watch his three daughters play: Abby at Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa, Lexi at BHS and Brynn in youth leagues.

“If coaching is in your blood, it is something that can be very difficult to let go of, and I think being able to have a positive effect on high school kids is what made me return,” Reinke said. “I really like to see the girls succeed, and I really like to be a part of that.

“You realize after the fact, that you still have a passion for coaching. It is certainly fun and exciting to be a coach again.”

In 12 seasons as the boys coach, Reinke’s teams produced a 161-113 record and won Central Wisconsin Conference-8 and WIAA Division 3 regional titles.

Reinke’s new squad boasts nine returning lettter-winners, and he plans to pick up where Dowden left off. In nine seasons, she coached the Bears to a 138-71 record and back-to-back Central Wisconsin Conference-8 titles, as well as a regional championship.

“There is a good nucleus coming back and the program is in pretty good shape,” Reinke said. “I am going to try to continue what we have done in the past.”

Assistants Dan Stoltenow and Luka Zischka also will return next season.

Reinke’s return to the sideline gives him an opportunity to go full circle in coaching his children, from son Jack in 2010, to Abby, then Lexi and now 14-year-old Brynn, an incoming sophomore.

“Being able to coach Brynn was certainly part of it,” Reinke said of his return. “It will be a lot of fun and I have enjoyed coaching my kids in the past.”

He also won’t have to miss the games of Abby, 21, who is entering her senior season at Loras, and Lexi, 18, who is launching her career at Wisconsin Lutheran College in Milwaukee.

“Technology has changed over the years, and most teams live stream their games (online), so I will still be able to see both of their games from home,” he said.

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Once the undisputed national pastime, baseball has slipped in popularity and influence in the United States, overtaken first by football and then basketball.

The reason most commonly cited for baseball’s leveling off in popularity is the game’s tendency to drag. Hitters often dawdle in and out of the batter’s box, and too many pitchers work the mound with the alacrity of a Galapagos turtle.

In today’s faster-paced world, instant gratification is the thing. Not everyone can commit four hours to watch a game, as was explained to me by a sports-nut friend visiting from Northern Ireland a few years ago.

During his stay, he played a round of golf at one of our municipal courses. U.S. golf courses are generally better than over there, and much less expensive to play. He also took in a baseball game.

He knew coming in that baseball was similar to the game of cricket that he played as a kid, but understood that baseball was more entertaining.

One would hope so. For sheer, pulse-pounding action, cricket is about as exciting as washing the dishes. On some televised matches, spectators can be seen doing needlepoint. True story. They may look silly, having paid for the seat and all, but if it prevents their dying of boredom, it’s actually not too bad a move.

Upon returning from the baseball game, however, the visitor reported that baseball was only slightly more riveting than cricket, this due to the slow pace and lack of action between pitches and innings.

Even worse, he said, “They wouldn’t let you drink after the seventh inning.”

It may not be a coincidence that during baseball’s heyday as the national pastime, a typical game would be completed in a lollygag-free two hours or less.

The biggest culprit in the game’s slide toward slow motion is the wholesale pitching changes — and the mound-conference pondering thereof — that routinely occur in every game.

Once upon a time a pitcher would regard his being removed as a sign of failure, that he was unable to finish the job he was given at the start of the game. These days it is considered a “quality start” if he’s thrown six innings and allowed three runs or fewer.

This is the modern era, though, and through the emergence of applied algorithms and advanced statistics, we’ve learned that once a pitcher hits the 100-pitch mark, he may turn into a pumpkin. Pitch count, and not effectiveness, is the barometer for determining whether the ball has ended and it’s time to get in the carriage and go home.

The reason for the kid-glove handling of pitchers is the same reason that drives everything in professional sports today, which is the pure love of the game.

Wait, no — wrong century. The reason is money. Teams today fork out staggering sums of cash to elite players — sometimes to even just pretty good players, when the situation lines up right for them — and from a business standpoint it’s wise for the franchise to protect those into whom they have sunk the most dough.

So it’s not unusual to see a pitcher get yanked when he’s reached or passed the 100-pitch mark, even if he’s throwing a shutout.

How so many pitchers of the bygone era ever managed to throw all those complete games over 12 to 15 seasons is a mystery as baffling as the pyramids.

It’s also a little curious, given today’s pitch-count mania, why pitchers are allowed to throw so many warm-up tosses. Warm-ups are pitches, too, and they count toward wear-and-tear on the arm. Can’t be too careful.

Maybe one day that will be addressed. That, and the seventh-inning cutoff thing.

Veteran sportswriter Gary Seymour’s column appears weekly in the Leader. To contact him, send email to [email protected] this article:  Select ratingGive it 1/5Give it 2/5Give it 3/5Give it 4/5Give it 5/5 No votes yet

Leopolis Iron Man contest draws in family, friendsBy: 

Jason Arndt, [email protected]

Leader Photo by Jason Arndt Recent Shawano Community High School graduates Rolando Colon and Casey Clark ride in tandem Saturday during the Leopolis Iron Man triathlon. Colon took 38th (37 minutes 28 seconds) and Clark placed 37th (37.27) in the beer belly event.
Leader Photo by Jason Arndt Heather and Alison Renner, of Bonduel, head toward the home stretch of the Leopolis Iron Man contest Saturday in Leopolis. Heather finished with a time of 51 minutes, 57 seconds; Alison finished at 51:51.

Tom Egan was just another out-of-town competitor when he traveled from Milwaukee to the Leopolis triathlon in 2007.

But there he met his match in Leopolis native Sally Buckett. They started dating, and in 2010, Egan moved to Pella.

“(She) was one of the main factors why I came up here,” said Egan, who is an assistant track coach at Shawano Community High School. “Then we got married on the fifth two years ago. … We picked the fifth because it was easy to remember.”

Both Egans were in the 30th annual race Saturday.

“It is a lot more fun than just running events, because it is more family oriented where everybody knows each other,” Tom said. “It has a hometown feel to it.”

The 167 runners were divided into three classes: jocks (39), beer belly (91) and youth (37).

The jocks race consisted of a 100-yard swim across the Leopolis Pond, 12-mile bicycle ride and 5-mile run. The other two divisions include the swim, 5-mile bike ride and 2-mile run.

The Egans competed in the jocks class, won by Mike Heidke, of Neenah, for the third straight year. Heidke clocked in at 59 minutes, 30 seconds — 28 seconds better than his time last year.

Tom Egan finished 11th with a time of 1:24.31. Sally Egan, who is an athletic trainer at Shawano Community High School, was 22nd (1:38.00), one place ahead of her brother, Sam Buckett, of Leopolis.

Buckett ran the triathlon from 1988 until 2006, when he moved to Florida. He was challenged by Saturday’s course.

“The last 2 miles of the run were hard,” he said. “I really felt that.”

The top two youth finishers were from Shawano, with Ben Carroll taking first in 27:57 and Brady Michonski placing second in 29:13.

Brenton Steudel, of Greenville, won the beer belly division in 24:48.

The event drew almost the same number of participants as last year. Leopolis Booster Club treasurer Carol Peterson said the proceeds should again bring in about $2,000, which will be used to help maintain and develop the Leopolis Ball Park.

“It’s good for our little town; we are a small community,” Peterson said.

AT A GLANCE

2015 Leopolis Iron Man Results

Jocks

Place Sex Place Div. Time No. Name From

1 1 1 M31-99 59:30 14 Mike Heidke Neenah

2 2 2 M31-99 1:00:58 11 Tim Petrie

3 1 1 F31-99 1:06:21 18 Meagan Gebler Appleton

4 2 2 F31-99 1:07:44 32 Melissa Radmer Milwaukee

5 3 3 M31-99 1:10:23 2 Craig Hesselink Green Bay

6 4 4 M31-99 1:12:23 12 Randy Lorge Shawano

7 5 1 M17-30 1:13:07 22 Adam Rieth Cambridge

8 3 1 F17-30 1:16:07 30 Anna Jacobson Chicago

9 6 5 M31-99 1:16:31 9 Larry Czarnecki Clintonville

10 7 2 M17-30 1:16:40 13 Reed Wiesman Caroline

11 8 6 M31-99 1:24:31 10 Tom Egan Marion

12 9 7 M31-99 1:24:55 28 Killian Argos Green Bay

13 10 8 M31-99 1:25:26 19 Nathan Peterman Shawano

14 11 3 M17-30 1:26:19 6 Drew Payne Birnamwood

15 4 2 F17-30 1:26:47 27 Sophie Suechting Denver

16 12 9 M31-99 1:27:17 21 Nick McMiller

17 13 10 M31-99 1:27:58 8 Bryan Anker Shawano

18 14 11 M31-99 1:28:08 3 Jeff Easter Shawano

19 5 3 F17-30 1:32:50 23 Emily Baumgartner Marion

20 15 4 M17-30 1:32:51 24 Josh Lawrence Black Creek

21 16 12 M31-99 1:34:28 5 Todd Ferguson Gresham

22 6 3 F31-99 1:38:00 1 Sally Egan Marion

23 17 13 M31-99 1:42:53 4 Sam Buckett Leopolis

24 18 14 M31-99 1:45:18 20 Ben Piaskowski Gillett

25 7 4 F17-30 1:46:56 7 Tatelyn Ferguson Gresham

26 8 5 F17-30 2:00:34 17 Lacey Jung Clintonville

27 9 6 F17-30 2:00:34 16 Bridget Streicher Clintonville

28 19 15 M31-99 2:03:00 25 Brian Lawson Bear Creek

Youth

Place Sex Div. Time No. Name From

1 1 1 M13-16 27:57 129 Ben Carroll Shawano

2 2 2 M13-16 29:13 132 Brady Michonski Shawano

3 1 1 F13-16 30:21 105 Allison Graper Bear Creek

4 2 1 F00-12 31:43 112 Claire Guenther Shawano

5 3 3 M13-16 32:31 122 Nathan Miller Tigerton

6 3 2 F00-12 35:26 103 Sarah Carroll Shawano

7 4 1 M00-12 35:29 106 Elliot Lowney Shawano

8 5 2 M00-12 35:46 110 Kaleb Lowney Shawano

9 6 4 M13-16 36:00 134 Bryce Wojta Black Creek

10 7 3 M00-12 36:01 111 Lucas te-Plate Shawano

11 4 2 F13-16 36:24 123 Isabel Colon Shawano

12 5 3 F00-12 36:32 116 Kendra Kristof Shawano

13 8 4 M00-12 37:29 127 Chase Treml Cottage Grove

14 9 5 M00-12 37:50 108 Samuel Fritz Shawano

15 6 3 F13-16 38:02 102 Alyssa Roe Gresham

16 7 4 F00-12 38:30 128 Elkana Buday Mequon

17 8 5 F00-12 39:34 114 Anna Niedermeyer Franklin

18 9 4 F13-16 39:42 101 Brandi Gueths Shawano

19 10 6 M00-12 39:50 136 Trent Laack Marion

20 11 7 M00-12 40:21 113 Jaden Stuhr Marion

21 10 6 F00-12 40:37 104 Rachael Carroll Shawano

22 11 7 F00-12 41:47 117 Teghan Kristof Shawano

23 12 8 F00-12 42:17 109 Nicole te-Plate Shawano

24 12 5 M13-16 43:19 131 Mikey Puliatchk Shawano

25 13 9 F00-12 43:40 107 Hatty Fritz Shawano

26 14 10 F00-12 44:52 135 Mya Sheppard De Pere

27 15 5 F13-16 45:09 121 Jaidan Miller Tigerton

28 13 8 M00-12 46:19 137 Teagan Laack Marion

29 16 11 F00-12 47:20 130 Kersten Steuck Shawano

30 17 6 F13-16 50:45 118 Livya Phillips-Levin Gresham

31 18 12 F00-12 51:38 125 Elizabeth Schuessler Green Bay

32 14 9 M00-12 51:44 126 Caleb Jadin New Franken

33 19 7 F13-16 51:51 120 Alison Renner Bonduel

34 20 13 F00-12 53:28 124 Kyrie Piaskowski Gillett

35 15 10 M00-12 54:10 115 Toby Frost Eden Prairie

36 21 14 F00-12 1:03:22 119 Ruby Phillips-Levin Gresham

37 22 15 F00-12 1:05:39 133 Caylee Wojta Black Creek

Beer Belly

Place Sex Div. Time No. Name From

1 1 1 M17-30 24:48 206 Brenton Steudel Greenville

2 2 1 M41-50 25:58 232 Joe Guenther Shawano

3 3 1 M31-40 27:03 233 Tony Witt Appleton

4 4 2 M17-30 27:06 261 Zach Suechting Chicago

5 5 3 M17-30 27:46 210 Tyler Schoen Milwaukee

6 6 4 M17-30 27:46 291 Tommy Miller Clintonville

7 7 5 M17-30 27:52 208 Aaron Paisar Leopolis

8 8 6 M17-30 28:47 260 Pete Suechting Neenah

9 9 7 M17-30 28:49 209 Justin Reminger Leopolis

10 10 2 M41-50 29:28 287 Joe Jaskolski Clintonville

11 11 8 M17-30 29:39 207 Alex Griesbach Hortonville

12 12 9 M17-30 29:52 235 Adam Rycroft Shawano

13 13 3 M41-50 29:59 205 Lee Wetzel Clintonville

14 1 1 F17-30 30:36 213 Sara Messner Clintonville

15 14 2 M31-40 30:57 212 Chris Ackerman Menasha

16 15 4 M41-50 31:00 228 Kurt Craanen Appleton

17 2 2 F17-30 31:08 225 Katie Heidke Appleton

18 16 10 M17-30 31:28 264 Henry Johnson Missoula, Montana

19 17 3 M31-40 31:42 283 Matt Rasmussen Shawano

20 18 11 M17-30 32:01 211 Ezekiel Gueths Shawano

21 19 5 M41-50 32:13 263 John Schwartz Marion

22 3 1 F31-40 32:18 265 Tracie Prickette Clintonville

23 4 3 F17-30 32:24 214 Jessica Kettner Appleton

24 20 4 M31-40 33:29 229 Joshua Stuhr Oshkosh

25 21 12 M17-30 33:33 237 Wyatt Young Shawano

26 22 13 M17-30 34:06 252 Lars Voltz Shawano

27 23 1 M51-99 34:38 273 Ralph Suechting Elk Mound

28 24 14 M17-30 36:04 248 Jacob Burr Milwaukee

29 5 4 F17-30 36:05 274 Sara Erickson Mequon

30 6 5 F17-30 36:05 275 Emily Offerdahl Madison

31 7 6 F17-30 36:11 245 Brittany Hoffman Clintonville

32 8 7 F17-30 36:19 244 Alicia Moon Embarrass

33 25 5 M31-40 36:47 203 Zach Holbrook Leopolis

34 9 8 F17-30 36:59 221 Justine Goulder Davenport, Iowa

35 26 6 M41-50 37:01 220 Paul Bailey Tigerton

36 27 6 M31-40 37:21 234 Jared Beyer Marion

37 28 15 M17-30 37:27 202 Casey Clark Shawano

38 29 16 M17-30 37:28 201 Rolando Colon Shawano

39 10 9 F17-30 37:32 267 Emily Teetzen Shawano

40 11 2 F31-40 37:48 278 Wendi Kabara Pulaski

41 12 10 F17-30 38:19 270 Kourtney Jones Shawano

42 30 7 M31-40 38:31 284 Chris Buday Mequon

43 13 11 F17-30 38:45 216 Catalina Marino De Pere

44 14 12 F17-30 38:56 215 Stephanie Wetzel Clintonville

45 31 17 M17-30 39:16 254 Chase Jung Clintonville

46 32 18 M17-30 39:21 227 Cody Zuehl Clintonville

47 15 13 F17-30 39:22 226 Nichole Zuehl Clintonville

48 16 14 F17-30 39:24 250 Liz Vukelich Shawano

49 33 2 M51-99 39:44 290 Dan Miller Clintonville

50 17 1 F51-99 39:56 272 Sue Suechting Elk Mound

51 18 3 F31-40 40:27 242 Ann Papendorf Clintonville

52 34 8 M31-40 40:30 276 Kyle Treml Cottage Grove

53 35 7 M41-50 40:40 217 Jim Coppens Appleton

54 19 4 F31-40 40:59 218 Anna Pludeman Waukesha

55 36 9 M31-40 41:00 219 Jay Pludeman Waukesha

56 37 3 M51-99 41:05 281 Sid Steinke Florence

57 38 4 M51-99 41:06 280 Ben Michonski Marion

58 20 5 F31-40 41:41 224 Amy Gammon Leopolis

59 39 10 M31-40 41:46 255 Nick Keistof Shawano

60 21 6 F31-40 41:55 238 Aimee Zeinert Shawano

61 22 15 F17-30 43:03 223 Amanda Krueger Marion

62 23 16 F17-30 43:04 222 Jessica Reminger Leopolis

63 40 5 M51-99 43:42 282 Joe Michonski Shawano

64 41 6 M51-99 43:44 279 Tim Michonski Lombard, Illinois

65 24 1 F41-50 43:49 249 Maureen Niedermeyer Franklin

66 25 17 F17-30 43:57 251 Joyce St. Clair Shawano

67 26 18 F17-30 44:18 266 Liz Teetzen Shawano

68 27 19 F17-30 44:28 277 Heather Kolodziej Green Bay

69 42 19 M17-30 44:45 240 Noah Bell Shawano

70 43 20 M17-30 45:21 241 Brandon Warrington Keshena

71 44 7 M51-99 45:47 247 Randy Burr Shawano

72 28 7 F31-40 46:08 239 Angela Divjak Shawano

73 29 8 F31-40 46:35 289 Melissa Laack Marion

74 30 2 F41-50 47:17 204 Cathy Pescinski Shawano

75 31 9 F31-40 47:59 286 Carrie Colligan De Pere

76 45 8 M41-50 48:00 285 Matt Colligan De Pere

77 32 3 F41-50 48:07 243 Judy Moon Embarrass

78 46 9 M41-50 48:07 246 Rod Moon Embarrass

79 47 10 M41-50 50:45 259 Simon Levin Gresham

80 48 11 M31-40 51:39 269 Mike Schuessler Green Bay

81 33 10 F31-40 51:47 262 Heather Renner Bonduel

82 34 20 F17-30 51:59 271 Fawn Schultz Geneseo, Illinois

83 49 21 M17-30 53:22 236 Dylan Sleeper Shawano

84 35 4 F41-50 53:36 268 Kris Piaskowski Gillett

85 36 21 F17-30 53:43 257 Andrea Michonski Clintonville

86 37 22 F17-30 53:44 256 Amanda Snell Bear Creek

87 50 12 M31-40 54:12 253 Andy Frost Eden Prairie

88 51 22 M17-30 57:10 231 Jordan Streicher Clintonville

89 38 5 F41-50 57:11 230 Tina Streicher Clintonville

90 39 6 F41-50 1:03:29 258 Susan Phillips Gresham

91 52 13 M31-40 1:10:09 288 Ross Wojta

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Rosin sparks Legion’s win over ShawanoBy: 

Thaddeus Carroll, [email protected]

The win was as sweet as parade-thrown candy for Bonduel.

What was expected to be a tightly contested American Legion baseball game turned into a Fourth of July rout Saturday at Village Park in Bonduel.

Connor Rosin completely shut down Shawano, mixing up his fastball, curve and slider masterfully to lead Bonduel (7-1, 5-1 Central Wisconsin Legion League) to an 8-0 victory.

Rosin was a workhorse, with his pitch count up over 100 through six innings. He allowed four hits and four walks while striking out eight. Only one Shawano batter reached third base.

“Rosin really battled out there today,” Bonduel coach Kevin Thiel said. “He got tired in the fifth, so we asked him to go out and give us one more, and he did.”

Shawano (6-6, 3-1 Fox River Valley-West) didn’t do itself any favors defensively early in the game.

In the first inning, with a runner on third, shortstop Zack Sousek threw the ball just out of the reach of first baseman Nate Laude, leading to the game’s first run.

In the second, a throwing error by catcher Grant Wanio allowed an inning to continue. Hunter VanDerLinden capitalized, knocking in Colton Dobratz with a two-out single to push the lead to 3-0.

Then it all broke down in the sixth inning as three Patriots errors led to three unearned runs.

“We were flat and we just didn’t come to play today,” Shawano coach Will Gillis said.

Shawano committed six errors in the game.

Meanwhile, Bonduel (7-1, 7-0 Central Wisconsin Legion) continued its seven-game win streak with error-free baseball and clutch hitting, scoring six of its eight runs with two outs.

“We played flawless baseball, great base running, clutch hitting. … Everybody played well today,” Thiel said.

Dobratz sparked Bonduel’s offense, going 1 for 2 with two walks, one RBI and three runs scored.

Also for Bonduel, Rosin went 2 for 4 with a double, VanDerLinden went 2 for 4 with one RBI, Travis Wollenberg went 2 for 3 with a double and a walk, and Brent Pieper scored two runs.

“This is the biggest game of the year for us,” Rosin said. “Every year our goal is to beat Shawano on the Fourth.”

It was a stinging defeat for Shawano.

“I’ve been coaching here for three years, and this is the first time we’ve lost to them,” Gillis said. “It leaves a bitter taste in my mouth.”

Ky Schmidt went 2 for 3 with a walk for the Patriots.

Jack Lacy picked up the loss, pitching 4 1/3 innings. He allowed five runs, including three earned, on eight hits and two walks. He had three strikeouts.

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VanStraten wins 7th straight featureBy: 

Scott Owen, Special to the Leader

It seemed as though it would only be a matter of time before Jared Siefert broke into victory lane in a Late Model feature at Shawano Speedway, and Saturday night was the time.

Also on Saturday, Travis VanStraten continued to dominate the IMCA Stock Car division with his seventh straight and eighth overall feature win.

Jamie Schmidt was impressive on his way to victory lane in the IMCA Modified class. Wyatt Block won his second straight IMCA Sport Mod feature, and Hollie Welch scored her first career feature win in the Mighty Fours.

Each feature winner took home trophies, thanks to the Kim Parsons Memorial Trophy Tour.

Late Model

The Late Model feature saw Tim Rothe rocket from the outside of row one to the lead on the opening lap. An incident on the second lap eliminated Travis Jellum and Nick Anvelink.

By the third lap, Siefert got on the inside edge against Rothe, racing door panel to door panel for the top spot, before Siefert powered to first on lap four. Rothe continued to give chase with Brett Swedberg glued to his bumper.

Tom Naeyeart raced from fourth to second by the seventh lap. A yellow flag flew in the ninth lap, bunching the field up. Swedberg had a good restart on lap 10 and passed Naeyaert to move to second behind Siefert. Mike Mullen also passed Naeyaert to take third.

Siefert, Swedberg and Mullen began to separate themselves from the rest of the pack while Naeyaert, Troy Springborn and Ron Berna battled for fourth and fifth. On lap 18, Mullen moved underneath Swedberg to move to second. Swedberg passed Mullen back the next lap, though.

On lap 24, Siefert got a bit loose exiting turn two but somehow gathered the car back in as Swedberg and Mullen made it a three-car battle for the lead. As the trio exited turn four, Swedberg got a good run on Siefert, but Siefert’s car was the first to take the checkered.

It was the first career Late Model feature win for the former multi-time IMCA Modified track champion.

Mullen had a great third-place showing in his first night behind the wheel of a Late Model after starting the race in 12th.

IMCA Modified

Jamie Schmidt passed Shawn Frelich on lap two of the IMCA Modified feature and would lead the rest of the race. Schmidt held off Cody Hudson in the first half of the race and Mark Weisnicht in the second half to secure his first win of the year at the track. Weisnicht finished in second, Hudson took third and Eddie Muenster crossed the line in fourth.

IMCA Stock Car

Former IMCA Modified track champion Jeremie Hedrick led the first two laps of the IMCA Stock Car feature before being overtaken by Travis VanStraten on lap three.

Hedrick continued to run in second until lap seven when Scott Stewart passed Hedrick to take second.

Stewart would hold second until lap 12 when Dan Michonski passed him. With VanStraten holding a big lead, Michonski set out to erase that advantage.

Lap after lap Michonski closed the gap on VanStraten. With two laps to go, the lead for VanStraten was down to a car length. Michonski got a fender to the inside of VanStraten exiting turn two, but VanStraten was quicker down the back stretch. Michonski was on the bumper of VanStraten as the white flag waved. VanStraten would hold on to win the race. Michonski finished a strong second after starting the race in 15th. Dustin Loberger and Justin Jacobsen rounded out the top four.

IMCA Sport Mod

Pole sitter Brandon Nygaard led the first two laps of the IMCA Sport Mod feature before Wyatt Block made an inside pass to grab the lead.

By lap five, Lucas Lamberies passed Nygaard and began to challenge Block for the lead. Tracy Wassenberg joined the top three on lap five also. Though Lamberies was able to stay within a couple of car lengths for the duration of the race, it was Block scoring his second win in a row after winning his first Shawano Speedway feature last week. Wassenberg held off a hard-charging Jason Jach to finish third.

Mighty Four

Hollie Welch led the entire Mighty Four feature to obtain the first feature win of her racing career. Calvin Stueck crossed the line in second. Lucas Hacker finished third.

Spectator Eliminator

Dave Stoffer and Brian Welch picked up wins in Spectator Eliminator action.

Shawano Speedway

July 4 Race Summary

Late Model Feature: 1. Jared Siefert, 2. Brett Swedberg, 3. Mike Mullen, 4. Troy Springborn, 5. Tom Naeyaert, 6. Ron Berna, 7. Joe Reuter, 8. Doug Blashe, 9. Michael Stangl, 10. Derek Jahnke.

Heat 1: 1. Swedberg, 2. Blashe, 3. Naeyaert.

Heat 2: 1. Rose, 2. Rothe, 3. Springborn.

IMCA Modified Feature: 1. Jamie Schmidt, 2. Mark Weisnicht, 3. Cody Hudson, 4. Eddie Muenster, 5. Jerry Wilinski, 6. Marcus Yarie, 7. Brian Joski, 8. Mike Bailey, 9. Cole Petit, 10. Shawn Frelich.

Heat 1: 1. Frelich, 2. Muenster, 3. Hudson.

Heat 2: 1. Schmidt, 2. Oreskovich, 3. Siefert.

IMCA Stock Car Feature: 1. Travis VanStraten, 2. Dan Michonski, 3. Dustin Loberger, 4. Justin Jacobsen, 5. Steven Stewart, 6. Scott Stewart, 7. Mike Schmidt, 8. Harley Simon, 9. Trent Nolan, 10. Vern Stedjee.

Heat 1: 1. VanStraten, 2. Loberger, 3. Lowenhagen.

Heat 2: 1. Hedrick, 2. Jacobsen, 3. Schmidt.

IMCA Sport Mod Feature: 1. Wyatt Block, 2. Lucas Lamberies, 3. Tracy Wassenberg, 4. Jason Jach, 5. Jordan Bartz, 6. Kyle Raddant, 7. Brandon Nygaard, 8. Brianna Ambroziak, 9. Les Yaeger, 10. Jake Hashbarger.

Heat 1: 1. Jach, 2. Bartz, 3. Wassenberg.

Heat 2: 1. Lamberies, 2. Block, 3. Nygaard.

Mighty Four Feature: 1. Hollie Welch, 2. Calvin Stueck, 3. Lucas Hacker, 4. Carl King, 5. Brad Wedde, 6. Forrest Kerneen, 7. Dustin Urban, 8. Dalton Nelson, 9. Jasper Drengler, 10. Chris Hidde.

Heat 1: 1. Hacker, 2. Wedde, 3. Kerneen.

Heat 2: 1. Welch, 2. Stueck, 3. DeWilde.

FYI

Racing will continue Saturday night with the track’s fifth annual Racing for a Reason night to raise money in support of the fight against childhood cancer. Hot laps start at 6 p.m. Racing starts at 6:30 p.m. More information is available online at www.shawanospeedway.net.

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EAST DIVISION

MARION 7, MENOMINEE 0

WP - Chase Stenson; LP - Shane Latender

MARION: Jake Westphal was 3 for 5 with a double. Dave Jueds was 2 for 3 with a double. Joe Greene as 2 for 3 with a triple.

MENOMINEE: Michael Pecore, Allen O’Kimosh, Lowell Chavalier and Jaryd Wilber each had one hit.

NEOPIT 11, GRESHAM 2

WP - Alex Peters; LP - Adam Carroll

NEOPIT: Alex Peters was 2 for 3. Anthony Leeman was 2 for 4. Roger Corn was 2 for 4. Mowasa Beauprey had a hit.

GRESHAM: Nate Ejnik was 2 for 4. Chase Quinney was 2 for 4.

CLINTONVILLE 15, SHAWANO 0 (eight innings)

WP - Turner Dooornik; LP - Ben Scheidermayer

CLINTONVILLE: Kolin Kubitz was 3 for 5 with three RBIs. Jesse Wiley was 3 for 5 with two doubles. Jansen Van Dallwyk was 3 for 5. Nick Hogan was 3 for 4 with four RBIs.

SHAWANO: Braden Zueske was 2 for 2. Taylor Prey was 2 for 3.

WEST DIVISION

LITTLE FALLS 4, LEOPOLIS 2

WP - Graham Barden (in relief of Jeremy Bauer); LP - Hunter Hoffman

LITTLE FALLS: Cal Fischer was 2 for 4 with two RBIs; Hunter Grunewald was 2 for 3. Nate Korb was 2 for 2.

LEOPOLIS: Aaron Hoffman was 2 for 3.

BOWLER 23, TILLEDA 1 (seven innings)

WP - Paul Murphy; LP - Curt Brei

BOWLER: Chase Nueske was 4 for 6 with a double and four RBIs. Phil Duffek was 3 for 3 with three doubles. Walker Miller was 2 for 4 with two home runs (one grand slam) and eight RBIs. Wes Bierman was 2 for 4. Zack Olson was 2 for 4 with a double. Kregg Boldig was 2 for 2. Josh Wick had a double.

TILLEDA: Stephen Reinke, Curt Brei, Andy Brei and Jordan Rolland each had one hit.

NORTHERN DIVISION

ANIWA 13, BIRNAMWOOD 3

WP - Denton Mortenson; LP - Maclain Alwes

ANIWA: Blake Kirsch was 3 for 5 with a double. Scott Farmer was 3 for 3. Bryce Chrudimsky was 3 for 4. Max Nowinsky was 3 for 4 with a double.

BIRNAMWOOD: Kersey Resch was 3 for 5. Maclain Alwes was 3 for 5. Jeremy Praslowicz had a double.

HATLEY 13, WITTENBERG 1

WP - Adam Janikowski; LP - Dom Anderson

HATLEY: Wyatt Brown was 2 for 4 with a home run. Adam Janikowski was 2 for 3. Jeremy Schmidt had a double.

WITTENBERG: Matt Yaeger was 2 for 3. Jamie Deruchowski was 2 for 4.

ELDERON 9, POLAR 8 (13 innings)

Jason Zinda hit a walk-off homer in the bottom of the 13th as the WhiskeyJaks edged the Loons in a make-up game.

WP - Jason Zinda; LP - Cole Kuenzli

ELDERON: Marv Meronk was 2 for 6. Brandon Groshek was 2 for 5. Logan Hickman was 2 for 4 with a double. Kasey Morgan was 2 for 5.

POLAR: Randy Krebs was 4 for 7 with a home run. Phil Seis was 2 for 7; Shawn Wickersheim had a home run.

POLAR 5, ELAND 2

WP - Cole Kuenzli; LP - Jared Richter

POLAR: Phil Seis was 3 for 4. Shawn Wickersheim was 2 for 4. Jared Tomany was 2 for 5 with a home run. Joe Kubacki was 2 for 3.

ELAND: Tyler Betry was 1 for 3 with a double.

SOUTH-CENTRAL DIVISION

SCANDINAVIA AT MANAWA

No results reported.

NEW LONDON AT WEYMONT

No results reported.

PLOVER AT LANARK

No results reported.

SCHEDULE

JULY 12

Weymont at Manawa

Scandinavia at New London

Lanark at Rosholt

Plover at Waupaca

Bowler at Leopolis

Little Falls at Caroline

Menominee at Gresham

Shawano at Neopit

Marion at Clintonville

Birnamwood at Polar

Hatley at Elderon

Aniwa at Wittenberg

Eland - BYE

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She has been part of BHS girls basketball program for 24 yearsBy: 

Jason Arndt, [email protected]

Melissa Dowden

Bonduel High School last week began interviewing applicants for the job of girls varsity basketball coach.

Melissa Dowden stepped down this spring after nine seasons with the Bears, a 138-71 career record, two Central Wisconsin Conference-8 championships and a WIAA regional title.

“Coaching at Bonduel has been great,” Dowden said. “Building the program from the third grade up and watching the Bonduel program grow has been rewarding.”

Dowden cited health reasons and the desire to watch her daughter, recent BHS graduate Jen Dowden, play at Wisconsin Lutheran College in Milwaukee as reasons for her resignation.

She will remain as the school’s administrative assistant.

Dowden started coaching at BHS around 1991 as the junior varsity coach.

“It was exciting to get back into the sport without playing,” she said, “and when the (head coaching) opportunity was right, it was fun to take the challenge.”

Her two conference titles came in the final two seasons. Following this season, she was named coach of the Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association Division 4 North All-Star squad.

Dowden said she is confident next year’s team and the new coach can continue the school’s string of successes. Three seniors — Jen Dowden, Lexi Reinke and Deanna Zernicke — graduated from this year’s squad.

“I had 12 on varsity last year and only three are leaving, so there is a nice base for the varsity team,” Dowden said. “They can still do great things next year and maybe get conference.”

School athletic director Roger Toole did not indicate how many people have applied for the position.

“Whomever they decide on, I know they will make the right decision,” said Dowden, who will continue to serve as a volleyball assistant coach and help with scorekeeping during basketball games.

She noted she will enjoy her first winter without the head coach responsibilities in nearly a decade.

“I haven’t enjoyed the winter for a long time,” she said.

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