Shawano Leader Sports Headlines

Team sets state championship as 2017 goalBy: 

Chris Caporale, [email protected]

Photo by Mindworks Photography Shawano Ski Sharks skiers Brad Keuschel and Kylie Wallace took ninth at the 2016 Ski Shows Nationals competition in Janesville on Saturday.

In just their first season of competition as a duo, Shawano Ski Sharks members Brad Keuschel and Kylie Wallace advanced to the 2016 Indmar Marine Engines Division 1 Show Ski Nationals tournament in Janesville on Saturday.

The team placed ninth out of 16 teams in the strap doubles competition.

“I said if we finished top 10, I’d be happy,” Keuschel said. “Especially if we skied back to the beach dry. That was the biggest part. We did that.”

Keuschel and Wallace did not fall, earning a technical score of 27.5 and artistic score of 30.0 from the seven judges.

As the duo get more comfortable competing together, they plan to include more difficult stunts.

“We don’t necessarily do the hardest tricks because we are new together, but what we do, we do solid and make sure our technique is correct,” Keuschel said.

Wallace, who has competed in doubles competitions for many years, lives in Milwaukee and found Keuschel through a friend who regularly skis with the Sharks.

Keuschel competed in doubles competition one other season, about seven years ago. He said he enjoys competing because of the camaraderie among the competitors.

“People, before you go for your run, genuinely wish you luck and actually mean it, and everyone hopes that everybody does well,” he said.

More than 1,500 water ski athletes competed over the weekend. Kimberly Logiudice and Cory Krivitz of the Muskego Water Bugs finished first in the strap doubles competition with scores of 41.3 for both the technical and artistic categories.

Teams and individuals advanced to nationals based on their performance at the state meet.

Keuschel and Wallace finished seventh July 23 at the Wisconsin State Show Tournament in Wisconsin Rapids to earn their trip to nationals. The Ski Sharks duo of Eric Gran and Hayley McHugh finished ninth, just outside the cutoff to advance. Dave Passehl and Faith Passehl placed 11th, and Mick Siolka and Ava Pleshek finished 19th.

As a team, the Ski Sharks placed fourth in their division at the state meet after two safety deductions knocked off 10 percent of the score. Passehl said that without the deductions, the Ski Sharks would have won the state competition.

“I think we had probably one of the best shows on the water for our division,” Passehl said.

Alex Tessar was named the most valuable male skier at the state meet, the third year in a row a Ski Shark has won the award. The Ski Sharks also had the highest-scoring barefoot act in its division, and the boat drivers had the second highest score.

With membership of over 100 and a competitive water skiing roster of roughly 45, including many first-year members, Passehl is excited about the team’s future.

“A lot of these young kids have learned a lot this year and have excelled their skills immensely,” Passehl said. “They are all pushing the limit out here. That’s what it’s all about.”

The Ski Sharks, who will perform their final show of the summer Wednesday on the Wolf River at Smalley Park, finalized plans with the city Monday for the new proposed ski site just north of the Wolf River Beach. The team is still looking for financial support of close to $300,000 to complete the project, which will include a new pavilion.

In the meantime, the team will continue planning to bring a state championship back to Shawano next summer.

“We have the talent. We have the numbers. We have the equipment. We have the community support,” Passehl said. “I don’t see us not winning next year.”

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For the second year in a row, Ho-Chunk Gaming Wittenberg is pleased to host a professional boxing event. This year’s event will include a special appearance by the Hall of Fame boxer Virgil “Quicksilver” Hill, where guests will have the opportunity to meet the fighters and Virgil Hill during weigh-ins on Thursday at 6 p.m. on the gaming floor.

Hill, 52, compiled an astonishing amateur career with nearly 300 wins, including a silver medal at the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles. During his amateur career, Hill became the national Golden Gloves champion in the middleweight class.

In 1984, Virgil went on to turn pro with a debut win. He started his career with an 18-win streak and would eventually capture the IBF, WBA, lineal light-heavyweight titles and WBA cruiserweight title twice. Hill became a five-time champion with a 51-6 record.

In 2013, Hill was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame, one of the highest honors in a boxer’s career. In 2015, in his home state of North Dakota, Hill came out of retirement, and in “Quicksilver” fashion, he ended the fight in a second-round knockout.

As a member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa from North Dakota, Virgil is always proud to express his Native American heritage.

Anyone is welcome to come to Ho-Chunk Gaming Wittenberg and meet and greet the fighters and five-time world champion Virgil “Quicksilver” Hill at the weigh-ins. Fights take place on Friday, with doors opening at 7 p.m., followed by six bouts of nonstop action. Attendees must be 18 years of age or older to enter.

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Bonduel to count on Bohm as QBBy: 

Chris Caporale [email protected]

Leader Photo by Chris Caporale Bonduel High School running back Wyatt Erb attempts to break a tackle during practice Monday at the high school. Erb is one of four returning running backs with at least 100 yards rushing in 2015.

With sophomore Parker Bohm stepping in at quarterback this fall and three juniors in the backfield, Bonduel looks young to outsiders.

All three running backs, Jacob Banker, Jordan Boldt and Wyatt Erb, along with Eli Mastey, got valuable experience in 2015, helping keep the team’s confidence high during fall camp.

“Everyone looks like they are getting better each day,” senior lineman Brent Pieper said. “At first, we didn’t really know what to expect, but there’s a hungry feeling every day, and everyone has the goal of winning conference.”

Banker, who racked up 503 rushing yards last year, will be tasked with picking up the majority of the carries as the primary replacement for Blake Stoss, who tallied 1,231 rushing yards in his final season with the Bears. Graduated senior Preston Robaidek added over 700 total yards as well.

“I think we have more experience at the running back position this year from last year with having a lot of guys having a lot of reps last year, and losing Blake was tough, but we have four backs back that have experience,” Bonduel head coach James Westrich said.

Bohm will replace Trevor Pedersen, who threw for nearly 1,000 yards and 11 touchdowns. Pedersen also posted 70 rushing yards and two touchdowns, including a game-winning score against Shiocton, last fall.

Bohm is already showing similar traits to his predecessor, according to one of the team’s largest targets, 6-foot-2 tight end Brandon Olsen.

“He reminds a lot about Trevor with the way he throws. He’s really accurate,” said Olsen, who had 11 catches for 259 yards and three touchdowns last season.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Bears, who went 8-3 overall and 5-2 in the Central Wisconsin Conference-8 last season, will be led by linebackers Banker (58 tackles), Mastey (53) and Sam Griesbach (39).

Bonduel allowed 24 points per game last season, a number that Westrich wants to lower this season.

“We didn’t cause enough turnovers last year, so that’s being a priority,” Westrich said. “We need to be a little bit stingier on defense. We’ve got to get the ball back a little bit more and especially, the biggest thing last year is we didn’t get off the field on fourth down when teams went for it and stuff like that. We’re working on those things.”

Olsen, who also plays cornerback, believes the team’s pass defense will be improved.

“I feel like we have some better coverage for the (defensive) backs,” Olsen said. “We lost a little bit of our speed, but the new guys know how to cover better and are better at interceptions and breaking on the ball.”

After a third-place finish in the CWC-8 last season, the Bears could be poised to compete with the top teams in the conference, including Amherst and Iola-Scandinavia.

“We’ve got to stick together,” Westrich said. “I think if we jell together, we’ve got all the pieces to be pretty successful this year.”

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Coach to keep lineup fluid throughout seasonBy: 

Chris Caporale [email protected]

Having nine seniors on the roster has made the transition to a new coach easier for the Shawano girls tennis team.

Coach Matt Zoll has learned he can count on the seniors to be a positive influence on the underclassmen.

“The seniors are at the forefront, and that’s what’s really valuable for a team is for those seniors to automatically be a part of the drills and be part of the intensity of the practices,” Zoll said.

As the new coach went through drills with the team over the first two days on the court, the seniors were leading by example.

“The leadership from the seniors has been great, and it doesn’t need to be vocal in the beginning of the year,” Zoll said. “If the seniors come out and work hard, everybody works hard.”

Veterans on the team include seniors Colleen McFarlane, Julia Haarth, Cheyenne Knueppel and Lexi Wilber and junior Sydney Steinbach.

Knueppel at No. 4 singles, McFarlane and Kelly Mastey at No. 2 doubles, and Wilber and Haarth at No. 3 doubles all had winning records in their respective flights prior to subsectionals. No Hawks advanced out of their Division 1 subsectional.

Desite having lost half the varsity team from a year ago, the Hawks are optimistic.

“Everyone is playing really well. … Our team looks pretty good right now with all the seniors because we’ve been playing for a while,” Haarth said.

Zoll has been aided in the transition by Bob Kurkiewicz, the longtime assistant coach who has maintained the program’s stability during the past two coaching changes, after long-time head coach Tom Webster stepped down, and again with coach Brian Beyer taking over for the 2015 season.

“He is continuing to help, and he’s got great ideas and he’s got a great rapport with the girls,” Zoll said.

Given the experience on the roster, Zoll plans to move the girls around, trying to see where they fit best prior to the conference meet and subsectionals.

He believes that the open competition will help the girls improve rather than become complacent.

“I want to approach this season with a much more openness that, there doesn’t need to be a No. 1 player from start to finish. That can be flexible,” Zoll said. “The No. 1 player needs to realize it’s not crushing if they become the No. 2 or No. 3 player for a match or two. You continually compete to get better.

“Every day is a competition, whether it’s an athletic training drill or whether it’s a game situation. I preach that. Everything you do is a competition. Everything you do is competitive. That’s why you work hard.”

AT A GLANCE

Shawano Community High School

Girls Tennis Schedule

Aug. 16-17 at Bay Port Invitational

Aug. 18 vs. West De Pere

Aug. 20 at D.C. Everest Invitational

Aug. 23 at Xavier

Aug. 30 at Marinette

Sept. 1 at Menasha

Sept. 6 vs. Fox Valley Lutheran

Sept. 8 at Green Bay West

Sept. 10 at Kaukauna Invitational

Sept. 13 vs. Green Bay East

Sept. 17 at Wisconsin Rapids Invitational

Sept. 20 at New London

Sept. 24 at Bay Conference meet

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Only 13 players report for teamBy: 

Brady Van Deurzen, [email protected]

Leader Photo by Brady Van Deurzen Senior Ryan Lassator, right, pitches off as defenders converge on him at a recent practice of the Bowler/Gresham football team. Lassator is expected to play tight end and defensive back.
Leader Photo by Brady Van Deurzen Senior J.J. Church looks to break a tackle in drills at a recent practice of the Bowler/Gresham football team.

Gresham/Bowler has a new coach and new attitude as it looks to improve on its 2015 season.

Eric Peebles, a 2002 graduate of Bonduel High School, replaces Andrew Meverden, who compiled a 1-8 record, including a 1-5 mark in the Great-8 North Conference, in his only season at the helm of the co-op program.

This is Peebles’ first job as a head coach, and his enthusiasm is keeping players optimistic.

“So far he has been pushing us much harder,” fullback/linebacker J.J Church said. “He wants to help us get better, and he knows what he is doing because he loves the game.”

Peebles played football for four years at Bonduel. Now as a coach, Peebles wants to build his scheme around the talent available and craft a more versatile playbook from there.

The eight-man game, which has grown to include 25 teams across the state, has a different feel than Peebles is accustomed to; games are typically faster-paced and higher-scoring than traditional 11-man contests.

“With the players we have, what we do with our formations is much more versatile,” Peebles said. “We don’t have a lot of big guys, so we are going to have to adapt to what we do have and utilize the skills the best we can.”

Only 13 players, including seven underclassmen, are out for the team, 12 from Bowler and one from Gresham.

Peebles was hoping for roughly 20 athletes to come out for fall camp but is not discouraged.

“We are going to have both seniors starting on offense and defense, and freshmen starting on offense and defense,” Peebles said. “The seniors are going to be the role model because they are the upperclassmen, but the freshmen are going to get plenty of chances to play and make their own, take ahold of it and grow with it.”

The Panthers’ roster includes three seniors: Church, Ryan Lassator and Riley Mohawk.

Junior Nathan Montez returns as the quarterback and will play linebacker on defense. He said that he thought the 2016 season “is going to be much better than last year.”

Church is focused on improving and getting a win against rival Menominee Indian.

“Our goal this year is to just beat Menominee,” Church said. “It doesn’t matter what our record is really, just that we beat Menominee.”

Menominee Indian defeated the Panthers 34-18 last season.

The Panthers open their season Aug. 20 in a nonconference game at Abundant Life Christian Academy.

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By: 

Chris Caporale, [email protected]

Cole Nelson, a second baseman and pitcher on the Shawano Legion baseball team this summer, competed in the Fox River Valley Legion all-star game in Kaukauna on Aug. 6, helping the North team defeat the South, 18-10

He played the seventh, eighth and ninth innings at second base.

“It was very cool,” Nelson said. “It was very important to me to represent Shawano in a good way.”

Nelson was 0-2 in his at-bats on the day, but over the course of the summer, Nelson was Shawano’s leading hitter with a .324 average. Kien Moorman was the only other Patriot to record a .300 average on the season.

“Cole was our most consistent hitter all year,” Shawano Patriots head coach Ryan Koenig said.

Nelson, the team’s regular second baseman, also got many opportunities to pitch for the Patriots. Koenig liked how Nelson was able to mix his knuckleball and curveball into his arsenal.

Nelson, who will be a junior at Shawano Community High School this fall, said he knows he needs to get more control over his off-speed pitches, while also cleaning up his fielding.

“He deserved the all-star nomination that he got, and I’m proud of him and looking for big things from him and the rest of the guys that will be back next year,” Koenig said.

Nelson has two years remaining with the Legion baseball team and has one goal in the back of his mind.

“I would like to help get the team back to the state tournament,” he said.

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Team to depend on depth on lineBy: 

Chris Caporale, [email protected]

Leader Photo by Chris Caporale Menominee Indian High School senior Antonio Mahkimetas works on returning kicks at practice on Monday. The Eagles will try to utilize good team speed to improve on a 2-7 season last year.

Chris Clache’s return as head coach at Menominee Indian after one year away has already paid off with increased confidence and an expanded playbook.

Clache, who coached from 2002-2014, missed the sport too much to stay in the bleachers after the Eagles struggled through a 2-7, 2-5 Great-8 North Conference season last year.

The squad will rely on its speed, experience and depth to hopefully change its fortunes from 2015.

“He wants to spread us out just to open up our passing game,” senior quarterback Warren Kakwitch said. “We do have good receivers, good hands, and if we get an accurate throw, I’m pretty sure we can get good passing yards.”

The Eagles will have Alenex Warrington, Leander Moon and Alonzo Haack on the offensive line protecting Kakwitch and opening holes for running backs Kyle Komanekin and Antonio Mahkimetas.

Menominee Indian had to use more linemen and tight ends on the line of scrimmage last season to hold back the opposing rushers, but this season, Clache expects the returning linemen to hold their own.

Mahkimetas rushed for roughly 700 yards over the first half of the season before missing the second half with a sickness. He believes he can hit 1,500 yards in nine games this fall because of the improved line play.

“We’re going to have a lot of depth, especially on the line,” Clache said. “That’s where we’re actually deep for once, and not struggling.”

The Eagles have 10 seniors on the roster, including six of eight returning starters on the defensive side of the ball.

Mahkimetas will play safety, while Komanekin and and Darius Wayka will return at the linebacker position to help slow opponents’ run games.

“The biggest thing right now for us is our senior leadership,” Clache said. “We’ve got 10 seniors right now, and that makes up most of our starters probably on both sides of the ball.”

In the team’s inaugural season in eight-man football under coach Tony Noll, the Eagles allowed 50 or more points in four of the nine games, while posting victories over rivals Gresham/Bowler and Oneida.

“I think a lot of these kids feel there’s unfinished business last year,” Clache said. “They want to finish it. And that’s the seniors. The seniors want to go out as far on top as they can.”

With Clache back at the helm, the Eagles are confident coming into the season, looking to possibly double the win total from last season if not make a statement against some of the conference’s best, such as Sevastopol, Gibraltar and Green Bay NEW Lutheran.

“I think we’ve got a real good chance of doing something special this year,” Clache said. “I really like our depth at a lot of places, and a lot of our kids have a great attitude.”

AT A GLANCE

Menominee Indian High School

Football Schedule

Aug. 19 at Sevastopol

Aug. 26 vs. Gibraltar

Sept. 1 vs. Lena/St. Thomas Aquinas

Sept. 9 vs. Sevastopol

Sept. 17 at Green Bay NEW Lutheran

Sept. 23 at Bowler/Gresham

Oct. 1 vs. Oneida Nation

Oct. 6 Wisconsin School for the Deaf

Oct. 14 vs. TBD

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By: 

Gary Seymour, [email protected]

No one can predict the future, which is the problem when running down a National Football League schedule and picking the most interesting games of a new season. You never know who’s going to be good, or even pretty good.

Green Bay Packers fans were looking at the Week 2 game in Minnesota, and home games against the Colts, Cowboys and Seahawks as ones to watch.

Very few would have circled the Hall of Fame game – or non-game, as it turned out – although with that debacle the NFL season jumped out to a banging start straight out of Benny Hill.

The league canceled its first game of the year – the Hall of Fame game between the Packers and Indianapolis Colts – because the football field in Canton, Ohio, was pronounced unfit. They were using the wrong kind of paint on the logos at midfield and in the end zones, apparently, and those areas hardened up like cement. Efforts by qualified league staff to fix the field at the last minute – at 2X speed to Yakety Sax blaring no doubt – failed.

Leaving aside for the moment how it’s possible for the NFL to not provide a venue for an event it began selling tickets for since last April, there is the related matter of the preseason games themselves.

The Hall of Fame non-game was to be the first of five exhibition games for the Packers, a number for which, this far along in professional football’s evolution, is indefensible.

Preseason games are mostly a waste of time, glorified scrimmages that rip off paying fans who get a watered-down version of the product. If NFL teams need the preseason home gates to ensure making their payroll, then expand the regular season by two games. Make it a collective bargaining agreement issue, tie it to roster size, salaries, taxi squads, etc.

But lose some of the exhibition games, already. In a sport as violent as professional football, anything beyond two preseason games is overkill. Four was bad enough; five is preposterous. It’s long past time to cut pro football’s preseason games by half.

That would, theoretically, reduce by 50 percent the possibility of canceling a well-advertised game due to hard logo paint at midfield.

“I thought it was a joke at first, honestly,” Colts quarterback Andrew Luck said. “Sort of like a pull-your-leg, preseason kind of joke.”

But it wasn’t a joke, even though it was. The NFL’s canceling a game because they didn’t have a field is like canceling a game because they didn’t have a football.

The weekend in Canton wasn’t a total washout, though, if you’re big on ceremony. Former Packers quarterback Brett Favre, one of eight new members inducted into the Hall of Fame, got to reflect on his career again, during which he said he was most proud of how he played the game.

Favre talked about the fun, his enthusiasm and realism, his indifference to statistics, his passing records and his disbelief that he was actually getting paid for having all that fun. Talk about pleasant surprises.

One of the best players in Packers history, Favre accepted his well-earned spot in the Hall of Fame, while some of this year’s Packers expressed a renewed urgency to win another Super Bowl before their window creaks shut.

One of those was 32-year-old quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who said, “This is the most important year. That’s how I’m approaching it.”

The Packers won’t have B.J. Raji this time around, but they will have Jordy Nelson back, and for an offense that sputtered and belly-flopped through much of last year, that’s a good start.

It won’t stay this way forever. But for this 2016-17 season, the talent is still there and the pieces are still in place for the Packers to win another title. The optimist sees them in Houston on Feb. 5. The idealist hopes the field will be ready by then.

Gary Seymour is a veteran sportswriter whose column appears weekly in the Leader. To contact him, send an 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

Shawano diversifying offense, changing defenseBy: 

Chris Caporale, [email protected]

Leader Photo by Brady VanDeurzen Shawano Community High School quarterback Jack Hanauer throws under pressure from linebacker Noah Brodhagen during practice last Thursday at the school.
Leader Photo by Chris Caporale Shawano Community High School running back Kien Moorman, left, will be asked to relieve some pressure from the Shawano passing attack this fall.

Led by quarterback Jack Hanauer, one of the Bay Conference’s top passers, and wide receiver Dylan Sumnicht, who holds the school’s single-season receiving record, the explosive Shawano offense is preparing to put up even bigger numbers in 2016.

Running back Kien Moorman returns as well, and Connor Klish is showing flashes during camp that could help make up for the loss of graduated senior Adam Bartz, who posted 658 yards in 2015, out wide.

“I think this offense can really carry us,” Shawano head coach Alan Tomow said. “We have the potential to be one of the better offenses we’ve had in a long time in terms of big play ability.”

The Hawks, who will continue to implement a no-huddle offense to give Hanauer, who threw for over 1,500 yards in 2015, time at the line of scrimmage to read opposing defenses, could count on Moorman to help take pressure off the quarterback.

“We just try to become more explosive and try to get the running game a little bit more involved so that defense has the respect that as well, so we can throw the ball more,” Hanauer said.

Sumnicht, who runs a 4.44 second 40-yard dash, is ranked as a top-15 wide receiver in the state by wissports.net. He has worked with Hanauer over the summer on their timing. After breaking Tomow’s single-season receiving yards record by hauling in 822 yards on 59 catches, Sumnicht sat down with the coach to learn how to get better.

“At the end of the year last year, he told me the few that I missed and if I break one more tackle, how easy it is to get to 1,000 (yards),” Sumnicht said. “That’s our goal.”

Losing left tackle Zeke Gueths to graduation will hurt, but the team is counting on Dakota Maltbey to fill the blindside spot, and Casey Baumann and others to continue improving on the offensive line.

The protections are still coming together for the Hawks, who went 2-7 overall last season and 2-6 in the Bay Conference. Tomow said the offense might have to use quicker routes or rollouts to keep the defense off-balance.

“We’re still trying to find creative ways if we can’t hold up blocking in front as long as we need to,” Tomow said. “We can move our pocket or get him on the run and be able to make plays on the run. It’s been a little bit of everything.”

On the defensive side of the ball, the Hawks are moving from a 3-5 to a 3-4.

“In the past, we’ve had to be more of a contain team because we didn’t have the kind of athleticism we have now, so now we’re able to … use more of our speed and a little bit more of our lateral speed moreso than having to bunch things up,” Tomow said. “It’s been a nice adjustment.”

Shawano allowed 39.4 points per game last season, and senior linebacker Jarrett Laatsch believes the change can lower that number.

“There’s more communicating going on,” Laatsch said. “As long as we know our fundamentals and basics, we should do pretty well.”

The Hawks will open the season against Clintonville on Aug. 19 and are looking to avenge a 28-18 loss in the opening game of 2015.

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Jordan Bartz wins 1st feature of seasonBy: 

Scott Owen, Special to the Leader

Though they have raced together for over 20 years, Ron and John Berna had never won features on the same night, until now. Ron Berna won his second Late Models feature of the year Saturday at Shawano Speedway, while brother John won his first IMCA Modifieds feature of the year.

In other racing, Travis Van Straten won his eighth IMCA Stock Cars feature, Jordan Bartz won her first IMCA Sport Mods feature of the year and Josh Slewinski scored his third Mighty Fours victory this season.

All of the winners were presented with trophies by the family of former racer Bud Lynn, who passed away during the 2004 race season.

Late Models

After starting on the pole of the Late Models feature, Joe Reuter grabbed the lead on the opening lap. Ron Berna got past Troy Springborn on lap two to move to second. Reuter continued to lead the race, working the outside of the track as Berna began to chip away at the lead.

Springborn dropped off the pace and pulled pitside on lap seven, bringing out a caution. Reuter continued to lead Berna around the track as the race went back to green.

Reuter’s car got loose exiting turn four on lap 11, allowing Berna to sneak past and into the lead. Brett Swedberg got by Reuter also to move to second on the track. Reuter soon began to feel the pressure from his father-in-law Tim Buhler in the battle for third.

By lap 20, Berna held about a six car-length advantage over Swedberg, while Buhler ran third with Reuter fourth. They would hold onto those positions until the finish, with Doug Blashe completing the top five.

IMCA Modifieds

Shawn Frelich led lap one of the IMCA Modifieds feature before giving way to John Berna on lap two. A caution came out as Marcus Yarie dropped out of the race on lap three.

As the race went back to green Matt Oreskovich was able to put the pass on Berna to lead lap four. Berna came right back to take the lead from Oreskovich on lap five. A restart on lap 11 bunched up the field.

Jerry Wilinski began to battle with Frelich for second as Berna tiptoed away from the rest of the field. Mark Weisnicht and Jerry Muenster completed the top four on lap 15.

Over the final five laps of the race, Berna was able to fend off Wilinski for the win, followed by Weisnicht, Muenster and Konnor Wilinski.

IMCA Stock Cars

Rod Snellenberger started the IMCA Stock Cars feature in fourth, but was all the way up in the lead by the conclusion of lap one. Travis Van Straten quickly raced to second, and Dan Michonski moved to third. Snellenberger, Van Straten and Michonski ran nose to tail on laps four, five and six.

On lap seven, Van Straten made a move underneath Snellenberger entering turn one. The duo ran the entire lap door to door with Van Straten holding the lead at the line by the slimmest of margins. Over the ensuing laps Van Straten began to pull away.

Michonski worked past Snellenberger late in the race for second, but the win would go to Van Straten. Snellenberger took third, Shawn Wagner pulled off a late race pass for fourth, and Joe White finished fifth.

IMCA Sport Mods

Rookie, second-generation racer Bryce Clements led the first seven laps of the IMCA Sport Mods feature before a caution came out. On lap eight, Kyle Raddant got underneath Clements and took the lead away.

Jordan Bartz passed Clements for second on the following lap as Jordan Barkholtz also joined the top four. Bartz set her sights on Raddant and began to close the gap. Bartz took to the outside of Raddant on lap 14 and made it stick, as she took the lead from Raddant. Barkholtz also passed Clements on lap 14 to take third. Over the final six laps, it was all Bartz as she scored the win.

Barkholtz was able to pass Raddant for second. Raddant held on for third place. Jason Ebert and Jason Jach completed the top five.

Mighty Fours

Aaron Milavitz led the first six laps of the Mighty Fours feature before giving way to Josh Slewinski. Slewinski led the rest of the race for the win. Grant Kastning finished second, Tanner Westphal third, Milavitz fourth and Lucas Hacker fifth.

Shawano Speedway

Aug. 6

Race Summary

Late Models Feature: 1) Ron Berna, 2) Brett Swedberg, 3) Tim Buhler, 4) Joe Reuter, 5) Doug Blashe, 6) Justin Schmidt, 7) Josh Moesch, 8) Derek Jahnke, 9) Michael Stangl, 10) Tony Habeck.

Heat 1: 1) Reuter, 2) Berna, 3) Schmidt.

Heat 2: 1) Buhler, 2) Swedberg, 3) Moesch.

IMCA Modifieds Feature: 1) John Berna, 2) Jerry Wilinski, 3) Mark Weisnicht, 4) Jerry Muenster, 5) Konnor Wilinski, 6) Clint Forstner, 7) Shawn Frelich, 8) Brian Joski, 9) Beetle Bailey, 10) Paul Thorpe.

Heat 1: 1) Jerry Wilinski, 2) Konnor Wilinski, 3) Weisnicht.

Heat 2: 1) Frelich, 2) Berna, 3) Eddie Muenster.

IMCA Stock Cars Feature: 1) Travis Van Straten, 2) Dan Michonski, 3) Rod Snellenberger, 4) Shawn Wagner, 5) Joe White, 6) Tom Riehl, 7) Scott VanProoyen, 8) Vern Stedjee, 9) Tyler Wilson, 10) Kurt Olson.

Heat 1: 1) Van Straten, 2) Snellenberger, 3) Harley Simon.

Heat 2: 1) White, 2) Michonski, 3) Riehl.

IMCA Sport Mods Feature: 1) Jordan Bartz, 2) Jordan Barkholtz, 3) Kyle Raddant, 4) Jason Ebert, 5) Jason Jach, 6) Brandon Nygaard, 7) Brianna Ambroziak, 8) Logan Fleischman, 9) Bryce Clements, 10) Brekken Kleinschmidt.

Heat 1: 1) Clements, 2) Jach, 3) Bartz.

Heat 2: 1) Raddant, 2) Fleischman, 3) Nygaard.

Mighty Fours Feature: 1) Josh Slewinski, 2) Grant Kastning, 3) Tanner Westphal, 4) Aaron Milavitz, 5) Lucas Hacker, 6) Travis Welch, 7) Dalton Nelson, 8) Mitchell Fairbank, 9) John Kastning, 10) Matthew Cutsforth.

Heat 1: 1) Hollie Welch, 2) Grant Kastning, 3) Nelson.

Heat 2: 1) Slewinski, 2) Brad Wedde, 3) Milavitz.

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Team raising funds for new facilities
Contributed Photo The Shawano Ski Sharks called upon former members, dating back to the original team in 1976, for a 40-year reunion show at Smalley Park on July 30.

Forty years ago, the concept of bringing a water ski show team to Shawano became a reality, making this summer a milestone for the Shawano Ski Sharks.

In 1976, Jerry Olson brought the Crandon Ski Serpents to town to perform at the annual festival at the county park on Shawano Lake. After the event, Olson and a few others decided Shawano should have its own performance team.

Olson assembled a team, used his own boat, announced from a CB radio in his truck and started the Shawano Ski Sharks at the Bamboo Bar on Shawano Lake.

Over the past winter, the Ski Sharks put together an alumni committee to find and invite past members to an alumni week celebration and special alumni show on July 30. Close to 100 present of former Ski Sharks were a part of the weekend.

The week consisted of several additional practice days to give the alumni a chance to get their skiing legs back. Then, the team performed a show for hundreds of spectators.

“I cannot even begin to tell you how grateful and thankful I am for being a part of the 40th anniversary celebration,” Ski Shark alumnus Amy Ryan said. “I had no idea what to expect of the weekend, and to be honest, I was a bit nervous.”

During the show, the Sharks were able to put team record numbers of skiers on the water at one time, including a 25-lady ballet line and a 30-person end pyramid. Several of the past announcers, including Jerry Olson, Gary Defere, Jack Tessar and Roger Anderson, helped call the show.

Over the years, the team has brought home several state championships, the most recent coming in 2010.

The Ski Sharks and the Shawano Parks and Recreation Department in recent years have teamed up to raise the resources needed to continue the redevelopment project of Smalley Park. Construction of a new ski stadium will begin this fall. When enough money is raised, there will be a new park pavilion built, along with walking trails and ADA accessibility to the beach.

“We need to raise significant amounts of money still, and we are hoping to find donors to close the gap this winter,” said Dave Passehl, president of the Ski Sharks.

If anyone is interested in contributing to the beach revitalization project, call Passehl at 715-851-6969.

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Contributed Photo The Shawano Lobos inducted five people into the team’s hall of fame during a ceremony Saturday at Golden Sands Golf Course in Cecil. Those inducted include, from left, Jerry King, Jim Bartz, Jim Krenger, Bill Krenger and Phil Nelson. Frank Schutt and Mike Bartelt were posthumous inductees.

The Shawano Lobos inducted seven new members into the team’s hall of fame during a ceremony on Saturday at Golden Sands Golf Course.

The inductees included four former players , two board members and a fan:

- Jim Krenger played 11 years for the Lobos and helped win the 1992 and 1993 Dairyland League championships. He still holds the team single-season records for highest batting average (.494), most home runs (13), most RBIs (47), longest hit streak (19 games) and highest on-base percentage (.570).

- Mike Bartelt was a member of the Lobos for 11 seasons, also taking part in the championship seasons in 1992 and 1993. He compiled a career batting average of .324 with 30 home runs and 133 RBIs. He helped promote the team in the years after his playing days.

- Jerry King played for just five seasons but holds various single-season hitting records for at-bats (135), singles (41), doubles (15) and hits (56). As a pitcher, he added more records, including most strikeouts in a game (20).

- Jim Bartz played for 12 seasons, including the two Dairyland championships of the early 1990s. He played every infield and outfield position for the team in addition to pitching over 110 innings.

- Frank Schutt was a loyal fan of the team since its inception in 1986. His son, Dan Schutt, was one of the original Lobos, and his grandsons, Dustin and Troy Beyer, are active members of the organization.

- Bill Krenger was inducted for his work as a board member and president of the Lobos organization. He worked for the Lobos for 30 years.

- Phil Nelson was a founding member of the Shawano Lobos and the team’s first manager. He currently serves as a board member.

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Bowler siblings qualify for national archery competitionBy: 

Brady Van Deurzen, [email protected]

Contributed Photo Bertina and Wylee Dodge shoot side by side at the Wisconsin State Shoot of the National Archery in the Schools Program in April in Wisconsin Dells.
Contributed Photo Wylee and Bertina Dodge receive Badger State Games medals from Mohican Tribal President Shannon Hosley and Joe Miller, Mohican Tribal Council member. The siblings finishing in the top two of their divisions to qualify for the 2017 State Games of America.

Two young archers from Bowler have their sights set on the 2017 State Games of America.

Wylee and Bertina Dodge qualified for the 10th annual national competition by finishing atop their respective categories at the Badger State Games in Wausau in June.

John Miller, the siblings coach and the National Archery in the Schools Program instructor at Bowler Elementary School, said that although the State Games of America are a year away, he plans to keep the Dodges prepared for the big event in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

“They are going to be in a lot of tournaments in the state of Wisconsin over the next months so that they can keep in their groove,” Miller said.

The National Archery in the Schools Program is an introductory level program that teaches youth from fourth grade through high school about the lifetime sport of target archery during physical education classes.

Wylee, 12, joined the program when he was in the fourth grade. Now, entering the seventh grade at Bowler Elementary School, he is a three-time Badger State Games champion in the Cadet Division for ages 12 and younger. He shoots a sightless bow called a barebow and uses a traditional finger release.

Bertina, 10, joined the NASP last year and will be a fifth-grader this fall at Bowler Elementary. She has participated in two state games and earned silver medals for finishing second in both.

Her shooting style mirrors her brother’s, choosing a barebow with a finger release as well.

Miller, who works with the Dodges about twice a week, was thrilled with their performance in Wausau.

“You betcha I was proud,” Miller said. “Seeing the kids win the championships is the best part of being a coach.”

Miller said the Dodges “shoot every chance they get” and “really wear out the targets.”

In addition to the Badger State Games, the Dodges also competed in events in Hortonville, Gilman, Appleton, Stratford, Wisconsin Dells and Medford this year.

“Because they have shot so well recently, other coaches in the state have taken an interest in them.” Miller said. “The coaches will always try and help, and offer them advice to try and help them improve.”

Daniel Schroeder, state NASP manager, said coaches involved in the program are dedicated to helping all of the kids at the tournaments.

“The events are so helpful to the kids,” Schroeder said. “You can literally see their confidence go up as they hit the target. We have received numerous stories about how the archery helps the kids improve both in the class, with others, and in their lives.”

Schroeder has been at the head of the state archery program for nine years.

“We want to see every kid go through our program,” Schroeder said. “I know that it is a lofty goal, but it is an important lifetime skill, giving kids a chance to get outdoors and away from the computers. We want to reconnect everyone with nature, even if it is only shooting at a target.”

He said that if the Dodges continue to practice that they will do “great” at next year’s State Games of America.

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By: 

Scott Owen, Leader Columnist

Well, the 2016 version of the Sun Drop Shootout went off without a hitch. Mother Nature played nice and kept the rain away.

A good number of fans turned out to watch the World of Outlaws Craftsman Late Model Series as well as our local IMCA Modified and IMCA Sport Mods drivers tackle the historic half-mile. The night featured great racing throughout.

Georgia racer Shane Clanton won the top prize in the 50-lap Late Models feature, but it was no Sunday drive, as he had to deal with traffic all around the track while trying to stay ahead of series point leader Josh Richards.

Lance Arneson prevailed in the IMCA Modifieds feature after a multi-lap duel with Jerry Wilinski. Jordan Barkholtz pulled off the IMCA Sport Mods win after a spirited battle with Kevin Bethke.

The true stars of the night, though, may very well have been the track-prep duo of Bob Reiter and Bobby Reiter Jr. The father-and-son team had come under fire by some lately for not providing the best possible racing surface.

This week, like any other week, the pair put their heads down and went to work preparing the racing surface for Tuesday night’s event. The racing surface was impeccable all night long.

Racers in all divisions were able to race all over the racing surface. Possibly most impressive, though, was the fact that both the IMCA Modifieds feature and the Late Models feature ran without a single caution.

As a race fan myself, part of the attraction of dirt racing is the fact that the racing surface often changes week to week and even throughout the course of a race night. The challenge in preparing a dirt track, though, is the fact that Mother Nature has a lot to do with how racy or smooth a track is.

Moisture content is a vital ingredient in whether a track is smooth, fast, rough or dusty. In many ways, dirt-track prep is a black magic talent. This week, Bob and Bobby definitely found the right combination.

I don’t feel it is hyperbole to say that the track has never been better. Hats off to them and all the long hours spent behind the wheel of a grader, water truck or pack truck. The goal every week is to provide the best possible racing surface. This last week they nailed it. Thanks, boys.

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

Event open to children, adults

Participants and spectators are invited to the third annual Strong Man/Tough Chick competition Aug. 13 in Clintonville.

Organized by Hard-Core Fitness, the event will be held behind the gym at 143 S. Main St.

Competitors ages 4 to 81 have preregistered for the contest, which will include farmer’s carry, Atlas stones, tire flip, muscle medley and truck pull.

Prizes will be awarded to first-, second- and third-place winners in men’s, women’s and children’s categories based on age and weight.

Last-minute registrations and weigh-ins will begin at 8 a.m.; competition starts at 9 a.m.

According to Dana Tennie, owner and trainer at Hard-Core fitness, the event is a family oriented competition.

“Families come from around the state to participate in this fun but challenging competition,” she said. “Both parents and children join in the fun.”

Because the competition is divided into categories, participants compete against those of similar size and age.

“Audiences really love seeing the young children pull a ‘kid-sized” car while the strong men and women actually pull cars and heavy trucks,” Tennie said.

The competition is expected to conclude prior to noon.

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Cheerleaders perform pregame routine at Family NightBy: 

Chris Caporale, [email protected]

Contributed Photo The Shawano Community High School cheer team got the opportunity to perform for the second consecutive year at Family Night at Lambeau Field. The team got to show off what it has learned over the past two months of practices prior to the first home football game on Aug. 26.

Thirteen Shawano Community High School cheerleaders calmed their nerves and performed flawlessly at the Green Bay Packers’ annual Family Night practice on Sunday.

The Hawks performed a 3½-minute sideline cheer and stunt routine in front of the 66,000 fans at Lambeau Field for the second consecutive season.

“I think they actually get more nervous for Shawano High School games than they do this one,” coach Mary Kast said.

Shawano was only high school cheer team to perform at the practice. About 180 cheerleaders from Green Bay Elite also performed during the 10-minute cheer show on the field.

“It’s just a really fun kickoff to football season. Everybody likes Friday night lights, and to be able to go in Lambeau and perform part of your material you have been practicing all summer to perform for Shawano High, is very exciting for them,” Kast said.

The team, which held tryouts in April and has been practicing since June, consists of 20 athletes. However, due to summer travel, a handful of the cheerleaders were unavailable Sunday.

The diminished numbers didn’t take away from the performance.

“They performed well,” Kast said. “They looked great when they were out there doing it.”

The Hawks open their high school football season Aug. 26 when they host Menasha. The cheerleaders will again be on the sideline and perform a routine at halftime.

“They know that there’s a lot of people watching them (on Family Night), but it really helps prepare them because they really strive on looking very polished and good and getting the crowd involved at the Shawano High School games,” Kast said.

Kast, who works closely with Green Bay Elite, hopes the Packers continue to use the cheerleaders for the pregame show on Family Night.

“We just feel incredibly lucky to have them able to do that,” Kast said. “It’s just a great experience for the athletes of Shawano High and the families to come to Lambeau and watch their kids perform.

“It’s so big when you’re in there and you look up. It’s just so big and so loud that it’s just incredibly fun. It’s a field unlike any field they get to perform on.”

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By: 

Gary Seymour, [email protected]

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger thinks his team should try for 2 points every time they score a touchdown this season.

He and his coach, Mike Tomlin, were saying the same thing last preseason, too – and sure enough, the Steelers ended up trying the most 2-pointers in the NFL in 2015.

They were 8-for-11 in 2-point attempts last year, while making 32-of-34 kicks for 1 point. The Steelers finished second in their division at 10 wins and 6 losses, with their road to Super Bowl-50 ending in the conference semifinals.

Another team that hasn’t been to the Super Bowl since the 2010 season, that finished 10-6 and second in its division last year, and that advanced to the second round of the postseason, is also hoping to try more 2-point conversions this year.

The Green Bay Packers were 4-of-6 in 2-pointers last year, and the numbers say they should try more of them.

Looking to encourage teams to try more 2-point tries after touchdowns, the NFL last year moved the line of scrimmage for the point-after-touchdown kick back to the 15-yard line, turning what was a 19-yard chip shot into a more missable 33-yard attempt.

The move achieved one desired effect, as the league-wide rate for successful 1-point attempts fell to its lowest level (94.7%) since 1979. The success rate for the 2-point conversion was 0.497 – or, .958 points per attempt, compared to .947 points per kick attempt.

But the Steelers still booted the safe 1-pointer more than three times as often as they went for 2. So, the 2-pointer isn’t exactly sweeping the league yet.

The reason the Packers get brought into this one is because in last year’s postseason, they appeared to have come upon the perfect time to use the 2-pointer to steal a big win on the road.

The Packers lost 38-8 in Arizona on the next-to-last game of the regular season, but playing the same Cardinals in an NFC conference semifinal three weeks later, they were a different team. An unbelievable 96-yard last-minute drive ended with a touchdown on the final play of regulation and brought them to within 20-19 of the favored Cardinals.

To kick for a tie, and overtime? Or, try to win it outright with a gutsy 2-point conversion from 2 yards out?

If ever there was a time to try and steal a game with a 2-pointer, it seemed, it was then. Packers coach Mike McCarthy’s could have forged his name alongside some of the great riverboat gamblers in coaching history.

He also could have forged his name among the unemployed, if the Cardinals stopped them. There would have been no way to explain going for 2 points in that situation if the Packers didn’t make it and win the game. Kicker Mason Crosby was 36-for-36 kicking extra points, including the one he made to send this game into overtime. Their defense had been playing encouragingly well.

Any coach who might jeopardize a team’s deeper march into the playoffs on what are essentially the coin-toss odds of going for 2, could be considered a liability. McCarthy made the right call, and the Packers got burned by another big play in OT. Bad luck, again.

Good riddance to 2015, anyway. This is a new season. At this point, Packers fans will settle for an overtime playoff game where their offense actually gets on the field for a play or two.

The real best reason to hope that the Packers will try a lot of 2-pointers this year is that it means they’re scoring often enough to have made it an issue, and that their confidence is back enough to play to win, not to avoid losing.

Gary Seymour is a veteran sportswriter whose column appears weekly in The Leader. To contact him, send an 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

Georgia native leads all 50 lapsBy: 

Chris Caporale, [email protected]

Leader Photo by Chris Caporale Shane Clanton won his second consecutive Sun Drop Shootout by leading all 50 laps of the World of Outlaws Late Model series feature Tuesday at Shawano Speedway.
Leader Photo by Chris Caporale Shawano Speedway regular Mike Mullen (99) qualified for the World of Outlaws Late Model Series feature, placing 23rd in the 50-lap race.

Shane Clanton led the Sun Drop Shootout wire to wire Tuesday to win his second consecutive World of Outlaws Late Model Series feature at Shawano Speedway.

Clanton, who started the race on the outside of the front row next to Rick Eckert, jumped out to the lead on lap one and never gave it up. He was able to build his lead over the first 10 laps before starting to run into lapped traffic.

Josh Richards passed Brandon Overton for third place on the fourth lap before working his way up to Eckert.

“I thought (Josh) was going to be all over me when he caught me that fast because I had a pretty good lead,” Clanton said. “As soon as I caught the lapped cars, I was just thinking, ‘Just get by these cars’ the best I could.”

As Clanton slowed down to worked around the lapped drivers, Richards made his move, passing Eckert and closing the gap on Clanton to less than a car length coming through turn four on multiple occasions.

Clanton knew that was the part of the track he needed to improve on over the second half of the race.

“I didn’t know how close he was, but I seen off of turn four,” Clanton said. “I just knew I had to get better to leave turn four to win the race, and I just started carrying as much speed as I could and rely on traction.”

The Georgia native did just that, regaining his commanding lead over the final 20 laps in the caution-free, 50-lap contest.

Josh Richards and Shane Clanton had split the series’ first two stops in Illinois after a two-week break.

Clanton, who trailed Richards by 214 points in the World of Outlaws Late Model Series standings heading into Tuesday’s showdown, is hoping to build on Tuesday’s success.

“To beat the best, you’ve got to be the best,” Clanton said. “Hopefully we can just keep going like we’re going.”

Shawano’s Mike Mullen won the Last Chance Showdown to compete in the Sun Drop 50, but finished in 23rd in the feature.

Locals Doug Blashe, Tim Buhler and Jeff Curtin each had a chance in the Last Chance race, but finished outside the top four after a three-lap dash to the finish following a caution.

Menomonie’s Jimmy Mars, who won his heat by a large margin and drew the pole starting position, made a change to his tires, forcing him to start from the back of the field.

Shawano Speedway

Aug. 2

Race Summary

Outlaws feature: 1) Shane Clanton 2) Josh Richards 3) Earl Pearson Jr. 4) Brandon Overton 5) Rick Eckert 6) Frank Heckenast Jr. 7) Steve Francis 8) Billy Moyer Jr. 9) Chase Junghans 10) Morgan Bagley

Heat 1: 1) Brandon Overton 2) Josh Richards 3) Frank Heckenast Jr.

Heat 2: 1) Jimmy Mars 2) Billy Moyer Jr. 3) Steve Francis

Heat 3: 1) Shane Clanton 2) Rick Eckert 3) Eric Wells

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By: 

Brady Van Deurzen, [email protected]

Jordan Barkholtz took the lead on the 12th lap and led the rest of the way to win the IMCA Sport Mods feature Tuesday at Shawano Speedway.

Lance Arneson won the IMCA Modifieds feature, outdueling Jerry Wilinski and Eddie Muenster.

IMCA Sport Mods

Pole-sitter Kelsey Hayes led the first six laps of the race before Kevin Bethke swooped down low to pass her on turn three.

Before Bethke could extend his lead, Logan Fleischman brought out the caution flag on lap eight when he spun out in the second turn.

Four laps later, Barkholtz grasped the lead from Bethke, who stayed close and raced Barkholtz neck and neck until spinning out of the race on the 17th lap, bringing out the third caution flag of the race.

Barkholtz held off the competition the rest of the race, with Jordan Bartz and Kyle Raddant finishing second and third, respectively.

IMCA Modifieds

Muenster started in first place in the IMCA Modifieds feature but was passed by Wilinski on the second lap.

Wilinski and Muenster continued to fight for first until the sixth lap when Wilinski took control. Muenster’s battle for first became a battle for second as Arneson closed on him on lap eight.

Arneson pushed his way passed Muenster on the 10th lap and began to close the gap on Wilinski, closing to one car length in lap 15.

Arneson ousted Wilinski for the lead with three laps remaining and led the rest of the way. Wilinski and Muenster never left the top three positions. Wilinski finished second and Muenster third.

Shawano Speedway

Aug. 2

Race Summary

IMCA Sports Mods Feature: 1) Jordan Barkholtz, 2) Jordan Bartz, 3) Kyle Raddant, 4) Wyatt Block, 5) Jason Ebert

Heat 1: 1) Wyatt Block, 2) Kelsey Hayes, 3) Jordan Barkholtz.

Heat 2: 1) Kyle Raddant, 2) Jordan Bartz, 3) Bryce Clements.

IMCA Modifieds Feature: 1) Lance Arneson, 2) Jerry Wilinski, 3) Mitch Stankowski, 4) Michael Bailey, 5) Mike Wedelstadt

Heat 1: 1) Konnor Wilinski, 2) Mike Wedelstadt, 3) Andy Kleczka.

Heat 2: 1) Jerry Wilinski, 2) Michael Bailey, 3) Eddie Muenster.

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Milavitz earns 1st Mighty Fours victoryBy: 

Scott Owen, Special to the Leader

Contributed Photo Marcus Yarie won his seventh IMCA Modifieds feature of the season Saturday at Shawano Speedway.
Contributed Photo Mike Mullen won his second Late Models feature of the season Saturday at Shawano Speedway.

Marcus Yarie made a last-lap, last-corner pass on Kevin Feck for his seventh IMCA Modifieds feature of the season Saturday at Shawano Speedway on Gillett and Shawano Concrete Products night.

Dan Michonski came from 16th to win his second IMCA Stock Cars feature.

Mike Mullen was dominant on the way to his second Late Models feature of the year.

Lucas Lamberies won his sixth IMCA Sport Mods feature, and Aaron Milavitz won his first Mighty Fours feature of the year after a tangle with Hollie Welch.

IMCA Modifieds

In IMCA Modifieds action, Tony Wedelstadt took the lead on the opening lap and quickly began to pull away from the rest of the field. Feck moved to second and tried to keep pace with Wedelstadt. Yarie joined the top three on lap three. By this point, Wedelstadt had already built up a sizable lead. Feck and Yarie separated themselves from the rest of the field also.

On lap 10, Wedelstadt caught the tail of the field, slowing his pace a bit. Feck and Yarie began to reel in Wedelstadt. On lap 13, Wedelstadt, Feck and Yarie were nose-to-tail racing for the lead. On lap 14, Feck went to the outside of Wedelstadt on the front stretch to take the lead. As the field reached the back straightaway, Wedelstadt made contact with Cole Petit, ending the night for both of them and bringing out a caution with six laps left.

Feck was quick on the restart, but Yarie stayed with him. Over the course of the next few laps, Feck ran the high line near the wall as Yarie searched for a way by. Entering turn three on the final lap, Yarie dove to the inside of Feck. Feck drove his machine as hard as he could in turn four and slipped up the track. It was the opening that Yarie needed as he raced past Feck heading out of turn four to the checkered flag. Feck held on for second followed by Jamie Schmidt, Eddie Muenster and Lance Arneson.

Late Models

Pole-sitter Jeremy Kazynski led the opening lap of the Late Models feature before spinning on the exit of turn two. Everybody got around Kazynski, though he was sent to the back for bringing out the yellow flag. On the restart it was Ron Berna grabbing the lead while Jeff Curtin ran in pursuit.

Mullen, who started in 10th, passed Curtin for second on lap six. On the following lap, Mullen got underneath Berna heading out of turn four and held the lead by a nose. As the pair continued to battle for the lead, Berna’s car got into the backstretch wall on lap nine, eliminating him from action. Mullen continued to lead while Jeff Curtin and Paul Parker battled for second. Parker had issues on lap 14 that sent him pitside. Justin Hirt then began to pressure Curtin for second. As Mullen continued to set the pace, Hirt worked his way past Curtin on lap 20. Brett Swedberg followed suit on lap 24. At the finish, it was Mullen with the win followed by Hirt (runner-up for the second week in a row), Swedberg, Curtin and Aaron Wickersheim.

IMCA Stock Cars

Kurt Olson took the lead at the start of the IMCA Stock Cars feature. Olson, who led a number of laps last week before losing a motor, was looking for a better result this week. Michonski started the race in 16th but was up to third by lap three. As Olson continued to lead the way, Michonski passed Eric Zwirschitz for second on lap five. Travis Van Straten moved to third on lap eight.

With Olson still in the front, Van Straten went side by side with Michonski holding second on lap 13. On lap 14, though, Olson, Michonski and Van Straten went three wide for the lead, with Michonski holding the edge by a whisker. On lap 15, Van Straten’s car lost power and coasted to the pits. Michonski continued to lead Olson as Tom Riehl took third.

Riehl worked past Olson on lap 18 and set his sights on Michonski. Michonski would not be denied victory, though. Riehl, Olson, Rod Snellenberger and Vern Stedjee completed the top five.

IMCA Sport Mods

Logan Fleischman snagged the lead on lap one of the IMCA Sport Mods feature and led the first two laps before Kyle Raddant took to the outside of Fleischman on the exit of turn two to take the lead away on lap three.

Lamberies passed Jordan Bartz to move to second on lap eight and set out to chase down Raddant. On lap 13, Lamberies pulled to the inside of Raddant in turn four. Raddant’s car turned to the right and tagged the wall, ending his night.

As Lamberies assumed the lead, Bartz moved back to second. She would only stay there a lap, though, as Jordan Barkholtz and Jason Jach each passed Bartz on lap 15. It would stay that way to the end as Lamberies scored the win followed by Barkholtz, Jach, Brandon Nygaard and Bartz.

Mighty Fours

Travis Welch led lap one of the Mighty Fours feature before Milavitz took the lead on lap two. Hollie Welch moved to second on the third lap and got to the inside of Milavitz on lap eight. The two cars made contact entering turn one. Milavitz spun, causing a caution.

Track officials charged Welch with the cause of the caution after the contact and she was sent to the rear of the field, as Milavitz got his spot back.

Milavitz would lead the rest of the race for the win. Lucas Hacker, Brad Wedde, Grant Kastning and Josh Slewinski completed the top five.

Mighty Fours

Dave Stoffer and Brian Welch scored wins again in Spectator Eliminators.

Shawano Speedway

July 30

Race Summary

Late Models Feature: 1) Mike Mullen, 2) Justin Hirt, 3) Brett Swedberg, 4) Jeff Curtin, 5) Aaron Wickersheim, 6) Jeremy Kazynski, 7) Derek Jahnke, 8) Mark Rose, 9) Tony Habeck, 10) Josh Moesch.

Heat 1: 1) Kazynski, 2) Moesch, 3) Curtin.

Heat 2: 1) Paul Parker, 2) Ron Berna, 3) Jim Zdroik.

IMCA Modifieds Feature: 1) Marcus Yarie, 2) Kevin Feck, 3) Jamie Schmidt, 4) Eddie Muenster, 5) Lance Arneson, 6) Mike “Beetle” Bailey, 7) Mitch Stankowski, 8) Matt Oreskovich, 9) Mark Weisnicht, 10) Jim Zdroik.

Heat 1: 1) Oreskovich, 2) Paul Thorpe, 3) Chris Pepin.

Heat 2: 1) Feck, 2) Tony Wedelstadt, 3) Schmidt.

IMCA Stock Cars Feature: 1) Dan Michonski, 2) Tom Riehl, 3) Kurt Olson, 4) Rod Snellenberger, 5) Vern Stedjee, 6) Luke Uttecht, 7) BJ Giese, 8) Asa Doxtator, 9) Ray DePew, 10) Carl King.

Heat 1: 1) Travis Van Straten, 2) Olson, 3) Tyler Wilson.

Heat 2: 1) Giese, 2) Stedjee, 3) Mike Schmidt.

IMCA Sport Mods Feature: 1) Lucas Lamberies, 2) Jordan Barkholtz, 3) Jason Jach, 4) Brandon Nygaard, 5) Jordan Bartz, 6) Brekken Kleinschmidt,7) Sawyer Haese, 8) Tyler Thiex, 9) Scott Swanson, 10) Bryce Clements.

Heat 1: 1) Bartz, 2) Lamberies, 3) Jach.

Heat 2: 1) Nygaard, 2) Kyle Raddant, 3) Barkholtz.

Mighty Fours Feature: 1) Aaron Milavitz, 2) Lucas Hacker, 3) Brad Wedde, 4) Grant Kastning, 5) Josh Slewinski, 6) Dalton Nelson, 7) Jason Hopinka, 8) Paul VanRens, 9) Heidi Meverden, 10) Hollie Welch.

Heat 1: 1) Milavitz, 2) Wedde, 3) Nelson.

Heat 2: 1) Hollie Welch, 2) Hacker, 3) Slewinski.

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