Shawano Leader Sports Headlines

Gresham defeats Port Edwards

The third-seeded Gresham Community High School baseball team beat No. 6 Port Edwards 11-7 to open the WIAA Division 4 regional tournament Tuesday in Gresham.

“We had too many errors early in the game, but we fought back,” Gresham coach Troy Kuhn said.

The Wildcats (9-11, 8-10 Central Wisconsin Conference-10) took the lead in the fourth inning when Scott Cerveny drew a bases-loaded walk. Cerveny, Christian Haffner and Derek Bowman combined to allow seven runs on eight hits. They walked five and struck out seven.

Gresham had six players with two hits, led by Kevin Ile, who was 2 for 4 with three RBIs. Cerveny and Haffner each had two RBIs

Gresham will face No. 2 Tigerton in the regional semifinal Wednesday in Tigerton.

Eagles’ Latender throws 1-hitter

Ty Latender struck out 11 in a one-hit effort for the No. 3-seeded Menominee Indian High School baseball team in a 5-0 win over No. 6 Laona/Wabeno to open the WIAA Division 3 regional tournament Tuesday in Keshena.

Latender also had a big day at the plate, getting three hits and an RBI. Nick Corn had a double and a single. Michael Pecore had a double.

After two scoreless innings, the Eagles (15-7, 12-6 Central Wisconsin Conference-10) got four runs in the third. They added another in the sixth.

The Eagles will face No. 2 Coleman on Wednesday in Coleman.

Truckers beat Oconto Falls

The No. 3-seeded Clintonville High School baseball team beat No. 6 Oconto Falls 4-2 in the WIAA Division 2 regional quarterfinal Tuesday in Clintonville.

Turner Doornink, who struck out nine and held the Panthers to three hits, earned the win, while Riley Gruetzmacher took the loss.

Doornink also had a home run and two RBIs at the plate. Parker Mindel and Damon Lorge each added two hits.

The Truckers face No. 2 Peshtigo on Wednesday in Peshtigo.

Bowler upsets Assumption 9-7

The No. 5 Bowler High School baseball team beat No. 4 Assumption 9-7 in the WIAA Division 4 regional opener Tuesday in Wisconsin Rapids.

Bowler will face No. 1 Pittsville on Wednesday in Pittsville.

No other statistics were available by the Leader’s press time.

Other scores

Division 2: No. 6 Wittenberg-Birnamwood upset No. 3 Lakeland 7-6 in eight innings.

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By: 

Scott Owen, Special to the Leader

Troy Springborn outdueled Nick Anvelink to win his second Late Model feature of the year Saturday at WNCY100 night at the Shawano Speedway.

Marcus Yarie (IMCA Modified) and Tracy Wassenberg (IMCA Sport Mod) also won their second features of the season.

Kyle Frederick won by an eyelash to stay undefeated and earned his fourth IMCA Stock Car feature win of the season.

Calvin Chapin scored his first feature victory at Shawano Speedway in the Mighty Fours feature.

Dave Stoffer and Scott Williams put on a show V8 Spectator Eliminators that will be talked about for a long time, with Stoffer getting the win.

Late Models

Troy Kuyoth grabbed the lead on lap No. 1 of the Late Model feature, Tom Naeyaert jumped into second. On lap No. 6, Kuyoth tagged the wall and had to pull off the track. Naeyaert assumed the lead, but only to hold it for one lap as a caution slowed the field shortly after Naeyaert took the top spot. Springborn and Anvelink both passed Naeyaert on lap No. 7. Anvelink continued to pressure Springborn for the duration of the race, but was never able to muster a pass. Naeayert held on to finish third in the race.

IMCA Modifieds

Tom Schaal led the opening two circuits of the IMCA Modified main event before giving way to a hard charging Eddie Muenster. By lap No. 6 Yarie moved to the second spot on the track. Muenster, though, continued to lead and began to pull away just a bit. A caution on lap No. 13 wiped away Muenster’s lead. Muenster held the top spot until lap No. 17, when Yarie passed Muenster on the outside of turn 4 to grab the lead. Yarie led the rest of the way for the win. Muenster held on to second, Jamie Schmidt held off Jerry Muenster for third.

IMCA Stock Cars

In IMCA Stock Car action, Tom Riehl grabbed the lead from Ray Depew on lap two and quickly looked to be the car to beat. Riehl withstood early challenges from the likes of Vern Stedjee and Harley Simon. By lap No. 6 Frederick raced his way around Stedjee into the second spot. On the following lap, Travis VanStaten, who started the race in the last spot after taking the challenge, joined the top three. Riehl, Frederick and VanStraten put on a great show in front of the field as the race ran on. Frederick was able to pass Riehl for the lead on lap No. 12, but Riehl took the lead right back entering turn 1 on the next lap. Riehl would continue to work the outside lane around the track and hold the lead until turn 4 of the final lap. Frederick finally made the pass for the win as the checkered flag flew. Frederick won by inches to stay unbeaten in feature action. Riehl finished second with VanStraten a close third.

IMCA Sport Mods

Don Woller raced from outside the first row to lead the first two circuits of the IMCA Stock Car feature. Lucas Lamberies made the pass on Woller to assume the lead on lap No. 3. By lap No. 7, with Lamberies pulling away, Wassenberg moved into second. A caution flag on lap No. 8 wiped way Lamberies’ lead. Joey Taycher passed Wassenberg to take the second spot behind Lamberies on lap No. 14. Taycher was able to reel in Lamberies and make the pass for the lead before caution flew on lap No. 17, setting up a three-lap shootout to the finish. Lap No. 18 saw Taycher, Wassenberg and Lamberies go three wide for the lead on the front stretch of the track. Entering turn 3, Taycher got a bit too high and made contact with the wall allowing Wassenberg and Lamberies to pass him in turn 4. Wassenberg would go on to hold off Lamberies for the win. Taycher recovered to finish third.

Mighty Fours

Chapin led wire to wire to claim the Mighty Four feature. Josh Slewinski held off Scott Blanke to take second. Brian Welch remains undefeated in four- and six-cylinder spectator eliminators with another win.

V8 Spectator Eliminators

Dave Stoffer scrambled to victory in the V8 Spectator Eliminators after he and Scott Williams got together in turn 4. The cars then hit nose to nose as both drivers tried to get going again and beat the other car to the finish line.

Racing will continue Saturday night with a 6:30 p.m. start time. More information is available online at www.shawanospeedway.net and also on Facebook.

Race Summary

Shawano Speedway, May 31

Late Model Feature: 1. Troy Springborn, 2. Nick Anvlink, 3. Tom Naeyaert, 4. Ron Berna, 5. Todd Frank, 6. Rob Krull, 7. Doug Blashe, 8. Kurt Moeller, 9. Aaron Wickersheim, 10. Derek Jahnke. Heat 1: 1. Jasper Drengler, 2. Tim Rothe, 3. Brett Swedberg. Heat 2: 1. Anvelink, 2. Naeyaert, 3. Berna. Heat 3: 1. Troy Kuyoth, 2. Springborn, 3. Paul Parker.

IMCA Modified Feature: 1. Marcus Yarie, 2. Eddie Muenster, 3. Jamie Schmidt, 4. Jerry Muenster, 5. Jerry Wilinski, 6. Eric Scribner, 7. Mitch Stankowski, 8. Lance Arneson, 9. John Berna, 10. Paul Thorpe. Heat 1: 1. Eddie Muenster, 2. Stankowski, 3. Schmidt. Heat 2: 1. Tom Schaal, 2. Jerry Muenster, 3. Matt Oreskovich.

IMCA Stock Car Feature: 1. Kyle Frederick, 2. Tom Riehl, 3. Travis VanStraten, 4. Mike Schmidt, 5. Vern Stedjee, 6. Luke Uttecht, 7. Josh Mroczkowski, 8. Trent Nolan, 9. BJ Giese, 10. Harley Simon. Heat 1: 1. Schmidt, 2. Stedjee, 3. Chris Lowenhagen. Heat 2: 1. VanStraten, 2. Frederick, 3. Uttecht.

IMCA Sport Mod Feature: 1. Tracy Wassenberg, 2. Lucas Lamberies, 3. Joey Taycher, 4. Jason Jach, 5. Jordan Barkholtz, 6. Jake Solin, 7. Don Wollerm 8. Les Yaeger, 9. Tristin Peebles, 10. Brandon Nygaard. Heat 1: 1. Barkholtz, 2. Taycher, 3. Woller. Heat 2: 1. Peebles, 2. Lamberies, 3. Wassenberg.

Mighty Four Feature: 1. Calvin Chapin, 2. Josh Slewinski, 3. Scott Blanke, 4. Dalton Nelson, 5. Tanner Weatphal, 6. Brad Wedde, 7. Carl King, 8. Matt Dewilde, 9. Matt Hatterman, 10. Matt Torphy. Heat 1: 1. Slewinski, 2. Grant Kastning, 3. Wedde. Heat 2: 1. Chapin, 2. Westphal, 3. Nelson.

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Payne wins long jump for Gresham/BowlerBy: 

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Leader Photo by Gerrard Diaz Bonduel High School runner Hunter Berry competes at the WIAA Division 2 sectional Friday in Freedom. None of the Bears qualified for the state meet.

Menominee Indian High School’s Ania Smith won two sectional championships, and Gresham/Bowler’s Drew Payne won the long jump to lead the area athletes competing in WIAA track and field sectionals Friday.

Bonduel, competing in the Division 2 regional in Freedom, did not have an athlete make the state cut. Hunter Berry had the school’s best showing, taking sixth in the 1,600-meter run.

“We had a couple of good performances,” Bonduel coach James Watry said. “The girls 4x800 team cut 8 seconds off of their time, so that was impressive. Hunter Berry ran his best time by 6 seconds.

“Other than that, we ran just kind of average. Here at sectionals you have to be above average or you’re not going anywhere.”

Smith certainly had an above average day at the Division 3 sectional in Marathon, winning both the shot put and discus.

“She hit some big throws to put herself in that position,” Menominee Indian coach Chris Clache said. “She’s definitely peaking at the right time.”

Menominee Indian will also be represented at state by Gordon James III, who had second-place finishes in the 100 and 200 dashes.

Clache said James is dealing with bad shin splints.

“He was limping the whole day and he still ran very well,” Clache said. “We’re going to give him a week to get healthy. I think by next Friday he’s going to be good to go.”

Smith’s two wins and getting two athletes to state are both firsts for the Menominee Indian program.

“It was a pretty special day for us,” Clache said.

Marion’s Cassidy Detert took second in the shot put.

Payne won a sectional title in the long jump and took second in the triple jump.

Payne took eighth in the long jump at last year’s state meet.

“At sectionals, you look at the heat sheets and you think you can beat this guy, and this guy, but you don’t know how people normally perform,” Gresham/Bowler coach Heidi Pleshek said. “It just depends on who brings their A game that day.”

Also for Gresham/Bowler, Austin Olsen qualified for state in the 300 hurdles, Cody Montez qualified in the 3,200 run, and Andrew Pleshek qualified in the high jump, all with a fourth-place finishes.

“The opportunity to be there and participate with that caliber of athletes is just incredible,” Heidi Pleshek said. “The guys are excited.”

Marion’s Cole Drafahl took third in the shot put.

Wittenberg-Birnamwood’s Aaron Monnot won a sectional title in the triple jump at the Division 2 sectional in Bloomer. Micah Nier qualified in the triple jump, as did the Chargers’ 4x400 and 4x800 relay teams.

Clintonville’s Allison Johnson took second in the 800 run to qualify at the Division 2 sectional in Freedom.

Division 3

Marathon Sectional

Girls

Team scoring: 1. Wild Rose 102, 2. Edgar 87, 3. Newman Catholic 87, 4. Iola-Scandinavia 47, 5. Rosholt 45.75

Shot put: 1. Ania Smith, Menominee Indian, 39-4, 2. Cassidy Detert, Marion, 38-9

Discus: 1. Ania Smith, Menominee Indian, 126-8

Boys

Team scoring: 1. Marathon 98, 2. Newman Catholic 67.5, 3. Wild Rose 54, 4. Loyal 49, 5. St. Mary Central 45

Triple jump: 2. Drew Payne, Gresham/Bowler, 42-1 1/2

100 dash: 2. Gordon James III, Menominee Indian, 11.55

300 hurdles: 4. Austin Olsen, Gresham/Bowler, 42.01

200 dash: 2. Gordon James III, Menominee Indian, 23.20

High jump: 4. Andrew Pleshek, Gresham/Bowler, 6-0

Long jump: 1. Drew Payne, Gresham/Bowler, 21-9

Shot put: 3. Cole Drafahl, Marion, 52-2

3,200 run: 4. Cody Montez, Gresham/Bowler, 10:18.06

Division 2

Bloomer Sectional

Girls

Team scoring: 1. Osceola 116, 2. Hayward 83, 3. Stratford 42, 4. Saint Croix Falls 39, 4. Bloomer 39

Triple jump: 4. Micah Nier, Wittenberg-Birnamwood, 34-5 1/2

4x400 relay: 4. Wittenberg-Birnamwood (Mikayla King, Erica White Eagle, Danica Wendler, Maykayla Verkuilen), 4:11.96

4x800 relay: 4. Wittenberg-Birnamwood (Alexis Balliett, Mikayla King, Erica White Eagle, Taylor Nier), 10:18.44

Boys

Team scoring: 1. Altoona 53, 2. Somerset 52, 3. Fall Creek 50, 4. Chetek/Weyerhaeuser 46, 5. Saint Croix Falls 36

Triple jump: 1. Aaron Monnot, Wittenberg-Birnamwood, 44-2 3/4

Division 2

Freedom Sectional

Girls

Team scoring: 1. Seymour 67, 2. Brillion 60, 3. Two Rivers 49, 4. Nekoosa 43, 5. Wrightstown 38

800 run: 2. Allison Johnson, Clintonville, 2:19.12

Boys

Team scoring: 1. Freedom 95, 2. Seymour 93, 3. Little Chute 82, 4. Two Rivers 46, 5. Nekoosa 42

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Senior qualifies for state, makes it to graduationBy: 

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Leader Photo by Gerrard Diaz Shawano Community High School senior Kia Smurawa nails a landing in the long jump at the WIAA Division 1 sectional Friday at St.Norbert College’s Schneider Stadium in De Pere. Smurawa took third in the event, qualifying for the state meet.
Leader Photo by Gerrard Diaz Shawano Community High School’s Dan Boivin competes in the pole vault at Friday’s WIAA Division 1 sectional at St. Norbert College’s Schneider Stadium in De Pere.

The Smurawas will remember it as a perfect day.

Shawano Community High School senior Kia Smurawa jumped a school record 17 feet, 9 inches in the long jump at the WIAA Division 1 sectional Friday at St. Norbert College’s Schneider Stadium in De Pere, qualifying for the WIAA State Championships next week.

“I’m so excited,” Kia Smurawa said. “I wasn’t 100 percent sure we made it.”

Smurawa and her father, coach Scott Smurawa, waited for the final results to be read at the stadium — she finished in third place, then made for Shawano so the senior could make it to her graduation.

“As soon as we found out, we drove back,” Kia Smurawa said. “I changed in the car into my dress and graduation gown. We ran into the school just in time for them to start reading off some names.”

“It’s a banner day,” Scott Smurawa said. “I don’t know how many days get better than this in a person’s life.”

As a coach and a father, Scott Smurawa was proud.

“It’s pretty exciting just as a coach,” he said. “As a dad, you are proud. I jumped and ran track myself. I didn’t go to state. As a parent you always want a child to do a little better than you in everything. She’s going to state, a school record, just an awesome thing.

“On top of all that, we made it back here and she walked and she graduated.”

Kia Smurawa’s day did not start as well as she would have liked. Her first attempt in the long jump was under 14 feet, due in part to a wooden board she was not familiar with.

“We adjusted her steps,” said Scott Smurawa, who coached jumping events for the first time this year. “We got her on the board and she just relaxed.”

“I kind of got the nerves out of my system,” Kia Smurawa said. “I was already at sectionals; I didn’t have anything to lose.”

Her second jump went 17-3 1/4, breaking the school record of 16-10.

Her third attempt went 17-9. In the finals, she hit 16-11, scratched, then went 17-6.

Her 17-9 jump stood as the third best at the meet, and will likely stand for a while at SCHS.

“That 17-9 is quite the school record when you compare it to 16-10, which stood for many years,” Scott Smurawa said. “This one is going to be tough to beat.”

Kia Smurawa was the only state qualifier among the seven sectional qualifiers SCHS had at the meet.

Brice Bergner (100 dash) and Dan Boivin (pole vault) each just missed the cut for state, taking fourth in their events.

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By: 

Scott Owen, Leader Columnist

Week 3 of racing at the historic half mile Shawano Speedway turned out to be a night to remember for hometown hot shoe Cody Hudson.

The popular driver known as “The Hudson Hornet” is a rookie this season in the IMCA Modified division after winning the track championship a season ago in the IMCA Sport Mod class.

I’ve told his story before in these pages, but it is worth retelling. Hudson grew up next to former IMCA Modified track champion Wade Schutt and began hanging around his garage. As he got a little older he began to help out Schutt and then Tracy Wassenberg before scratching together the funds to buy his own race car.

Through hard work and determination, Hudson has made himself into a top-flight racer.

Hudson hit his stride after joining forces with longtime racer Dave Stoffer a few seasons back.

Impressively, Hudson won Saturday’s feature while running on seven cylinders. In fact, Hudson nearly pulled off during a caution period.

Quick with a smile and willing to talk to anyone, Hudson has become a track favorite, and the future continues to look bright.

Also last week, Shawano racer BJ Giese nearly scored a win in the IMCA Stock car feature.

Giese is back behind the wheel this year after taking a few seasons off. The grandson of Shawano Speedway Hall Of Fame racer John Beyers, Giese has shown he may be a force to reckon with this summer.

Starting this week at the track, “The Challenge” is back in the IMCA Modified and IMCA Sport Mod classes. The Challenge was a big hit years ago in the Late Model division.

Drivers are given the opportunity to start at the back of the feature; if they can pull off the win, they earn extra money.

Chuck Buckbee was the only driver to win The Challenge back in the day.

The Modifed pot starts at $100 and goes up by another $100 each week that it goes unclaimed. For the Sport Mod, the pot starts at $50 and will go up another $50 for every week it is not won.

This could really make things interesting in each of these divisions. Hats off to Brad Luepke for all of his hard work getting The Challenge going again.

Also look for Craig “The Tiger” Bartz back at the track this week in a Mike Weisnicht-owned IMCA Modified.

It should be another great Saturday night for racing. See you at the track.

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

Hawks finish second in Bay

The Shawano Community High School girls soccer team lost to West De Pere on penalty kicks after 100 scoreless minutes in De Pere.

“It was back and forth all night with missed opportunities for both sides,” Shawano coach Robert Croschere said.

Shawano finished second in the tournament and second in the conference, though that was determined before Thursday’s game.

“The game didn’t mean anything in the standings as West De Pere had a three-point lead going into it,” Croschere said. “Win or lose, they had first and we were getting second in the conference.”

Marion upset in regional final

The Marion High School softball team lost 3-0 to Wausau Newman Catholic in the WIAA Division 4 regional final Thursday in Marion.

Newman Catholic, the No. 4 seed, beat No. 1 Tigerton on Tuesday before beating No. 2 Marion.

No other statistics from the game were made available by the Leader’s press time.

Menominee Indian tops Wild Rose

Richard Corn allowed only two hits and one run over the last 3 2-3 innings, and went 3 for 3 at the plate with three RBIs, as the Menominee Indian High School baseball team rallied to a 9-7 win over Wild Rose on Thursday in Keshena.

The Eagles took a 6-4 lead in the fourth inning and never gave it back.

Forrest Webster was 2 for 3 with three RBIs for MIHS. Nick Corn added three hits.

Truckers, FVL split doubleheader

The Clintonville High School baseball team won the first half of a doubleheader Thursday against Fox Valley Lutheran, but lost the second game.

Clintonville won the first game 4-2 thanks to a four-hit, two-run effort from pitcher Turner Doornink. Nick Hogen and Jaden Doornink were both 2 for 3 with an RBI.

The Truckers were shut out 5-0 in the second game. Clintonville had three errors in the seventh inning that led to four Fox Valley Lutheran runs.

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Dowden pitches despite injuryBy: 

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Leader Photo by Gerrard Diaz Bonduel High School junior pitcher Jennifer Dowden winds up during the WIAA Division 3 regional final against Oconto on Thursday in Oconto. Bonduel lost, 4-2.

Oconto used a three-run rally in the sixth inning to defeat Bonduel High School 4-2 Thursday in the WIAA Division 3 softball regional final in Oconto.

Despite a torn muscle in her hand, Bonduel pitcher Jennifer Dowden toughed out the game.

“It was basically up to her if she could play or not,” Bonduel coach Chris Reinke said. “The doctor gave her the go-ahead. I think that’s pretty gutsy on her part.”

Dowden allowed five hits in six innings of work. She struck out eight and walked none.

“I couldn’t ask for more of a performance from her,” Reinke said.

After giving up a run on an Emily Shallow triple and a Laken James single in the third inning, Bonduel tied the game in the fourth. Miranda Schmidt led off the inning with a single, advanced to second on a passed ball and scored on a throwing error.

With two outs in the fifth, Taylor Weier got Bonduel going again with a single. Schmidt, who led the Bears with two hits, then hit an RBI single to give Bonduel the lead.

Oconto, however, rallied for three runs in the sixth before the Bears got a double play to end the inning.

In the top of the seventh, Becky Berth, facing the bottom of the Bears’ lineup, struck out the first two batters and forced a ground out to end the game.

Berth allowed five hits and two runs in seven innings. She struck out three.

Reinke said her younger players might have been dealing with some nerves in their first regional final.

“You try to get them to understand it is just another ballgame,” Reinke said. “I’m proud of them. They hung in there and fought.”

Reinke praised Oconto’s defense, but said the Bears “could have done a little better job at the plate.”

The team is only losing two seniors in Courtney Schmidt and Morgan Sorenson. Reinke wants the girls coming back to remember the season-ending loss.

“I’m really excited for next year,” Reinke said. “They didn’t like this taste. I told them, ‘If you don’t like the way this feels, make sure it doesn’t happen next year.’”

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Pritzl on AAU team led by SCHS coachBy: 

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Chris Kellett noticed he was missing a player during the Wisconsin Playground Warriors Amateur Athletic Union boys basketball team practice May 22 at Shawano Community High School.

It turned out Brevin Pritzl, a 6-foot-3 shooting guard from De Pere, had a very good excuse for being late.

The De Pere junior had just committed to play for the University of Wisconsin.

“He walked in about five minutes late because he was talking to coach (Greg) Gard after he committed,” said Kellett, who is in his second year coaching the AAU team. “He walked in with a big grin on his face. He told us right away, we congratulated him, and he got right to practice like it was another day.”

Pritzl, who had offers from several NCAA Division I schools, called Gard after deciding to verbally commit to Wisconsin while driving with his brother Brandon to Shawano for practice.

Pritzl’s stand-out performances with the Warriors this spring helped attract recruiters’ attention, according to several media outlets.

Kellett, who also coaches the SCHS boys varsity basketball team, said Pritzl’s play has been impressive.

“He’s a tremendous kid,” Kellett said. “He has a great passion for the game of basketball. He doesn’t want to be good, he wants to be great. He’s in the gym early, stays after. Very skilled kid.

“When he has it going, not many people are better than he is.”

In a game against an Illinois team earlier this month at a tournament in Indiana, Pritzl had to sit out most of the first half after getting two fouls in the first 30 seconds of the game.

“He came in the second half and he had 37 points, and he scored in a variety of different ways,” Kellett said. “That kind of started the buzz.”

Pritzl followed that game with a 40-plus point game against a team from Washington.

“They doubled him, they tripled him,” Kellett said. “Literally everything he threw up went in. He had some treys, a couple dunks, scored off the bounce, and he also did it in an unselfish way, and he found his teammates.

“Those two games back to back kind of cemented the fact that he was for real. Following that he got all those big offers.”

Pritzl has played AAU basketball for the last five years, the last two for Kellett.

“He’s matured, both physically and mentally,” Kellett said. “Our team relies on him scoring quite a bit. I run a lot of things through him. He does a good job of manipulating the defense and creating his own off of that.

“Our team does a good job of playing together, which is always key in the game of basketball. When he has it going, we find a way to get him the ball.”

The Warriors, who usually practice in the Fox Valley, have been practicing in Shawano this spring because the weather made it more difficult to find open gyms. Shawano is also more centrally located for the players from areas such as Wausau and Eau Claire.

Pritzl isn’t the only standout on Kellett’s team.

“It’s a team full of scholarship-type players,” he said. “I have one kid from Stoughton who has gotten multiple offers, named Nick McGlynn, a bunch of guys who are getting D2, mid-major-type looks. It’s a talented team.”

The team has had 180 scholarship players since it began, including players such as Wisconsin’s Sam Dekker, of Sheboygan, and North Carolina’s J.P. Tokoto, of Menomonee Falls.

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Hawks improve to 2-0 in tourney

The Shawano Community High School girls soccer team beat New London 2-1 on the road Tuesday to improve to 2-0 in the Bay Conference tournament.

The Hawks (12-6, 8-2 Bay) took the lead on a Louisa Keenan goal 30 minutes into the match. Sarah Dickmann had the assist. New London tied the match 51 minutes in, but Shawano took the lead back on a Megan Klitzke goal after the ball rebounded off the crossbar on a Dickmann kick.

Shawano goalie Carlie Hinnefeld had six saves.

The Hawks will play round three of the tournament on Thursday. The opponent, place and time were not determined by the Leader’s press time.

Hawks get win in subsectionals

Ted Mickelson and Tim Hoffman, the Shawano Community High School boys tennis team’s No. 3 doubles team, earned the Hawks’ only win Tuesday at the WIAA Division 1 subsectionals.

Mickelson and Hoffman defeated Green Bay West’s Wacha Xiong and Elijah Vang, 6-2, 6-1. In the second round the Shawano duo lost to Bay Port’s Andrew Wick and Austin Werner, 6-0, 6-3.

Tom Cumberland and Austin Steinbach lost to Nick Bault and Ty Havlichek of Bay Port, 7-6 (4), 6-3. Dalton Parson and Sajen Knueppel lost to Green Bay Southwest’s Brett Vandenack and Gabe Rasmussun, 7-5, 6-4.

In singles action, Patarapol Chittanorak lost to Pulaski’s Grant Tadeyeske, 6-2, 6-3; Zach Soper lost to Green Bay Preble’s Ryan Vandettei, 6-3, 6-2; Cole Reuter lost to Ashwaubenon’s Imran Mian, 6-4, 6-2; and Connor Neumann-Sleeper lost to Preble’s Marcus Jenerson, 6-1, 6-2.

Shawano spoils Denmark title bid

The Shawano Community High School baseball team played spoiler Tuesday, denying Denmark a Bay Conference title with a 3-0 win.

Grant Wainio pitched a one-hitter.

Ky Schmidt, Tasa Grignon and Clint Dallas all had hits for Shawano (9-13, 7-9 Bay).

Jack Collins took the loss for Denmark (21-4, 13-3), which finished league play a game back of Hortonville (19-3, 14-2).

Other scores

Baseball: Wittenberg-Birnamwood beat Manawa, 14-2. Menominee Indian beat Almond-Bancroft, 15-0, in five innings.

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Hawks fall to Notre Dame rally

The No. 3-seeded Shawano Community High School softball team lost a lead late against No. 2 Green Bay Notre Dame, losing the WIAA Division 2 regional semifinal 4-3 Tuesday at Riverview Park in Green Bay.

The Hawks (8-14, 6-9 Bay) led 3-0 heading into the bottom of the sixth, but Notre Dame (7-9, 5-9 Fox River Classic) scored a run on a Shawano error. In the seventh, another error, a single and a hit batter set up Jackie Calba, who hit a pop fly that landed inside the right field line to bring in the winning run.

Shawano pitcher Courtney Baumann allowed just one hit over the first five innings, finishing with four. Briana Boda, Saige Henning and Allison Raddant each had two hits.

Emma Prebelski scattered eight hits to earn the win for Notre Dame.

Bowler advances to final

The No. 2-seeded Marion High School softball team beat No. 6 Bowler 12-2 in six innings Tuesday to advance to the WIAA Division 4 regional final Tuesday in Marion.

The Mustangs will face No. 4 Wausau Newman Catholic, which toppled No. 1 Tigerton, 11-3, in the other regional semifinal.

No other information was available by the Leader’s press time.

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Area high school athletes won 18 championships at WIAA track and field regionals Tuesday.

Gresham/Bowler’s Drew Payne won the triple jump and the 100 dash at the Division 3 regional in Rosholt. He also took second in the long jump. Teammates Austin Olsen (300 hurdles), Cody Montez (3,200 run) and Andrew Pleshek (high jump) also won events.

Menominee Indian’s Ania Smith won the discus and shot put at the Division 3 regional in Suring. Gordon James III won the 100 and 200 dashes. Brandon Reiter won the 1,600 and 3,200 runs.

Division 2

Seymour Regional

Boys

Team scoring: 1. Freedom 181, 2. Little Chute 165, 3. Seymour 150, 4. Peshtigo 65, 5. Clintonville 43, 6. Bonduel 42, 7. Oconto Falls 31, 8. Oconto 13, 9. Marinette 12

Pole vault: 3. Skyler Lehman, Clintonville, 12-3

1,600 run: 3. Hunter Berry, Bonduel, 4:40.31

4x200 relay: 4. Clintonville (Travis Eanone, Todd Taylor, Skyler Lehman, Joe Pockat), 1:35.22

400 dash: 3. Isaac Palmer, Bonduel, 52.47

4x100 relay: 4. Clintonville (Travis Eanone, Todd Taylor, Joe Pockat, Skyler Lehman), 46.02

200 dash: 3. Caleb Dowling, Bonduel, 23.48

4x400 relay: 4. Bonduel (Isaac Palmer, Trebor Rueckert, Caleb Dowling, Hunter Berry), 3:31.20

Shot put: 3. Ross Westphal, Clintonville, 47-00

4x800 relay: 3. Bonduel (Isaac Palmer, Trebor Rueckert, Hunter Berry, Ryan Mathew), 8:31.48

Girls

Team scoring: 1. Seymour 132.5, 2. Freedom 105, 3. Marinette 102.5, 4. Little Chute 92.5, 5. Oconto Falls 75, 6. Peshtigo 74, 7. Clintonville 52.5, 8. Bonduel 36, 9. Oconto 32

Long jump: 3. Emily Sorenson, Bonduel, 14-6 3/4

4x800 relay: 1. Clintonville (Sara Messner, Brianna Gretzinger, Allison Johnson, Jessica Petruzates), 10:19.16, 4. Bonduel (Anna Palmer, Mallory Mews, Aneta Rohloff, Clare Martell), 10:34.77

100 hurdles: 4. Chrissy Betz, Clintonville, 17.00

3,200 run: 2. Jessica Petruzates, Clintonville, 12:11.07

4x400 relay: 4. Bonduel (Anna Palmer, Hayley Sorenson, Ashlie Mastey, Emily Sorenson), 4:28.06

Pole vault: 4. Chrissy Betz, Clintonville, 8-6

800 run: 2. Allison Johnson, Clintonville, 2:30.75

Tomahawk Regional

Boys

Team scoring: 1. Mosinee 125, 2. Northland Pines, 3. Stratford 110, 4. Medford Area 82, 5. Florence/Niagara 68, 6. Tomahawk 65, 7. Wittenberg-Birnamwood 53, 8. Phillips 44, 9. Colby 39

Discus: 3. Mason Enjiain, Wittenberg-Birnamwood, 126-5

Triple jump: 1. Aaron Monnot, Wittenberg-Birnamwood, 43-3 1/2, 4. Trevor Stewart, Wittenberg-Birnamwood, 39-7

400 dash: 4. Tyler Weller, Wittenberg-Birnamwood, 56.73

Shot put: 4. Mason Enjiain, Wittenberg-Birnamwood, 45-4 1/4

4x800 relay: 4. Wittenberg-Birnamwood (Devin Barnes, Riley Bohlman, Tyler Weller, Dustin Tomson), 8:59.68

Girls

Team scoring: 1. Stratford 130, 2. Wittenberg-Birnamwood 120, 3. Tomahawk 117, 4. Medford Area 82, 5. Mosinee 76, 6. Northland Pines 48, 7. Colby 44, 8. Florence/Niagara 42, 9. Phillips 41

High jump: 4. Micah Nier, Wittenberg-Birnamwood, 4-11

4x800 relay: 2. Wittenberg-Birnamwood (Alexis Balliett, Mikayla King, Erica White Eagle, Taylor Nier), 10:25.58

100 hurdles: 3. Kendra Stoltz, Wittenberg-Birnamwood, 17.52

4x200 relay: 3. Wittenberg-Birnamwood (Mikayla Hartman, Katie Norrbom, Danica Wendler, Micah Nier), 1:52.88

4x100 relay: 4. Wittenberg-Birnamwood (Mikayla Hartman, Katie Norrbom, Maykayla Verkuilen, Danica Wendler), 53.32

300 hurdles: Micah Nier, Wittenberg-Birnamwood, 51.77, 2. Erica White Eagle, Wittenberg-Birnamwood, 52.12

3,200 run: 2. Alexis Balliett, Wittenberg-Birnamwood, 12:21.03

4x400 relay: 2. Wittenberg-Birnamwood (Mikayla King, Erica White Eagle, Danica Wendler, Maykayla Verkuilen), 4:18.31

Discus: 1. Anna Hartman, Wittenberg-Birnamwood, 101-0

Triple jump: 2. Micah Nier, Wittenberg-Birnamwood, 33-5 3/4

800 run: 1. Mikayla King, Wittenberg-Birnamwood, 2:32.98, 4. Taylor Nier, Wittenberg-Birnamwood, 2:41.10

Division 3

Rosholt Regional

Boys

Team scoring: 1. Rosholt 110, 2. Manawa 104, 3. Shiocton 98, 4. Iola-Scandinavia 95, 5. Gresham/Bowler 94, 6. Marion 50, 7. Tigerton 31

Discus: 2. Cole Drafahl, Marion, 120-9

4x100 relay: 2. Gresham/Bowler (Trace Miller, Brandon Miller, Cody Montez, Joe Serrano), 49.18, 4. Tigerton (Alec Berg, Vernon Parrott, Jacob Minniecheske, Noah Lehman), 51.47

300 hurdles: 1. Austin Olsen, Gresham/Bowler, 43.09

200 dash: 2. Clay Detert, Marion, 24.79

3,200 run: 1. Cody Montez, Gresham/Bowler, 11:04.56

Triple jump: 1. Drew Payne, Gresham/Bowler, 41-1, 2. Clay Detert, Marion, 38-5 1/2, 3. Jacob Minniecheske, Tigerton, 36-11 1/4

110 hurdles: 3. Alec Berg, Tigerton, 19.75, 4. Arthur Boucher, Gresham/Bowler, 20.06

100 dash: 1. Drew Payne, Gresham/Bowler, 11.70

1,600 run: 2. Cody Montez, Gresham/Bowler, 4:43.99

High jump: 1. Andrew Pleshek, Gresham/Bowler, 6-0, 3. Clay Detert, Marion, 5-6

Long jump: 2. Drew Payne, Gresham/Bowler, 20-4, 3. Clay Detert, Marion, 19-5 1/4

Shot put: 1. Cole Drafahl, Marion, 53-2 1/2

Girls

Team scoring: 1. Rosholt 180, 2. Iola-Scandinavia 117.5, 3. Manawa 85, 4. Marion 63.5, 5. Shiocton 61.5, 6. Tigerton 49, 7. Gresham/Bowler 42.5

4x100: 3. Tigerton (Lonna Minniecheske, Karli Minniecheske, Katie Watters, Charity Desrochers), 55.70, 4. Marion (Cassidy Wudstrack, Kate Breitrick, Paige Polzin, Allison Faehling), 56.44

200 dash: 4. Lonna Minniecheske, Tigerton, 30.65

Long jump: 4. Katie Watters, 14-2 1/4

3,200 run: 3. Angela Hoffman, Tigerton, 14:02.34

Shot put: 1. Cassidy Detert, Marion, 37-7 3/4, 2. Kalyssa Watters, Marion, 32-4 1/4, 4. Shannon Caskey, Gresham/Bowler, 29-8

1,600 run: 4. Alyssa Roe, Gresham/Bowler, 7:05.85

800 run: 3. Melody Riemer, Marion, 2:39.86

4x800 relay: 2. Gresham/Bowler (Shannon Caskey, Tatelyn Ferguson, Saychia Wayka, Alyssa Roe), 13:04.68

100 dash: 3. Charity Desrochers, Tigerton, 14.24, 4. Lindsay Anderson, Gresham/Bowler, 14.52

4x200 relay: 4. Marion (Cassidy Wudstrack, Kate Breitrick, Paige Polzin, Allison Faehling), 1:59.54

400 dash: 3. Melody Riemer, Marion, 1:07.65

Discus: 1. Cassidy Detert, Marion, 103-4, 3. Shannon Caskey, Gresham/Bowler, 90-1

Suring Regional

Boys

Team scoring: 1. Suring 129, 2. Crivitz 121, 3. Gillett 113, 4. Coleman 73, 5. Menominee Indian 59, 6. Wolf River Lutheran 44, 7. Three Lakes 34, 8. Wabeno 28, 9. Lena

110 hurdles: 3. Andrew Schmidt, Wolf River Lutheran, 19.20

100 dash: 1. Gordon James III, Menominee Indian, 11.71

1,600 run: 1. Brandon Reiter, Menominee Indian, 5:02.90

800 run: 4. Taylor Timm, Wolf River Lutheran, 2:22.20

200 dash: 1. Gordon James III, Menominee Indian, 23.83

3,200 run: 1. Brandon Reiter, Menominee Indian, 11:13.99, 4. James Schmidt, Wolf River Lutheran, 11:55.62

Long jump: 3. Andrew Schmidt, Wolf River Lutheran, 19-0 1/4

Shot put: 2. Alphonso Smith, Menominee Indian, 44-8

Discus: 2 Alphonso Smith, Menominee Indian, 129-4 1/2

Triple jump: 3. Andrew Schmidt, Wolf River Lutheran, 37-6 1/4

Girls

Team scoring: 1. Suring 173, 2. Coleman 127.5, 3. Wabeno 89.5, 4. Gillett 82, 5. Crivitz 47, 6. Menominee Indian 32, 7. Three Lakes 29, 8. Wolf River Lutheran 4

Discus: 1. Ania Smith, Menominee Indian, 122-8, 4. Sasha Peters, Menominee Indian, 85-2

Shot put: 1. Ania Smith, Menominee Indian, 40-7

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Shawano athletes earn 4 thirdsBy: 

Gerrard Diaz, [email protected]

Leader Photo by Gerrard Diaz Shawano Community High School senior high jumper Isabella Gonzalez competes at the WIAA Division 1 regional Tuesday at Bay Port High School.

The Shawano Community High School track and field teams are sending seven athletes to the WIAA Division 1 sectionals next week.

Kia Smurawa and Kristina Kurtz led the girls teams, with third-place finishes in the long jump and 200-meter dash, respectively, in Tuesday’s regional at Bay Port.

Smurawa matched her personal record with a 16-foot-7 jump.

“Pretty nice,” said Shawano coach Scott Smurawa, Kia’s father. “Pretty happy with her jumps. She’s happy that she can go and jump again. She’s just a couple of inches off the school record. She’s hoping that maybe she can do that at the next meet.”

Kia Smurawa just missed the cut in the triple jump, taking fifth despite going a personal-best 33-7.

Sophomore Kristina Kurtz surprised with a third-place showing in the 200 dash. She had run the race only once before, but her relay times suggested she might have a good day. She finished in 28 seconds.

“We thought we’d give her a shot,” Scott Smurawa said. “Normally, she runs longer distances for us. She’s a part of the 4x200, and has been having some pretty good splits in there.”

Isabella Gonzalez took fourth in the high jump with a 5-0 jump.

“That’s not her best jump,” Smurawa said. “She does 5-4 quite often.”

Brice Bergner led the Hawks boys with a third-place finish in the 100 dash. He finished in 11.25.

“Brice has been pretty solid,” Smurawa said. “That was his best time of the year. Good, solid race from him.”

Bergner, along with Carlos Merino, Dan Boivin and Jake Klister, finished fourth in the 4x200 with a season best time of 1:34.81.

“They ran a strong race,” Scott Smurawa said. “They’re excited to move on. We’ll see what they can do in the sectionals.”

The coach thinks the group can shave a few more seconds off their time.

Boivin took third in the pole vault, cracking 13 feet.

“Another personal record tonight,” the coach said. “He’s tried 13 a number of times, but he hit it today.”

Bay Port Regional

Boys

Team scoring: 1. Bay Port 170, 2. Green Bay Preble 161, 3. Ashwaubenon 99, 4. Green Bay Notre Dame 92, 5. Green Bay Southwest 59, 6. Green Bay East 42, 7. Pulaski 40, 8. Shawano 27, 9. Green Bay West

Girls

Team scoring: 1. Bay Port 147, 2. Green Bay Notre Dame 132.5, 3. Green Bay Preble 95.5 4. Ashwaubenon 72, 5. Green Bay East 70, 6. Green Bay Southwest 69, 7. Pulaski 56, 8. Green Bay West 27, 9. Shawano 23

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Dowden throws 1-hitter before injuryBy: 

[email protected]

Leader Photo by Gerrard Diaz Bonduel High School slugger Kailee Rynish swings at a ball during Tuesday’s WIAA Division 3 regional semifinal against Crivitz at Cedar Park in Bonduel. Bonduel won, 7-0.

Jennifer Dowden pitched a 1-hitter, Miranda Schmidt had three hits, and the No. 2 Bonduel High School softball team shut out No. 3 Crivitz, 7-0, in the WIAA Division 3 regional semifinal Tuesday at Cedar Park in Bonduel.

The win sets up a regional final against No. 1 Oconto on Thursday in Oconto.

“It’s going to come down to playing solid defense,” Bonduel coach Chris Reinke said. “If they put the ball in play, we have to pick it up and make the play. It should be a good game.”

Oconto beat No. 4 Crandon 20-0 in five innings.

Dowden struck out 10 batters in 6 2-3 innings before giving way in the seventh inning because of a hand injury suffered after getting hit by a line drive.

“She pitched an excellent game,” Reinke said. “She did take that one shot to her hand on the line drive. Hopefully, we’ll get her iced down and she’ll be all right.”

Freshman Cameri Gehm came in and struck out the final batter.

“She always comes in and she’s very confident, which is cool,” Reinke said.

The Bears (8-8, 6-7 Central Wisconsin Conference-8) took a 1-0 lead in the third inning on a single by Schmidt and an RBI double by Alexa Reinke.

“It took a while for our bats to get rattling,” Chris Reinke said. “But in the end we got them going.”

In the fourth, Bonduel open with singles by Morgan Sorenson and Brittny Wudtke. Schmidt then hit an RBI single. Two more runs scored later on a Crivitz error.

In the fifth, the Bears took a 5-0 lead when Kaylee Pedersen singled, got two extra bases and then scored on a sacrifice hit by Courtney Schmidt.

Pedersen and Kailee Rynish each had an RBI single in the sixth.

Cece Johnson got Crivitz’s only hit, a double in the seventh.

Amanda Pickett took the loss for Crivitz (7-5, 5-4 Marinette & Oconto), allowing seven runs on 11 hits in six innings. She struck out six and walked two.

Dowden was examined by trainers after the game, but the junior’s availability for Thursday was not known.

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Hawks’ golfers advance to sectionals

A fifth-place finish by Ian Lewis and a ninth-place finish by Braden Mueller helped the Shawano Community High School boys golf team tie Appleton North for third-place at the WIAA Division 1 regional Tuesday.

Playing at Reid Municipal Golf Course in Appleton, Shawano had a team score of 322, same as Appleton North, to get the last two qualifying spots behind Appleton East (305) and Wisconsin Rapids Lincoln (321) for next week’s sectional.

Lewis came in at 76, tied with Wisconsin Rapids Lincoln’s Joe Benbow for fifth place. Braden Mueller shot a 78 to take ninth. Cole Huntington shot an 82. Garret Schlise and Ryan Hoffman each had 86.

New London’s Austin Elsner was the medalist, carding a 72.

Chargers sixth at Irish Waters

The Wittenberg-Birnamwood High School boys golf team took sixth (367), Bonduel (385) seventh and Clintonville (392) eighth at the WIAA Division 2 regional Tuesday at Irish Waters Golf Course in Freedom.

Bonduel’s Ben Shoup, with a sixth-overall 79, and Wittenberg-Birnamwood’s Brant Linke (85) and Kyle Adamski (86) qualified for next week’s sectional at Crystal Springs Golf Course.

Zach Acker had a 98 for Bonduel. Austin Krueger shot 103 and Brandon Wagester 105.

Marinette (322) won the meet and had the medalist in Dakota Langlois, who shot a 75.

Gresham advances to sectionals

The Gresham Community High School boys golf team took fourth at the WIAA Division 3 regional Tuesday at Riverside Golf Course in Menominee, Mich.

The Wildcats had a team score of 391, behind Gibraltar (370), St. Thomas Aquinas (374) and Coleman (387).

Killian Eggert shot a 85 to lead Gresham, second only to St. Thomas Aquinas Academy’s Michael Schmidt, the medalist at 75. Cole Hoffman shot a 96, Kyle Miller 99 and James Kazik 111.

The Wildcats will compete in the sectional Tuesday at Eagle Creek Golf Course in Hortonville.

Sawall qualifies for sectionals

Jared Sawall was the fourth and final individual qualifier for the WIAA Division 3 sectionals with a round of 90 Tuesday at Pine Valley Golf Course in Marion.

Emily Sawall shot a 123, Brandon Schultz 136 and Brian Knight 127 as Marion took 10th with a score of 476.

Wausau Newman Catholic (342) won, followed by Marathon (358), Stevens Point Pacelli (363) and Weyauwega-Fremont (370).

Weyauwega-Fremont had the medalist in David Niemuth, who carded a 77.

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By: 

[email protected]

Leader Photo by Gerrard Diaz Shawano Community High School senior Cody Urban beats the throw home to score the go-ahead run in Game 2 of a doubleheader against Bonduel on Saturday at Memorial Park. The Hawks held on to win the game, 2-1.

A three-run blast by Chase Henning in Game 1 and quick running by Cody Urban in Game 2 helped the Shawano Community High School baseball team sweep Bonduel on Saturday at Memorial Park.

The Hawks (8-13, 6-9 Bay) won the first game 13-4, after Henning hit a three-run home run in the first inning to get things going.

In Game 2, the Hawks broke a 1-1 tie in the sixth inning when Cody Urban got home on a Bonduel throwing error, beating the throw home by inches.

“It’s nice to get some wins, but this is all about getting ready for the tournament,” Shawano coach Robert Wolff said. “The first game we really came out. The bats woke up.”

Henning finished game 1 3 for 4 with six RBIs. Taylor Prey earned the win, allowing six hits in seven innings. He struck out five and walked four. Grant Wainio and Jaryd Wilber each had two hits for Shawano.

Travis Wollenburg allowed 13 runs on eight hits in 4 2-3 innings of work to take the loss. He struck out six and walked five. Colton Dobratz was 3 for 4, and Jacob Wudtke had two hits.

“It’s a game we very easily could have won,” Bonduel coach Don Gruenewald said of the second game. “A couple of times in the last few innings, if we just catch the ball, we’re OK.”

In game 2, Jack Lacy earned the win on the mound for Shawano. He struck out seven, walked two and allowed one run on six hits in seven innings of work.

“I’ve been hammering on him to believe in himself,” Wolff said. “He’s been doubting himself all year.”

The Bears were without the services of pitcher Connor Rosin, who was injured Thursday. The shuffling of players included Jacob Springborn, one of two junior varsity throwers to take the mound for Bonduel.

Springborn took the loss. He pitched two innings, struck out one and walked none while allowing two hits and one run. Dobratz had a double.

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East-West Division

Shawano 10, Bowler 9

Brandon Estep singled home the winning run in the bottom of the ninth as the Lakers edged the Red Sox.

Ben Schneidermayer earned the win for Shawano. Rob Umland Jr. was 3 for 5, Hunter Galeske was 2 for 4 with a double.

Phil Duffek took the loss and was 4 for 6 with a double. Pat Provoast was 4 for 6. Rainer Shooter had two hits, including a triple, and four RBIs. Caleb Zblewski and Ryan Zarda had two hits each.

Neopit 8, Tigerton 5

Alex Peters earned the win, and Will Corn earned the save, fanning the side in the ninth inning for Neopit.

Sasweon Waukechon was 3 for 4 with a double to lead Neopit at the plate. Mequon Corn was 3 for 5 and Dustin Peters was 2 for 4.

Eric Gendusa led Tigerton, going 3 for 5. Tyler Berg had two hits.

Gresham 9, Caroline 8

Brett Berkholtz had a home run and a triple and Pete Carroll was 3 for 3 to lead Gresham.

Berkholtz was 3 for 5. Nate Ejnik added a double. Aaron Larson earned the win.

Nathaniel Krueger took the loss for Caroline. Travis Verg was 3 for 5 with two doubles.

Clintonville 5, Little Falls 2

Ryan Ebert hit a home run and John Dunlavy was 3 for 3 for Clintonville.

Jesse Wiley had two hits. Jansen VanDalwyk earned the win.

Jerry Mork took the loss. Drew Radies had a home run and two RBIs. Kyle Fischer added two hits.

Marion 7, Leopolis 3

Cody Reimer earned the win, while Justin Reminger took the loss.

Dave Jueds 3-for-3 day led Marion. Jeff Miller also had three hits. Reimer had two hits and Jake Westphal added a double.

Kyle Hoffman led Marion with three hits. Reminger and Hunter Hoffman each had a pair of hits.

Tilleda 8, Menominee 2

Curt Brei earned the win, while Cody Vigue took the loss.

Steve Reinke had two hits to lead Tilleda.

Vigue was 3 for 4. Kyle Makimitas and Cody Dixon each had two hits.

Other Divisions

Northern: Eland topped Birnamwood, 12-6; Elderon beat Hatley, 10-1, and Wittenberg beat Polar, 9-5.

South-Central: New London edged Rosholt 8-2.

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Hudson gets 1st IMCA Modified winBy: 

Scott Owen, Special to the Leader

Near perfect weather, a great crowd and Charlie's County Market Ladies Night were the recipe for racing Saturday at the historic Shawano Speedway half-mile.

Kyle Frederick remained unbeaten in IMCA Stock Car action, and Cody Hudson won his first career IMCA Modified feature. Nick Anvlink (Late Model), Joey Taycher (IMCA Sport Mod) and Jasper Drengler (Mighty Four) returned to victory lane for the first time this year

IMCA Stock Car

Ray DePew drove like a man possessed during the opening laps of the IMCA Stock Car main event. DePew took the lead on lap 1 using the high groove to his advantage. Vern Stedjee and BJ Giese applied early pressure.

By lap 5, with DePew still leading, JJ Heinz passed Giese to move into second. Heinz was able to pass DePew for the lead on lap 6. DePew and Giese, though, stayed with the new leader.

DePew passed Heinz back on lap 8 to put his machine out in front again. Exiting turn two on the following lap Heinz moved to the inside of DePew. The two cars made contact as they raced down the back stretch. Giese capitalized on the contact out front to grab the lead.

On lap 10, with Giese leading, Frederick moved to the second spot and began to pressure Giese. Giese continued to run the high line through the turns to stay out in front. Frederick stayed right with Giese and, on lap 19, made the pass to take over the lead.

Frederick scored the victory, his third in a row to open the season. Giese finished a strong second. Mike Schmidt took third after DePew spun on the final lap

IMCA Modified

Hudson started outside the first row of the feature and never looked back, leading all 20 laps en route to the victory.

The best action of the race was behind the leader. John Berna held off Marcus Yarie to come home in second, while Jamie Schmidt, Johnny Whitman, and Jerry Wilinski had a spirited battle for positions fourth through sixth.

For Hudson, last season's IMCA Sport Mod track champion, it was the first win of his rookie season in the IMCA Modified class.

Late Model

The Late Model feature was marred by numerous caution flags. Anvelink passed Derek Jahnke on lap 1 of the race and would remain there, relatively unchallenged for the duration of the time-shortened race.

Brett Swedberg passed Jahnke on lap 5 and chased Anvelink to the checkered flag.

Jake Redetzke started the race in 15th and came home third. Ron Berna battled back from a flat tire early on to finish fourth. Jahnke held on to take fifth.

For Anvelink, it was his first win of the year.

IMCA Sport Mod

The IMCA Sport Mod feature saw Jordan Barkholtz grab the lead on the opening lap. Jason Jach, Lucas Lamberies, Tracy Wassenberg, and Taycher quickly joined Barkholtz in a five-car breakaway.

Taycher, Barkholtz, and Jach went three wide for the lead on lap 8 with Taycher using the outside pass near the wall to take the lead. Barkholtz continued to run in second.

A caution after a wild spin by Kevin Bethke on the front stretch slowed the race on lap 10. Wassenberg also pulled off the track during the caution due to mechanical woes.

As the race resumed, Taycher continued to lead with Lucas Lamberies now in the second position. Taycher would go on to score his first win of the year followed by Lamberies, Jach and a strong fourth-place finish by Brandon Nygaard.

Mighty Four

Cal Chapin led the first two laps of the Mighty Four feature before Drengler, who started in 10th place, grabbed the lead. Drengler led the rest of the way for the win. Dalton Nelson held off Scott Blanke to take second.

The win was Drengler’s first of the year.

RACE SUMMARY

Shawano Speedway, May 24

Late Model

Feature: 1. Nick Anvelink, 2. Brett Swedberg, 3. Jake Redetzke, 4. Ron Berna, 5. Derek Jahnke, 6. Jeff Curtin, 7. Kurt Moeller, 8. Doug Blashe, 9. Steve Petri, 10. Rob Krull 11. Jeremy Kazynski 12. Josh Moesch 13. Todd Frank 14. Steve Petri Jr 15. Tom Naeyeart 16. Troy Springborn 17. Kevin Rogers 18. Cody Grosskreutz 19. Wayne Block 20. Michael Stangl 21. Tim Rothe 22. Joel Bennett 23. Aaron Holiday 24. Paul Parker

Heat 1: 1. Springborn, 2. Swedberg, 3. Moesch, 4. Petri 5. Petri Jr., 6. Bennett, 7. Blashe, 8. Rothe

Heat 2: 1. Frank, 2. Rodgers, 3. Jahnke, 4. Curtin, 5. Grosskreutz, 6. Block, 7. Holiday, 8. Parker

Heat 3: 1. Anvelink, 2. Moeller, 3. Berna, 4. Krull, 5. Redetzke, 6. Naeyeart, 7. Stangl, 8. Kazynski

MCA Modified

Feature: 1. Cody Hudson, 2. John Berna, 3. Marcus Yarie, 4. Jamie Schmidt, 5. Johnny Whitman, 6. Jerry Wilinski, 7. Matt Oreskovich, 8. Mitch Stankowski, 9. Mark Weisnicht, 10. Jerry Muenster, 11. Michael Bailey, 12. Chad Olson, 13. Shawn Frelich, 14. Tom Schaal, 15. Eddie Muenster, 16. Lance Arneson, 17. Matt Alvey

Heat 1: 1. Wilinksi, 2. Hudson, 3. Olson, 4. Schmidt, 5. Stankowski, 6. Frelich, 7. Weisnicht, 8. Alvey, 9. Oreskovich

Heat 2: 1. Yarie, 2. Berna, 3. E. Muenster, 4. Schaal, 5. Whitman, 6. Bailey, 7. J. Muenster, 8. Areneson

IMCA Stock Car

Feature: 1. Kyle Frederick, 2. BJ Giese, 3. Mike Schmidt, 4. JJ Heinz, 5. Luke Uttecht, 6. Tom Riehl, 7. Harley Simon, 8. Vern Stedjee, 9. Trent Nolan, 10. Larry Parshen, 11. Joe Schwister, 12. Austin Olsen, 13. Chris Loewenhagen, 14. Ray DePew, 15. Dan Miller, 16. Barry VanStraten, 17. Michael Brehmer, 18. Travis Van Straten

Heat 1: 1. Uttecht, 2. Stedjee, 3. Brehmer, 4. DePew, 5. Riehl, 6. Schwister, 7. Nolan, 8. Van Straten, 9. Loewenhagen

Heat 2: 1. Heinz, 2. Simon, 3. Frederick, 4. Schmidt, 5. Giese, 6. Van Straten, 7. Parshens, 8. Miller, 9. Olsen.

IMCA Sport Mod

Feature: 1. Joey Taycher, 2. Lucas Lamberies, 3. Jason Jach, 4. Brandon Nygaard, 5. Jordan Barkholtz, 6. Tristin Peebles, 7. Jordan Bartz, 8. Jake Solin, 9. Zach McKinnon, 10. Brock Saunders, 11. Weston Frenche, 12. Karah Peterson, 13. Tracy Wassenberg, 14. Don Woller, 15. Kevin Bethke, 16. Les Yaeger, 17. Nick Furman

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

Heat 2: 1. Barkholtz, 2. Saunders, 3. Tracy Wassenberg.

Mighty Four

Feature: 1. Jasper Drengler, 2. Dalton Nelson, 3. Scott Blanke, 4. Brad Wedde, 5. Kasey Gross, 6. Carl King, 7. Cal Chapin, 8. Tanner Westphal, 9. Grant Kastning, 10. Matt Hatterman, 11. Matt DeWilde, 12. Lucas Hacker, 13. Hollie Welch, 14 Josh Slewinski, 15. Calvin Stueck, 16. Matt Torphy, 17. Kayla Slewinski

Heat 1: 1. Drengler, 2. Chapin, 3. Torphy 4. Wedde 5. J. Slewinski 6. Westphal 7. Kasting 8. Hacker 9. K. Slewinski

Heat 2: 1. Gross, 2. Stueck, 3. Nelson, 4. King, 5. Blanke, 6. DeWilde, 7. Welch, 8. Hattermann

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Mueller cards 78By: 

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Leader Photo by Gerrard Diaz Shawano Community High School golfer Braden Mueller hits a drive during the Spartan Invitational on Friday at NorthBrook Country Club in Luxemburg.

Led by Braden Mueller’s third-place finish, the Shawano Community High School boys golf team finished second Friday in the Spartan Invitational at NorthBrook Country Club in Luxemburg.

The Hawks (346) finished three strokes ahead of third-place Oconto Falls. Marinette (329) won the tournament.

“For us, we kind of like to use it as a warm-up for the regional,” Shawano coach Dean Kugler said. “Sit around for a whole week, that’s not going to do you any good. We keep playing and competing. That’s why we do it.”

The Hawks will compete in the WIAA Division 1 regional Tuesday at Reid Municipal Golf Course in Appleton. Qualifiers will move on to the sectional June 4 at Thornberry Creek at Oneida.

Mueller, a junior, shot a 78 Friday. Senior Ian Lewis came in a shot back, at 79, finishing fifth.

“They should finish in the high 70s,” Kugler said. “Seven over par, eight over par, for those guys, that’s about right. They shot about what they normally do, and then the other guys went back up to over-bogey golf, which for us just doesn’t get it done.”

Garret Schlise and Cole Huntington, who played well in Tuesday’s Bay Conference tournament, faded a bit, coming in at 97 Friday. Ryan Hoffman had the third-best score on the team, carding a 92.

“We’ve kind of dealt with that all year, up and down, up and down,” Kugler said. “That’s golf. One day you’re good and the next you don’t play as well.

“Hopefully that means Tuesday they’ll be ready to go.”

Kugler said the temperatures in the 70s were a welcome change after a season of rain and cold.

“It was nice to actually be out in shorts,” Kugler said. “I think the guys enjoy it. The warm weather is so much better. The ball travels better. Everything is nicer.”

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By: 

Scott Owen, Leader Columnist

The Shawano Speedway will hold its second annual Ladies Night on Saturday. The first 500 ladies get in free.

Obviously, the idea is to help get more women out to the track and involved in racing. Truth be told, though, many women do have a big role in racing.

It was, years ago, a rarity to have a woman wheeling a race car. Currently, though, Jordan Bartz is one of the top guns in the IMCA Sport Mod class. She scored her first career feature win as a rookie last season.

This year Bartz is joined in the Sport Mod class by rookie Karah Peterson, of Shawano. Peterson is a third-generation racer as her grandfather and both of her uncles have raced for many years on the ice in winter.

Mighty 4s racer Hollie Welch and Kayla Slewinski also compete at the Speedway.

Of course, past racers such as Cindy Peterson, Sherry Czarapata and Julie McDermid have enjoyed success throughout the years and paved the way for the current generation.

It goes without saying that just about every male racer out there is supported behind the scenes by a wife, girlfriend, daughter and/or mother. If you look around the stands of any given racetrack, you will see many moms at the track with their kids.

Julie Anvelink, Lynn Muenster, Jamie Springborn, Kim Yaeger, Mary Parker, Marilyn McBride, Bonnie Lamberies and Jayne Schaewe are, or have been, fixtures at the track for many years.

In my youth my mom was quite often the one who wanted to go to the races on Saturday night, and nowadays it is my wife taking the family to races when I am working.

Women have also had a big hand in putting on the races and running things behind the scenes for many years. The likes of Harriet McDonald, Cleida O’Brien, Sally Raddant and Nancy Flaig, among others, worked as scorers in the tower for numerous seasons.

I am currently outnumbered in the tower on Saturday nights by Tina Marks, Jolene Clark, Michele Hoffman and oftentimes Hollie Welch, Taylor Hoffman and Haleigh Springborn.

In summation, this week’s Ladies Night is not just to get more women to the racetrack. It is also to help honor those women who put up with all the long hours in the garage and also put in so much hard work of their own.

The old saying “behind every successful man there is a good woman” is certainly true in racing. The saying holds true as well for a successful racetrack.

Enjoy the races.

Scott Owen is the track announcer for 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

The Shawano Community High School baseball team will open on the road after getting a No. 10 seed in the WIAA Division 1 baseball tournament this week.

The Hawks will open against No. 7 Pulaski on June 3. The winner will face No. 2 Ashwaubenon on June 5.

Division 2

Clintonville earned a No. 3 seed in its Division 2 regional and will host No. 6 Oconto Falls on June 3 at Olen Park. The winner will advance to face No. 2 Peshtigo on June 4.

Wittenberg-Birnamwood is a No. 6 seed in its regional and will open against No. 3 Lakeland on June 3. No. 2 Mosinee awaits the winner of that game June 4.

Division 3

No. 2 Bonduel earned a bye in the first round of the regional tournament. The Bears will open June 4 against the winner of the June 3 game between No. 3 Shiocton and No. 6 Oshkosh Lourdes/Valley Christian.

Third-seeded Menominee Indian will host No. 6 Wabeno/Laona on June 3 in Keshena. The winner will play No. 2 Coleman on June 4.

Division 4

No. 2 Tigerton has a bye in the first round of the regional. The Tigers on June 4 will face either No. 3 Gresham or No. 6 Port Edwards, which play June 3 in Gresham.

Bowler has the No. 5 seed in the same regional, and the Panthers will open June 3 at No. 4 Assumption.

The Division 1 regional finals will be played June 5, with lower division regional finals to be played June 6. The higher-seeded team hosts games throughout the regionals.

Sectionals will be played June 10.

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