Shawano Leader Sports Headlines

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WIAA members this week voted 352-77 to table a proposed 1.65 private school enrollment multiplier, sending the issue to a committee tasked to address a perceived private school advantage in high school athletics.

Slowing the process down appears to also have a lot of support locally.

“We did support sending it to committee and allowing everyone to get a little bit more educated on the whole topic,” said Charmaine Schreiber, Shawano Community High School athletic director. “There’s always, when you’re dealing with athletics, talk of fairness. Public versus private, rural versus urban, it’s constantly revisited in the world of athletics.”

The problem — one of a perceived uneven playing field between the state’s public and private schools, especially at the lowest enrollment divisions — has been a hot-button topic since the WIAA absorbed the state’s private schools into its membership in 2000.

Since those early days, thanks in large part to new rules allowing open-enrollment, vouchers and charter schools that apply to all Wisconsin districts, the issue has refocused on the advantages that urban schools — particularly in lower enrollment divisions — enjoy over their rural counterparts.

The system remains the same as it was in 2006, with divisional placement determined solely on actual enrollment for every school across the state.

The majority of those who signed the 1.65 multiplier petition come from schools in rural areas — parts of the state that see little or no benefit from open-enrollment policies.

For rural schools, the lack of other high schools within driving distance makes open enrollment a rarity.

For schools within the surrounding areas of Milwaukee, Madison or Green Bay — where the large majority of private schools are located — bringing in students who live in other districts becomes much more realistic.

Schreiber said the issue is not likely have much of an impact on Shawano Community High School.

“It really wouldn’t affect us much, because we don’t really have any private schools within our conference,” she said.

Athletic directors from Gresham Community High School and Menominee Indian High School would not say how their districts voted, but both said the issue was complicated.

“Obviously, there is an issue. It’s a pretty complex issue,” said Chuck Raasch, Menominee Indian athletic director. “There’s a lot of other factors that have to be considered to level the playing field.

“Anything that creates a more level playing field is going to be best for everybody. How you do it, that is the trick. If it were easy, it would already be done.”

The committee, which will be formed in the next few weeks, will have to come up with a plan by Sept. 1, with a proposal expected to be ready for next year’s annual meeting.

Raasch said the issue potentially affects MIHS more in tournament play than in the Central Wisconsin Conference-10, and he said any solution will have to treat urban and rural schools differently.

“A lot of the discussion went to the disparity of urban and rural schools,” he said.

The committee has carte blanche to come up with any solutions it sees fit, whether tried-and-true or novel. It could push for a multiplier or other enrollment-adjusting formula, or it could back a “success factor” bumping up schools that have enjoyed recent success.

It could come up with more creative solutions such as rebuilding the entire tournament format, including adjustments to the number of divisions and qualifiers that make it to the state tournament in various sports. Other potential solutions include factoring in special-needs students at public schools, international students at private schools, and even the number of students who receive free and reduced lunch vouchers.

The WIAA members also voted 400-26 to defeat a measure that would take the WIAA out of the conference realignment process and instead give schools control over conference formation and affiliation.

“We absolutely would like it to remain in the hands of the WIAA,” Schreiber said. “I think it’s really important to have a third party. Being a rural setting, it could be a challenge for us to find a conference to fit with, if it were left up to the local schools.”

“We felt the WIAA should have some input,” said Jeff Zobeck, Gresham athletic director. “We felt that was for the best. If it were to be decided locally, that would open a whole new can of worms.”

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Marion falls to Wild Rose

The Marion High School baseball team lost to Wild Rose 14-4 in a Central Wisconsin Conference-10 game Thursday in Marion.

Ty Butzin earned the win, pitching 2 1-3 innings and allowing four runs on three hits, while walking five and striking out five.

Turner Waller had a two-RBI single to lead Wild Rose (3-1 overall, 3-1 CWC-10).

No stats were available from Marion (0-2, 0-2 CWC-10).

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By: 

Lee Pulaski, [email protected]

Leader Photo by Gerrard Diaz Taylor Prey throws a ball March 28 at the Shawano Community High School baseball practice. Prey and fellow senior pitcher Clint Dallas will lead the Hawks on the mound this season.

A rough start doesn’t bother Shawano Community High School baseball coach Robert Wolff.

The Hawks’ first game, a 10-0 loss to Oshkosh North, was the first time they had been outside this season. The second game, a 9-1 loss to Denmark, was closer than it appeared.

“It’s hard to gauge,” Wolff said. “We still haven’t practiced on our home field yet. I think the morale is up. We’ve talked, we’ve stressed what we need to do.”

To win games, the SCHS will need a combination of consistent pitching and putting the ball in play, he said.

“Our pitching staff is going to keep us in ballgames this year,” Wolff said. “We’re going to have to hit the ball. We’re not going to shut anybody out. We do have some good kids throwing, but we’re going to have to score runs.”

Pitchers Taylor Prey and Clint Dallas both return for their senior seasons. They each had a conference win on the mound a season ago, half of the Hawks’ four Bay wins.

Also taking the mound for the Hawks this season will be juniors Grant Wainio, Tommy Stueck and Jack Lacy.

“I’ll be relying a lot on Dallas and Prey to do a lot of the pitching,” Wolff said. “But you know how that works. If games keep getting pushed back, it’s going to be everybody on deck. I won’t have that luxury to pick and choose when we pitch.”

Chase Henning, a second-team all-conference selection a year ago, is a good bet to lead the bats. The junior center fielder hit .333 a season ago, only second on the team to graduated senior Hunter Ludvigsen last year.

Junior Zack Sousek had a .250 average last year.

On defense, the Hawks are dealing with losing six graduated seniors, including Ludvigsen, who was the team’s Most Valuable Player, and Josh Carlson, the Defensive Player of the Year.

Sousek is starting at shortstop. Junior Ky Schmidt is playing second base. Prey, Dallas and Stueck will spend time at first base when not pitching. Senior Cody Urban and Grant Wainio are the primary catchers. Alex Frechette is starting in left field.

Multiple guys are trying to earn the starting spots at third base and right field, Wolff said.

It helps that the program is growing.

“I was happily surprised,” Wolff said. “I think we’re at 42. When I first did an initial estimate back in December, we were thinking we would have to eliminate a level. We didn’t have to do that.”

AT A GLANCE

Shawano Community High School baseball schedule

April 22 at Oconto

April 28 at Luxemburg-Casco

April 29 vs. Luxemburg-Casco

May 3 at Oconto Falls (doubleheader)

May 6 at New London

May 8 vs. New London

May 10 at Antigo (doubleheader)

May 12 at Seymour

May 13 vs. Seymour

May 17 vs. Marinette (doubleheader)

May 20 at West De Pere

May 22 vs. West De Pere

May 24 vs. Bonduel

May 27 at Denmark

May 29 vs. Clintonville

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Hortonville pitcher no-hits Shawano

Dan Borek’s pitching and a host of Hortonville hits were too much for the Shawano Community High School baseball team Thursday in Hortonville.

Borek pitched a five-inning no-hitter to give the Polar Bears (2-0, 2-0 Bay) the 10-0 win. He struck out six and walked one.

Taylor Prey took the loss for Shawano (0-3, 0-2 Bay), pitching 2 1-3 innings. He walked three and allowed nine runs, five earned, on six hits.

Jake Diedrich, Jake Sommers, Josh Toonen, Conner Dougherty and Jake JennerJohn all had two hits each for Hortonville.

Hawks lose season opener

The Shawano Community High School girls soccer team lost its opener 10-0 to Neenah on Thursday in Neenah.

“It was a rough first game for us, but I think we learned a few things from this loss,” Shawano coach Bob Croschere said. “I’m hoping we can use the next week to get things straightened out.”

The Hawks will open Bay Conference play Thursday at home against Hortonville.

Hawks swept by Ashwaubenon

The Shawano Community High School boys tennis team was swept by Ashwaubenon 7-0 Tuesday in Shawano.

The closest match was between the Hawks’ No. 3 doubles team of Teddy Mickelson and Rolondo Colon, who lost to Ashwaubenon’s James Christensen and David Clark, 6-4, 6-4. The No. 2 doubles team Dalton Parson and Sajen Knueppel lost to Devin Wright and Jake Brenzel, 6-1, 6-0. Tom Cumberland and Austin Steinbach lost to Brad Tschocke and Chris Clark, 6-2, 6-4.

In singles action, No. 1 Patarapol Chittanurak lost to Sam Wisneski, 6-0, 6-0; Zach Soper lost to Abrar Mian, 6-1, 6-3; Cole Reuter lost to Imran Mian, 6-2, 6-0; Connor Neumann-Sleeper lost to Imran Mian, 6-0, 6-0.

In junior varsity action, Shawano lost 6-2.

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By: 

The Associated Press

No final decision was made.

Still, the schools in the Six Rivers Conference from the southwestern part of the state achieved their ultimate goal during the WIAA’s annual meeting in Stevens Point on Wednesday:

They pressed the issue of competitive balance in the WIAA into action on the association’s front burner — with a ticking clock.

Instead of voting on the private-school enrollment multiplier proposed by the Six Rivers schools, a record turnout of WIAA-member schools voted 352-77 to form an ad-hoc committee that will propose a plan to increase the competitive balance across the WIAA membership spectrum and its enrollment-based tournament divisions.

The mandate was clear: The committee is expected to build consensus on a solution that will be ready for a vote at the annual meeting in April 2015.

“We weren’t sure the multiplier … would work as the answer. But people are on edge. They want something done. And we believed coming in that something needed to be done quickly,” said Barneveld High School Principal Kevin Knudson, one of the architects of the Six Rivers petition.

“This was brought up out of frustration more than anything else,” said Don Moreland, Mellen athletic director.

The problem — one of a perceived uneven playing field between the state’s public and private schools, especially at the lowest enrollment divisions — has been a hot-button topic since the WIAA absorbed the state’s private schools into its membership in 2000.

Since those early days, thanks in large part to new rules allowing open-enrollment, vouchers and charter schools that apply to all Wisconsin districts, the issue has refocused on the advantages that urban schools — particularly in lower enrollment divisions — enjoy over their rural counterparts.

The issue has long been a touchy one for the WIAA and school administrators, not to be discussed in polite company. Bringing it to the forefront by forcing a vote has made the issue topic No. 1 for the WIAA — and that was the goal of the Six Rivers Conference administrators all along.

“You hear it all the time … We stand out in the hallway and talk about it. (But) decisions never get made,” said Knudson, whose Eagles girls basketball team has played in the past two Division 5 state girls basketball championship games, splitting the games with private Wisconsin Rapids Assumption.

Presented — somewhat as a surprise — at a WIAA Board of Control meeting in March, the petition made sure its proposal — to multiply the actual enrollment of every WIAA-member private school by 1.65 (65 percent) for classification in tournament divisions — would be placed on the ballot for the annual meeting.

The Six Rivers group knew its proposal was neither an ideal nor an ultimate solution. But they also knew it would take an official vote to finally bring the laundry out to be washed.

“The turnout today signaled that we understand there’s a problem,” Knudson said. “Our goal initially was to say ‘let’s get something done, let’s get a deadline.’ We got that done.”

A record number of schools were represented — 429 of the WIAA’s 500 schools, and 104 more than the 325 schools represented last year, according to WIAA communications director Todd Clark.

WIAA Board of Control president Dean Sanders of Lake Mills said he expected the ad-hoc committee would be about 20 members strong, representing public and private schools, urban and rural schools, and schools from every WIAA enrollment division and geographical district.

According to the motion, the committee will be tasked with presenting the membership with a series of proposed solutions by Sept. 1, for discussion at conference and area meetings. Then, by Dec. 1, the committee is expected to present its best option to the Board of Control to be placed on the ballot for the annual meeting in April 2015.

“It’s an aggressive timetable,” Sanders said.

The committee has carte blanche to come up with any solutions it sees fit, whether tried-and-true or novel. It could push for a multiplier or other enrollment-adjusting formula, or it could back a “success factor” bumping up schools that have enjoyed recent success.

But then, it could come up with more creative solutions such as rebuilding the entire tournament format, including adjustments to the number of divisions and qualifiers that make it to the state tournament in various sports. Other potential solutions include factoring in special-needs students at public schools, international students at private schools, and even the number of students who receive free and reduced lunch vouchers.

One thing is certain: The varied demographics, economic factors and other unique issues that face schools in various regions of the state make a single, simple solution impossible.

“In this debate, one size does not fit all. It does not fit all public high schools and it does not fit all private high schools,” said Green Bay Notre Dame administrator Robert Pauly.

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By: 

[email protected]

Leader Photo by Gerrard Diaz John Hoeffs, left, Shawano County delegate chair of the Wisconsin Conservation Congress, and Jim Horne, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources conservation warden, lead the Shawano County DNR annual spring fish and wildlife public hearing and Wisconsin Conservation Congress county conservation meeting Monday at Shawano Community Middle School.

Trolling rules, deer management changes and other issues were discussed Monday night at Shawano Community Middle School as the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources held its annual spring fish and wildlife public hearing and the Wisconsin Conservation Congress held its county conservation meeting.

The meetings, which took place in each county Monday night, allow the public to voice concerns and bring up issues concerning wildlife and fish management. The DNR put one rule change and 34 advisory questions to the 90 attendees. The Conservation Congress had 23 questions on the survey.

The results aren’t binding on the DNR but they do offer a way to gauge public support for potential moves.

One question asked whether the state should ban deer baiting and feeding statewide 10 days before and during the 9-day November gun season. Results the DNR released late Tuesday afternoon show, statewide, 3,639 people voted yes and 2,180 voted no. In Shawano County, 43 voted yes, 36 voted no.

Another question asked whether the attendee would support a tundra swan season. According to results the DNR released, 3,199 people voted no and 2,439 voted yes. Shawano County voted in favor of a season 43-29.

“These meetings are very important,” said John Hoeffs, who is the Shawano County delegate chair to the Wisconsin Conservation Congress. “We’re really the beginning of the law changes for the state.”

Much of the discussion was about deer hunting rule changes for 2014 that were developed as a result of the Deer Trustee Report.

“There’s quite a few changes with the deer hunt this year,” DNR Conservation Warden Jim Horne said. “That came out of the trustee report the governor campaigned on, the promise that he would hire someone who would review the Wisconsin deer season and how they manage everything.”

The first major changes will be to the deer management units, which will now be divided into 72 units that follow county lines. These units are placed into four deer management zones: the Northern Forest Zone, the Southern Farmland Zone, the Central Forest Zone and the Central Farmland Zone, which includes Shawano County.

As part of the meeting, a 12-minute video was played with descriptions of all of the changes.

“Usually, there is a separate deer meeting, but they included it with this one this year,” Horne said.

The one rule change put to attendees this year dealt with trolling.

“Last year we had a question about trolling,” Horne said. “They wanted to open trolling up statewide with three lines. It passed several counties, but overall it was voted against. The majority voted against it, but because a lot of counties passed it, this was a compromise. Now we’re going to try to go with one or three lines and break it up by counties.”

The rule, developed by the Conservation Congress following last year’s spring meetings, would allow one-line trolling in 17 counties and three-line trolling in the rest of the state, including Shawano County.

The change passed statewide with 3,646 voting yes and 2,250 voting no. In Shawano County, 66 voted yes and 18 voted no.

Attendees also voted to lengthen the trout fishing season and consolidate hunting stamps into a single stamp and fishing stamps into a single stamp.

The DNR had fish and wildlife biologists on hand to answer questions about rule changes.

The DNR asked 10 advisory questions on the management of panfish. Those questions prompted some discussion at the Shawano County meeting.

Conservation Congress questions on the retrieval of hunting dogs on private lands, the transfer of hunting licenses and rules about access to waterways also drew comments at the Shawano meeting. Shawano attendees voted against allowing hunters to retrieve hunting dogs on private land, but for making it easier to transfer a license and allowing more access to waterways.

The meeting began with the election of Kevin Marquette, of Shawano, to a two-year term on the five-member county delegation to the Conservation Congress. Bob Bohardt, of Shawano, was elected to a three-year term.

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Brice Bergner and Jake Klister won events and the Shawano Community High School boys track and field team took fourth Friday at the Warrior Invitational in Wausau.

Wausau West won the meet.

Bergner won the 55-meter dash with a time of 6.95. Klister had the top finish in the 800 run with a time of 2:17.59.

Bergner and Klister teamed up with Carlos Merino and Kyle Raddant to win the 4x147.5 relay. They finished with a time of 1:15.38.

Dustin Tomson led the Chargers with a second-place finish in the 3,200 run. His time was 11:46.83. Mason Enjaian placed third in the shot put with a throw of 44-3 3/4.

Local Results

Team scoring — Wausau West 176, Newman Catholic 121.5, Lakeland Union 97.5, Shawano 60, Wausau East 45, Colby 27, Stanley-Boyd 27, Medford 24, Wausau West (junior varsity) 23, Wittenberg-Birnamwood 22

Shot put — 3. Mason Enjaian, Wittenberg-Birnamwood, 44-0 3/4

Triple jump — 4. Daniel Boivin, Shawano, 37-10 3/4

Long jump — 4. Carlos Merino, Shawano, 19-0

Pole vault — 2. Daniel Boivin, Shawano, 12-6

55 dash — 1. Brice Bergner, Shawano, 6.95

4x147.5 relay — 1. Shawano, (Carlos Merino, Brice Bergner, Kyle Raddant, Jake Klister), 1:15.38

200 hurdles — 4. Daniel Boivin, Shawano, 30.47

800 run — 1. Jake Klister, Shawano, 2:17.59

3,200 run — 2. Dustin Tomson, Wittenberg-Birnamwood, 11:46.83

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By: 

Gerrard Diaz, [email protected]

Like a displeased parent of a teenager, Mother Nature has taken the Shawano Speedway keys away for at least one more week.

Soggy conditions forced the speedway to delay the start of its season until track conditions improve.

Opening night, originally set for April 19, has been moved to April 26.

“The track isn’t ready,” said Dale Hodkiewicz, Shawano Speedway president. “It’s wet, it’s sloppy, the grounds are wet, the pits are wet. It’s been so cold we can’t even turn the water on in the bathroom yet. There’s several reasons that we cancelled it for the week.”

This is the second year in a row the speedway has had to delay the start of its season. Opening night came two weeks late last year, not getting under way until May 4.

Hodkiewicz hopes it is only a week delay this year.

“That’s our goal, let’s put it that way,” he said. “We’ll shoot for the 26th. If it rains all week, well, that takes care of that.”

Hodkiewicz said the track needs some warm weather to get all of the frost out of the ground and for the track to dry enough for workers to get on it and prepare it for racing.

“It’s sloppy,” he said. “I was down there today, the infields are just mud all over. We still have snow on the south side of the track.”

Hodkiewicz said the track usually does not run opening night special promotions just in case something like this happens.

If the track is ready for April 26, the speedway will hold a practice session at 6:30 p.m. April 25.

The opening of the track would be held May 3 if it is not ready for April 26.

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By: 

Gerrard Diaz, [email protected]

Leader Photo by Gerrard Diaz Bonduel High School senior shortstop Hunter VanderLinden goes after a ground ball against Clintonville on Friday. The host Truckers beat Bonduel, 8-1.
Leader Photo by Gerrard Diaz Bonduel High School junior pitcher Connor Rosin pitches against Clintonville on Friday at Olen Field in Clintonville. Bonduel lost, 8-1.

The Bonduel High School baseball team was no match for Turner Doornink and Clintonville in a nonconference game Friday at Olen Park in Clintonville.

Doornink had a first-inning single and a second-inning home run to deep center field that put the Truckers up 4-0. He finished with four RBIs.

“He’s on fire right now,” Clintonville coach Dean Muthig said. “He’s seeing the ball really well and he’s putting good swings on it. He’s a heck of a threat.”

Clintonville (2-1, 1-1 Eastern Valley) added three runs in the sixth off back-to-back doubles by Parker Mindel and Nick Hogen.

Bonduel’s lone run came in the bottom of the fourth when Jacob Wudtke hit a double to score Hunter VanderLinden. Wudtke also had a single in the second inning. Jordan Richter had a pair of singles.

Despite getting the bat on the ball, the Bears (1-1, 1-0 Central Wisconsin Conference-8) struggled to get on base.

“We hit a lot of balls today,” Bonduel coach Don Gruenewald said. “We hit right at them.”

Connor Rosin took the loss, pitching three innings and allowing four runs on seven hits while walking three and striking out five. Hunter VanderLinden came in for relief and was replaced by Lloyd Allen after 1 2/3 innings.

“Our pitching is not real good yet,” Gruenewald said. “We’re not locating the strike zone.”

Gruenewald said he wants to get five innings from his starters, but that hasn’t happened yet.

“Once we get into our relief pitchers, we start to struggle,” he said.

Jordan Doornink earned the win, pitching 3 2/3 innings. He walked two, struck out five and allowed two hits. Zac Riemer pitched the rest of the way, allowing one run on three hits and striking out two and walking one.

The win was satisfying for the Truckers, who lost a late-season game to Bonduel last season.

“They kind of tuned us up here last year at the end of the year,” Muthig said. “I know they lost a lot of seniors, and we did too, but it’s good to beat a team that put it on you last year.”

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Hawks lose to Denmark

The Shawano Community High School baseball team lost to Denmark 9-1 to open Bay Conference play Friday in Denmark.

Grant Wainio took the loss for Shawano (0-2, 0-1 Bay), pitching 4 2/3 innings and giving up four runs, six hits and two walks. Tanner Umentum earned the win for Denmark (3-1). He pitched seven innings, allowed one run on two hits, walked one and struck out nine.

Taylor Prey and Cody Urban each had hits for Shawano.

Hawks 4th at boys invite

The Shawano Community High School boys track and field team finished fourth Friday at the Wausau West Warrior Invitational in Wausau.

Wausau West (176) won the meet. Shawano scored 60 points. Wittenberg-Birnamwood was 10th with 22 points.

Brice Bergner (55-meter dash, 6.95) and Jake Klister (800 run, 2:17.59) won their events, and teamed with Carlos Merino and Kyle Raddant to win the 4x147.5 relay (1:15.38).

Shawano 8th at Warrior invite

The Shawano Community High School girls track and field team finished eighth at the Wausau West Warrior Invitational Thursday in Wausau.

Wausau West won the meet.

Kia Smurawa and Isabella Gonzalez won events for the Hawks. Gonzalez took first in the high jump with a 5-foot-1 leap. Smurawa went 16-5 to win the long jump.

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Hawks take down Denmark

Courtney Ainsworth had three hits and a three-run homer to help the Shawano Community High School softball team beat Bay Conference foe Denmark 11-1 in five innings Thursday in Denmark.

Ainsworth, a junior catcher, also threw out two Denmark (1-2, 0-2 Bay) runners.

Nicki Ainsworth, Alli Raddant, LaRissa O’Kimosh and Saige Henning each added two hits for Shawano (1-1, 1-1 Bay).

Courtney Baumann earned the win, allowing four hits in 3 1/3 innings. Sydney Schreiber got the final five outs, allowing one hit, one walk and striking out one.

Bears dominate softball opener

The Bonduel High School softball team beat Amherst 12-1 on the road to open its season Thursday.

Both teams scored a run in the first inning. The Bears took a 3-1 lead in the third and added three runs in the fifth, two in the sixth and four in the seventh.

Jennifer Dowden earned the win, pitching seven innings, striking out three and allowing six hits and four walks. She also had two hits, including a home run, and three RBIs. Kailee Pedersen went 3 for 4 and had an RBI. Alexa Reinke was 2 for 4 with a triple and an RBI.

Bears maul Amherst for first win

The Bonduel High School baseball team beat Central Wisconsin Conference-8 foe Amherst 18-8 Thursday in Amherst.

Jake Luepke earned the win, pitching 4 1/2 innings, striking out five, and allowing six runs on five hits.

Connor Rosin had two hits and three RBIs for Bonduel (1-1, 1-1 CWC-8). Colton Dobratz, Jacob Wudtke, Travis Wollenberg and Steven Olson each had two hits for the Bears.

Eagles drop baseball opener

The Menominee Indian High School baseball team opened the season with a 2-1 road loss to Almond-Brancroft.

Lowell Chevalier pitched six innings, giving up two runs on a pair of Menominee Indian errors. He struck out six and walked three. Johl Turzinski pitched seven innings, struck out seven and walked one.

Forrest Webster was 2 for 3. Chevalier had a sacrifice fly in the fourth inning to score Ty Latender.

Tigerton girls swamp Marion

The Tigerton High School softball team beat Marion 17-6 in a Central Wisconsin Conference-10 game Thursday in Marion.

Erin Robbins earned the win for Tigerton. McKenzie Thomas took the loss.

Payton Bailey led the Tigers offensively, going 3 for 4 with a double, a home run and four RBIs. Robbins had a home run and three RBIs. Sarah Gauthier had a triple and three RBIs. Amber Brown had a hit and three RBIs. Emily Wendt had a hit and two RBIs.

Jessica Reminger had a double and a triple to lead Marion.

Tigerton tops Marion in opener

The Tigerton High School baseball team won its opener Thursday, beating Marion 7-4 on the road.

Tyler Marquardt got the win, pitching seven innings, striking out 10, walking six and allowing six hits and four runs. Aaron Hoffman took the loss. He pitched seven innings, struck out 11, walked four and allowed five hits.

Woodrow Nelson led Tigerton at the plate, going 4 for 4. Travis Marquardt also had a hit.

Truckers dominate Xavier, 15-1

The Clintonville High School baseball team opened its season with a 15-1, five-inning win over Eastern Valley Conference foe Appleton Xavier.

Turner Doornink picked up the win, throwing nine strikeouts and giving up two hits. Matt Ferris took the loss.

Jaden Doornink led the Truckers with two doubles and three RBIs. Turner Doornink had a three-run home run. Nick Hogen had a double and three RBIs. Damon Lorge and Vincent Doberstein each had two RBIs.

Gresham/Bowler second at Wild Rose

The Gresham/Bowler boys track and field team took second place and the girls placed fifth Tuesday at the Wild Rose Invitational.

Wild Rose won both the boys and girls meets. In the boys meet, Wittenberg-Birnamwood took third, and Marion placed sixth.

Wittenberg-Birnamwood’s girls finished second, Marion fourth and Gresham/Bowler fifth.

Gresham/Bowler’s Drew Payne was a triple winner, taking the triple jump (42-1), long jump (20-5 1/2) and the 100-meter dash (11.37). Austin Olsen won the 110 high hurdles (16.62) and the 300 hurdles (43.37). Cody Montez won the 1,600 run (4:48.00) and the 3,200 (10:26.00).

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Girls take second for BearsBy: 

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Leader Photo by Gerrard Diaz Bonduel High School junior Hunter Berry won the 1,600-meter run Thursday at an eight-team meet at the school.
Leader Photo by Gerrard Diaz Bodnuel High School sophomore Trebor Rueckert won the long jump Thursday at an eight-team meet at the school.

Hunter Berry and Isaac Palmer both won two events as the Bonduel High School boys track and field team won an eight-team home meet on a warm and windy Thursday.

Bonduel finished with 160.5 points. Almond-Bancroft (99.3) was second.

Bonduel (155.16) was edged out for the girls title by by Weyauwega-Fremont (158.83).

“We had some really nice performances today,” Bonduel coach Jim Watry said. “Some of the folks did really well. … It was a pretty stiff wind today. That did affect a few folks, but I think everyone was happy to get a meet in where it wasn’t raining or snowing.”

Berry won the 1,600-meter run and led a BHS sweep in the 3,200. Palmer took the 400 and 800.

“Isaac Palmer ran a fantastic 400 today,” Watry said. “It was the first time he ran an open 400 in 54 seconds.”

Berry and fellow distance runners Sam Falck and Austin Marcks went 1-2-3 in the 3,200.

“It carries through from cross-country, I think,” Watry said.

Palmer, Zach Zernicke and Ryan Mathew also took the top three spots in the 400.

Trebor Rueckert logged a personal best 18-foot-7 to win the long jump.

“That’s a new best for him,” Watry said. “He’s coming along. He’s going to go further than that this year. I think he’ll be in the high 19s by the end of the year.”

The Bonduel girls were led by Emily Sorenson, who won the 200 dash and finished second in the 100 and long jump.

Anna Palmer won the 3,200 run and took second in the 1,600 run. Megan Fischer claimed the 300 hurdles, and Ashlie Mastey took first in the 400 dash.

Watry said the early-season meets are about finding where the athletes fit best.

“We moved folks around a fair amount today,” he said. “We’re just trying to find out where folks will have their best event.”

Local Results

Boys

Team scoring — Bonduel 160.5. Almond-Bancroft 99.3. Iola-Scandinavia 98. Weyauwega-Fremont 80.10. Shiocton 77.10. Wolf River Lutheran 37. Tigerton 33.5. Three Lakes 30.5

4x800 — 3. Bonduel (James Watry, Austin Kurey, Josh Schill, Christian Wilber), 10:32.90

110 hurdles — 3. Allen Mays, Bonduel, 18.99

1,600 run — 1. Hunter Berry, Bonduel, 4:54.12. 2. Sam Falck, Bonduel, 5:10.99. 3. Taylor Timm, Wolf River Lutheran, 5:21.03

4x200 relay — 3. Bonduel (Dan Tauchen, Zack Olsen, Sam Griesbach, James Watry), 1:47.06

400 dash — 1. Isaac Palmer, Bonduel, 54.54. 2. Zach Zernicke, Bonduel, 57.53. 3. Ryan Mathew, Bonduel, 57.99

4x100 relay — 3. Bonduel (Jacob Zeitler, Eric Bergsbaken, Jerimiah Dickson, Ben Rohloff), 52.22

300 hurdles — 2. Allen Mays, Bonduel, 48.12

800 run — 1. Isaac Palmer, Bonduel, 2:16.25

200 dash — 2. Trebor Rueckert, Bonduel, 24.67. 3. Dan Tauchen, Bonduel, 25.11

3,200 run — 1. Hunter Berry, Bonduel, 10:41.10. 2. Sam Falck, Bonduel, 11:07.00. 3. Austin Marcks, Bonduel, 11:22.00

4x400 relay — 1. Bonduel (Caleb Dowling, Zach Zernicke, Trebor Rueckert, Allen Mays), 3:51.95

Long jump — 1. Trebor Rueckert, Bonduel, 18-7. 2. Jacob Minniecheske, Tigerton, 18-3 1/2. 3. Andrew Schmidt, Wolf River Lutheran, 17-10

Triple jump — 3. Andrew Schmidt, Wolf River Lutheran, 38-1 1/2

Discus — 3. Vernon Parrott, Tigerton, 116-10

Girls

Team scoring —Weyauwega-Fremont 158.83. Bonduel 155.16. Iola-Scandinavia 135. Shiocton 69.5. Tigerton 40.5. Three Lakes 23. Almond-Bancroft 14. Wolf River Lutheran 12

100 hurdles — 3. Megan Fischer, Bonduel, 19.78

100 dash — 2. Emily Sorenson, Bonduel, 14.12

1,600 run — 2. Anna Palmer, Bonduel, 6:05.00. 3. Mallory Mews, Bonduel, 6:18.00

4x200 relay — 3. Bonduel (Emily Sorenson, Katlynn Robaidek, Nicole Reinke, Megan Urban), 2:07.36

400 dash — 1. Ashlie Mastey, Bonduel, 1:09.26. 2. Hayley Sorenson, Bonduel, 1:10.31

4x100 relay — 3. Tigerton (Lonna Minniecheske, Charity Desrochers, Katie Watters, Karli Minniecheske), 1:01.16

300 hurdles — 1. Megan Fischer, Bonduel, 1:00.76. 2. Anne Buchholz, Wolf River Lutheran, 1:01.40

800 run — 2. Clare Martell, Bonduel, 2:46.98. 3. Aneta Rohloff, Bonduel, 2:48.83

200 dash — 1. Emily Sorenson, Bonduel, 29.74

3,200 run — 1. Anna Palmer, Bonduel, 13.21.40. 2. Mallory Mews, Bonduel, 13.49.00

4x400 relay — 3. Bonduel (Ashlie Mastey, Hayley Sorenson, Whitney Banker, Aneta Rohloff), 4:56.81

High jump — 2. Megan Fischer, Bonduel, 4-8. 2. Hayley Sorenson, Bonduel, 4-8

Long jump — 2. Emily Sorenson, Bonduel, 14-2

Triple jump — 3. Megan Fischer, Bonduel, 28-2

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Soccer team trying to catch top Bay teamsBy: 

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Leader Photo by Gerrard Diaz Shawano Community High School senior Lyndsey McFarlane controls a ball at soccer practice Wednesday at SCHS.
Leader Photo by Gerrard Diaz Shawano Community High School sophomore Morgan Klitzke moves the ball during soccer practice Wednesday at SCHS.

The veteran Shawano Community High School girls soccer team is looking to improve on its third-place finish in the Bay Conference last year.

“It depends how we play against the top teams,” coach Bob Croschere said.

The Hawks finished with a 7-3 conference record, 7-5-2 overall, a season ago, and behind undefeated conference champion Seymour and second-place West De Pere.

“That’s kind of where we’re projected this year, but you never know,” Croschere said. “A couple of good games here and there, if some of these girls come together — we have a veteran team coming back — I think we can make some noise.”

The coach said expectations are high for West De Pere, which beat Shawano 1-0 a season ago. This year, the Hawks get the Phantoms at home May 13.

“We only lost four seniors last year,” Croschere said. “So we have got quite a few people with varsity experience last year coming back.”

The group includes sophomore Sarah Dickman, a second-team all-conference midfielder a year ago, senior midfielder Lindsey McFarlane and senior defender Haley Going, who were both honorable mention players last year.

Also back is senior midfielder Shania O’Kimosh, senior defender Peyton Going, junior midfielder Louisa Keenen and sophomore forwards Megan and Morgan Klitzke.

Replacing first-team all-conference midfielder Delaney Boelter, second-team defender Sarah Smith and goalie Hannah Boucher will be a tough task for the Hawks.

“There’s three, four people fighting for one defensive spot,” Croschere said. “Four people fighting for a goalie spot. The wings, there’s five people fighting for two spots.”

The program added a healthy group of underclassmen, growing its numbers into the mid-40s for this season.

“We had a decent group of freshmen come out,” Croschere said. “We had 15 of them. The numbers are there.”

A player to keep an eye on is freshman Colleen McFarlane, Lindsey’s younger sister, and a likely choice to nab a varsity spot.

The goalie situation offers another opportunity.

“At the beginning of the year we had five people wanting to play the goalie position,” Croschere said. “At this point, we haven’t been outside long enough for me to say this is our varsity goalie.”

Croschere expects to name a starting goalie, and get a much better sense of his team, by Tuesday’s game against Waupaca.

“I think once we get into early next week and get into that game on Tuesday, we’ll see what they’re really going to be made of,” he said.

AT A GLANCE

Shawano Community High School girls soccer schedule

April 15 at Waupaca

April 17 vs. Neenah

April 24 vs. Hortonville

April 29 at Luxemburg-Casco

May 1 vs. New London

May 2 vs. Iron Mountain

May 3 at Wausau West Invitational

May 6 at Marinette

May 8 at Clintonville

May 10 at Green Bay East Invitational

May 13 vs. West De Pere

May 15 at Denmark

May 16 at Fox Valley Lutheran

May 19 at Seymour

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Woman follows 700 series with perfect gameBy: 

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Leader Photo by Gerrard Diaz Jessica Huff bowled a perfect game March 18 at Lakeshore Lanes. Huff bowled the second 700 series of her life a week before getting the perfect game.

After her 10th strike March 18 at Lakeshore Lanes, Jessica Huff had everyone’s attention.

Huff, who bowls for Mike’s Repair in the Tuesday Night Ladies league at Lakeshore Lanes, had just bowled nine perfect frames and opened the 10th frame with a strike.

“I turned around and everybody was just staring at me,” Huff said. “Everyone just stopped.”

She said she got nervous after the ninth frame and really nervous after the 10th strike.

“I told myself to take a deep breath, relax,” she said.

Her next roll hit its mark, putting the perfect 300 game just one more strike away.

“I threw my last one and it came up a little bit high, but it knocked all the pins over,” Huff said. “I jumped up and everybody started screaming and yelling. It was a great feeling.”

Huff, of Gresham, is the fifth woman in the Shawano-Clintonville USBC Association history to record a perfect game and the first since Tami Pullen did it in 2009.

Huff is no stranger to bowling or even perfect games. She has been bowling since she was 3 years old and has an uncle, Bob, and brother, Jason, who have also logged perfect games.

She bowled a 700 series when she was just 14. Seven years later and a week before she got her perfect game, she bowled her second 700.

“I haven’t gotten one since then, so once I got that, then my goal was to get a 300,” Huff said.

Huff said her recent success may have something to do with switching to a new ball.

“The one I had wasn’t hooking as well as I wanted,” she said. “I was sick of it. I needed a new ball and I finally got it.”

It was shortly after switching from her old Brunswick to her Hammer that she bowled the 700 series.

Her 300 game was certified by the United States Bowling Congress, and she received a perfect-game ring to prove it.

“My next goal is to get a 200 average,” Huff said. “My average right now is a 197. My next step is getting that 200 average and getting more 700 series.”

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The Bonduel High School boys track and field team won a six-team meet Tuesday at Iola-Scandinavia.

The Bears scored 153 points to take first. Tigerton was sixth with 32 points.

The Bonduel boys won two relay events. Caleb Dowling, Ryan Mathew, Zach Zernicke and Allen Mays took first in the 4x400-meter relay. Josh Schill, Austin Kurey, James Watry and Christian Wilber won the 4x800 relay.

Tigerton’s Jacob Minniecheske took firsts in the long jump (18-2) and triple jump (37-10).

Bonduel’s girls took third with a score of 106. Iola-Scandinavia (158) won the meet. Tigerton (27) was fifth.

Anna Palmer won the 3,200 run for Bonduel. Megan Fischer took the high jump.

Tigerton’s Charity Desrochers, Karli Minniecheske, Lonna Minniecheske and Katie Watters won the 4x100 relay.

Local Results

Boys

Team scoring — Bonduel 153. Iola-Scandinavia 92. Shiocton 91. Port Edwards 93. Manawa 56. Tigerton 32.

4x800 relay — 1. Bonduel, (Josh Schill, Austin Kurey, James Watry, Christian Wilber), 10:02.75

110 hurdles — 2. Allen Mays, Bonduel, 19.65

100 dash — 2. Caleb Dowling, Bonduel, 12.62. 5. Jacob Minniecheske, Tigerton, 12.82

1,600 run — 2. Hunter Berry, Bonduel, 4:48.43. 3. Sam Falck, Bonduel, 5:12.91. 4. Austin Marcks, Bonduel, 5:16.67. 6. Eric Ballestad, Bonduel, 5:23.78

4x200 relay — 2. Bonduel, (Preston Robaidek, Zack Olsen, Sam Griesbach, Jerimiah Dickson), 1:52.40

400 dash — 2. Zach Zernicke, Bonduel, 57.41. 5. Dan Tauchen, Bonduel, 59.66

4x100 relay — 3. Bonduel, (Eric Bergsbaken, Isaiah Griesbach, Preston Robaidek, Zack Olsen), 53.13. 4. Tigerton, (Alec Berg, Vernon Parrott, Noah Lehman, Jacob Miniecheske), 53.18

300 hurdles — 3. Allen Mays, Bonduel, 48.20

800 run — 2. Isaac Palmer, Bonduel, 2:18.36

200 dash — 2. Caleb Dowling, Bonduel, 25.23. 4. Trebor Rueckert, Bonduel, 25.40. 5. Dan Tauchen, Bonduel, 25.67

3,200 run — 2. Hunter Berry, Bonduel, 11:25.94. 3. Austin Marcks, Bonduel, 11:58.37

4x400 relay — 1. Bonduel, (Caleb Dowling, Ryan Mathew, Zach Zernicke, Allan Mays), 3:49.62

High jump — 2. Dan Tauchen, Bonduel, 5-2 5. Preston Robaidek, Bonduel, 4-10

Long jump — 1. Jacob Minniecheske, Tigerton, 18-2 4. Trebor Rueckert, Bonduel, 17-4 1/4

Triple jump — 1. Jacob Minniecheske, Tigerton, 37-10 3. Trebor Rueckert, Bonduel, 36-2 1/4

Discus — 3. Vernon Parrott, Tigerton, 114-4 4. Ben Rohloff, Bonduel, 101-7

Shot put — 4. Zack Olsen, Bonduel, 35-3 5. Isaiah Griesbach, Bonduel, 34-3

Girls

Team scoring — Iola-Scandinavia 158. Manawa 109. Bonduel 106. Port Edwards 49. Tigerton 27. Shiocton 25.

100 hurdles — 2. Megan Fischer, Bonduel, 20.89

100 dash — 5. Katie Watters, Tigerton, 15.32. 6. Kristen Brusky, Bonduel, 15.64

1,600 run — 3. Anna Palmer, Bonduel, 6:12.81. 4. Charity Desrochers, Tigerton, 6:42.02

4x200 relay — 2. Tigerton, (Katie Waters, Sara Shumaker, Angela Hoffman, Elizabeth Selle), 2:13.57. 3. Bonduel, (India Tauchen, Nicole Reinke, Marissa Mehlhorn, Katlynn Robaidek), 2:18.05

400 dash — 3. Ashley Mastey, Bonduel, 1:10.36. 5. Hayley Sorenson, Bonduel, 1:11.74

4x100 relay: 1. Tigerton, (Charity Desrochers, Karli Minniecheske, Lonna Minniecheske, Katie Watters), 1:01.05. 2. Bonduel (Katie Zeitler, Dayton Engel, Nicole Reinke, Kristen Brusky), 1:03.58

300 hurdles — 2. Megan Fischer, Bonduel, 56.90

800 run — 3. Aneta Rohloff, Bonduel, 2:49.90. 6. Charity Desrochers, Tigerton, 2:56.76

200 dash — 4. Emily Sorenson, Bonduel, 30.24

3,200 run — 1. Anna Palmer, Bonduel, 14:24.20

4x400 relay — 3. Bonduel, (Ashlie Mastey, Whitney Banker, Abigail Palmer, Marissa Mehlhorn), 4:55.62

High jump — 1. Megan Fischer, Bonduel, 4-6 2, Hayley Sorenson, Bonduel, 4-4 4. Dayton Engel, Bonduel, 4-2

Long jump — 2. Emily Sorenson, Bonduel, 14-9

Triple jump — 4. Megan Fischer, Bonduel, 26-9 3/4

Shot put — 5. Sara Shumaker, Tigerton, 22-2 1/2

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Hawks lose season opener

The Shawano Community High School baseball team had a rough outing to start the season Monday, losing on the road to Oshkosh North 10-0 in five innings.

The game was the first chance for the Hawks had to get outside this season and its first action against an opponent.

Taylor Prey took the loss, pitching three innings, striking out five, allowing seven hits and eight earned runs.

Will Clark earned the win for Oshkosh North (1-0), going five innings, striking out seven and allowing two hits and no runs.

Prey and Chase Henning each had a hit for the Hawks (0-1).

Hawks’ rally comes up short

The Shawano Community High School softball team lost its Bay Conference opener 4-3 to West De Pere on Tuesday in De Pere.

Nicki Ainsworth’s single in the sixth inning began a rally with the Hawks trailing 4-1. Ainsworth and Alli Raddant scored on ground balls by Brianna Laabs and LaRissa O’Kimosh. Shawano got two runners on base in the seventh, but three consecutive outs ended the game.

Courtney Baumann took the loss, allowing five hits and four runs in 4 1/3 innings. She struck out three batters.

Wildcats beat Almond-Bancroft in 5

The Gresham High School baseball team beat Almond-Bancroft 11-1 to open the season Tuesday in Almond.

After taking a 3-1 lead in the first inning, Gresham scored six runs in the third and scored two more in the top of the fifth. Almond-Bancroft (0-1) had no answer.

Kevin Ile led Gresham (1-0) going 2 for 3 with three RBIs. Riley Nietzer and Christian Haffner each had a hit and two RBIs. Scott Cerveny earned the win for the Wildcats, pitching five innings, striking out eight and giving up two walks.

Almond-Bancroft’s Ethan Yonke took the loss, striking out three and giving up six walks in 2 1/3 innings on the mound.

Shawano tennis team defeated

The Shawano Community High School boys tennis team opened its season with a 6-1 loss to Bay Port on Tuesday.

Tom Cumberland, the Hawks’ No. 1 singles player, had Shawano’s only win of the day. He defeated Bay Port’s Nevan Baus 7-6 (7), 6-7 (4), 10-8.

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Leader Photo by Gerrard Diaz Menominee Indian High School baseball coach Chris Rice runs a practice April 2 at the school.

A new coach will rely on a trio of seniors and a sophomore to lead the Menominee Indian High School baseball team this season.

New Eagles coach Chris Rice takes over a program that went 5-9 a year ago under Michael Waupoose, finishing in eighth-place with a 3-6 conference record.

“It’s my first year ever coaching baseball,” Rice said. “We’re trying to stress fundamentals, getting good footwork and working on the basics of baseball. We’re trying not to beat ourselves and be in every game that we can be in.”

With 24 athletes in the program and nine returning letter winners, the coach will have a nice group to work with.

Leading the way will be Ty Latender, a shortstop/pitcher who was a second-team all-conference selection who hit .353 last year as a freshman.

“A high batting average, especially for a freshman,” Rice said. “I think he’s going to have another big year. … He’s going to be a great asset to us.”

Lowell Chevalier, a senior pitcher/first baseman, will also add a dangerous bat the to Eagles’ lineup.

“Lowell has a good stick on him. He’s been working really hard,” Rice said. “He went down to a camp in Florida this winter and has been working really hard on his game and in the weight room.”

Chevalier was an honorable mention a year ago and first-team all-conference selection as a sophomore.

“All around the board in the batting cages we’re hitting extremely well right now,” Rice said. “I know it’s just batting cages, but we’ll see how it translates on the field.”

Also back are all-conference honorable mention seniors Richard Corn, pitcher/outfield/first base, and Dallas Madosh, pitcher/catcher/infield.

The four returnees and junior Michael Pecore will share time on the mound for the Eagles.

“What time that is? We haven’t had a chance to really get a good look at them yet. We’ll see,” Rice said.

Juniors Mario Waupoose, infield/outfield, John Maskewit, outfield, Waylon Penass, outfield and sophomore Nick Corn, infield/outfield are returning letter winners and will fight for spots with newcomers seniors Zoar Doud, infield/outfield/catcher, and Dylan Osh, third base, and junior Forrest Webster, outfield.

Rice, who has taught at Menominee Indian the last three years, knows the Central Wisconsin Conference-8 will be competitive, with Rosholt, last year’s undefeated champion, as the favorite.

“I know Rosholt is a powerhouse in this conference,” Rice said. “You also have good teams in Tigerton, who beat us last year. The conference is very even, besides Rosholt.

“I think it’s going to be a fun year.”

AT A GLANCE

Menominee Indian High School baseball schedule

April 10 at Almond-Bancroft

April 14 vs. Marion

April 17 at Tigerton

April 22 vs. Bowler

April 24 at Rosholt

April 25 at Wild Rose

April 28 vs. Rosholt

April 29 vs. Tigerton

May 1 vs. Tri-County

May 2 at Port Edwards

May 5 vs. Gresham

May 8 vs. Almond-Bancroft

May 9 at Marion

May 13 vs. Tri-County

May 15 at Bowler

May 19 vs. Wild Rose

May 27 at Tri-County

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Leader Photo by Gerrard Diaz Shawano Community High School catcher Courtney Ainsworth waits for a pitch during a scrimmage Thursday at the school’s field house.
Leader Photo by Gerrard Diaz Shawano Community High School pitcher Courtney Baumann throws during practice Thursday at the school.

An influx of underclassmen will join a talented group of returning players on the Shawano Community High School softball team, which last year won a WIAA Division 2 regional championship.

With six returning letter-winners and only three seniors, the Hawks are going to need the underclassmen to step up.

“(It’s) probably the youngest team in Shawano varsity history,” coach Kevin Isaacson said, “but that’s not necessarily a bad thing.”

The team has four sophomores new to the team and four freshmen fighting for varsity spots.

The youth puts pressure on the seniors — Courtney Baumann, Brianna Laabs and LaRissa O’Kimosh — to provide leadership.

“When you have a young team with freshmen and sophomores on varsity, that leadership is really critical,” Isaacson said. “They’re doing a great job.”

Baumann will once again be throwing to junior catcher Courtney Ainsworth. Both were first-team all-conference selections a year ago.

“Courtney Baumann had 11 wins last year, and she’s back as our starter,” Isaacson said. “Fortunately, we have three underclassmen that we think can compete at the varsity level.”

Freshmen Hannah Hein and Saige Henning and sophomore Sydney Schreiber will be in the running for innings on the mound this season.

O’Kimosh, who plays right field, and sophomore second baseman Allison Raddant were second-team all-conference selections last year.

Laabs, who made a key defensive play and had the game-winning hit in the Hawks’ regional final, will once again be at third base.

“Brianna Laabs is just incredible at third base defensively,” Isaacson said. “She’s the best I’ve seen in high school. She takes away the bunt, takes away the sharp hit. And she’s our No. 3 hitter, right in the middle of the order. She’s a key part of our success.”

Junior Nicki Ainsworth rounds out the returning letter winners and will have a chance to replace graduated senior Alison VanGrinsven at first base.

“Those are opportunities for kids,” Isaacson said. “Nicki worked some at first base last year and then spent the summer at first base preparing for this. She’s going to be ready to go.”

Shawano had four of the top 10 hitters in the Bay Conference a season ago, and all return except graduated senior shortstop Whitney Boda. Boda, a unanimous first-team all-conference selection, was third in the conference with an average of .469. Raddant was fourth with a .467 average. Courtney Ainsworth was fifth, hitting .466. Baumann’s .421 average was good for 10th in the league.

“I’m very comfortable with where we’re at offensively,” Isaacson said. “We have a lot of kids that can put the ball in play, and a lot of kids that can drive the ball. One through nine, I think we’re going to be strong.”

Like it did a year ago, the team will focus on speed and base running.

“We’re going to push the pace the entire game,” Isaacson said.

The coach likes to point out that runners at the college Division I level are thrown out only 18 percent of the time.

“That’s our philosophy,” Isaacson said. “It forces the pitcher to throw a ball the catcher can catch, the catcher to catch it and throw it, and the fielder to make the catch and the tag. We like our chances.”

The Hawks finished fourth in a stacked Bay Conference last year, finishing 17-7 overall and 11-6 in conference. In the postseason, Shawano won its regional championship with an 11-10 victory over Green Bay Notre Dame, before losing in the sectional to Bay rival Luxemburg-Casco.

The Bay has sent a team to the state tournament the last four years, including last year’s Division 2 state champions, New London.

“Our goal would be to be the team that competes well in the Bay Conference and then qualifies for the state tournament,” Isaacson said. “That’s our goal every year. It’s fun because we have just an incredibly talented conference.”

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Leader Photo by Gerrard Diaz Menominee Indian High School sophomore Ania Smith practices the shot put Wednesday at the school.

Ania Smith is already having a track and field season to remember, even if she has yet to get outside on an actual field.

The Menominee Indian High School sophomore thrower set her sights on taking down Tasha Cleveland’s shot put record of 36 feet, 7 inches set in 1992.

It seemed like a realistic goal. Last season, Smith broke Cleveland’s discus record of 112-3 with a throw of 120-10.

The shot put record fell in the Eagles’ first indoor meet this season when Smith threw 38-4. Smith then launched a shot 41-6 1/2 Monday at the Antigo Indoor Invitational.

“Her goal was to hit 40 feet by the end of the year and she hit 41 Monday night,” coach Chris Clache said. “She works hard. She’s not resting on her laurels.”

She’s now looking to take down her own records.

“Last year, she was all power and not a lot of form,” Clache said. “She’s really worked on her technique, especially these last few weeks. She’s only a sophomore. Sky’s the limit for her.”

The way Smith is throwing, Clache thinks she could very well end up in La Crosse for the WIAA state meet.

It would be welcomed a year after the program did not send anyone to the sectionals. Clache expects that to change this season.

“We don’t have the numbers that a lot of teams do, but I think we’ve got quality,” Clache said. “We have a really good team.”

There are 14 boys and six girls out for track.

The boys will likely be led by senior Brandon Reiter, who opened the season with a pair of second-place finishes in the 3,200-meter run.

Junior Gordon James won the 45 dash Monday and will be a force in the sprints.

“He had kind of an off year last year,” Clache said. “He’s kind of coming back with a vengeance this year. He’s really been working hard. I’ve been impressed with him in practice.”

Junior Alphonso Smith, Ania’s brother, could help the Eagles in both the throwing and jumping events.

“He set a personal record in the shot put on Monday,” Clache said. “He threw over 40 feet. He’s more of a total athlete. He’s going to do hurdles, high jump, triple jump. We’re going to try to figure out where we’re going to put him.”

Also back for the boys team are seniors Troy Penass (middle distance), Deonte Crowe (distance), Nigel Waupkenay (throws) and sophomore Anthony Moses (distance).

The addition of freshmen Charles Lasley (sprints, discus), Kyle Komanekin (throws, long jump) and Antonio Mahkimetas (sprints) is expected to help as well.

Clache expects junior sprinter Mylia Olson be much improved after a down year her sophomore season.

“She’s another one that kind of took a step back last year,” Clache said. “She did pretty well in the 45, but her event is the 200. We’re hoping that we can get outside and work on that a little more.”

Also back are senior Carol Zhuckkahosee (hurdles, high jump, discus) and sophomore Loretta Mechaca (middle distance, relays, discus).

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KJ Fischer

KJ Fischer is a state champion.

The 8-year-old Shawano Wrestling Club member took first in the 69-pound weight class Saturday at the Wisconsin Wrestling Federation Folkstyle State Championships at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison.

“At the beginning of the year, he told his parents that he was going to state,” coach T.J. Miles said. “Everything I taught in class, he really seemed to pick it up.”

Fischer (39-2) beat Ross Zvolena, of Loyal, 5-0 in the title match, scoring on two takedowns and an escape.

Miles said he talked to Fischer before the final match and assured him he could do it.

“The kid was focused all day,” Miles said. “He was on a mission.”

Miles knew Fischer, who is a second-grader at Hillcrest Primary School, was in for big things this season.

“I told his dad, don’t be surprised if this boy doesn’t lose all year,” Miles said.

Fischer was undefeated most of the season, but did end up losing a pair of matches just before beginning a push to state.

“The weekend before regionals, he got beat twice,” Miles said. “I think it was a very good thing for him. He wasn’t focused; he wasn’t really wrestling his style of wrestling.”

Those would be the only matches Fischer lost all year.

“He did very well,” Miles said. “I’m very proud of him.”

Fellow club members Drake Herm, Will Bieber, Andrew Popp, Landan Gretzinger and Tagen Miles also qualified for the state tournament. Popp reached the podium with a fifth-place finish in the 95-pound weight class.

Fischer is the youngest youth wrestler to win a state title for Shawano. Club member Jared Kust won titles in 2006 and 2007, and Brandon Fish won in 2004 and 2006.

Miles, in his second year coaching the Shawano Wrestling Club, said the quality of the club competition helped prepare Fischer for state.

“He’s only going to get better because his toughest competition is right there in our wrestling room,” Miles said. “It’s hard to predict, but I project him to be a state champion when he gets to high school. If he keeps putting his work in and keeps plugging away, I see good things.”

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