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Articles by Griffin Spiczenski
Prep boys swimming: Eric Storms, Shane Sackett are two key components of the Monona Grove machine
Bonds and camaraderie play a key role in helping any team with a championship pedigree get to the top — and stay there.The Monona Grove boys swimming team knows a lot about bonds and camaraderie — and staying at the top.The Silver Eagles, champions of the last three WIAA Division 2 state meets, appear motivated to make it four in a row.
WIAA girls swimming: Junior Grace Bennin graciously accepts the spotlight as Verona/Mount Horeb's leader
When a high school sports program loses a once-in-a-generation athlete, often the program is never the same.Two seasons ago, the Verona/Mount Horeb girls swim team graduated an Olympic hopeful and current University of Wisconsin standout, Beata Nelson.Nelson, now a sophomore with the Badgers, shattered records and earned 12 WIAA individual state championships for Verona/Mount Horeb. She earned an invitation to the 2016 U.S. Olympic Team trials.
Prep boys volleyball: Nick Klubertanz leads Madison West into the postseason
After graduating a pair of all-conference performers last year, the Madison West boys volleyball team needed some new players to step up in 2017.“Even though we graduated a couple all-conference guys, having nine seniors on your team really helps provide that leadership vacuum that may have been left behind,” Regents coach Aaron Blom said.
WIAA state girls team tennis: Madison West girls hoping to leave their mark on the state tournament, and their coach
Last year, Madison West's visit to the WIAA Division 1 state team tennis tournament resulted in a quick exit.This year, if things go the Regents' way, there's a chance the results could leave a permanent mark.West lost to Eau Claire Memorial in a 2016 quarterfinal at Nielsen Tennis Stadium. This time around, the Regents enter state with a 19-2 record in dual meets and have earned the No. 3 seeding — matching their ranking in the state coaches' poll.
Prep girls tennis: Despite changes Laura Nicholas leads Madison West's bid for a Big Eight title repeat
Building a successful high school sports program is a difficult feat to achieve — and an even harder feat to maintain.That is exactly what the Madison West girls’ tennis team found out at the start of the season.Last year, the Regents won the Big Eight Conference tournament, won their sectional and competed in the quarterfinals of the Division 1 WIAA state team tournament for the first time since 2009.
Home Talent League playoffs: Four solo home runs carry Stoughton over Middleton
STOUGHTON — In a baseball game where runs were at a minimum, it was a matter of time before a big hit or a key defensive play would decide the outcome.That is exactly what happened when Chris Lund and Ryan Nyhagen hit back-to-back home runs to lead off the bottom of the eighth inning and carry Stoughton to a 4-2 victory over Middleton in the second round of the Home Talent League championship series at Slattum Field.Nyhagen also homered in the fourth, followed by a Max Fuller solo shot two...
Prep girls volleyball: Priya Shenoi leads a group of seniors that has Verona shooting for the stars
Priya Shenoi remembers what it was like to play on Wisconsin high school volleyball’s biggest stage.“It was crazy and wonderful,” Shenoi said.That was 2015, Shenoi and Hannah Worley were sophomore starters who helped the Verona Wildcats win the Big Eight Conference title and advance to the semifinals of the WIAA Division 1 state tournament at the Resch Center in Ashwaubenon. Last year, the Wildcats struggled through a rebuilding process, finishing 21-15 and taking fourth in the Big Eight.
Prep boys cross country preview: Middleton's Jack Rader battles through injury with big goals ahead
Jack Rader, Middleton’s senior boys cross country captain, aims to lift the Cardinals to a Big Eight Conference championship and another berth in the WIAA Division 1 state meet.But first, an obstacle.Last spring, Rader qualified for the WIAA state track meet in the 3,200 meters, but misfortune struck. In his final workout before the big race, Rader injured his right leg — and it turned out to be a minor tear of his Achilles tendon. He was unable to compete at state. “I was devastated,” said Rader.
Rock Valley Conference preview: Evansville/Albany coach Ron Grovesteen proud as a grandpa of star running back Zach Mielke
Some are born with football in their blood. For others, the love for the game must be cultivated.When it comes to Evansville/Albany senior quarterback Zach Mielke, a little bit of both is true. His game has been lifted by a little bit of nature and a little bit of nurture.This will be Mielke's fourth season as the starting varsity quarterback for Rock Valley Conference power Evansville/Albany.
Rock Valley football preview: Evansville/Albany starts the chase for a fifth consecutive title
COACHES’ PICKS1, Clinton; 2 (tie), Jefferson, Evansville/Albany; 4, Walworth Big Foot.THINGS TO WATCH Looking for a four-peat: The Blue Devils have won outright or shared three straight conference titles and are hoping to add another under the direction of coach Ron Grovesteen and experienced quarterback Zach Mielke.
Badger South football preview: Monona Grove's Alec Ogden once again is shooting for the stars
With opening night right around the corner, Monona Grove senior guarterback Alec Ogden looks to lift his Silver Eagles over a series of hurdles — including the one at the finish line.Last year Ogden led Monona Grove to an 11-3 overall record and a trip to the WIAA Division 2 state championship game, where they lost a wild, 42-36 decision to Brookfield East.“The next day, I brushed off the loss. But now I know the feeling of getting to state,” Ogden said.
WIAA state team tennis: New coach, new players help Edgewood get back to the same place
As another prep tennis season comes to a close, a familiar face remains in the mix for the final weekend.The Madison Edgewood boys tennis team has returned to the WIAA state team tournament for the 15th consecutive year — but for the first time as the reigning Division 2 champion.Every year since 2004, the Crusaders have made it to the team state semifinals. Eight times, they have made it to the final.
WIAA girls soccer: Grace Droessler and her defense have Mount Horeb driving toward a long tournament run
The girls on the Mount Horeb soccer team are no strangers to the WIAA state tournament, earning four trips to Milwaukee’s Uihlein Soccer Complex over the past five seasons.But Grace Droessler has never been there. And that’s the fuel in her tank as the Vikings prepare for the postseason.The rest of the Mount Horeb players have their fuel, too.
Prep golf: Girls add an extra punch to the Madison Abundant Life boys program
The history of high school boys golf in Wisconsin doesn’t always involve just the boys.For instance, Altoona’s Gabby Curtis finished fifth as an individual in the WIAA Division 2 boys state tournament in 2014.She played weth the boys because Altoona didn’t have a girls program. In recent years, increased interest has prompted more and more schools to add girls golf, making the need to have the girls compete with the boys less commonplace.
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