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Articles by Peter Jackel
All-Racine County baseball: Waterford's Harvie, Union Grove's Hage co-players of the year
Connor Harvie and Kody Hage had dramatically contrasting journeys in the spring high school baseball season. Harvie, a senior catcher for Waterford, was a standout who had already committed to UW-Milwaukee before his senior season. He graduated in June as the career leader for Waterford in several categories. It was a different story for Hage, a senior pitcher for Union Grove. He barely pitched as a junior and could not have been expected to accomplish all he did this season.
How this former Racine basketball star found fulfillment doing 'the hardest thing I've ever done'
Gabbi Ortiz has found an even more enduring sense of fulfilment at a time in her life when she still could have been weaving through the defenses of elite European basketball teams as a take-charge guard. Life for the four-time All-State guard from The Prairie School these days is as an emergency medical technician for the Oklahoma City Fire Department.
Gabbi Ortiz
I thought I would be playing a lot longer. But the simple answer is, emotionally, I was not being fulfilled. The European lifestyle got to be pretty heavy on me mentally. Physically, I could have kept getting top-league contracts. It was all a personal decision and, to this day, probably the hardest decision I have made to decide to hang it up and start a new life away from basketball. I'll never forget it. I picked up my phone and called me dad.
5 high school football stars in Week 2 from Racine County
The Journal Times will aim to recognize the accomplishments of five high school football athletes from our coverage area each week. The efforts may not be the greatest statistically but are notable. We then invite readers to vote for the Supernova, the performance that most stood out to you. Here are this week's honorees. Jwan Eastland dominates in loss There were a lot of offensive fireworks in Park's 50-43 nonconference loss to Greenfield Friday night.
5 Racine Country high school football stars from Week 2
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All-County baseball
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Racine Horlick soccer program set to celebrate 45th anniversary
Racine Horlick had to make an appeal to even field a team in 1980. They wore uniforms furnished by Devine's Sporting Goods that didn't match their school colors, and they played before a handful of fans on fields that weren't regulation. Yet, the 1980 Racine Horlick High School boys soccer team went undefeated in the regular season (15-0-4), was ranked No. 1 in the state and was in contention for a state championship until getting eliminated in a round-robin tournament.
3 things to know about Burlington football in 2025 season
As Chad Redmer enters his second season as coach of the Burlington football team, the program appears to be set up for success. Senior quarterback Grant Sulik headlines a number of playmakers on offense for the Demons, who look to replace the production of dominant running back Kade Boyd. Defensively, the program welcomes in new coordinator Adam Bakken, who was 93-32 with seven Southern Lakes Conference championships as the Waterford coach from 2011-22.
3 things to know about Park football in 2025
Morris Matsen believes better times are just around the corner after a couple of challenging seasons. Matsen, coach of the Park High School football team, led the Panthers to the second round of the WIAA Division 2 playoffs in 2022. Park since then has slumped to 15 losses in its last 19 games, including 1-8 last season. But Park could be in position for a return to success with 21 seniors on this season's team.
Three things to know about Waterford football
The Waterford High School football team found itself after a tough start last season. The Wolverines, who graduated standout running back/linebacker Carson Bilitz after the 2023 season, lost their first four games by a combined score of 149-27. It appeared all but certain that Waterford was destined for its first losing season since 2010, when it went 3-6. But first-year coach Brent Thoen started seeing results after that 0-4 start.
5 high school football stars in Week 1 from Racine County
The Journal Times will aim to recognize the accomplishments of five high school football athletes from our coverage area each week. The efforts may not be the greatest statistically but are notable. We then invite readers to vote for the Supernova, the performance that most stood out to you. Here are this week’s honorees.
Three things to know about Park football
RACINE — After a couple of challenging seasons, Morris Matsen believes better times are just around the corner. Matsen, coach of the Park High School football team, led the Panthers to the second round of the WIAA Division 2 playoffs in 2022. Since then, Park has slumped to 14 losses in their last 18 games, including 1-8 last season. But with 21 seniors on this year's team, Park could be in position for a return to success.
Tribute planned for Racine basketball coaching great Jack Molbeck
There's a photo in the April 5, 1972, edition of the Journal Times of Jack Molbeck looking on with such elation following a game that it was noted in the photo caption that Molbeck, "seemingly couldn't believe it." His youth team, also coached by the late Don Bostick, had just defeated Lincoln, Neb., 53-43 in the championship game of the International Small Fry Tournament at the Horlick High School Fieldhouse.
3 things to know about Racine Lutheran football before the 2025 season
It was a rough start for Jeff Kraus, who took over for Scott Smith as coach of the Racine Lutheran football team last season. On the heels of a 7-3 season in 2023, Lutheran lost its first two games last season by an 88-22 margin. In the first quarter of those two games, the Crusaders were outscored a combined 37-0. But then Kraus started seeing results. Lutheran won six of its next eight games and advanced to the WIAA Division 5 playoffs.
3 things to know about Union Grove football before the 2025 season
UNION GROVE - The number of players in the Union Grove High School football program - about 55 - is a little lighter than coach Craig McClelland would like to see. When McClelland looks at the quality of what he has, he is encouraged. In fact, he can't help but compare this team to the 2021 Broncos, who were 11-2 and advanced to the third round of the WIAA Division 3 playoffs.
3 things to know about Horlick football before the 2025 season
A new era looms for the Horlick football team. Brian Fletcher, who had been the program's coach since 2010, stepped down to become an assistant coach to Craig McClelland at Union Grove over the offseason. And joining him at the school is his son Bennett, an incoming freshman who could make an immediate impact for the Broncos. The replacement for elder Fletcher is 31-year-old Ray Cushman, who will have a largely overhauled coaching staff.
3 things to know about St. Catherine's football before the 2025 season
By PETER JACKEL - The Journal Times, Racine, Wisc. (TNS) The St. Catherine's High School football team owns a 74-17 record with at least a share of four Metro Classic Conference championships since the start of the 2017 season. That stretch includes two WIAA Division 4 state championships, including one last season when the Angels toppled Baldwin-Woodville 26-22 last November at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison. Copyright 2025 Tribune Content Agency.
3 things to know about Case football before the 2025 season
MOUNT PLEASANT - The progress has been dramatic. Since taking over the Case High School football program in 2022, Anton Graham has overseen this progression: In 2023, he led the Eagles to a 7-4 record and the program's first playoff victory after posting a 4-5 record his first season. And then came 2024, when Case had one of its greatest seasons since fielding its first varsity team in 1967. Copyright 2025 Tribune Content Agency.
3 things to know about Case football before the 2025 season
MOUNT PLEASANT — The progress has been dramatic. Since taking over the Case High School football program in 2022, Anton Graham has overseen this progression: In 2023, he led the Eagles to a 7-4 record and the program's first playoff victory after posting a 4-5 record his first season. And then came 2024, when Case had one of its greatest seasons since fielding its first varsity team in 1967.
3 things to know about St. Catherine's football before the 2025 season
The St. Catherine’s High School football team owns a 74-17 record with at least a share of four Metro Classic Conference championships since the start of the 2017 season. That stretch includes two WIAA Division 4 state championships, including one last season when the Angels toppled Baldwin-Woodville 26-22 last November at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison.
Waterford star punctuates comeback with All-Racine County Player of the Year honors
By PETER JACKEL - The Journal Times, Racine, Wisc. (TNS) It was May 14; the Waterford High School softball team was seemingly headed nowhere. The Wolverines had slipped to 7-14 following a 4-0 nonconference loss to Kenosha Bradford. Only three regular-season games remained prior to the postseason, and players couldn't be blamed if they were looking ahead to summer vacation at that point. Copyright 2025 Tribune Content Agency.
Meet the 2025 All-Racine County high school softball team
By PETER JACKEL - The Journal Times, Racine, Wisc. (TNS) An action-packed spring season saw several area high school softball teams and players produce memorable campaigns. Union Grove, Waterford, Catholic Central, St. Catherine's, Burlington and Racine Lutheran all rostered first-team players who left a mark on their respective programs, and Union Grove led the way with four first-team selections on the all-county squad. Copyright 2025 Tribune Content Agency.
Waterford star punctuates comeback with All-Racine County Player of the Year honors
It was May 14; the Waterford High School softball team was seemingly headed nowhere. The Wolverines had slipped to 7-14 following a 4-0 nonconference loss to Kenosha Bradford. Only three regular-season games remained prior to the postseason, and players couldn't be blamed if they were looking ahead to summer vacation at that point. But the program had other plans, hitching its fortunes on a junior pitcher who started the season on the bench with a sore right knee.
Meet the 2025 All-Racine County high school softball team
An action-packed spring season saw several area high school softball teams and players produce memorable campaigns. Union Grove, Waterford, Catholic Central, St. Catherine's, Burlington and Racine Lutheran all rostered first-team players who left a mark on their respective programs, and Union Grove led the way with four first-team selections on the all-county squad. Here's a look at the All-Racine County softball first-team honorees, as voted on by the coaches.
All-Racine County softball: Waterford's Jaydin Kiser produces comeback season
It was last May 14 and the Waterford High School softball team was seemingly going nowhere. The Wolverines had seen their record slip to 7-14 following a 4-0 nonconference loss to Kenosha Bradford. Just three regular-season games remained prior to the postseason and players couldn't be blamed if they looked ahead to summer vacation. Instead, they hitched their fortunes on a junior pitcher who started the season on the bench with a sore right knee.
Racine Raiders reflect on bittersweet season after missing out on championship
By PETER JACKEL - The Journal Times, Racine, Wisc. (TNS) In 2023, the Racine Raiders endured grueling bus trips to the East Coast on back-to-back weekends on their way to securing their 10th national championship. They repeated the feat last season, this time in the convenience of Horlick Field. Copyright 2025 Tribune Content Agency.
Racine Raiders reflect on bittersweet season
In 2023, the Racine Raiders endured grueling bus trips to the East Coast on back-to-back weekends on their way to securing their 10th national championship. They repeated the feat last season, this time in the convenience of Horlick Field. But their run ceremoniously ended on Saturday night in Farmington Hills, Mich., when the Raiders (10-4) finished their troubled season with a 42-16 loss to the Detroit Ravens in The Players Association League championship game.
Bendtsen ready to continue success in Racine County Open
Bendt Bendtsen III's glory days of 2008, when he was so successful on golf courses that he turned professional a year later, are long in the past. Now a 39-year-old, Bendtsen's primary concern is helping his wife, Anna, raise their 3-yard-old daughter, Etta. There's also the matter of showing up to the family bakery, which he has solely owned in West Racine for the past nine years, at 3 a.m. six days a week to help produce up to 1,000 kringles a day. Copyright 2025 Tribune Content Agency.
What to expect as rejuvenated Racine Raiders squad competes for league championship
The Racine Raiders could have written off their season as recently as last week. They entered the postseason with three losses on their resume after two successive undefeated national championship seasons. Their list of injuries was one of the worst that Wilbert Kennedy could remember seeing since becoming the Raiders' coach in 2014. And they were facing their second 700-mile roundtrip to Michigan within three weeks to face an undefeated team. Copyright 2025 Tribune Content Agency.
'Never lacks confidence': Bendtsen ready to continue success in Racine County Open
Bendt Bendtsen III’s glory days of 2008, when he was so successful on golf courses that he turned professional a year later, are long in the past. Now a 39-year-old, Bendtsen’s primary concern is helping his wife, Anna, raise their 3-yard-old daughter, Etta. There’s also the matter of showing up to the family bakery, which he has solely owned in West Racine for the past nine years, at 3 a.m. six days a week to help produce up to 1,000 kringles a day.
What to expect as rejuvenated Racine Raiders squad competes for league championship
The Racine Raiders could have written off their season as recently as last week. They entered the postseason with three losses on their resume after two successive undefeated national championship seasons. Their list of injuries was one of the worst that Wilbert Kennedy could remember seeing since becoming the Raiders' coach in 2014. And they were facing their second 700-mile roundtrip to Michigan within three weeks to face an undefeated team.
All-County softball capsules
Jaydin Kiser SCHOOL: Waterford Union High School CLASS: Junior POSITION: Pitcher NOTABLE: Hit .597 with a 1.689 OPS (.614 on base percentage, 1.075 slugging percentage), 12 doubles and one triple and six homers. She scored 14 runs and drove in 21 RBIs. In the circle, she was dominant, pitching to a 6-0 record with a 1.475 ERA and .831 WHIP after returning from missing the first 5 weeks of the season with an injury.
St. Catherine's Miller named to the WFCA Hall of Fame
By PETER JACKEL - The Journal Times, Racine, Wisc. (TNS) Going into the 2004 season, the St. Catherine's High School football team was somewhat in disarray. Four coaches had led the program during the previous 10 seasons and the Angels were coming off an 0-9 record in 2003. Someone was needed to take charge and renew the program. Copyright 2025 Tribune Content Agency.
St. Catherine's Dan Miller named to WFCA Hall of Fame
Going into the 2004 season, the St. Catherine’s High School football team was somewhat in disarray. Four coaches had led the program during the previous 10 seasons and the Angels were coming off an 0-9 record in 2003. Someone was needed to take charge and renew the program. Along came 32-year-old Dan Miller, a starting linebacker on Park’s 1988 WIAA Division 1 championship team who had been an assistant at his alma mater for the previous nine seasons.
Dalton proves important with return prowess for Raiders
RACINE - As he focuses on another kick descending from the sky, Corey Dalton feels a rush of adrenaline. After securing the ball, he turns on his sprinters and the 5-foot-9, 173-pound Dalton is off to the races. "Most of the teams that kick it to me know what I can do with it," the Racine Raiders' kick returner and cornerback said. "On the field, I probably don't look like the most pleasing football player because of my size, until I get the ball.
Dalton proves important with return prowess for Raiders
RACINE — As he focuses on another kick descending from the sky, Corey Dalton feels a rush of adrenaline. After securing the ball, he turns on his sprinters and the 5-foot-9, 173-pound Dalton is off to the races. "Most of the teams that kick it to me know what I can do with it," the Racine Raiders' kick returner and cornerback said. "On the field, I probably don't look like the most pleasing football player because of my size, until I get the ball.
Dan Miller
Going into the 2004 season, the St. Catherine's High School football team was somewhat in disarray. Four head coaches had led the program during the previous 10 seasons and the Angels were coming off an 0-9 record in 2003. Someone was needed to take charge and renew the program. Along came 32-year-old Dan Miller, a starting linebacker on Park's 1988 WIAA Division 1 championship team who had been an assistant at the school for the previous nine seasons.
Season on the line for injury-riddled Raiders in showdown vs. unbeaten Rams
By PETER JACKEL - The Journal Times, Racine, Wisc. (TNS) RACINE - As players who have persevered through an unusually brutal season stretched prior to a recent practice at Horlick Field, Wilbert Kennedy scanned his roster. The injury list was extensive and Kennedy could only hope that an opportunity for rest last weekend - the Raiders' first time off since the season started May 3 - would work wonders for a battered unit. Copyright 2025 Tribune Content Agency.
Season on the line for injury-riddled Raiders in showdown vs. unbeaten Rams
RACINE — As players who have persevered through an unusually brutal season stretched prior to a recent practice at Horlick Field, Wilbert Kennedy scanned his roster. The injury list was extensive and Kennedy could only hope that an opportunity for rest last weekend — the Raiders' first time off since the season started May 3 — would work wonders for a battered unit.
Raiders
RACINE — As players who persevered through an usually brutal season stretched prior to practice at Horlick Field recently, Wilbert Kennedy scanned his roster. The injury list was extensive and Kennedy could only hope many of them would be able to play in Saturday's 6 p.m. rematch against the Motor City Rams in a semifinal matchup of The Players Association in Dearborn Heights, Mich. If that turns out to the case, it would be interesting for the Raiders (8-3).
Prairie, Union Grove dominate first team
By PETER JACKEL - The Journal Times, Racine, Wisc. (TNS) It was another vintage season for the girls soccer teams from Prairie and Union Grove. Despite moving from Division 4 to Division 3 this season, Prairie finished 18-3-0 and advanced to a WIAA sectional championship. Led by two-time All-Racine County Player of the Year Meg Decker, the Hawks boasted four first-team All-County players. Copyright 2025 Tribune Content Agency.
Prairie School senior repeats as player of the year
When Meg Decker's illustrious athletic career at The Prairie School officially came to an unsatisfying end on the afternoon of June 14, she was suddenly forced to sort through an onslaught of emotions. The Hawks had just lost 2-0 to Waukesha Catholic Memorial in a WIAA Division 3 sectional championship on Prairie's home field. Had Prairie not been moved up from Division 4 prior to this season, it might have made its second straight appearance at the state tournament.
All-County girls soccer: Prairie School senior repeats as player of the year
When Meg Decker’s illustrious athletic career at The Prairie School officially came to an unsatisfying end on the afternoon of June 14, she was suddenly forced to sort through an onslaught of emotions. The Hawks had just lost 2-0 to Waukesha Catholic Memorial in a WIAA Division 3 sectional championship on Prairie’s home field. Had Prairie not been moved up from Division 4 prior to this season, it might have made its second straight appearance at the state tournament.
Prairie, Union Grove dominate
It was another vintage season for the girls soccer teams from Prairie and Union Grove. Despite moving from Division 4 to Division 3 this season, Prairie finished 18-3-0 and advanced to a WIAA sectional championship. Led by two-time All-Racine County Player of the Year Meg Decker, the Hawks boasted four first-team All-County players. Union Grove finished 15-6 and advanced to the Division 2 sectional semifinals. The Broncos feature three first-team players.
All-County girls soccer: Prairie's Decker repeats as player of the year
When Meg Decker's illustrious athletic career at The Prairie School officially came to an unsatisfying end on the afternoon of June 14, she was suddenly forced to sort through an onslaught of emotions. The Hawks had just lost 2-0 to Waukesha Catholic Memorial in a WIAA Division 3 sectional championship on Prairie's home field. Had Prairie not been moved up from Division 4 prior to this season, it might have made its second straight appearance at the state tournament.
Banged-up Raiders still hoping to salvage season with important game coming Saturday
By PETER JACKEL - The Journal Times, Racine, Wisc. (TNS) RACINE - It's all hands on deck at this point for the hobbled Racine Raiders, who face an uphill battle in their pursuit of a third consecutive national championship. 5 contenders who could vie for a top finish at Racine Tri-Course championship Copyright 2025 Tribune Content Agency.
Banged-up Raiders still hoping to salvage season with important game coming Saturday
RACINE — It's all hands on deck at this point for the hobbled Racine Raiders, who face an uphill battle in their pursuit of a third consecutive national championship. The Raiders will travel to Dearborn Heights, Michigan, on Saturday for a showdown against the undefeated Motor City Rams with a badly-depleted roster. "We have a lot of injuries," Raiders coach Wilbert Kennedy said. "Anton Graham is done for the year. Niko Lemke, I think he's done. We still don't have (Joe) Garcia back.
5 contenders who could vie for a top finish at Racine Tri-Course championship
For the first time since the Racine Tri-Course Amateur Golf Championship made its official debut on Sept. 1, 1962, it will have a new look. While the tournament will keep its "tri-course" title, only two golf courses will be involved starting this year. With the Racine Country Club discontinuing its connection with the tournament, H.F. Johnson Park will be the site for the first day of competition on Friday, with golfers teeing off at the Meadowbrook Country Club on Saturday and Sunday.
5 contenders who could vie for a top finish at Racine Tri-Course championship
For the first time since the Racine Tri-Course Amateur Golf Championship made its official debut on Sept. 1, 1962, it will have a new look. While the tournament will keep its “tri-course” title, only two golf courses will be involved starting this year. With the Racine Country Club discontinuing its connection with the tournament, H.F. Johnson Park will be the site for the first day of competition on Friday, with golfers teeing off at the Meadowbrook Country Club on Saturday and Sunday.
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