Division 1
Ella Anschutz, Muskego High School - 3.92 GPA
Anschutz won back-to-back individual cross country championships her sophomore and junior seasons and was State runner-up her senior year.
She helped the Warriors win a State team title as a freshman. Anschutz earned back-to-back State championships in the 3,200-meter run as a sophomore and junior, and she ran to the State track & field title in the 1,600-meter run as a freshman. Reflecting, she shares, “The greatest lessons that I have learned in my high school academic and athletic experiences are not to compare myself to others, progress is not linear, and to focus on and be present in the moment. I have learned to focus on myself and what I have, because no two people are alike and meant to be on the same pathways in life.” She plans to study accounting at UW-Madison while participating in cross country and track.
Harper Brandenburg, Janesville Parker High School - 4.0 GPA
A 4.0 student, Brandenburg is a three-time team MVP in track & field. She is a three-time Big 8 Conference first team track & field
selection, three-time track & field State qualifier, finishing sixth in the 400-meter dash at State her freshman year. She is a three-time letterwinner in basketball, and she lettered once in volleyball and wrestling. Brandenburg writes, “When I reflect on my high school career, I will remember a well-balanced relationship between academics and athletics. While the intensity of the bond created stressful situations, the life skills that I obtained through the adversity will be everlasting. Effort creates a spark; the spark creates desire and desire creates dedication.” She plans to study accounting at Anderson University in South Carolina and participate in track & field.
Piper Schuster, Slinger High School - 3.9 GPA
Schuster is a four-time first team all-conference cross country performer helping the Owls win four cross country conference team
titles. She raced to three individual cross country sectional championships, and Schuster was a member of the State championship team as a sophomore. As a junior, she earned a State runner-up finish in the 3,200-meter run. She shares, “My biggest takeaway from running and academics is really quite simple. With hard work and dedication, you can achieve anything. Whether it be in the classroom, running, or in my life forward, I will forever cherish these lessons.” Schuster plans to study biology and participate in cross country and track and field at Lipscomb University.
Emily Urban, Kimberly High School - 4.0 GPA
Urban was named to the Fox Valley Association all-conference first team in soccer three times and helped the Papermakers earn two
sectional championships as a sophomore and junior. The 4.0 student was a three-time letterwinner and a member of the State champion basketball team her junior year. She writes, “Failure showed me areas I needed to put forward more effort, adjust my preparation, or change my overall mindset. Instead of dwelling on those losses, I used them as motivation to be better the next time around. By treating failure as constructive criticism, I have developed great skills of resilience, a stronger work ethic, and confidence in my abilities.” Urban plans to attend UW-Milwaukee this fall to study kinesiology and play soccer.
Division 2
Josie Brudos, West Salem High School - 3.9 GPA
Brudos was named to the All-Coulee Conference first team three times in basketball and softball, and twice in volleyball. She helped the Panthers earn two
sectional championships her freshman and sophomore season and conference championships all four of her seasons. Brudos was also a three-time team MVP and two-time conference MVP in softball while earning all-league honors in volleyball as a senior. She reflects, “High school sports have played a powerful role in developing many of my defining qualities, but none more important than being grounded and balanced. Whether that is facing a tough opponent, a difficult exam, or a disappointing loss, I have learned to confront challenges head-on rather than avoid them. I discovered that failure is not something to fear, but an opportunity to learn, reflect, and improve.” Brudos plans to attend Winona State University to study movement science and play softball.
Taelyn Jirschele, Mosinee High School - 4.0 GPA
First in her class with a 4.0 and a 12-time letterwinner, Jirschele earned back-to-back trips to State in track & field as a freshman and
sophomore, with a third-place finish at State in the long jump her freshman year and was a member of the State runner-up in the 4x400 meter relay that season. Jirschele was a member of the State runner-up softball team her sophomore year, and she earned first team All-Great Northern Conference honors in basketball three times, once in volleyball and once in cross country. She writes, “I've learned that growth happens outside of your comfort zone. Whether it was pushing through a hard workout, being a leader, or challenging myself in difficult classes, I discovered that discomfort is a sign of progress.” Jirschele plans to study business and play softball at Northwestern University.
Isabella Kongshaug, Elk Mound High School - 4.0 GPA
Kongshaug is a three-time State golf champion, earning the title her sophomore, junior and senior seasons. A 4.0 student, she is a four-time Clover-Croix
first team all-conference golf selection, as well as the four-time conference player of the year. On the basketball court, she helped the Mounders earn a trip to State her junior season, as well as three conference championships. She writes, “The greatest lesson I learned was that success isn't everything; instead focus on sharing memories with the people you love. I’ve realized what my love for sports and academics truly is: the opportunity to make memories, bond, laugh, and share love with others.” Kongshaug plans to study finance and play golf at North Dakota State University.
Rory Salvesen, Wittenberg-Birnamwood High School - 4.0 GPA
First in her class with a 4.0, Salvesen is a two-time sectional cross country team champion and a two-time Central Wisconsin
Conference-East Division basketball champion. She is a three-time first team all-conference selection in cross country, basketball and softball, and she helped the Chargers earn a regional championship in softball her sophomore year. She writes, “Because my four years have been full of countless highs and lows, whether it be because of competing in a sport or taking a challenging course, I’ve had to learn how to not let these victories or failures affect who I am. Through my faith, I have learned that my God has a plan for me, and everything happens for a reason.” She plans to study kinesiology at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities and play softball.
Division 3
Emmerson Drobec, Deerfield High School - 3.97 GPA
Drobac is a four-time All-Trailways South Conference cross country runner of the year, a four-time team MVP and three-time first team all-state selection in
the sport. Her efforts led to State individual championships her junior and senior seasons. In track & field, she helped her team earn a State championship her sophomore season and earned conference MVP. The three-time letterwinner in basketball was a first team all-conference selection her junior and senior years and conference MVP as a senior. She writes, “Winning is rewarding but the journey has taught me more than the medals ever could. I learned that success is not defined by talent alone, but by the willingness to work harder than expected and stay committed when things become difficult.” She plans to study psychology at UW-Madison while participating in cross country and track & field.
Leah Harper, Phillips High School - 3.9 GPA
Harper is a nine-time letterwinner. She received Marawood Conference first team all-conference honors three times in cross country
and is a three-time team sectional cross country champion. She has lettered twice in track & field and earned all-league honors twice and MVP accolades her junior year. Harper earned a State track & field championship in the 1,600-meter relay her freshman year. In addition, she lettered three years in basketball and was a member of two conference championship squads. She writes, “I have learned that the key to success is balance. If I don’t find the perfect balance I either get burnt out or I fall behind. Learning to balance academics, sports, extracurricular activities and more has allowed me to become a better athlete, student, teammate, and leader. I will be able to apply each of these roles later in life and will become a better person because of them.” Harper will further her studies at UW-Stevens Point while participating in cross country and track & field.
Hannah Miller, Kewaunee High School - 4.0 GPA
Ranked first in her class with a 4.0 GPA, Miller has reached the podium a combined six times at the State cross country and track & field championships.
She finished third at the State track & field meet in the 800-meter and 1,600-meter runs her junior season and was third at the State cross country championships in 2025. Miller has broken six school records in cross country and track & field. She has earned first team all-conference cross country honors four times and was voted conference cross country MVP three seasons. In her essay, she writes, “Thanks to balancing academics and athletics, I am now able to prioritize, structure routines, maximize efficiency, and avoid burnout. These skills will help me greatly as I continue my academic and athletic career collegiately. I will also be able to apply them throughout the rest of my life.” Miller plans on attending UW-La Crosse to study psychology.
Mariah Wondra, Bonduel High School - 4.0 GPA
She is first in her class academically with a 4.0 GPA, Wondra is a nine-time letterwinner. She is a three-time cross country team MVP
and all-conference performer. Wondra is two-time team track MVP and conference event champion as a junior. She brought home an individual cross country sectional championship her senior year, and she helped the Bears earn sectional championships in cross country her sophomore and junior seasons, as well as a track & field sectional championship her junior year. She writes, “One of the greatest lessons I’ve learned is the importance and impact of a strong work ethic. My hard work in academics and athletics have allowed me to attain some of my greatest life accomplishments.” Wondra plans to study nutritional science at UW-Milwaukee.
Division 4
Mya Dernbach, Almond-Bancroft High School - 3.97 GPA
Dernbach is a 10-time letterwinner, including four in volleyball and three in both basketball and softball heading into this spring. She was a two-time team
MVP in all three sports. A three-time regional champ in softball, Dernbach was named to the Central Wisconsin-South all-conference first team three times in softball, twice in volleyball and twice in basketball. She was voted conference MVP in both volleyball and basketball her senior year. Dernbach helped the Eagles earn a softball sectional championship her junior season. She writes, “Nothing is handed to you, if you want something you have to work for it. This lesson was mainly taught to me through sports. I worked harder to become the best version of myself and I saw the results.” Dernbach plans to study kinesiology at UW-Madison this fall.
Izabel Durst, Barneveld High School - 4.0 GPA
A 4.0 student, Durst is an 11-time letterwinner, including three letters in basketball, track & field and soccer, and two in cross country. 
She helped the Golden Eagles earn back-to-back sectional championships in basketball, bringing home the silver ball from State her junior season. Durst is a four-time first team all-conference selection in basketball and three-time, all-league performer in track & field and once in cross country. She holds her school’s record in the 4x100 meter relay. She reflects, “Learning to set a good example now will help me in the future when I face bigger responsibilities. High school has shown me that leadership is not just about what you say, but about what you do every day even when you think no one is watching.” She plans to play basketball and study elementary education at UW-Parkside.
Jordyn Jaglinski, Assumption High School - 3.96 GPA
First in her class academically with a 3.96 GPA, Jaglinski helped lead her basketball team to a State championship her junior year and she was voted
Marawood Conference basketball MVP her senior year. The 10-time letterwinner is a four-time team cross country State qualifier, a three-time conference team champion in cross country, and she helped her team reach the State Tournament twice in softball. She reflects, “Athletics taught me not to run from pressure, but to step up when it matters most. School showed me that success doesn’t just happen in big moments–it comes from the quiet work no one sees. Because of these experiences, I’ve grown into someone who stays calm, takes responsibility, and keeps pushing forward even when things get tough.” She plans to study nursing and play basketball at Augustana University in Sioux Falls.
Molly Olson, Monticello High School - 4.0 GPA
With a 4.0 GPA and first in class rank academically, Olson contributed to a State basketball championship her sophomore year and a State-runner-up finish
her senior year. She is a four-time, All-Capital Conference first team performer in cross country and a two-time All-Six Rivers-East Conference selection in basketball. She was voted cross country team MVP three times and co-player of the year in the Six Rivers East Conference in basketball her senior year. The 10-time letterwinner is also a two-time all-conference selection and team MVP in softball. She writes, “Sports taught me how to overcome adversity and the value of hard work. I have always been someone who is underestimated on the court because of my size, but I have never let the doubts weaken me. Instead, I have used them as motivation to put in the extra time.” Olson plans to study biology as a pre-med major at Lawrence University.