STEVENS POINT, Wis. – The Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association, in cooperation with Rural Mutual Insurance Company, has selected the team Sportsmanship Award winners for the 2025 fall State Tournaments.
The recipients of the awards are Cochrane-Fountain City in football, McFarland in boys’ soccer, Watertown Luther Prep in girls’ volleyball and Altoona in girls’ team tennis.
The WIAA/Rural Insurance Sportsmanship Award is presented to one school program and community–or communities in the case of cooperative programs–in each of the State team tournaments that demonstrates outstanding sportsmanship. Award winners are determined by the conduct and sportsmanship displayed by athletes, coaches, cheer and support groups, mascots, bands and spectators. Additional consideration is given for the effort of school administrators and chaperones to ensure support for their teams are positive and that the highest ideals of sportsmanship are demonstrated.
Cochrane-Fountain City was chosen for the award with its display of outstanding sportsmanship at the State Football Finals, which was held at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wis., on Nov. 20-21. The Pirates earn the school’s third Sportsmanship Award. Cochrane-Fountain City is the recipient of the award in gymnastics in 2002 and in boys’ basketball in 2014. The Pirates finished runner-up in Division 7 after falling to Kenosha St. Joseph Catholic in the program’s first appearance in the championship game. Participants in the 8-player and 11-player finals receiving honorable mention are Darlington, Gilman, Grafton and McDonell Central Catholic.
McFarland receives the award in boys’ soccer with its display of enthusiasm and sportsmanship on the field and in the stands during the State Boys Soccer Tournament at Uihlein Soccer Park in Milwaukee on Nov. 6-8. The Spartans, the #3 seed, fell 1-0 to #2 seed Notre Dame in their Division 3 semifinal contest. They advanced to the State Tournament for the sixth time in program history. It’s the fourth time McFarland has earned the Sportsmanship Award and the second time for boys’ soccer. The first came in 2018. The other two recognitions came in girls’ soccer in 2007 and in girls’ volleyball in 2021. Arcadia, Hudson, Madison West and Marquette received honorable mention.
Watertown Luther Prep is the recipient of the award for the State Girls Volleyball Tournament, which was held at the Resch Center in Green Bay on Nov. 5-8. The Phoenix earn the school’s first Sportsmanship Award in any sport. Luther Prep’s stellar sportsmanship was showcased during a 25-17, 25-20, 25-13 sweep over Luther in the Division 3 semifinal and its 20-25, 26-24, 23-25, 21-25 loss to Manitowoc Lutheran in the championship game. Schools receiving honorable mention were Barron, Blair-Taylor, Florence, Heritage Christian, Luther, Luxemburg-Casco, Montello and Newman Catholic.
Altoona is the winner of the award for its display of sportsmanship at the State Girls Team Tennis Tournament held Oct. 24-25 at Nielsen Tennis Stadium in Madison. It’s the third time the Railroaders have been awarded the honor in girls’ tennis, and it’s the fourth time they have received the recognition overall. The previous selections were in girls’ tennis in 2001 and 2023, and in girls’ volleyball in 2015. In October, the Railroaders finished State runner-up after defeating St. Mary Catholic 4-3 in their Division 2 semifinal match before falling 6-1 to Shorewood in the championship match.
Award winners receive a trophy and banner in recognition of the honor. Schools receiving honorable mention are acknowledged with a certificate of recognition. The selection process includes contributions and evaluations from contest officials, tournament management, police and security personnel, crowd control and ushers, WIAA staff members, and area hotels and restaurants on occasion.
The WIAA, as defined by its Constitution, is a private, voluntary, unincorporated, and nonprofit organization. The membership oversees interscholastic athletic programs for 515 senior high schools and 30 junior high/middle level schools in its membership. For more information, please contact the WIAA office at (715) 344-8580.
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