Scholar Athletes

Girls Scholar-Athlete Bios | Boys Scholar-Athlete Bios

STEVENS POINT, Wis. – The Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association has selected the 32 student-athletes to receive the prestigious, statewide 2026 Scholar-Athlete Award, presented by the We Energies Foundation and the Wisconsin Public Service Foundation.

Sixteen boys and 16 girls were selected as top award recipients based on athletic and academic achievement, with four honorees representing each of the four WIAA divisions. This year, 742 seniors were nominated by 379 high schools statewide. Since the program began in 1984, more than 1,344 scholar-athletes have been recognized.

The academic credentials of the 2026 class are impressive. Nineteen of the 32 recipients have maintained a 4.0 grade point average, and collectively have compiled a cumulative GPA of 3.96. Athletically, this year’s honorees have earned a cumulative total of 279 varsity letters through 3 1/2 years of their careers for an average of more than eight letters per recipient.

“On behalf of the WIAA and our membership, it’s an honor to recognize these scholar athletes for the discipline, integrity, and commitment they’ve shown in both the classroom and competition,” WIAA Assistant Director Jake Beschta said. “Their achievements reflect not only personal excellence, but also the support of their families, coaches and schools. We are proud to celebrate students who truly embody the balance of academics and athletics, and we look forward to the positive impact they will continue to make in their communities and beyond.”

The 2026 WIAA Scholar-Athlete recipients will be recognized at an awards ceremony on Sunday, May 3 at SentryWorld in Stevens Point. The keynote speaker will be Wisconsin native Laken James, a former professional basketball player and founder of Five Star Academy.

Of interest this year, Phillips, Bonduel and Mosinee High Schools produced two WIAA Scholar-Athlete Award recipients, including Leah Harper and Gavin Esterholm from Phillips, Mariah Wondra and Ryan Westich from Bonduel, and Taelyn Jirschele and Treve Stoffel from Mosinee.

A live stream of the awards program will be available on the websites of the State Television Network stations, including  WXOW-TV in La Crosse, WQOW-TV in Eau Claire, WAOW-TV in Wausau, WKOW-TV in Madison, WVTV in Milwaukee and WCWF in the Fox Valley at approximately 1 p.m. on May 3. A delayed telecast of the ceremony will be aired Sunday, May 10 at 11 a.m. on the Network’s dot-2 stations.

For more information on the Scholar-Athlete Award and biographies of the boys and girls recipients, access the Scholar-Athlete homepage on the WIAA website at:  https://www.wiaa.org/athletic-resources/awards/scholar-athletes.

2026 WIAA Scholar-Athlete Award Recipients

Below is a list that includes scholar-athlete’s name, hometown and the high school they attend. 

DIVISION 1 – BOYS
Blake Buhr, Sheboygan, Sheboygan North High School
Cooper Erickson, Plover, Stevens Point Area Senior High
McCoy Smith, Dane, Waunakee High School
Caden Van Buren, Cross Plains, Middleton High School

DIVISION 1 – GIRLS
Ella Anschutz, Wind Lake, Muskego High School
Harper Brandenburg, Janesville, Janesville Parker High School
Piper Schuster, Richfield, Slinger High School
Emily Urban, Appleton, Kimberly High School

DIVISION 2 – BOYS
Brodie Allram, Dresser, St. Croix Falls High School
Logan Becker, Fountain City, Aquinas High School
Brody Schaffer, Winneconne, Winneconne High School
Treve Stoffel, Mosinee, Mosinee High School

DIVISION 2 – GIRLS
Josie Brudos, West Salem, West Salem High School
Taelyn Jirschele, Wausau, Mosinee High School
Isabella Kongshaug, Elk Mound, Elk Mound High School
Rory Salvesen, Hatley, Wittenberg-Birnamwood High School

DIVISION 3 – BOYS
Gavin Esterholm, Phillips, Phillips High School
Carson Roemhild, Boyceville, Boyceville High School
Tucker Streit, Edgar, Edgar High School
Ryan Westrich, Bonduel, Bonduel High School

DIVISION 3 – GIRLS
Emmerson Drobac, Deerfield, Deerfield High School
Leah Harper, Phillips, Phillips High School
Hannah Miller, Kewaunee, Kewaunee High School
Mariah Wondra, Cecil, Bonduel High School

DIVISION 4 – BOYS
Bradyn Wendorff, Gillett, Gillett High School
Ryan McCoic, Wonewoc, Hillsboro High School
Chanse Ludescher, Sheldon, Flambeau High School
Heston Hueckman, Prentice, Prentice High School

DIVISION 4 – GIRLS
Mya Dernbach, Almond, Almond-Bancroft High School
Izabel Durst, Barneveld, Barneveld High School
Jordyn Jaglinski, Wisconsin Rapids, Assumption High School
Molly Olson, Monticello, Monticello High School

The WIAA, as defined by its Constitution, is a private, voluntary, unincorporated, and nonprofit organization. The membership oversees interscholastic athletic programs for 514 senior high schools and 30 junior high/middle level schools in its membership.

# WIAA #

Girls Scholar-Athlete Bios | Boys Scholar-Athlete Bios

WIAA SALUTES 32 STATE SCHOLAR-ATHLETE AWARD RECIPIENTS

STEVENS POINT, Wis. – The Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association has selected the 16 senior boys and 16 senior girls to receive the prestigious, statewide 2025 Scholar-Athlete Award, presented by the We Energies Foundation and the Wisconsin Public Service Foundation.

To determine the top 32 award recipients, four boys and four girls were selected based on both athletic and academic achievement from each of the four WIAA divisions. This year, 806 seniors were nominated for the award by 415 high schools throughout the state. More than 1,245 Scholar-Athlete recipients have been recognized since the program began in 1984. 

“Each of these outstanding student-athletes has excelled in academics and athletics,” WIAA Executive Director Stephanie Hauser said. “Twenty-one of this year’s 32 Scholar-Athlete finalists have maintained a perfect 4.0 GPA.

“Together they hold an impressive cumulative GPA of 3.96. Collectively, they’ve already earned 306 varsity letters–an average of 9.56 per athlete–with spring sports still underway,” she continued. “Their dedication both in the classroom and in competition is inspiring.”

The 2025 WIAA Scholar-Athlete recipients will be recognized at an awards ceremony on Sunday, May 4 at SentryWorld in Stevens Point. The keynote speaker will be Mike “Jocko’ Jacques, an award-winning, Emmy-nominated journalist and Wisconsin native.

Of interest this year, both Arrowhead and West Salem High Schools produced two WIAA Scholar-Athletes. Jacquelyn Cox and John Kubisch represent Arrowhead, and Kyle Hehli and Megan Johnson are from West Salem. Additionally, four individuals received the first Scholar-Athlete Award in their school’s history, including Isaac Scheer of Columbus Catholic High School, Molly Duel of Laconia High School, Ben Krauklis of Lakeside Lutheran High School and Kate Schmoll of West De Pere High School.

A live stream of the awards program will be available on the websites of the State Television Network stations, including  WXOW-TV, WQOW-TV, WAOW-TV, WKOW-TV, WVTV and WCWF at approximately 1:20 p.m. on May 4. A delayed telecast of the ceremony will be aired on a future date. More information is available on the WIAA’s website.

For more information on the Scholar-Athlete Award and biographies of the recipients, access the Scholar-Athlete homepage on the WIAA website.

2025 WIAA Scholar-Athlete Award Recipients

Below is a list that includes scholar-athlete’s name, hometown and the high school they attend.

DIVISION 1 – BOYS
John Kubisch, Hartland, Arrowhead High School
Ryan Lang, Sheboygan, Sheboygan North High School
Paolo Pagnucci, Superior, Superior High School
Ray Pember, Menomonie, Menomonie High School

DIVISION 1 – GIRLS
Mackenzie Babcock, Cottage Grove, Monona Grove High School
Jacquelyn Cox, Hartland, Arrowhead High School
Ella Opie, Pewaukee, Pewaukee High School
Kate Schmoll, De Pere, West De Pere High School

DIVISION 2 – BOYS
Layne Aurit, Dodgeville, Dodgeville High School
Jack Hefty, Delavan, Whitewater High School
Kyle Hehli, West Salem, West Salem High School
Ben Krauklis, Lake Mills, Lakeside Lutheran High School

DIVISION 2 – GIRLS
Megan Johnson, La Crosse, West Salem High School
Hailie Krueger, New London, New London High School
Ellie Schiszik, Elk Mound, Elk Mound High School
Addison Schliewe, Sheboygan Falls, Sheboygan Falls High School

DIVISION 3 – BOYS
Blake Thiry, Prairie du Chien, Prairie du Chien High School
Jacob Thornton, La Crosse, Aquinas High School
Jack Tubbs, Stratford, Stratford High School
Jack Schmeling, Holmen, Luther High School

DIVISION 3 – GIRLS
Molly Duel, Eldorado, Laconia High School
Reese Grimm, Arpin, Pittsville High School
Lexi Kuffel, Rice Lake, Cameron High School
Ellen Robinson, Mineral Point, Mineral Point High School

DIVISION 4 – BOYS
Jesse DeBauch, Coleman, Gillett High School
Oliver Post, Potosi, Potosi High School
Isaac Scheer, Marshfield, Columbus Catholic High School
Jared Schultz, Gordon, Northwood High School

DIVISION 4 – GIRLS
Kamdan Johnson, Florence, Florence High School
Sarah Shaw, Port Edwards, Assumption High School
Emily Sorensen, Harvard, Faith Christian High School
Kendall Weiler, Owen, Owen-Withee High School

The WIAA, as defined by its Constitution, is a private, voluntary, unincorporated, and nonprofit organization. The membership oversees interscholastic athletic programs for 513 senior high schools and 36 junior high/middle level schools in its membership.

# WIAA #

Girls Scholar-Athlete Bios | Boys Scholar-Athlete Bios

WIAA SALUTES 32 STATE SCHOLAR-ATHLETE AWARD RECIPIENTS

STEVENS POINT, Wis. – The Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association has selected the 16 senior boys and 16 senior girls to receive the prestigious statewide 2024 Scholar-Athlete Award, presented by the We Energies Foundation and the Wisconsin Public Service Foundation.

To determine the top 32 award recipients, four boys and four girls were selected based on both athletic and academic achievement from each of the four WIAA divisions. This year, 836 seniors were nominated for the award by 422 high schools throughout the state. 

“Each of these remarkable student-athletes has excelled in academics and athletics,” WIAA Assistant Director Tom Shafranski said. “Seventeen of this year’s 32 WIAA Scholar-Athlete finalists have a grade-point average of 4.0 to date.

“When you combine all 32 scholar-athlete GPAs; the average is 3.9,” he added. “This year’s honorees have already earned a total of 323 varsity letters during their first 3 1/2 years of high school. That’s an average of 10 letters per athlete, and we have not yet completed our spring sports season.”

The award recipients will be recognized at the 2024 WIAA Scholar-Athlete Ceremony Sunday, May 5 at SentryWorld in Stevens Point. Joe Delagrave, a two-time Paralypmic medalist and current head coach of the U.S. Wheelchair Rugby Team, will be the keynote speaker. A live stream of the awards program will be available on the websites of the State Television Network stations, including  WXOW-TV, WQOW-TV, WAOW-TV, WKOW-TV, WVTV and WCWF at 1 p.m. A delayed telecast of the ceremony will be aired Sunday, May 12 at 1 p.m. 

For more information on the Scholar-Athlete Award and biographies of the recipients, access the Scholar-Athlete homepage on the WIAA website.

2024 WIAA Scholar-Athlete Award Recipients 

(List includes scholar-athlete’s name, hometown and the high school they attend)

DIVISION 1 – BOYS
Cayden Brandenburg, Janesville, Janesville Parker High School
Aloysius Franzen, Rosholt, Stevens Point Area Senior High
Connor O’Donnell, Racine, South Milwaukee High School
Ben Wozniak, Milwaukee, Milwaukee King High School

DIVISION 1 – GIRLS
Braelee Jodarski, Oshkosh, Oshkosh West High School
Alexa Kinas, Kaukauna, Kaukauna High School
Sara Mlodik, Ringle, D.C. Everest High School
Violet Schulteis, Slinger, Slinger High School

DIVISION 2 – BOYS
Mason Lane, Lodi, Lodi High School
Brock Massey, Mauston, Mauston High School
Sean Nicholas, Pewaukee, Catholic Memorial High School
Owen Plate, Plymouth, Plymouth High School

DIVISION 2 – GIRLS
Ava Dean, McFarland, McFarland High School
Lilie Fouts, Menasha, Xavier High School
Nora Gremban, Eagle River, Northland Pines High School
Eliana Sheplee, Birchwood, Rice Lake High School

DIVISION 3 – BOYS
David Malin, Genoa, Aquinas High School
Eli Prokop, Dresser, St. Croix Falls High School
Teegan Streit, Edgar, Edgar High School
Tegan Werner, Crivitz, Crivitz High School

DIVISION 3 – GIRLS
Lucy Belisle, St. Croix Falls, St. Croix Falls High School
Aubrey Dorn, Chippewa Falls, McDonell Central Catholic High School
Kacy Eggebrecht, Phillips, Phillips High School
Hailee Thompson, Bonduel, Bonduel High School

DIVISION 4 – BOYS
Jared Kaufman, Three Lake, Three Lakes High School
Tanner Lamb, Almond, Almond-Bancroft High School
Ben Matczak, Oconto Falls, Gillett High School
Kevin Ross, Tony, Flambeau High School

DIVISION 4 – GIRLS
Sophia Bablitch, Rosholt, Rosholt High School
Kendall Duellman, Wisconsin Rapids, Assumption High School
Alana Durtschi, Albany, Albany High School
Marah Brett Gruen, Elroy, Royall High School

The WIAA, as defined by its Constitution, is a voluntary, unincorporated, and nonprofit organization. The membership oversees interscholastic athletic programs for 515 senior high schools and 43 junior high/middle level schools in its membership.

Girls Scholar-Athlete Bios | Boys Scholar-Athlete Bios

STEVENS POINT, Wis. – Sixteen senior girls and 16 senior boys have been selected as finalists to receive the prestigious 2023 Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association Scholar-Athlete Award, presented by We Energies Foundation and Wisconsin Public Service Foundation.

More than 1,181 Scholar Athlete finalists have been recognized since the program began in 1984. This year more than 841 seniors were nominated for the 2023 WIAA Scholar-Athlete Award by 454 high schools throughout the state. To determine the top 32 finalists, four boys and four girls were selected based on both athletic and academic achievement from each of the four WIAA divisions.

“Each of these remarkable student-athletes has excelled in academics and athletics,” said Tom Shafranski, Assistant Director of the WIAA. “Fifteen of this year’s 32 WIAA Scholar Athlete finalists have a grade point average of 4.0 to date. All 32 scholar athlete finalists have already earned a total of 294 varsity letters during their first 3-1/2 years of high school. That’s an average of nine letters per athlete, and we have not yet completed our spring sports season.”

Three schools had a finalist for the first time in the 39-year history of the WIAA Scholar-Athlete program, including: Mya Hartjes, University School of Milwaukee; Joey Perry, Winneconne High School, and Lucy Strey, Sun Prairie East High School.

The 2023 WIAA Scholar-Athlete Finalists will be recognized at an awards ceremony Sunday, May 7 at the Hilton Garden Inn in Wausau. Keynote speaker will be Anne Marie Anderson, Emmy Award winning sports broadcaster and one of the most experienced female play-by-play announcers in the country.

A live webcast of the awards ceremony will be streamed on WIAA.TV Sunday, May 7 at 1 p.m. The ceremony will be aired on Bally Sports Wisconsin Thursday, May 18 at 7 p.m. For more information on the WIAA Scholar-Athlete Award program, please visit the Scholar-Athlete Award homepage on the WIAA website. 

2023 WIAA Scholar-Athlete Award Recipients

(List includes Scholar-Athlete’s name, hometown and the high school they attend)

DIVISION 1 – BOYS
Dylan Dettloff, Sheboygan, Sheboygan North High School
Griffin Empey, Stoughton, Stoughton High School
Drew Regnier, Waunakee, Waunakee High School
Tripp Walsh, Hartland, Arrowhead High School

DIVISION 1 – GIRLS
Grace Grocholski, North Prairie, Kettle Moraine High School
Paige Miller, Kaukauna, Kaukauna High School
Lucy Strey, Cottage Grove, Sun Prairie East High School
Dasha Vorontsov, Fitchburg, Oregon High School

DIVISION 2 – BOYS
Rhett Koenig, Prairie du Chien, Prairie du Chien High School
Davin Stoffel, Kronenwetter, Mosinee High School
Tanner Kaufman, Poplar, Northwestern High School
Brett McConkey, Mindoro, West Salem High School

DIVISION 2 – GIRLS
Madilyn Dogs, Kewaskum, Kewaskum High School
Mya Hartjes, Grafton, University School of Milwaukee
Joey Perry, Larsen, Winneconne High School
Rachel Ulrich, Dresser, Osceola High School

DIVISION 3 – BOYS
Landon Deneen, Shell Lake, Shell Lake High School
Caden Healy, Athens, Colby High School
Jackson Ormond, Stratford, Stratford High School
Mitchell Thompson, Kewaunee, Kewaunee High School

DIVISION 3 – GIRLS
Molly Heidorn, Colfax, Colfax High School
Lindsay Steien, Taylor, Blair-Taylor High School
Sophia Lawler, Racine, The Prairie School
Reese Rogowski, Wittenberg, Wittenberg-Birnamwood High School

DIVISION 4 – BOYS
Augustus Fink, Three Lakes, Three Lakes High School
Evan Johnson, Florence, Florence High School
Evan Payne, Eastman, Seneca High School
Dylan Powell, Norwalk, Brookwood High School

DIVISION 4 – GIRLS
Cristin Casey, Wisconsin Rapids, Assumption High School
Lilly Geary, Viola, Kickapoo High Schoo
Carleigh Kaczmarek, Oconto Falls, Gillett High School
Kallie Volk, Three Lakes, Three Lakes High School

The WIAA, as defined by its Constitution, is a voluntary, unincorporated, and nonprofit organization. The membership oversees interscholastic athletic programs for 517 senior high schools and 48 junior high/middle level schools in its membership.

ANDERSON WILL KEYNOTE 2023 SCHOLAR-ATHLETE CEREMONY

STEVENS POINT – Anne Marie Anderson will be the keynote speaker at the 2023 WIAA Scholar-Athlete Awards Ceremony, presented by We Energies Foundation and Wisconsin Public Service Foundation, on Sunday, May 7 at the Hilton Garden Inn in Wausau.

Anne Marie Anderson is a multiple Emmy award winning sports broadcaster and keynote speaker who has worked in a wide variety of roles both behind and in front of the camera. Over the course of her career, she has covered six Olympic games, NBA Playoffs, the Superbowl, Golf’s majors, MLB Playoffs, heavyweight title fights and big games in a variety of collegiate and professional sports.

Anne Marie is known for her versatility having spent time anchoring in the studio, reporting from the field and calling a variety of sporting events live.  As one of the most experienced female play by play announcers in the country, she enjoys the ever-changing landscape of sports and the stories that shape the athletes competing.

While a Division 1 athlete at Hofstra University, Anderson was a student by day and worked for SportsChannel at night.  After graduation she moved on to ESPN where she worked her way up over the course of a decade from production assistant to bureau producer before making the leap to the other side of the camera.

With three Emmy awards under her belt for her behind the scenes contributions to ESPN’s SportsCenter, Anderson set out for a new challenge in front of the camera in 2000.  Since then she has done features and live shots for ESPN’s Outside the Lines, NBA Today and SportsCenter and enjoyed years on the college football sidelines.  It was a short trip from the sidelines to the game table when Anne Marie started calling live events in 2005 now having called professional and collegiate men’s and women’s indoor and beach volleyball, professional and collegiate basketball, soccer, waterpolo, softball and track and field for a variety of networks including ESPN, ABC Sports, NBC, CBS College Sports, Fox Sports and The Pac 12 Network.

Anderson has also worked as a studio host and enjoys mixing it up on the set sparring with her co-anchors.  In addition, she has written Olympic features for ESPN.com and ESPN The Magazine.

An avid sports fan and participant, and mother of three, Anne Marie enjoys playing beach volleyball, running, hiking, swimming…and any game in which you keep score!

The Scholar-Athlete Ceremony will be streamed live on WIAA.TV and will be aired on Bally Sports Wisconsin on May 18 at 7 p.m.

STEVENS POINT, Wis. – Thirty-two student-athletes have been selected as recipients of the prestigious Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association Scholar Athlete Award underwritten by Marshfield Children’s Hospital.

To determine the top 32 finalists, four boys and four girls were selected based on both athletic and academic achievement from each of four WIAA divisions.

Boy's Scholar-Athlete Bios |  Girl's Scholar-Athlete Bios | Photo

“These extraordinary student athletes excel in both academics and athletics,” said Tom Shafranski, Assistant Director of the WIAA. “Sixteen of this year’s 32 WIAA Scholar Athlete finalists have a grade point average of 4.0 to date, while the average GPA is an amazing 3.94.

“All 32 scholar athlete finalists have already earned a total of 291 varsity letters during their first 3-1/2 years of high school,” he continued. “That’s an average of nine letters per athlete, and we have not yet completed our spring sports season.”

This year, more than 830 seniors were nominated for the Scholar Athlete Award by 430 high schools throughout the state.

The Scholar Athlete recipients will be recognized at an awards ceremony Sunday, May 1 at the Hilton Garden Inn in Wausau. Keynote speaker will be Karyn Bye, Olympic Gold Medalist on the U.S. Women’s 1998 Hockey Team and recent inductee in the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame and the National High School Hall of Fame.

Of the more than 400 high schools submitting nominations this year, six schools had a finalist for the first time in the 37-year history of the WIAA Scholar Athlete program, including: Mike Brown, Butternut High School; Brennen Dvorachek, Reedsville High School; Evan Guenther, Monticello High School; Sam Heicher, Lake Country Lutheran High School; Elizabeth Roll, Prescott High School; and Lexie Weier, Mount Horeb High School.

More than 1,100 Scholar Athlete finalists have been recognized since the program began in 1984.

A live webcast of the awards ceremony will be available on WIAA.TV and aired on Bally Sports Wisconsin on a date to be determined following the ceremony.

2022 WIAA Scholar Athlete Award Recipients  (name, hometown and high school)

DIVISION 1 – BOYS
Austin Henderson, Neenah, Neenah High School
Mason King, Wauwatosa, Wauwatosa East High School
Nate Streveler, Stevens Point, Stevens Point Area Senior Hig
Ryan Whynott, Kenosha, Kenosha Tremper High School

DIVISION 1 – GIRLS
Kate Graham, Whitefish Bay, Whitefish Bay High School
Kacey Ott, Slinger, Slinger High School
Lauren Pansegrau, Verona, Middleton High School
Rebecca Siedenburg, Wales, Kettle Moraine High School

DIVISION 2 – BOYS
Simon Bauer, Durand, Durand High School
Jake Engebritson, Rice Lake, Rice Lake High School
Rory Fox, Waukesha, Catholic Memorial High School
Josh Terrian, Pewaukee, Pewaukee High School

DIVISION 2 – GIRLS
Hailey Anchor, Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin Dells High School
Sophie Moravec, Milwaukee, Martin Luther High School
Elizabeth Rohl, River Falls, Prescott High School
Lexie Weier, Mineral Point, Mount Horeb High School

DIVISION 3 – BOYS
Karson Casper, Coleman, Coleman High School
Brennen Dvorachek, Reedsville, Reedsville High School
Tanner Gerber, Cameron, Cameron High School
Sam Heicher, New Berlin, Lake Country Lutheran High School

DIVISION 3 – GIRLS
Bridee Burks, Lancaster, Lancaster High School
Jada Eggebrecht, Phillips, Phillips High School
Alexis Slater, Grantsburg, Grantsburg High School
Ryann Wagner, Lena, Gillett High School

DIVISION 4 – BOYS
Mike Brown, Butternut, Butternut High School
Thomas Derleth, Berlin, Lourdes Academy
Evan Guenther, Monroe, Monticello High School
Taedon Nichols, Siren, Siren High School

DIVISION 4 – GIRLS
Ella Chambers, Mineral Point, Mineral Point High School
Anelise Egge, Viola, Kickapoo High School
Elizabeth Krawze, Laona, Laona High School
Kayci Martensen, Benton, Benton High School

The WIAA, as defined by its Constitution, is a voluntary, unincorporated, and nonprofit organization. The membership oversees interscholastic athletic programs for 516 senior high schools and 45 junior high/middle level schools in its membership.

STEVENS POINT, Wis. – Student-athletes were selected as local recipients of the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association Scholar Athlete Award at schools around the state, but traditional statewide recipients of the award were not determined following the impact of the COVID-19 epidemic on participation during the 2020-21 sports seasons. The criteria for selection of the award was not sufficiently available to determine the statewide recipients.

This year, 748 seniors were nominated for the Scholar Athlete Award by 445 high schools throughout the state.

To determine one boy and one girl eligible to be selected at each members school, school administration applied criteria for both athletic and academic achievement in each of four WIAA divisions.

STEVENS POINT, Wis. — Sixteen senior girls and 16 senior boys have been selected as finalists to receive the prestigious 2020 WIAA Statewide Scholar Athlete Award underwritten by Marshfield Children’s Hospital.

Award Show on FS Wisconsin
Profiles Video
2020 Boys Scholar-Athletes Profiles
2020 Girls Scholar-Athletes Profiles

To determine the top 32 finalists, four boys and four girls were selected based on both athletic and academic achievement from each of four WIAA divisions. More than 1,100 Scholar Athlete finalists have been recognized since the program began in 1984.

“These extraordinary student athletes excel in both academics and athletics,” said Tom Shafranski, Assistant Director of the WIAA. “Sixteen of this year’s 32 WIAA Scholar Athlete finalists have a grade point average of 4.0 to date, while the average GPA is an amazing 3.94.

“All 32 scholar athlete finalists have already earned a total of 313 varsity letters during their first 3-1/2 years of high school,” he said “That’s an average of 10 letters per athlete.”

This year, 857 seniors were nominated for the WIAA Scholar Athlete Award from 437 high schools throughout the state.

The 2020 WIAA Scholar Athlete Award recipients will be recognized in a video to be posted May 15 on the WIAA website (www.wiaawi.org) and broadcast statewide by FS Wisconsin on several dates to be announced. The video includes a special message from Alec Ingold, Las Vegas Raiders fullback and former member of the University of Wisconsin football team. Ingold, who graduated from Bay Port High School in 2015, was a recipient of the WIAA Scholar Athlete Award.

Ingold Message to 2020 Scholar-Athlete Recipients

Each 2020 WIAA Scholar Athlete Finalist will receive a medallion, a certificate, and a special plaque for display in their school’s trophy case.

All student-athletes nominated for the award by their high school athletic directors will receive a medal and be recognized in a manner to be determined locally by school administration. 

2020 Scholar Athlete Finalists      

DIVISION 1 – BOYS
Devon Davey, Elkhorn Area High School
Alec Martzahl, Kimberly High School
Marc Sippel, Wausau West High School
Alex Vance, Oconomowoc High School

DIVISION 1 – GIRLS
Anne Dotzler, Waunakee High School
Brittany Helm, Muskego High School
Maya Novack, Cedarburg High School
Jadin O’Brien, Divine Savior Holy Angels High School

DIVISION 2 – BOYS
Luke Fox, Catholic Memorial High School
Tommy Larson, East Troy High School
Zach Slevin, La Crosse Logan High School
Charlie Stuhl, Ellsworth High School

DIVISION 2 – GIRLS
Laura Beghin, Wisconsin Dells High School
Izzy Carroll, Platteville High School
Katelyn Kitzinger, Marinette High School
Linzy Sendelbach, Arcadia High School

DIVISION 3 – BOYS
Caden Chier, Lourdes Academy
Zachary DeGroot, Aquinas High School
Isaac Lindsey, Mineral Point High School
Max Schwabe, Stratford High School

DIVISION 3 – GIRLS
Kayla Bahr, Aquinas High School
Marissa Ellenbecker, Edgar High School
Kameri Meredith, Colfax High School
Skylar White, River Ridge High School

DIVISION 4 – BOYS
Logan Lillehaug, Frederic High School
Matthew Marcinske, Birchwood High School
Charles Motiff, Washburn High School
Jacob Reichmann, Wauzeka-Steuben High School

DIVISION 4 – GIRLS
Aubrey Schoeneman, Mercer High School
Lauren Shields, Newman Catholic High School
Lauren Steien, Blair-Taylor High School
Kortnie Volk, Three Lakes High School

STEVENS POINT, Wis. — Sixteen senior girls and 16 senior boys have been selected as finalists to receive the prestigious 2019 WIAA Statewide Scholar Athlete Award underwritten by Marshfield Children’s Hospital. 

To determine the top 32 finalists, four boys and four girls were selected based on both athletic and academic achievement from each of four WIAA divisions. More than 1,000 Scholar Athlete finalists have been recognized since the program began in 1984.

“These extraordinary student athletes excel in both academics and athletics,” said Tom Shafranski, WIAA Assistant Director.  “Seventeen of this year’s 32 WIAA Scholar Athlete finalists have a grade point average of 4.0 to date, while the average GPA is an amazing 3.95.

“All 32 scholar athlete finalists have already earned a total of 295 varsity letters during their first 3 1/2 years of high school,” he said. “That’s an average of nine letters per athlete, and we have not yet completed our spring sports season.”

This year, 823 seniors were nominated for the 2019 WIAA Scholar Athlete Award by 417 high schools throughout the state.

The 2019 WIAA Scholar Athlete Finalists, as well as their families and school representatives, will be recognized at an awards ceremony Sunday, May 5 at the Hilton Garden Inn in Wausau. Each 2019 WIAA Scholar Athlete Finalist will receive a medallion and certificate, and will take with them a special plaque for display in their school’s trophy case. 

Lance Allan will serve as the keynote speaker. He is the main sports anchor at Milwaukee’s WTMJ-TV and co-host of Packers Live. He  is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he studied broadcast journalism. Allan interned at WMTV, the Madison NBC affiliate before landing a position at WJFW-TV in Rhinelander. Allan then become weekend sports anchor at Green Bay's WFRV-TV, and after one year, he joined the sports team at WTMJ-TV. He was named the Wisconsin Sportscaster of the Year in 2012 and 2005 by the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association.

A live webcast of the awards ceremony will be available at www.wiaawi.org during and after the ceremony beginning at 1 p.m. on Sunday, May 5. In addition, the delayed broadcast of the awards ceremony will be aired Wednesday, May 15 following the Milwaukee Brewers baseball game telecast.

All student athletes nominated for the award by their high school athletic directors will be presented with a medal at their school in a manner to be determined by the school administration recognizing them as their school’s top male or female scholar athlete.

2019 Scholar Athlete Recipients

DIVISION 1 – BOYS
Ryan Krueger, Marshfield High School
Kevin Meicher, Middleton High School
Austin Thyes, Sheboygan North High School
Malik Tiedt, Burlington High School

DIVISION 1 – GIRLS
Chloe Buescher, Milton High School
Zoe Goodmanson, Pewaukee High School
Reagan Hoopes, Waunakee High School
Kate Jochims, Muskego High School

DIVISION 2 – BOYS
Owen Jelinek, Lodi High School
Shane Liegel, River Valley High School
Andrew Pahnke, McFarland High School
Gervase Thompson IV, Northwestern High School

DIVISION 2 – GIRLS
Dana Feyen, Gale-Ettrick-Trempealeau High School
Madelyn Granica, Amery High School
Emily Neff, Hayward High School
Cassie Schiltz, Luxemburg-Casco High School

DIVISION 3 – BOYS
Cade Christensen, St. Mary’s Springs High School
Dylan Schoenherr, Stratford High School
Grayson Vandenbush, Random Lake High School
David Vannucchi, Luther High School*

DIVISION 3 – GIRLS
Tori Gerber, Cameron High School
Lydia Murphy, Lancaster High School
Alexis Rolph, Lourdes Academy
Megan Scheidt, Aquinas High School

DIVISION 4 – BOYS
Lucas Bukowski, Green Bay NEW Lutheran High School*
Ty Guden, Edgar High School
Noah Kollock, Almond-Bancroft High School*
Jared Payne, Seneca High School

DIVISION 4 – GIRLS
Kenadi Diedrich, Athens High School
Kiana Fall, Clayton High School
Makaylee Kuhn, Hilbert High School
Ashlie Lockington, Bangor High School

*indicates that the student is that school’s first statewide winner. 

The membership of the WIAA oversees interscholastic athletic programs for 511 senior high schools and 49 junior high/middle level schools in its membership. It sponsors 27 championship tournament series in 2018-19. For more information, visit the WIAA website at www.wiaawi.org or contact the WIAA office at (715) 344-8580. 

#  WIAA  #

Release by Kenziegreen Marketing Group & WIAA Communications

STEVENS POINT, Wis. — Sixteen senior girls and 17 senior boys have been selected for the prestigious 2018 WIAA Scholar Athlete Award underwritten by Marshfield Clinic.  

To determine the 33 award recipients, four boys and four girls were selected–based on both athletic and academic achievement–from each of four WIAA divisions. There have been 1,052 individuals that have been recognized as WIAA Scholar Athletes since the program began in 1984.

“These extraordinary student athletes excel in both academics and athletics,” said Tom Shafranski, Assistant Director of the WIAA. “Seventeen of this year’s 33 WIAA Scholar Athlete finalists have a grade point average of 4.0 to date, while the average GPA is an amazing 3.93. 

“All 32 scholar athlete finalists have already earned a total of 299 varsity letters during their first 3-1/2 years of high school,” he continued.  “That’s an average of nine letters per athlete, and we have not yet completed our spring sports season.”

The 2018 WIAA Scholar Athlete Award recipients, as well as their families and school representatives, will be recognized at an awards ceremony Sunday, May 6 at the Jefferson Street Inn in Wausau. A live webcast of the awards ceremony will be available at www.wiaawi.org during and after the ceremony beginning at 1 p.m. The awards program will also be aired on FS Wisconsin Sunday, May 13 at noon.

Each 2018 WIAA Scholar Athlete Finalist will receive a medallion, certificate and commemorative plaque for display in their school’s trophy case. Keynote speaker will be former Green Bay Packer and Wisconsin Badger, Jared Abbrederis, who was also a WIAA Scholar Athlete Award winner in 2009.
 
This year, 881 seniors were nominated for the 2018 WIAA Scholar Athlete Award by 455 high schools throughout the state. Of the 455 high schools submitting nominations this year, three schools had a WIAA Scholar Athlete Award winner for the first time in the 35-year history of the WIAA Scholar Athlete program.

All student athletes nominated for the award by their high school athletic directors will be presented with a medal at their school in a manner to be determined by the school administration recognizing them as their school’s top male or female scholar athlete.

2018 WIAA Scholar Athlete Award Recipients

DIVISION 1 – BOYS
Max Alba, Franklin High School
Ansel Fellman, Kenosha Bradford High School
Jordan Janusiak, South Milwaukee High School
Blake Kretovics, New Richmond High School
 
DIVISION 1 – GIRLS
Kari Brekke, Appleton North High School
Samantha Krueger, River Falls High School
Alexis Romero, Brookfield Central High School
Anna Wilgren, Hudson High School
 
DIVISION 2 – BOYS
Max Barreau, Lodi High School
Dakota Brockman, Freedom High School
Brett Carlson, Osceola High School
Kavanaugh FitzPatrick, Lakeland Union High School
Donny Pooler, Northwestern High School  

DIVISION 2 – GIRLS
Skye Digman, Platteville High School
Rachel Halberg, Hayward High School
Caitlin Link, Edgewood High School
Jenna Mace, Wisconsin Dells High School
 
DIVISION 3 – BOYS
Calvin Rosen, Clear Lake High School
Dawson Sarauer, St. Mary’s Springs High School*
Miles Saylor, Necedah High School
Max Villnow, Amherst High School
 
DIVISION 3 – GIRLS
Erika Kisting, Iola-Scandinavia High School
Elise Large, Ozaukee High School
Allyson Nelson, Brookwood High School
Anika Washburn, Brookfield Academy
 
DIVISION 4 – BOYS
David Burgess, Northland Lutheran High School*
Tanner Deist, Wild Rose High School
Luke Reader, Bangor High School
Elijah Ribbe, Three Lakes High School
 
DIVISION 4 – GIRLS
McKenzie Baeseman, Royall High School
Emma Lawrence, Benton High School
Brianna Leahy, Shullsburg High School*
Carly Vandenhouten, Lourdes Academy
 
*indicates that the student is that school’s first award winner.

STEVENS POINT, Wis.—Sixteen senior girls and 16 senior boys from Mercer to Darlington have been selected as recipients of the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association Scholar Athlete Award underwritten by Marshfield Clinic.

Included in this year’s group of Scholar Athlete winners will be the 1,000th statewide recipient since the program began in 1984.

To determine the top 32 finalists, four boys and four girls were selected--based on both athletic and academic achievement-- from each of four WIAA divisions. “These extraordinary student athletes excel in both academics and athletics,” said Tom Shafranski, Assistant Director of the WIAA. “Seventeen of this year’s 32 WIAA Scholar Athlete finalists have a grade point average of 4.0 to date, while the average GPA is an amazing 3.95. All 32 scholar athlete finalists have already earned a total of 317 varsity letters during their first 3-1/2 years of high school. That’s an average of 10 letters per athlete, and we have not yet completed our spring sports season.”

An all-time record 861 seniors were nominated for the 2017 WIAA Scholar Athlete Award by 439 high schools throughout the state.

The 2017 WIAA Scholar Athlete Award winners, as well as their families and school representatives, will be recognized at an awards ceremony Sunday, May 7 at the Jefferson Street Inn in Wausau.

Each 2017 WIAA Scholar Athlete Award recipients will receive a medallion and certificate, and will take with them aspecial plaque for display in their school’s trophy case. Keynote speaker will be eight-time LPGA Champion and former WIAA Girl’s Golf State Champion, Sherri Steinhauer.

A live webcast of the awards ceremony will be available at www.wiaawi.org during and after the ceremony beginning at 1 p.m. on Sunday, May 7. The ceremony will also be aired on FS Wisconsin Saturday, May 13 at 9:30 p.m.

All student athletes nominated for the award by their high school athletic directors will be presented with a medal at their school in a manner to be determined by the school administration recognizing them as their school’s top male or female scholar athlete.

This year’s list of state scholar athletes features these items of interest:

• Of the 439 high schools submitting nominations this year, five schools had a WIAA Scholar Athlete finalist for the first time in the 34-year history of the WIAA Scholar Athlete program.
• Cudahy High School has its first WIAA Scholar Athlete, Bailey Eichner.
• Emily Hafemann is the first WIAA Scholar Athlete from Martin Luther High School.
• Hayward High School produced its first two scholar athletes in 2017—Xavier Cummings and Lauren Tremblay.
• Phelps High School had its first WIAA Scholar Athlete, Sawyer Rosner.
• Morgan Reinwand is the first WIAA Scholar Athlete from Loyal High School.
• Darlington High School’s ninth WIAA Scholar Athlete is Will Schwartz.
• Anthony Hendrickson is the eighth WIAA Scholar Athlete from Pecatonica High School.
• Stevens Point Area Senior High’s eighth WIAA Scholar Athlete is Emily Luetschwager.

2017 Scholar-Athlete Award Winners

DIVISION 1 – BOYS

Zachary Clayton, Oconomowoc, Oconomowoc High School

Cole Sandvold, Oconomowoc, Arrowhead High School

Calvin Schneider, Oregon, Oregon High School

Danny VandenBoom, Combined Locks, Kimberly High School

DIVISION 1 – GIRLS

Cami Davre, Whitefish Bay, Whitefish Bay High School

Caitlin Locante, Brookfield, Brookfield Central High School

Emily Luetschwager, Stevens Point, Stevens Point Area Senior High

Alyson Weum, Stoughton, Stoughton High School

DIVISION 2 – BOYS

Xavier Cummings, Hayward, Hayward High School*

Adam Kinyon, Lomira, Lomira High School

Clark Otte, Sheboygan Falls, Sheboygan Falls High School

Logan Walzer, Lodi, Lodi High School

DIVISION 2 – GIRLS

Bailey Eichner, Cudahy, Cudahy High School*

Emily Hafemann, Hales Corners, Martin Luther High School*

Brita Hovde, Madison, Edgewood High School of the Sacred Heart

Lauren Tremblay, Hayward, Hayward High School*

DIVISION 3 – BOYS

Cole Bay, Glidden, Chequamegon High School

Jordan Blanchard, Coleman, Coleman High School

Kamren Bornbach, Stratford, Stratford High School

Will Schwartz, Darlington, Darlington High School

DIVISION 3 – GIRLS

Amanda Kind, Marathon, Marathon High School

Brittany Schaller, Elkhart Lake, Howards Grove High School

Sydney Staver, Mineral Point, Mineral Point High School

Katie Van Scyoc, Markesan, Lourdes Academy

DIVISION 4 – BOYS

Caiden Haake, Pepin, Pepin High School

Anthony Hendrickson, Hollandale, Pecatonica High School

Sawyer Rosner, Phelps, Phelps High School*

Logan Scoville, De Soto, De Soto High School

DIVISION 4 – GIRLS

Mackinzie Fall, Clayton, Clayton High School

Morgan Reinwand, Loyal, Loyal High School*

Katie Stegeman, Coleman, Suring High School

Sydney Thompson, Mercer, Mercer High School

*indicates that the student is that school’s first statewide winner.

# WIAA #

Contact: Kirk Howard, Kinziegreen Marketing Group, 715-845-4251, [email protected]

STEVENS POINT, Wis. – Sixteen senior girls and 16 senior boys have been selected as recipients of the prestigious WIAA Scholar Athlete Award underwritten by Marshfield Clinic.

The 2016 recipients, their families and school representatives will be recognized at an awards ceremony Sunday, May 1 at the Jefferson Street Inn in Wausau.  

Each WIAA Scholar Athlete Finalist will receive a medallion, certificate, and a special plaque for display in their school’s trophy case. Keynote speaker will be former UW-Madison, UW-Green Bay and UW-Stevens Point men’s basketball coach, Dick Bennett.
 
To determine the top 32 finalists, four boys and four girls were selected–based on both athletic and academic achievement–from each of four WIAA divisions. To view information on all 32 recipients, visit the Scholar Athlete page.

“These student athletes’ accomplishments are incredible,” said Tom Shafranski, assistant director of the WIAA. “Sixteen of this year’s 32 WIAA Scholar Athlete finalists have a grade point average of 4.0 to date, while the average GPA is 3.90. 

“All 32 scholar athlete finalists have already earned a total of 296 letters during their first 3 1/2 years of high school” he said. “That’s an average of nine letters per athlete, and we have not yet completed our Spring sports season.”
 
More than 820 seniors were nominated for the 2016 WIAA Scholar Athlete Award by 420 high schools throughout the state. Since 1984 when the WIAA Scholar Athlete recognition began, every WIAA-member high school has been invited to nominate one boy and one girl for the WIAA Scholar Athlete award.

2016 Scholar Athlete Award Recipients    

DIVISION 1 – BOYS
Matthew Munns, Madison West
Mason Stokke, Menomonie
Matt Stoll, West Bend West
Noah Trimark, Kenosha Bradford*
 
DIVISION 1 – GIRLS
Alyssa Barnes, Neenah
Katie Hietpas, Sun Prairie
Madison Marko, Kenosha Bradford*
Aubrey Roberts, Eau Claire Memorial

DIVISION 2 – BOYS
John Maki, Mauston
Daniel Pederson, Spooner*
Austin Powell, Sauk Prairie*
Lucas Scherr, Gale-Ettrick-Trempealeau*
 
DIVISION 2 – GIRLS
Alicia Monson, Amery
Brittany Rhyner, Dodgeville
Katrina Santos, East Troy
Bailey Schmidt, Gale-Ettrick-Trempealeau*
 
DIVISION 3 – BOYS
Blake Cwynar, Darlington
Garrett Groshek, Amherst
Kevin Koski, Chequamegon*
Brady Schoenecker, Cameron
 
DIVISION 3 – GIRLS
Shae Brey, Regis
Kaitlyn Kaiser, Cuba City
Ellie Lochner, Phillips
Briana Nelson, Brookwood
 
DIVISION 4 – BOYS
Ryan Asher, Elmwood*
Logan Carroll, Pepin
Tanner Hudziak, Wild Rose
Kellen Kravik, Bangor
 
DIVISION 4 – GIRLS
Gena Grundhoffer, Assumption
Alyssa Kavajecz, South Shore
Taylor Schneider, Turtle Lake*
Kelly Tramburg, Fall River
 
*indicates that the student is that school’s first statewide winner.
  
All student athletes nominated for the award by their high school athletic directors will be presented with a medal at their school in a manner to be determined by the school administration recognizing them as their school’s top male or female scholar athlete.
  
The membership of the WIAA oversees interscholastic athletic programs for 511 senior high schools and 43 junior high/middle level schools in its membership. It sponsors 24 championship tournament series in 2015-16.

# WIAA #

Release compiled by Kirk Howard, Kinziegreen Marketing Group

STEVENS POINT, Wis. – Sixteen senior girls and 16 senior boys statewide have been selected as recipients of the prestigious WIAA Scholar Athlete Award underwritten by Marshfield Clinic.

The 2015 recipients, their families and school representatives will be recognized at an awards ceremony Sunday, May 3 at the Jefferson Street Inn in Wausau.  Each 2015 WIAA Scholar Athlete Finalist will receive a medallion, certificate, and a special plaque for display in their school’s trophy case. Keynote speaker will be Michelle McGrath, executive director of the Wisconsin Association of School Councils.

To determine the top 32 finalists, four boys and four girls were selected–based on both athletic and academic achievement–from each of four WIAA divisions.  

“These student athletes’ accomplishments are incredible,” said Tom Shafranski, assistant director of the WIAA. “Eighteen of this year’s 32 WIAA Scholar Athlete finalists have a grade point average of 4.0 to date, while the average GPA is 3.90. 

“All 32 scholar athlete finalists have already earned a total of 301 letters during their first 3 1/2 years of high school,” he said.  “That’s an average of 9 letters per athlete, and we have not yet completed our Spring sports season.”

More than 800 seniors were nominated for the 2015 WIAA Scholar Athlete Award by more than 400 high schools throughout the state. Since 1984 when the WIAA Scholar Athlete recognition began, every WIAA-member high school has been invited to nominate one boy and one girl for the WIAA Scholar Athlete award. 

All student athletes nominated for the award by their high school athletic directors will be presented with a medal at their school in a manner to be determined by the school administration recognizing them as their school’s top male or female scholar athlete.

2015 Scholar-Athlete Award Recipients

DIVISION 1 – BOYS
Olin Hacker, Madison West 
Alec Ingold, Bay Port
Thomas Negaard, Stevens Point
Mason Reinhardt, Merrill 

DIVISION 1 – GIRLS
Hannah Beilke, Stevens Point 
Morgan Marnholtz, Merrill 
Maddie McCue, Milton 
Arianna Opsahl, DeForest 

DIVISION 2 – BOYS
Ty DeForest, Marshall 
Benjamin Eidenschink, Nekoosa
John Roddick, Sparta*
Zachary Whiting, Ashland

DIVISION 2 – GIRLS
Meredith Gallagher, Lodi
Julia Kaster, Clinton
Sarah Schumacher, Whitewater
Taylor Stanek, Dodgeville

DIVISION 3 – BOYS
Kal Gerber, Cameron
Christian Pillath, Coleman
Thomas Schultz, Darlington
Nathaniel Tranel, Lancaster

DIVISION 3 – GIRLS
Kyncaide Diedrich, Athens
Emily Kind, Marathon
Shay Lierman, Cuba City
Chloe Wanink, Cameron

DIVISION 4 – BOYS
Jacob Jurss, Sheboygan Lutheran*
Collin McCarville, Port Edwards
Bryce Niemi, Owen-Withee
Alex Stevenson, De Soto

DIVISION 4 – GIRLS
Erica Gehl, Hilbert
Britley Grulke, Hustisford
Betsy Schreier, Cashton
Rachel Slaney, Barneveld
*indicates that the student is that school’s first statewide winner.

A webcast of the awards ceremony will be available at www.wiaawi.org during and after the ceremony beginning at 1 p.m. on Sunday, May 3.