Josh wrote a feature article on Whitewater High School cross country runner Ben Cipriano for the Daily Union.
Click here to check it out.
Showing posts with label Prep Thursday. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Prep Thursday. Show all posts
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Prep volleyball previews
Thursday, August 26, 2010
More fall previews.
Josh has been working his Fort Atkinson beat for the Daily Union. Check out his fall previews below.
More to come.
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Prep Thursday: How did they do?
To conclude this season’s Prep Thursday coverage, let’s take a look to see how previous featured teams and players have fared down the stretch of the spring season.
May 27 – Kettle Moraine Lutheran Soccer, Samantha and Abigail Hoerchner.
Since I Am Sportacus talked with the sister scoring duo, the Flyway Conference champion Kettle Moraine Lutheran soccer team has become Division 3 Regional champions. The No. 1 seeded Chargers defeated Living Word Lutheran, 3-0 and Brookfield Academy 2-1 to advance on to Sectionals. KML is the host school for the Sectional and will attempt to return to the State tournament on their home field. The Chargers take on Cedar Grove-Belgium tonight for the opportunity to play in the Sectional final.
May 20 – Michael Handel, Sun Prairie Baseball
Handel threw a perfect game when I Am Sportacus spoke with him. His Cardinal baseball team went on to tie rival Middleton for the Big Eight Conference championship. Sun Prairie earned a No. 2 seed in its WIAA Division 1 Regional but was bounced by No. 10 Oshkosh North, 8-0, after receiving a first-round bye. North went on to the Sectional final before losing to Madison LaFollette.
May 13 – Eileen Gehring; Edgewood track and field
Gehring had a hectic WIAA Division 1 State Track and Field meet. She brought home three medals, two of which were the gold variety. After finishing second in qualifying heats, Gehring won the 100-meter dash title with a raced clocked at :12.11. She also won the 400-meter championship. She had the fastest prelim time at :57.75 and lowered it to :56.72 to win the 400 finals. She took sixth in the 200-meter dash, clocking :26.09.
May 6 – Lancaster softball
The Flying Arrows finished the regular season undefeated en route to winning the Southwest Wisconsin Conference with a 14-0 record. River Valley finished a distant second at 12-3. Lancaster will play in a Division 3 Sectional final versus Poynette Friday. The No. 1 seeded Flying Arrows have allowed just four runs to be scored by opponents while marching through the Regional and Sectional semifinal. Lancaster won convincingly over Darlington, Mineral Point and Riverdale to reach Sectionals. Once there, the Flying Arrows (23-0) defeated La Crosse Aquinas 4-2 to get one game away from the State tourney.
April 22 – Waterloo Baseball
Waterloo tied pre-season favorite Wisconsin Heights with an 11-5 record to claim a share of the Capitol-South Conference title. The Pirates earned a No. 2 seed in their Division 3 Regional and a first round bye. Waterloo got past Deerfield before falling to Capitol Conference crossover rival Watertown Luther Prep, 1-0. Luther Prep proved to be a formidable foe, advancing all the way to the Sectional final before succumbing to La Cross Aquinas.
The I Am Sportacus team would like to congratulate all prep athletes on their successful season. I Am Sportacus would like to extend a sincere thank you to all the coaches and players who have participated in Prep Thursday interviews. Please check the blog regularly this summer until Prep Thursday features begin again in the fall.
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Goals Galore -- Hoerchner sisters, KML eye state title repeat
The Kettle Moraine Lutheran High School girls’ soccer team had lofty expectations coming into the 2010 season. After all, as defending Division 3 WIAA State champions, the bar was set pretty high.
In addition to getting back to the state meet, the Chargers wanted to win the Flyway Conference, after finishing third a year ago. The Hoerchner sisters, Samantha and Abigail, have helped the Chargers reach that goal, pouring in 54 of the team’s 81 goals this season. As a team, Kettle Moraine Lutheran (15-2-1 overall, 13-0-0 Flyway) has outscored its opponents 81-11.
The duo has relished the opportunity to play with one another.
“To be able to share memories and accomplishments with each other is something not everyone gets to experience. It helps our game because we can rely on each other for support, advice and improvement,” said Samantha.
“It is definitely a special experience that not everyone gets the opportunity to have,” said Abigail.
Head coach Matt Moeller said the sisters have great instincts with one another and have unspoken communication.
“We kind of have this telepathy out on the field. We know where to play the ball so that the other can run onto it,” said Abigail.
Samantha, a senior, is co-captain and has used her four years of varsity experience to mentor her sophomore sister and the rest of the Chargers.
“She is a tremendous leader and very encouraging to the team,” said Moeller.
“Because I understand what it takes to be successful during a season, I am able to relay this message to the team,” said Samantha, who has scored 29 goals this season.
“Sam has always encouraged me to keep my ‘head on straight’ during the game,” said Abigail. “She has taught me to maintain my composure throughout play. I have also learned from her how to be a leader out there and always stay positive.”
Although Abigail, who has recorded 25 goals and 12 assists, learned plenty from her big sister, she’s shared a few things with Samantha too, such as improved ball control and physical play.
“Abbey’s specialty is definitely dribbling and ball control. She is even helping me improve in those areas of my game,” said Samantha.
Moeller said that while Samantha, who recorded a hat trick in a conference win over Oakfield Tuesday, is more of a finesse style of player while Abigail is more physical. He said they complement one another.
The coach’s comments might be an understatement considering the prolific scoring performance from the sisters this season. Despite, the duo’s success on the field, Moeller said there isn’t a sibling rivalry and both Hoerchner sisters are humble, looking to deflect praise onto their teammates.
“I wouldn’t say there’s a rivalry,” said Abigail. “We’re pretty unselfish, so it is definitely a cooperative effort. I like setting up and assisting Sam and the other girls on the team.”
“(It’s) definitely a cooperative effort,” said Samantha. “Soccer is such a team sport. Whenever Abbey or I score it is because our teammates get us the ball. It is all because of them.”
With the Flyway title clinched, the team will search for success in the post-season. They have an opportunity to qualify for the state meet on their home field, as they are the host school for their Division 3 Sectional.
“As we’re coming into the post-season, another visit to the state tournament would be nice, but we’re focusing and taking it one game at a time,” said Abigail.
“Of course we have the state championship in our focus … Right now, we are focused on becoming the best team possible to play competitively in the state tournament,” said Samantha.
The Hoerchner sisters’ coach is very optimistic about hosting. The team has put themselves in a position to earn a No. 1 seed in the regional, and will find out Friday if they receive it.
“It’s a huge advantage. The girls are more comfortable there … and they can get their routine better for each game,” said Moeller about playing at home. “We want to finish strong in the regular season so we’re ready for the state tournament. We need to start by winning the regional and then we’ll focus on sectionals.”
No matter what happens, both girls will take a lot from the experience.
“I will remember all of the memories we’ve created thus far,” said Samantha. “We are such a close-knit team, and I believe that has attributed to our success.”
“I like having the sisterly support both on and off the field, and being able to share all our memorable sports moments together,” said Abigail. “Honestly, I’ll remember it all.
“I was always playing with my big sister. That’s the way it’s been, and it’s definitely going to be different without her next year.”
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Bonus Prep Thursday coverage!
Just in case you need more prep feature coverage, Josh wrote an article for the Daily Union about Fort Atkinson pitcher Emilie Bakken and her grandfather/assistant coach Paul Olson enjoying their final season of softball together.
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Lancaster softball has sights on State berth
Though Prairie du Chien was the Lancaster softball team’s biggest threat in the Southwest Wisconsin Conference, coach Jeff Pross expects River Valley to challenge Lancaster this spring.
The Flying Arrows defeated the Blackhawks 3-2 on Tuesday, and they now stand a half game up on River Valley (9-2, 6-1) in the conference standings. Pross said he and his players like their chances of repeating as Southwest Wisconsin champs.
The teams also met April 15 and the game was suspended in the top of the ninth tied at 2, and it will be continued on May 20 with a second game to follow, which could crown a conference champion.
“I think we got a pretty darn good chance,” he said. “We return a lot of players, and the girl that pitches is tough. She works her tail off. She plays on the Wisconsin Bandits team so she’s pretty much playing year round. All she does is play softball.”
When the Lancaster High School softball team won the Southwest Wisconsin Conference championship and qualified for the WIAA State tournament, it was a young squad.
All but three players return to this year’s team, and they are looking to build on the success and experience they received last season. Comprised of mostly sophomores and juniors – including all-state honorable mention center fielder Emily Kjos – the Flying Arrows have their goals set high according to their coach.
Pross explained the team lost senior starting pitcher Brittany Caley, but sophomore Taylor Holzinger, who went 6-0 as a freshman, is ready to shoulder the load on the pitching mound.
“I had a group of four sophomores that have played since they were freshman. They played really well for me,” Pross said. “As far as (2009) seniors go, I only had three seniors that started. There were the three seniors, and the rest were basically sophomores.”
The coach also made some adjustments to the infield this year, moving junior Madison Wagner from second base to shortstop, and installing Ally Stenner, a junior, at second.
Katie Landon, who led the Flying Arrows in hitting during the 2009 season, handles duties at third base, and first baseman Sara McNamara returns to the team after missing a year due to a torn ACL suffered playing basketball last winter.
Behind the plate, Leslie Larson is back under the mask with a year of experience under her belt.
“Our catcher is very good. Not many teams try to steal on her,” Pross said of his team’s strengths. “And we definitely have a strong infield, especially the left side. Our shortstop has a tremendous arm.”
It really comes as no surprise that the outfield is filled with young, talented athletes as well.
“I got a tremendous center fielder in Emily Kjos,” Pross said, noting Chelsie Brackett and Bridgette Pross will work the corner outfield spots. “We’re real solid in center field. That girl can cover a lot of ground. She’s fast.”
The Flying Arrows have goals beyond the conference also – namely qualifying for the Division 3 WIAA State tournament again.
“After we got beat in the first game at state, they were pretty let down,” Pross said of the Lancaster’s 6-5 loss to Laconia, only their second loss of the season. “I heard one of them say ‘we made it up here, now we’ve seen what it’s like.’ So hopefully we can get back up there this year.”
Lancaster will have familiar competition in their way, including Deerfield, Cuba City and Riverdale, to reach the state tourney, but the coach is confident in his group of athletes.
“We should have a pretty good shot I would say,” Pross said. “I always tell the girls to take it one game at a time. Don’t overlook anybody. But, ultimately, I think in the back of their minds they would sure like to get up there and try and get into the finals.”
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Berndt sideline, juniors stepping up for Pirates
Last season, the Waterloo High School baseball team relied heavily on the powerful harm of starting pitcher Jericho Berndt. Injuries threw the Pirates a curve ball, and Berndt has been sidelined with a bad back during the early goings of the 2010 season.
“Jericho has only pitched six innings this year,” Waterloo head coach Steve Leistico said. “We’d like to slowly work him in. He’s been doing some running. He’s been doing some limited throwing tonight. Hopefully, we get him back and things will start going for us a little bit.”
The six innings Berndt threw were against Capitol Conference opponent Poynette, and the right-hander fanned 14 Pumas and earned the win.
“In the Poynette game, I felt great,” Berndt said. “I knew my fastball was working very well and my curve ball was on.”
Berndt last pitched April 13 against Lodi. He experienced pain during the start, prompting Leistico to shut down the pitcher’s activity.
In the meantime, Leistico, a 25-year veteran coach, has turned to his tandem of junior pitchers, Kyle Farnsworth and Brian Krieg to fill in for the injured ace. Farnsworth, a lefty took the hill for Waterloo last night, and delivered a much needed win over conference foe Columbus, 9-6.
“We had a big win at Columbus. We had previously lost our last two conference games in a row, and just not playing too well,” Leistico said. “Kyle really gave us a win. He’s got to work, but he’s just a goofy enough left-hander that if he throws strikes, he can be very affective.”
Farnsworth finished with five strikeouts and four walks in 6.3 innings. He gave up six runs, but only three were earned. Krieg closed out the game pitching a perfect two-thirds of an inning.
“Brian has had some good outings too. They’re both taking an added role,” Leistico explained. “As a coach, you’d like to think this will all pay dividends down the road. The guys are getting in some meaningful games and as the season wears on, we’ll need three or four pitchers.”
As the coach deals with the pitching situation, his offense is slowly coming around. Leistico said the team’s bats struggled before breaking out 13 hits against Columbus.
One constant, however, is Travis Ellis. The coach raved about his middle infielder noting his .665 batting average. Against Columbus, Ellis went 3x4 with a home run, a double and two RBIs.
“I worked a lot – going to camps, working in summer ball and a lot of open gyms – just so I feel comfortable going up to the plate,” Ellis said of his offseason regimen. “He threw the curve ball a lot and I knew it was coming and that’s what I hit the home run off of.”
Catcher Ryan Thompson is batting over .500, Leistico said, noting his arrival to the varsity squad allowed him to make some changes defensively. The biggest change was moving catcher Trever Deppe to shortstop.
“Trevor Deppe has never played infield before. Travis Ellis we moved from shortstop to second base. Kyle Farnsworth has never played varsity first base,” Leistico said. “So we’re kind of young and it’s taken us a little while to fill it out.”
The coach likes the progress he is seeing with his squad.
“The screws may be turning a little slowly with this team, but I think it’s starting to turn,” he said. “I was pleased with what I saw and it’s probably (happening at) a good time.”
As for Berndt, the pitcher has his sights set high for season accomplishments and his return to the diamond.
“My personal goal is to get all-conference and player of the year,” he said, adding his main goal to simply win. “I want to come back very strong and, hopefully, I can soon.”
As a pitcher, coming back may depend on the situation.
“I feel really good right now,” he added. “If we have a game Friday, I’m going to try and play that one and see how it goes from there.”
The Pirates are scheduled to play a doubleheader against nearby conference rival Marshall, Friday. There is rain in the forecast, but Berndt is hopeful the game will be played and he will be involved. It’s no surprise he is anxious to play the Cardinals considering last season, when he threw two one-hitters against the rival team.
“I always love playing Marshall,” Berndt said. “Marshall has always been a big game for me, so I hope I’m healthy by then.”
In addition to Marshall, Leistico is looking to be successful against the entire Capitol South. The coach thinks his team belongs at the top of the standings.
“I think we can be really competitive in the south. I’m pretty confident with our three pitchers,” he said. “I feel really good about our outlook … We just got to take care of business.”
The Pirates are currently 3-2 overall and 2-2 in the Capitol-South, leading the conference.
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Prep Thursday podcast
For Prep Thursday the I Am Sportacus team tried its hand at the site’s first podcast.
Anthony and Josh talk some high school baseball and track. Listen below.
Anthony and Josh talk some high school baseball and track. Listen below.
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