The 60th State Boys Volleyball Tournament and the 51st State Girls Volleyball Tournament will be held Thursday-Saturday, Nov. 2-4, at the Resch Center in Green Bay. 

The single-elimination tournament features matches with a best-of-five-sets, rally-scoring format. Of the 61 schools eligible to participate in the boys volleyball tournament, eight remain to play for the single-division State title. Match-ups for the tournament are determined by seeding each of the teams.

Boys Quarterfinals - Thursday, Nov. 2

#1 Middleton (29-3) vs. #8 Union Grove (19-14) - 4 p.m.

#4 Kimberly (33-6)?vs. #5 Waukesha South/North (34-7) - 4 p.m.

#3 Marquette (28-6) vs. #6 South Milwaukee Co-op (21-7) - 10 a.m.

#2 Arrowhead (37-5) vs. #7 Kettle Moraine (19-6) - 10 a.m.

Boys Semifinals - Friday, Nov. 3

Semifinal (Thursday's 10 a.m. winners) - 5 p.m.

Semifinal (Thursday's 4 p.m. winners) - 5 p.m.

Boys Championship Match - Saturday, Nov. 4

Championship Match - 5 p.m.

GIRLS TOURNAMENT INFORMATION: The single-elimination tournament features matches with a best-of-five-sets, rally-scoring format. Of the 472 programs eligible for the girls volleyball tournament, eight teams will play for the State title in Division 1 with four teams still in contention for the State crown in Divisions 2, 3 and 4. Match-ups for the tournament are determined by seeding each of the teams in all divisions.

Girls Division 1

Thursday, Nov. 2

#2 Oconomowoc (39-3) vs. #7 Burlington (31-9) - 1 p.m.

#3 Appleton North (32-7) vs. # 6 Franklin (29-14) - 1 p.m.

#1 Divine Savior Holy Angels (44-1) vs. #8 River Falls (26-13)  - 7 p.m.

#4 Hamilton (30-11) vs. #5 Waunakee (38-8) - 7 p.m.

Friday, Nov. 3 - 7:30 p.m.

Semifinal (Thursday's 1 p.m. winners)

Semifinal (Thursday's 7 p.m. winners)

Saturday, Nov. 4 - 7:30 p.m.

Championship Match

Girls Division 2

Friday, Nov. 3 - 2 p.m.

#1 Xavier (43-3) vs #4 Rice Lake (28-8)

#2 Pewaukee (37-12) vs #3 McFarland (35-10)

Saturday, Nov. 4 - 2:30 p.m.

Championship Match

Girls Division 3

Friday, Nov. 3 - 11:30 a.m.

#1 Howards Grove (29-4) vs. #4 St. Mary Catholic (30-4)

#2 St. Croix Falls (34-2) vs. #3 Cuba City (30-3)

Saturday, Nov. 4 - 11: 30 a.m.

Championship Match

Girls Division 4

Friday, Nov. 3 - 9 a.m.

#1 Wonewoc-Center (28-2) vs. #4 Fall River (30-10)

#2 Newman Catholic (30-12) vs. #3 Prentice (33-8)          

Saturday, Nov. 4 - 9 a.m.

Championship Match

The 42nd Annual Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association State Boys Soccer Tournament will take place Thursday-Saturday, Nov. 2-4 at Southeast Sales Powersports Stadium at Uihlein Soccer Park in Milwaukee. 

The single-elimination tournament features four divisions. Four teams will compete for the State title in each of the divisions. The coaches of the qualifying teams in Divisions 1 and 2 seed those two divisions, and the coaches of the qualifying teams in Divisions 3 and 4 seed those two brackets. 

Division 1

Friday, Nov. 3

#1 Brookfield East (19-0-1) vs. #4 De Pere (17-3-4) - 11 a.m.

#2 Marquette (14-4-2) vs. #3 Middleton (17-4-1) - 1:30 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 4

Championship Game - 4:30 p.m.

Division 2

Thursday, Nov. 2

#1 Waukesha West (15-2-3) vs. #4 West De Pere (17-3-2) - 4:30 p.m.

#2 DeForest (15-1-5)?vs. #3 Union Grove (18-4-1) - 7 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 4

Championship Game - 1:30 p.m.

Division 3

Thursday, Nov. 2

#1 Pius XI?Catholic (17-4-3) vs. #4 Belleville/New Glarus (18-2-1) - 11 a.m.

#2 Plymouth?(14-3-2) vs. #3 Somerset (23-1) - 1:30 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 4

Championship Game - 11 a.m.

Division 4

Friday, Nov. 3

#1 St. Mary Catholic (20-1) vs. #4 Washburn/Bayfield (15-0-2) - 4:30 p.m.

#2 Shoreland Lutheran (17-4-1) vs. #3 Sheboygan Christian/Sheboygan Lutheran (15-5-2) - 7 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 4

Championship Game - 7 p.m.

Howards Grove 3

Lake Country Lutheran 1

Oconomowoc 3

Arrowhead 1

Sussex Hamilton 3

Manitowoc Lincoln 2

Divine Savior Holy Angels 3

Menomonee Falls 0

Xavier 3

Kettle Moraine Lutheran 0

Pewaukee 3

Saint Thomas More 0

Division I

Sussex Hamilton 30

Arrowhead 28

Division II

Slinger 52

Germantown 25

Cedarburg 17

Homestead 16

Kettle Moraine 31

Westosha Central 0

Division IV

Two Rivers 35

Campbellsport 0

Catholic Memorial 56

Lake Mills 7

Division V

Horicon-Hustisford 27

Lomira 26

Lake Country Lutheran 16

Mayville 14

Teams and individuals earned titles in three divisions at the 2023 Boys & Girls State Cross Country Championships at The Ridges Golf Course, Saturday October 28.

Hartford Union High School boys cross country team finished 14th and were led by Mason Weber with a time of 16:46. Other Orioles' runners include Braylen Rennhack, and Reed Merklein who each finished at 17:02. Nick Tiefenthaler was not far behind with a time of 17:04, and Noah Gailey finished at 17:26. Hartford's Nick Anderson earned a time of 17:46 and Ezra Markos ran an 18:03.    

Stevens Point raced to the boys Division 1 team championship for the second straight season and for the 13th time in program history. The Panthers finished with a five-runner score of 36 points, the fewest points compiled by a team in Division 1 since Appleton East scored 33 in 1972. Hudson finished second in the team standings with 75 points.

Junior Manny Putz of Onalaska earned the individual medalist honors for the second year in a row after placing seventh in 2021. He completed the 5-kilometer course in 15:05.8, which is the third-fastest time in State Meet history. Senior Aloysius Franzen of Stevens Point second with a time of 15:09.7 after placing third a year ago.

Slinger was the Division 1 girls team champion with a five-runner score of 78 to record the program’s first State championship after placing runner-up last season. Neenah finished second with 114 points.

Sophomore Ella Anschutz Muskego won the girls individual championship in Division 1, finishing the race in 18:00.3 on the 5-kilometer course after finishing sixth last year. Her time ranks tied for sixth on the all-time Division 1 State Meet performance list. Sophomore Olivia Chellevold of Middleton was runner-up with a time of 18:15.2 following a ninth-place finish in 2022.

Lakeside Lutheran won its first State boys team championship, capturing the Division 2 team title with 112 points after a runner-up finish last year.  Winneconne finished four points behind the Warriors in second with 116 points.

Senior Joseph Noah Kuhn of Edgewood ran to the Division 2 boys individual championship, improving on his seventh-place effort last year with a time of 15:50.5. Senior Max Voss of Amherst jumped up from 42nd-place a year ago to finish runner-up with a time of 16:00.2 this season.

Xavier captured its second straight Division 2 girls team championship after winning the program’s first title last year. The Hawks finished with 75 points, and runner-up Bloomer compiled 116 points.

Senior Nora Gremban of Northland Pines outpaced the remainder of the field in Division 2 to win the girls individual championship with a time of 17:46.7, improving on her runner-up finish last year and third-place standing in 2021. Her time ties for the second-swiftest Division 2 time in State Meet history. Senior Abigail Sadler of Mount Horeb came in second with a time of 18:09.3 after placing sixth a year ago.

In Division 3, Kohler won its second consecutive boys team championship with a five-runner score of 109 after earning the program’s first boys State team championship in 2022. Solon Springs/Northwood finished in second place with 114 points.

Senior Charlie Vater of Iola-Scandinavia ran to the boys Division 3 individual championship with a time of 15:49.7 after finishing 11th last year and 17th in 2021. His time ranks fourth-best on the all-time list for a State Meet in Division 3 history. Junior Taylor Karcz of Crandon was second with a time of 16:01.8 following a 24th-place finish last season.

Lancaster won the Division 3 girls team championship with a score of 92 to win the program’s third State team title. Phillips ran to a runner-up finish in the team standings with 138 points.

Senior Autumn Michalski of Chequamegon earned individual medalist honors by winning in a time of 18:02.0, which is the fastest-recorded Division 3 time in girls State Meet history, eclipsing the previous standard by more than 50 seconds. Freshman Maggie Behler of Kohler was runner-up with a time of 18:55.4.

Division I @ Watertown High School

#2 Arrowhead 3

#3 Slinger 1

13-25, 29-27, 25-22, 25-23

#1 Oconomowoc 3

#5 Fort Atkinson 0

25-15, 25-18, 25-20

Division I @ Sheboygan South

#2 Hamilton 3

#3 Cedarburg 0

25-21, 25-9, 25-17

Division I @ Wauwatosa East

#2 Menomonee Falls 3

#3 Brookfield East 0

25-11, 25-19, 25-8

Division II @ Pewaukee High School

#1 Pewaukee 3

#2 Pius XI Catholic 0

25-11, 25-8, 25-23

Division II @ Kettle Moraine Lutheran

#1 Kettle Moraine Lutheran 3

#3 Ripon 1

25-19, 25-16, 28-30, 25-22 

Division III @ Lake Country Lutheran High School

#1 Lake Country Lutheran 3

#2 Living Word Lutheran 0

25-20, 25-18, 25-11

Division I

#5 Arrowhead @ #1 Hamilton

Division II

#8 Germantown @ #4 Slinger

#3 Cedarburg @ #2 Homestead

#5 Westosha Central @ #1 Kettle Moraine 

Division IV

#4 Campbellsport @ #1 Two Rivers

#6 Lake Mills @ #2 Catholic Memorial

Division V

#7 Lomira @ #3 Horicon-Hustisford

#8 Mayville @ #4 Lake Country Lutheran

Scheduled for Friday, October 27 at 7 p.m. 

Runners know where they're going. The exceptional talents always seem to get there before everyone else.

Mason Weber is one of those runners, always ahead of the pack for the Hartford Union High School boys cross country team.

The Orioles know where they're going on Saturday, October 28 and it's what they've been working for all season. 

"You never think you can do it, but you just keep improving and going in the right direction," Weber told WTKM Sports, regarding the Hartford Union High School boys cross country team qualifying for the WIAA Cross Country State Championships for the third year in a row.     

It will be held at Ridges Golf Course, in Wisconsin Rapids.

Weber is quick to point out how everyone on the team works so well together.

"We take it seriously, but there are also days when we goof around and don't take it so serious. I think it lightens the atmosphere and it also keeps us motivated for the entire year. We have a lot of guys who are within, maybe five to 10 seconds each race. It all started last summer for us, and our group runs. We really came together as a team."

The Hartford Union High School senior remembers his first season freshman year.

"I wasn't into it like I am now. It wasn't until my sophomore year of track season where I decided to go all in and train year-round. The more I do it, the more I enjoy it."

He has come a long way, looking back on an impressive high school career and a season with many highlights including a time of 15:49 at the Marquette Invitational.

"It's the school record and it's my best time for the 5k. The previous school record was 16:11, and I was able to break it during the first race. I wasn't expecting it for the first race, it really shocked me. Seeing that our team and individuals are getting better and better in Hartford history, shows that we are going in the right direction. It's a testament to our coaches who provide us with the right training and support us the whole time."

Weber stayed consistent throughout the season against tough competition, which says a lot about his determination. He finished ahead of the pack as the overall champion at the Port Washington Invite, at Tendick Park in Saulkville and Terry Krall Invite at Heritage Trails County Park, in Slinger with a time of 16:26.

"Heritage Trails is one of my favorite courses, because it's really hilly. We're able to use that to our advantage because we train for that type of course. We are able to play it smart, go out slow and then pick people off as we go."

The Orioles' boys cross country team finished first in each of those invites. Hartford also won the overall championship in the Pete Nielsen Invitational, where they defeated 22 other Division I and Division II teams. Weber finished second overall out of a total of 178 runners.

Let's hope it's another run, ahead of the pack on Saturday at Wisconsin Rapids.

Photo by MileSplitWI.    

Final scores from Sectional matches:

Arrowhead 3

Germantown 1

Kettle Moraine 3

Wilmot 0

Sussex Hamilton 3

Cedarburg 0

The 111th running of the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association Boys Cross Country Championships and the 50th annual Girls Cross Country Championships will take place Saturday, Oct. 28 at The Ridges Golf Course in Wisconsin Rapids.

There are 20 teams contending for the state championship in Division 1 for boys and girls, and 16 teams competing for the boys and girls Divisions 2 and 3 team titles. Teams competing for the titles qualified last weekend at their respective sectional meets. The top two teams in each of the 10 Division 1 sectionals and the top two teams from each of the eight Divisions 2 and 3 sectionals advanced. In addition to the qualifying teams, the first five individual finishers at their respective sectionals, who are not a member of a qualifying team, also qualified for the WIAA State Meet.

This year’s Division 1 field features all but one of the teams that finished in the top 10 last season, including defending champion Stevens Point.  The other eight programs in this year’s meet that finished in the top 10 a year ago are Oconomowoc (2nd), Madison West (3rd), Eau Claire Memorial (4th), Mukwonago (5th), Middleton (6th) Hudson (7th), Hartford Union High School (8th) and Neenah (10th). The Panthers return four runners that compiled 39 team points to win the title a year ago. Of the other teams that placed in the top 10 in 2022, Madison West has the most runners returning to the meet that participated at State last year with five. Eau Claire Memorial, Hudson and Hartford have four, and Oconomowoc, Mukwonago and Neenah have three with Middleton having two returning competitors. The Division 2 field of teams has eight teams returning that competed at State last year, including defending champion Notre Dame and runner-up Lakeside Lutheran. The other six teams that landed in the top 10 last year with qualifying teams this season are Shorewood (4th), Osceola (6th), Winneconne (7th), McFarland (8th), West Salem (9th)?and Clinton (10th). Of these teams, Lakeside Lutheran, Winneconne, McFarland, West Salem and Clinton have the most experience coming back with five runners returning that competed in the meet a year ago. 

The Division 1 boys individual competition has four runners back in the field that placed in the top seven a year ago, including defending champion Manny Putz, a junior from Onalaska. Another qualifier that may be in the running for the State title include junior Kyle Kieper of Kettle Moraine Lutheran. 

The defending girls team champion in Division 1 returns a squad with three runners that participated at State last year. There are four other teams that have qualified that finished in the top 10 a year ago, including Slinger (2nd), Kaukauna (3rd), De Pere (9th) and Holmen (10th). Of these, Slinger and Kaukauna have the most returning runners with six, followed by De Pere with four and Neenah with three.  Dodgeland and Bonduel are loaded with runners that experienced State competition last season with six returning participants.

The boys and girls will both run a 5,000-meter course.

The Arrowhead Warhawks are two-time defending WIAA D1 Girls Tennis Team State Champions. 

They defeated top-seeded Middleton in the championship match. 

Emily Muresan and Mekenna Verhagen won their matches at the #2 and #3 singles positions, respectively, and all three doubles teams posted wins to account for the Warhawks’ final score. Lily Liu and Sarah Neubert, who placed sixth at the State Individual Tournament, won at #1 doubles; Lily Schulz and Jacquelyn Cox won at the #2 position, and Taylor Kehoss and Rachel Radish were winners in their #3 doubles match.

The Warhawks won their third State team championship in their fourth tournament appearance.

Their first team title came in 2014.

They defeated Eau Claire Memorial 7-0 in the quarterfinals and Neenah 6-1 in the semifinals to advance to the final.

Photo from the WIAA.

Heritage Trails Park, Slinger on Saturday, October 21

1. Oconomowoc High School

2. Hartford Union High School

3. Slinger High School

4. Sussex Hamilton High School

5. Arrowhead High School

6. Germantown High School

7. West Bend West High School

Brookfield Central 1

Hartford Union High School 0

Arrowhead 2

Madison Memorial 0

West Bend West 5

N. Fond du Lac/Oakfield/St. Mary's Springs 0

Kettle Moraine Lutheran 2

Sheboygan Falls 1

St. John's Northwestern/Chesterton Academy 3

Lake Country Lutheran 0 

Slinger 3

Janesville Craig 0

Hamilton 3

West Bend West 0

Lake Country Lutheran 3

Heritage Christian 0

Kettle Moraine Lutheran 3

Sheboygan Falls 0

Arrowhead 3

Watertown 0

Oconomowoc 3

Sun Prairie West 0

Kettle Moraine 3

Muskego 2

Pewaukee 3

Lake Mills 0

Manitowoc Lincoln 3

Germantown 0

Menomonee Falls 3

Wisconsin Lutheran 0

Sun Prairie East 38

Hartford Union High School 31

Slinger 38

Beaver Dam 28

New Berlin West 7

West Bend East 6

Lake Country Lutheran 42

Brookfield Academy 0

Campbellsport 17

Kohler/Sheboygan Lutheran 10

Horicon/Hustisford 49

Oostburg 21

Lomira 19

Milwaukee Academy of Science 18

Palmyra Eagle 20

Dodgeland 12

Kiel 35

Kettle Moraine Lutheran 26

Arrowhead 31

Mukwonago 28

Kettle Moraine 51

Burlington 14

Watertford 22

Pewaukee 17

Germantown 15

Milwaukee King 9

Hamilton 49

Sun Prairie West 14

Watertown 3

Hartford Union High School 2

Slinger 3

Beloit Memorial 0

Fond du Lac 3

West Bend East 0

West Bend West 3

Sheboygan North 0

Lake Country Lutheran 3

Dominican 0

Ripon 3

Kewaskum 1

Kettle Moraine Lutheran 3

Waupun 0

Winnebago Lutheran 3

Horicon 1

Pewaukee 3

Milwaukee School of Languages 0

Division I  Friday, October 20  Kickoff at 7 p.m.

#5 Arrowhead @ #4 Mukwonago

#8 Sun Prairie West @ #1 Hamilton  

Division 2  Friday, October 20  Kickoff at 7 p.m.

#7 Hartford Union High School @ #2 Sun Prairie East

#5 Beaver Dam @ #4 Slinger

#7 Pulaski @ #2 Homestead 

#6 Hortonville @ #3 Cedarburg

#6 Monona Grove @ #3 Nicolet

#8 Germantown @ #1 Milwaukee King

#5 Menomonee Falls @ #4 West De Pere

#8 Burlington @ #1 Kettle Moraine

Division 3  Friday, October 20  Kickoff at 7 p.m.

#6 West Bend East @ #3 New Berlin West

#6 Pewaukee @ #3 Waterford

Division 4  Friday, October 20  Kickoff at 7 p.m.

#6 Kettle Moraine Lutheran @ #3 Kiel

#5 Kohler Co-op @ #4 Campbellsport

#8 Jefferson @ #1 Platteville

Division 5  Friday, October 20  Kickoff at 7 p.m.

#6 Oostburg @ #3 Horicon-Hustisford

#5 Brookfield Academy @ #4 Lake Country Lutheran

#5 Watertown Luther Prep @ #4 Westby

#7 Lomira @ #2 Milwaukee Academy of Science

#8 Mayville @ #1 Winnebago Lutheran

Division 7  Friday, October 20  Kickoff at 7 p.m.

#6 Ozaukee @ #3 Lourdes Academy

#7 Ithaca @ #2 Johnson Creek  

Securing home field to begin the playoffs in high school football can make all the difference, in some cases. It's the comfort level of familiar surroundings that helps many teams create a run to Madison.

#4 Slinger (6-3, 4-3 NSC) hosts #5 Beaver Dam (6-3, 4-3 BLC) Friday night, October 20 in a WIAA DII Level I playoff game.

The strength of this Owls team, out of the North Shore Conference, has been on defense with their defensive backs.

Slinger Head Football Coach Bill Jacklin has been impressed all season.

"I feel like our defensive backs have been really good. We've covered really well against passing teams and they have a lot of interceptions."

Nine picks to be exact, with three of those interceptions credited to Kaleb Burkel. The Owls' junior returned one of those interceptions for a touchdown.

"Overall our defense has been solid," according to Jacklin. "They have faced many challenging situations, and for the most part they have been really tough."

Senior linebacker Braydon Hayes leads the Slinger defense with 101 tackles, 12 tackles for loss and two and a half sacks.

The Golden Beavers, out of the Badger Large Conference boasts an offense that is averaging 24 points per game behind the arm of quarterback Eli Bryant. The junior is completing 55 percent of his passes for 1,028 yards and 12 touchdowns.

Will home field make a difference? The Owls are 3-1 at home this season, and scored over 40 points in two of those games.

We'll find out Friday night. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.   

The West Bend East High School football team is looking to keep the momentum going into the playoffs. The Suns won their last two games of the regular season with their power running style of offense leading the way.

East's stand out running back Kaleb Schepp had 33 carries for 297 yards and four touchdowns against West Bend West, on October 6. A week later, the West Bend East senior rushed for an impressive 246 yards and two touchdowns against Slinger.

Suns' Head Football Coach Jeff Rondorf told WTKM Sports that there's one attribute contributing to the success of the offense.

"Our speed from our running backs, quarterbacks and receivers has been pretty impressive."

Schepp has rushed for 1,312 yards this season, with 15 touchdowns.

#6 West Bend East (5-4, 3-4 NSC) out of the North Shore Conference is on the road to begin their playoff run, Friday night October 20 at #3 New Berlin West (7-2, 6-1 PC). The Vikings are out of the Parkland Conference.

New Berlin West also presents a power running style, with running back Jack Wesolowski. The Vikings' senior has garnered 1,435 yards rushing and 17 touchdowns.

A 47-0 win over Milwaukee Lutheran on October 13 provided plenty of momentum, as New Berlin West has high hopes for their own playoff run after winning their final three regular season games.

Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.       

Regional matches for high school volleyball @ 7 p.m.

Watertown @ Hartford Union High School

Beloit Memorial @ Slinger

West Bend East @ Fond du Lac

Sheboygan North @ West Bend West

Dominican @ Lake Country Lutheran

Kewaskum @ Ripon

Waupun @ Kettle Moraine Lutheran

West Allis Central @ Kettle Moraine

Winnebago Lutheran @ Horicon

Milwaukee School of Languages @ Pewaukee

Senior Night is special every year, whatever the season.

Friday night, October 13 with the rain and wind at Gib Mahr Field at Hartford Union High School, the crowd watched 29 football players and the team's manager "take the walk" with their parents through the player's tunnel formed down the middle of the field. Each player, and their parents then took their place along the sidelines before their final regular season game against Nicolet.

It's a culmination for the families, after years of practices and games. Many of those players have worn an Orioles' jersey through the Hartford Football Youth Leagues, one day dreaming of playing on the varsity.

Running back Cason Boudwine is one of those 29 senior football players at Hartford Union High School, and told WTKM Sports that this group has played together for a long time.

"We've been playing football together since the fifth grade. We have a great bond, and now to be on the varsity and get that recognition after putting in a lot of work through the years...it just feels like it's paying off, it's great."

Hartford Head Football Coach John Redders says this group of seniors get along so well, and just like to be around each other.

"We have a large class of seniors, and it says a lot about this group. They stick to it...they are together and they lead our team. It's such an important characteristic when it comes to sports these days."

Congratulations and good luck to an impressive group of student-athletes. A bright future is ahead of them.  

#13 Hartford Union High School 1

#4 Germantown 1

The Orioles advance with a 5-4 edge in penalty kicks in overtime.

Pulaski 4

Slinger 1

West De Pere 7

West Bend East 0

West Bend West 9

Ashwaubenon 0

Arrowhead 13

Janesville Parker 0

Madison East 3

Oconomowoc 2

Kettle Moraine 9

Milwaukee Pulaski 0

Whitefish Bay 5

Watertown 0

Pewaukee 4

Milwaukee Riverside 0

The high school football playoffs begin on Friday, October 20.  

#7 Hartford Union High School (4-5, 3-4 NSC) is on the road for their Level 1 game against #2 Sun Prairie East (7-2, 6-1 BLC).  

The Orioles, out of the North Shore Conference, finished the season with one win out of their last five games, after a 3-1 start.

Hartford Head Football Coach John Redders told WTKM that the team is showing a lot of energy.

"The kids have a lot of energy this week, there is a renewed focus when you get into the playoffs with different venues and different teams. There is an anticipation of what could be, and there is a lot of motivation with that in mind."

The Orioles continue their playoff tradition this year, with their eighth straight appearance.

"It means a lot to the program," according to Redders. "Every year when you have juniors and sophomores travel with the team and they see what the playoffs are all about, and then they become the juniors and seniors that are playing. The distractions are minimized when you expect to be there, and it's nothing new. It's a good thing for us."

Junior quarterback Bennett Klages is completing 52 percent of his passes for Hartford, for 750 yards and four touchdowns. Running back Reed Jenders leads the team in rushing and receiving with 580 yards on the ground with nine touchdowns. The Orioles' senior also has 17 receptions and two touchdowns through the air.

Senior linebackers Austin Minor and Dilan Breuer lead the way on defense. Minor leads the team with 77 tackles and three sacks while Breuer has collected 59 tackles.

Sun Prairie East, out of the Badger-Large Conference, extended their winning streak to six games, with a 53-6 win over Stoughton last Friday night, October 13. 

Quarterback Drew Kavanaugh, who played tight end last season, and made the switch this year is completing 60 percent of his passes for 1,705 yards and 25 touchdowns.

Cardinals Head Football Coach Brian Kaminski is impressed with the progression of his senior quarterback.

"He has been phenomenal...he is having one of those seasons and has improved throughout the season this year. Everyone around him on offense has worked hard."

One of Kavanaugh's favorite targets is senior Connor Stauff. The senior receiver leads Sun Prairie East with 61 receptions for 802 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Kaminski told WTKM that their offensive line has been impressive.

"Logan Gross is another one of our seniors, and a three-year starter on the offensive line. He is a powerful and athletic young man. They set the tone for us every single week."

Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.                        

Boys high school volleyball tournament matches were announced.

Regional: Friday, October 20

Hartford Union High School @ Arrowhead  7 p.m.

Homestead @ Germantown  7 p.m.

Ft. Atkinson @ Kettle Moraine  7 p.m.

Menomonee Falls @ Nicolet  6 p.m.

Pewaukee @ Cedarburg  7 p.m. 

The 30th Annual Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association Girls Team Tennis Tournament will be held Friday and Saturday, Oct. 20-21. The meet takes place at the Nielsen Tennis Stadium on the University of Wisconsin campus, in Madison. Action will begin at 4 p.m. Friday and will resume Saturday at 9 a.m.

Seeding of the State Girls Team Tournament in both divisions began in 2017. In Division 1, the eight coaches of the qualifying teams vote to seed all eight teams. In Division 2, the four coaches of qualifying teams vote to seed all four teams in the bracket.

THE DIVISION 1 MATCH-UPS:

Division 1 - Quarterfinals (4 p.m. Oct. 20)

Match-1:  #1 Middleton (16-2) vs. #8 Franklin (14-8)

Match-2:  #4 Homestead (19-6)?vs. #5 Verona (21-5)

Match-3:  #3 Whitefish Bay (19-5) vs. #6 Neenah (12-5)

Match-4:  #2 Arrowhead (21-3) vs. #7 Eau Claire Memorial (18-4)

Division 1 - Semifinals (9 a.m. Oct. 21)

Match-5:  Winner of Match 1 vs. Winner of Match 2

Match-6:  Winner of Match 3 vs. Winner of Match 4

Division 1 - Championship (2 p.m. Oct. 21)*

Match-7:  Winner of Match 5 vs. Winner of Match 6

THE DIVISION 2 MATCH-UPS:

Division 2 - Semifinals (9 a.m. Oct. 21)

Match-1:  #1 University School (13-3) vs. #4 Aquinas (22-2)

Match-2:  #2 Altoona (26-0)?vs. #3 Xavier (12-4)

Division 2 - Championship (Oct. 21)*

Match-3:  Winner of Match 1 vs. Winner of Match 2

Top-seeded Arrowhead won the Division 1 title with a 5-2 win over second-seeded Middleton in the championship match. The Warhawks won at the #2 and #4 singles flights and swept the doubles matches to post the victory. In Division 2, top-seeded University School rolled to a 6-1 win over second-seeded Xavier in the championship match. The Wildcats notched victories at all four singles matches and won at the #1 and #2 doubles flights to account for the margin of victory.

Hartford Union High School has announced a plan to make the trip to Friday's playoff football game easier.

The Orioles have a road game against Sun Prairie East High School on Friday, October 20 at 7 p.m.

A student fan bus heading to Sun Prairie East for the upcoming Level 1 Playoff football game is set. Students need to turn in a permission slip, and you can pay early to secure your spot.

This fan bus is for HUHS students only. The cost is $10 (does not include ticket).

It was a cold day with rain during the North Shore Conference Cross Country Meet, on Saturday, October 14 at the Hartford Golf Club.

The Hartford Union High School Girls Cross Country Team, for the second straight season, earned the best North Shore Conference finish in school history. The fifth place finish is the best since at least 2009, dating back to the 8 team WLT conference.

The Orioles' JV team also earned fifth place, which ties the best finish in school history and is the best JV finish since 2016. 

Congratulations to freshman Nikki Reinwald for earning a 2nd Team All-Conference spot at Saturday's meet. Nikki has worked very hard to come back from a torn ACL this spring and she loves to compete and be her best for her teammates. 

Hartford Union High School Boys Cross Country Team finished first in the North Shore Conference Meet on Saturday, October 14. 

The North Shore Conference champs had seven runners who earned All Conference honors.

A run down of the day for Hartford's talented runners include a third place finish for Mason Weber, Braylen Rennhack, 5th, Reed Merklein, 14th, Noah Gailey, 15th, Nick Tiefenthaler, 17th, Ezra Markos, 21st, and Nick Anderson 27th, and Juan Ramos, 34th.

Congratulations to the Hartford Union High School Boys Cross Country Team!  

Division I  Friday, October 20  Kickoff at 7 p.m.

#5 Arrowhead @ #4 Mukwonago

#8 Sun Prairie West @ #1 Hamilton  

Division 2  Friday, October 20  Kickoff at 7 p.m.

#7 Hartford Union High School @ #2 Sun Prairie East

#5 Beaver Dam @ #4 Slinger

#7 Pulaski @ #2 Homestead 

#6 Hortonville @ #3 Cedarburg

#6 Monona Grove @ #3 Nicolet

#8 Germantown @ #1 Milwaukee King

#5 Menomonee Falls @ #4 West De Pere

#8 Burlington @ #1 Kettle Moraine

Division 3  Friday, October 20  Kickoff at 7 p.m.

#6 West Bend East @ #3 New Berlin West

#6 Pewaukee @ #3 Waterford

Division 4  Friday, October 20  Kickoff at 7 p.m.

#6 Kettle Moraine Lutheran @ #3 Kiel

#5 Kohler Co-op @ #4 Campbellsport

#8 Jefferson @ #1 Platteville

Division 5  Friday, October 20  Kickoff at 7 p.m.

#6 Oostburg @ #3 Horicon-Hustisford

#5 Brookfield Academy @ #4 Lake Country Lutheran

#5 Watertown Luther Prep @ #4 Westby

#7 Lomira @ #2 Milwaukee Academy of Science

#8 Mayville @ #1 Winnebago Lutheran

Division 7  Friday, October 20  Kickoff at 7 p.m.

#6 Ozaukee @ #3 Lourdes Academy

#7 Ithaca @ #2 Johnson Creek  

Nicolet 35

Hartford Union High School 0

West Bend East 14

Slinger 7

Homestead 35

West Bend West 0

Lake Country Lutheran 40

Shoreland Lutheran 0

Kettle Moraine Lutheran 40

Kewaskum 0

Horicon-Hustisford 36

Waterloo 20

Arrowhead 21

Oconomowoc 7

Kettle Moraine 8

Muskego 7

Campbellsport 28

Omro 6

Pewaukee 37

New Berlin Eisenhower 7

Lomira 13

Mayville 6

Watertown 20

Milton 16

Palmyra-Eagle 20

Dodgeland 12

Hamilton 49

Brookfield East 18

Germantown 35

Brookfield Central 0

Menomonee Falls 51

West Allis Central 13

Watertown Luther Prep 29

Martin Luther 0   

It's tournament time!

The WIAA Regional matchups are official in girls high school volleyball, and #7 Hartford Union High School will begin their tournament run on their home court against #10 Watertown on Thursday, October 19 at 7 p.m.

The winner faces #2 Arrowhead in the second round.

The Orioles (14-18) lost a tough match to Slinger, 3-1 on Thursday, Oct. 12. They put together two impressive wins in a row over West Bend East and Whitnall, 3-1 respectively for each match.

Hartford started this season with eight straight wins, and have been improving as they prepare for a long tournament run!

Watertown (15-24) has one victory in their last seven matches. A notable 3-1 win for the Goslings occurred on Thursday, September 28 at Beaver Dam High School.       

Hartford Union High School 0

Slinger 0

Port Washington 5

West Bend East 2

West Bend West 1

Whitefish Bay 1

Arrowhead 7

St. John's 0

Shorewood 7

Kewaskum 2  

Port Washington 3

West Bend East 1

West Bend West 3

Whitefish Bay 0

Kewaskum 3

Winneconne 2

Ripon 3

Kettle Moraine Lutheran 2

Laconia 3

Campbellsport 0

She made it look easy at the WIAA state girls golf tournament.

Rita Kuepper of Hartford Union High School, showing the confidence of a senior, finished the two-day pressure packed event with an 81 - 85 on the scorecard.

Not bad, for a freshman.

"We've never had someone quite like this before which is really exciting," exclaimed Hartford Head Girls Golf Coach Vinny Daniels.

Kuepper earned 26th place in the biggest golf tournament of the year at University Ridge, in Madison. She played against the best talent of all grades and she has never played competitive golf before.

"She managed a lot of emotions and tough course conditions," Daniels said. "Her end score (166) is second best of any individual scores in program history at Hartford, compared to the nine girls that have made it to state." 

Kuepper's performance this season provided plenty of highlights, including a career best 77, with four birdies and a second place finish at the Division 1 Plymouth Regional 

at Quit Qui Oc Golf Club.  

"She has the chance to become the best golfer that has ever played here if she keeps improving," said the Orioles proud coach.

Coach Daniels said that Kuepper turned heads all season, playing consistent golf and doing things that no one had done at her age.

The most exciting part for Rita Kuepper, is that her high school golf career is just beginning.    

All of these games are scheduled to start at 7:00 p.m.

Nicolet @ Hartford Union High School

Slinger @ West Bend East

West Bend West @ Homestead

Cedarburg @ Whitefish Bay

Shoreland Lutheran @ Lake Country Lutheran

Kewaskum @ Kettle Moraine Lutheran

Arrowhead @ Oconomowoc

Waterloo @ Horicon-Hustisford

Omro @ Campbellsport

Milton @ Watertown

Muskego @ Kettle Moraine

Mayville @ Lomira

New Berlin Eisenhower @ Pewaukee

Hamilton @ Brookfield East

Germantown @ Brookfield Central

West Allis Central @ Menomonee Falls

Good luck!

A high school football game in the North Shore Conference on Friday, October 13 means a lot to both teams.

Hartford (4-4, 3-3 NSC) hosts Nicolet (5-3, 3-3 NSC) at Gib Mahr Field.

The Orioles are coming off a tough loss to their rival Slinger, 31-14, and the Knights last game was their third straight win, a 17-8 victory over Whitefish Bay.

Hartford Head Coach John Redders beieves his team is battle-tested.

"We went through a rough stretch, it was the toughest part of our season with Homestead, Cedarburg and Slinger...four very strong football programs. We ended up being on the losing side of all those games but I think we learned a lot of lessons. Our kids have continued to work and stay focused. I think we're battle-tested and can hang with anyone physically in the conference and have speed on both sides of the ball."

The weather forecast is calling for rain during the game. The Orioles' offensive line will be counted on, along with their talented running backs which includes Reed Jenders (524 yds., 6.2 yds/att, 9TD) and Cason Boudwine (457 yds., 5.5 yds/att, 8TD).

Nicolet Head Coach Al Moroder likes the way his team is playing.

"I think our defense has played solid all year, and our offense has been improving and finding their identity. Our offense is playing together and we're starting to click offensively."

Ben Ott leads the Knights at quarterback, and plays middle linebacker. The senior leads the team with 1,286 rushing yards and 79 tackles, including 10 tackles for a loss.

The winner secures a playoff spot, but even with a loss Friday night there is a chance for either team to find themselves in the bracket.           

Hartford Union High School 7

West Bend East 0

Slinger 2

Grafton 2

West Bend West 7

SWCHA 0

Kewaskum 3

Winneconne 2

Arrowhead 1

Kettle Moraine 1

Monona Grove 2

Watertown 1

Hartford Union High School 3

Whitnall 1

Arrowhead 3

Waukesha South 0

Mukwonago 3

Kettle Moraine 2

Montello 3

Hustisford 1

Abundant Life 3

Dodgeland 0

Hartford Union High School Girls Golf Coach Vinny Daniels provided an update on Rita Kuepper's experience at the WI State Girls Golf Championship at University Ridge, in Madison.

While day 2 had more ups and downs than day 1, Rita Kuepper finished her state journey with an 81-85 on the scorecard for a 26th/78 place finish. This 166 is the 2nd best (of 9) individual score in program history!

What was most exciting to see is that in a day that was filled with tougher bounces, more wind, and less consistency, Rita was able to show GRIT and FIGHT for an 85, only 4 strokes more than yesterday. Talk about determination on a tough course with the pressure of the biggest stage as a freshman!!

Special thanks to Mr. Helms, the Kuepper family, Amiah (her roommate for 2 days that enhanced the experience to a level it is impossible to describe), Kaya, Emily, and Diana for their support in person the past two days! Also thanks to everyone who aided in this journey. It takes a village! And we've got a special one behind us!

Thanks to Coach Daniels and congratulations to Hartford Union High School freshman Rita Kuepper!

Slinger 31

Hartford Union High School 14

West Bend East 30

West Bend West 7

Watertown Luther Prep 27

Lake Country Lutheran 20

Kewaskum 31

Sheboygan Falls 14

Plymouth 35

Kettle Moraine Lutheran 0

Campbellsport 14

Lomira 7

Horicon-Hustisford 49

Dodgeland 14

Arrowhead 37

Waukesha South 13

Muskego 49

Oconomowoc 14

Kettle Moraine 24

Mukwonago 6

Pewaukee 41

Pius XI Catholic 6 

The High School Football season is rapidly coming to an end.

Here is the schedule for local varsity high school football games on Friday, October, 6 at 7:00.

Homestead @ Cedarburg

Whitefish Bay @ Nicolet

HUHS @ Slinger (coaches vs. cancer)

West @ East in West Bend (Homecoming)

Sheboygan Falls @ Kewaskum

Waukesha South @ Arrowhead

Oconomowoc @ Muskego   

Thursday,  October 5 

Sun Prairie East 49

Watertown 20

It's the rivalry game we look forward to every season, as high school football fans.

Hartford (4-3, 3-2 NSC) travels to Slinger (5-2, 3-2 NSC) Friday night, October 6 in a big North Shore Conference matchup. 

Orioles' head coach John Redders told WTKM Sports that some key matchups in the trenches will be important.

"Both our offensive and defensive lines will have their work cut out for them. Slinger is a big team this year, we definitely have to make sure we control what we can control at the line of scrimmage. It's a matter of getting to those gaps and shedding those blocks to make the tackles. We have a number of guys with good speed, so that will be key."

Hartford's linebackers will play a major role Friday night, including Austin Minor who leads the team with 54 tackles and three quarterback sacks. Dilan Breuer has 48 tackles on the season.

Orioles' running back Reed Jenders leads the team in rushing and receiving yards, with 443 yards on the ground along with an impressive 12 catches for 181 yards.

The last time Slinger beat Hartford was in 2020, 43-21. Owls' quarterback Michael Thiede is completing 56 percent of his passes, with 1,055 yards and 16 touchdowns. Slinger running back Jack Klippel, who leads the team with 484 rushing yards, will be counted on in this rivalry game, according to Owls' head coach Bill Jacklin.

"This week, we need to get back to what we do best...which is power running. We need to establish the run Friday night. We have passed the ball well this season, and I'm proud of our guys."

Kickoff is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. at Slinger High School.

This game also represents Coaches vs. Cancer. Both teams, both schools and each community come together to raise funds for the American Cancer Society.

The event was initiated in 2011 by Kevin Wilkinson, a Slinger football coach who was fighting his own personal battle with cancer at the time. Kevin passed away two months after the game, but it was his wish that it carry on, so the “Coaches vs. Cancer” game has become an annual event with a traveling trophy created in his memory. Last year, the traveling trophy was renamed the “Wilkinson/Redders” traveling trophy after Hartford Head Football Coach John Redders lost his father to cancer the previous year.

Cedarburg 2

Hartford Union High School 1

West Bend West 8

West Bend East 0

Kewaskum 9

Berlin 0

Arrowhead 3

Oconomowoc 0

Kettle Moraine 2

Waukesha South 2

St. Lawrence Seminary 7

Campbellsport 1

Cedarburg 3

Hartford Union High School 2

West Bend West 3

West Bend East 0

Arrowhead 3

Catholic Memorial 1

Oconomowoc 3

Waukesha North 0

Oakfield 3

Hustisford 0

Monona Grove 3

Watertown 2

Kettle Moraine 3

Waukesha West 2