Posted: June 1, 2010 |(0) Comments

Homestead girls track

This time, the Highlanders' 100-meter high hurdle state champ Marissa Savitch will try to make it official.

Either this Friday or Saturday, she will try to take down Jennie Evans' 22-year old state record of 14.6 when the WIAA test is held at UW-La Crosse.

Savitch went under the state mark yet again with a sizzling 14.2 at the sectional meet the Highlanders hosted on May 27. She had gone under the state record at sectional last year with a 14.44 but couldn't quite get the record despite winning her first state championship.

Savitch ran an almost perfect race in churning that alarming state best clocking at sectional.

"It felt really good," Savitch said. "The last time it felt that good was at sectional last year. I think it was because of the competition (race runner-up Sherice Hewett of Vincent was also under the state record at 14.49). It was the best race of the season. I just came out quick and clean."

"I'm excited now. More excited even than last year."

Savitch also benefitted from a last-second fall to advance to state in the 300 low hurdles, where she finished in third (46.85).

The Highlanders 3,200 relay team of Caity Bobber, Keali Bjork, Sarah Miller and Lauren Holtz also has reason to be excited, as they own the second-best time in the state with a school-record runner-up finish of 9:21.79. Arrowhead beat the Highlanders with a state best and track record of 9:20.94.

In addition, Homestead also picked up tickets for state for Bjork in the 800 (second, 2:17.49) and pole vaulter Katelyn Wright (fifth, claimed extra qualifier berth at 10-6). The Highlanders were fourth in the sectional standings with 63 points.

"It was a little crazy," Bjork said. "I really wasn't expecting to qualify, not in a field as good as this. It's almost a little ridiculous for me to be mentioned in the same breath with (Germantown's Liz) Wendt and (Arrowhead's Andie) Zeman."

Those two finished first and third, respectively, at sectionals, and Wendt is the top seed in the event at state.

University School boys tennis

The four-time defending state Division 2 champion Wildcats had little trouble earning their way back to the state team tournament with a WIAA sectional triumph on May 26 at Pleasant Valley Tennis Club in Jackson.

In doing so, they advanced Sam Walker (19-10), Andrew Hwang (24-1) and Rishi Karri (27-2) in singles to the state individual tournament this weekend at Nielsen Tennis Stadium in Madison.

Walker is the fourth seed, while Hwang is the seventh and Karri the eighth.

Also going to the individual tournament is the second-seeded doubles team of Matt Hwang and Tyler Parks (16-7), as well the eighth-seeded duo of Andy Vandenberg and John Rusch (13-3) and the Wildcats' third team of Fitz Stratton and Michael Black (20-5).

First round individual matches will be held on Thursday and play will continue through Saturday's championship round, which should take place around noon. The team tournament will be held back at Nielsen on June 11 and 12.

University School's players earned those berths at sectional, as they won all seven flights and dominated proceedings with 56 points. Catholic Memorial was a distant second with 31.

Nicolet boys tennis

The Knights' top doubles team of Gard Pecor and Trevor Katzban (16-5) earned the eighth seed in this weekend's state individual tournament in Madison.

The pair will get a first-round bye and then will have a second-round match at 8:30 a.m. Friday.

Top singles player David Yarmulnik (16-11) earned the 14th seed and will have a first-round match against a Hudson opponent on Thursday at 4:30 p.m.

Nicolet was also able to advance its other two doubles teams, as the duo of Quinn Ellsworth and Jacob Levey (24-1) will have a first-round match against a team from Franklin at 5:30 p.m. Thursday and the pair of Richard Kim and Ethan Taxman (19-7) will take on an Oconomowoc team at 3:30 p.m. Thursday.

The Knights earned those qualifying spots through their second-place finish in their own sectional last week. Defending state champion Marquette easily won the meet.

"It went pretty much as everyone expected it to go (at sectional)," Knights coach Tim Koppa said. "Not too many surprises."

Koppa praised the effort of No. 4 singles player David Gorodetsky, who lost a tough 6-1, 7-6 decision in his final.

Nicolet girls track

The Knight girls were led by their throwers in last Thursday's WIAA sectional at Homestead, as they advanced four individuals and one relay team to this weekend's state meet in La Crosse.

Nicolet was second in the sectional team standings with 66 points and advanced shot putters Gaby Bronson (first, 37-4 1/2 ) and Brianna Achs (second, 35-11) and discus thrower Rachel Morello (second, 117-6).

It's the first state trip for all three.

"I started in track my freshman year," said Bronson, "but early on I was mostly hurdles and the high jump. I got into the weights this year and I like all the girls there so much. We've all been able to improve so much this year."

In addition, the Knights earned state slots from La Crosse veteran Roni Thompson in the triple jump (second, 35-6 1/2 ) and from the 800 relay team of Surya Chionesu, Thompson, Ashley Green and Ashley Jones (third, 1:44.14).

"We finally got everyone consistent now," said Thompson of the relay. "We're looking smooth now and should be moving quickly next week."

The Knights' 1,600 relay came into the race as one of the slight favorites to advance to state, but the team, which had to swap out Thompson (leg injury) for Ally Maling, missed out on earning a berth despite a fifth-place, season-best of showing of 4:03.7. Jones, Green and Chionesu were also on the squad.

"I think they (the WIAA) needs to spread these teams out a little more," Knights coach Brian Sommers said. "It's just a very hard sectional with a lot of talent in it. … We have a lot of kids who work very hard and deserve it (a trip to state)."

Shorewood boys tennis

The senior doubles team of Jake Miller and Sawyer Carlson-Price suffered its first loss of the season in the Brown Deer sectional on May 26, but the unit rallied for third and will be the seventh seed in this weekend's WIAA Division 2 individual tournament in Madison.

The pair (21-1) will take on a duo from Edgerton in its first-round match at 9 p.m. Thursday. If they win, they will advance to a second-round match at 1:30 p.m. Friday.

Play will continue through Saturday's championship matches.

The Greyhounds also advanced their second doubles team of seniors Joe Richter and Jordan Wise (19-4). They will take on a pair from Madison Edgewood at 8 p.m. Thursday.

If they survive that, they will have the misfortune of running into the top-seeded team of Justin Kaiser and Cameron Fiebig of Appleton Xavier (24-1) in a match at 12:30 p.m. Friday.

Shorewood was fourth in the sectional with 21 points, as four-time state champ University School-Milwaukee dominated with 56. Miller and Carlson-Price lost in the semifinals to a Martin Luther team whom they had beaten earlier this season.

Whitefish Bay boys track

The Blue Dukes will send one individual and one relay team to this weekend's WIAA state meet in La Crosse after sound efforts at the Homestead sectional May 27.

Bay's Davontae Johnson earned a repeat trip to state with a victory in the 400 (50.41), and a fortuitous switch in the lineup led the Blue Dukes' 800 relay team of Javontae Merriwether, Alex Jamerson, James Stecker and Brandon Threats to a third-place state slot by .01 of a second over Milwaukee Riverside.

"I told the kids that in the 800 (relay) you had to be patient with your hand-offs, watch the runner ahead of you," Blue Dukes coach Joe Saggio said. "It paid off. It was a good solid race."

Johnson narrowly missed out on the finals in the 400 last season. He is expected to be in the mix of a crowded 400 field at state this weekend.

"I know I can go much faster than this," he said.

The 800 relay will have to work to make the finals in a field that includes seven teams that have recorded times under 1:30.

Bay had a couple of other near misses at the sectional, as Merriwether was fourth in the 100 by .05 of a second (11.25), and Johnson was in the same position in the 200, this time by .08 of a second. Mike Camirelli was fifth in the 3,200 (9:54.95).

Nicolet boys track

Nicolet senior Jeff McClain knows something about patience. The long-time 800 runner found a niche at state in the 400 by taking second to Bay's Davontae Johnson in 50.94.

"I started out in the 800, so the 400 felt easy," he said. "This feels so good. I've been waiting and working for this for four years and now I finally got it (state)."

McClain will run next to Johnson in heat three of the 400 preliminaries at the WIAA state meet in La Crosse on Friday. The finals will be held on Saturday.

Also competing at sectional for the Knights were Nate Frazer, who took sixth in the 1,600 (4:30.75). McClain in the 800 (2:13.94) and Josh Greenberg in the 3,200 (10:38.36) were both eighth.

The Knights' 400 relay had a hand-off problem and did not finish the race.

Nicolet boys golf

Building on their North Shore Conference championship, the Knights looked good in winning a WIAA regional meet at Mee-Kwon on May 25. They took part in sectional play on today at Blackstone Creek in Germantown for the right to advance to the state tournament.

The top two teams and first three individuals not on those squads will advance to the state test Monday and Tuesday at University Ridge in Madison.

"We're capable of going to state," Knight coach Ted Wachs said, "but it's going to be very competitive for that second spot (behind Greater Metro champ Marquette). This was a very good day for us. Like always, the guys were very steady, very consistent."

Nicolet turned in a season-best 18-hole score of 305 at the regional as Homestead was second with 308.

Rob Bamberger carded a 74 to lead the way, while Ben Schlossmann (75), Aaron Sandock (76) and Kyle Lurie (80) also figured into the scoring column. Noah Hersch was a solid fifth man for Nicolet (81).

Homestead boys golf

The Highlanders turned in their best score of the season with a 308 in taking second at the regional they hosted at Mee-Kwon on May 25.

They took part in the Blackstone Creek sectional today with hopes of making a return trip to state on Monday and Tuesday.

Jordan Niebrugge tied for medalist honors at the regional with an 18-hole score of 72, while Joe Tautges (76) and Dylan Drozdowicz (77) also broke 80.

Also contributing were Kyle Waugaman (83) and Bryan Silver (86).

Whitefish Bay boys golf

The Blue Dukes picked a good time to have their best 18-hole round of the year, as they took second in the WIAA regional meet at Washington County on May 25.

"They really played well, much better than I expected," Bay coach Frank Donadio said. "…We're very relaxed at this point. We now have another opportunity to have some fun on the course (at sectionals) and we're going to enjoy it."

The Blue Dukes competed in the WIAA sectional meet at Blackstone Creek today for the right to advance to the state meet.

Bay turned in a 329 at the regional, as Marquette won easily with 299.

Freshman Jack Comiskey turned in a 79 to lead the Blue Dukes, while Mike Armstrong and Sam Richtman each carded an 82. Also contributing were Danny Umland (86) and George Schley (89).

"Jack (Comiskey) had a very good day," said Donadio. "He stayed calm and didn't make many mistakes, which is his usual game."

Brown Deer boys golf

The Falcons finished fourth in the WIAA Division 2 regional at New Berlin Hills on May 26, and advanced Sean Andryauskas, Sam Kuchenreuther and Eric Seonbuchner to the sectional that was contested at Badger Creek Golf Course in New Holstein today.

The top two teams and first three individuals not on those teams advance to the WIAA state meet at University Ridge in Madison on Monday and Tuesday.

Brown Deer turned in an 18-hole team score of 342, just eight strokes behind Racine St. Catherine's for the fourth and final team sectional berth.

Andryauskas carded an 83, while Seonbuchner and Kuchenreuther each came in with an 84.

New Berlin West won with regional with a 313 mark.

Shorewood softball

The Greyhounds rallied from a 4-0 deficit and won their WIAA Division 2 regional quarterfinal game against St. Francis by a 7-4 count on May 27.

With the win, Shorewood advanced to a regional semifinal against top regional seed Cudahy today, with the winner advancing to the regional final on Thursday against the winner of Whitefish Bay and St. Thomas More.

Shorewood fell behind 4-0 after one inning to St. Francis, but then Kaitlyn Wick threw shutout ball the rest of the way, racking up two strikeouts and three walks.

The Greyhounds scored six runs in the next three innings, taking the lead for good with three runs in the fourth. Celia Carroll had two hits, including a triple and two RBI while Callie Scheck also had two hits.

Whitefish Bay softball

Jo Ruppa threw a four-inning no-hitter as the Blue Dukes routed Milwaukee Ronald Reagan 16-0, in a WIAA Division 2 regional quarterfinal game May 27.

Bay advanced to a regional semifinal against St. Thomas More today. The regional final (against the winner of Cudahy and Shorewood) will be Thursday (TBA).

The sectional semifinals will be at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday at Union Grove.

Ruppa had eight strikeouts and also had three hits and three runs scored, as Meridith Ludwig (two hits and three runs scored), Bridget Whaley (three hits) and Leslie Fuda (two hits) also contributed to the rout.

An 11-run second inning did the trick for Bay.

Girls soccer

The area teams readied themselves for WIAA tournament play that will begin on Thursday.

North Shore Conference champion Homestead, which beat Germantown, 2-0, on a pair of Olivia Tehan goals to finish out the league season at 6-0-1, earned the second seed in the Brookfield Central sectional and will host 15th-seeded West Allis Central in a 7 p.m. regional semifinal on Thursday.

Then on Saturday, they will host the winner of Germantown and Wauwatosa East in a regional final.

Whitefish Bay also picked up the second seed in its own sectional and will host Milwaukee Madison in a 7 p.m. regional semifinal on Thursday. The Blue Dukes will host the winner of Franklin and Greenfield in a regional final on Saturday.

Nicolet is the three seed in the Bay sectional and will host Milwaukee Washington in a 7 p.m. regional semifinal on Thursday. They will take on the winner of Milwaukee Riverside and Milwaukee South in the regional final on Saturday.

In Division 2 play, Shorewood earned the fourth seed in its own sectional and will host fifth-seeded Milwaukee School of Languages in tilt at 7 p.m. Thursday. If the Greyhounds win that game, they would advance to a regional final, likely at top-seeded Milwaukee Lutheran on Saturday.

Brown Deer is the sixth-seed in the Shorewood sectional and will visit third-seeded New Berlin West in its regional semifinal. If they won, they would likely take on second-seeded Wisconsin Lutheran in the regional final Saturday.

Girls softball

Homestead, which had a hard time against high-level competition last weekend, still earned the top seed in the WIAA Germantown sectional.

The Highlanders, who lost to returning state qualifier Kenosha Bradford, two-time state champ Stevens Point and to returning state runner-up Chippewa Falls last week to fall to 18-3, picked up a first-round bye and then will host the winner of Wauwatosa East and Wauwatosa West in a regional final on Thursday.

"What this showed us," Highlander coach Dave Keel said, "is that as tough as our competition is around here, it is much tougher up north. It really showed us something. We want to aspire to that level. I know the football teams up north are aspiring to become like us or Arrowhead, and I want our softball team to be like Point."

Nicolet earned the sixth seed in the Germantown sectional and hosted Milwaukee Vincent in a regional semifinal today. The Knights advanced to a regional final at third-seeded Germantown on Thursday.

Sectional semifinals will be played Tuesday.

 

- Steven L. Tietz