Buckshot | May 2019

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This Leader-Telegram Prep Sports Awards issue is brought to you in part by

TOP OF THE

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North’s Stange, Elk Mound’s Radtke take home top awards

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TABLE OF

CONTENTS 5: Complete list of Prep Sports Awards winners 7: North’s Stange, Elk Mound’s Radtke take home athletes of the year honors 11: Readers’ choice female athlete Petricka winning titles and breaking records 12: Posterized: Memorial’s Zach Bernhardt 15: Photos from the Prep Sports Awards 16: Readers’ choice male athlete Banks rewriting record books 17: Top male fall athlete DeLeon earned all-state selection 19: Top female winter athlete Akervik ends career as state’s best 21: Former Badger Gasser shares memories from prep sports

PHOTO BY SPENCER NICKEL

Eau Claire North’s Kary Petricka spikes the ball over the net during the playoff volleyball game at Eau Claire North on Oct. 19.

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LEADER-TELEGRAM PREP SPORTS AWARDS WINNERS

T

he Leader-Telegram sports department picked the winners of the following awards (with the exception of the reader’s choice awards, which were selected by an online fan vote). The athletes were honored at the Prep Sports Awards on May 8 at Florian Gardens.

Hinzmann, Noah Kahl, James Pfeiffer, Mary Jo Prokupek.

Chippewa Falls: Rico DeLeon, Caelan Givens, Aaliyah McMillan, Matt Pomietlo, Tyler Robarge, Dane Weiland, Alexis Zenner.

Female athlete of the year: Morgan Radtke, Elk Mound.

Chippewa Falls McDonell: Maggie Craker, Noah Weimert, Cory Hoglund, Charlie Bleskachek.

Male athlete of the year: Sam Stange, Eau Claire North.

Colfax: Alyssa Dachel, Abby DeMoe, Luke Heidorn, Kameri Meredith.

Top fall female athlete: Morgan Radtke, Elk Mound.

Durand: Isaac Wegner, Riley Radle, TJ Tulip, Brooke Polzer, Emily Annis.

Top fall male athlete: Rico DeLeon, Chippewa Falls.

Eau Claire Memorial: Mitch Brenner, Tyler Hanson, Nathan Hau, Jillian Heth, Cooper Kapanke, Ava Kison, Lexi Meade, Andrew Roberts.

Top winter male athlete: Sam Stange, Eau Claire North Top winter female athlete: Charlotte Akervik, Eau Claire North.

Reader’s choice female athlete of the year: Kary Petricka, Eau Claire North.

Reader’s choice male athlete of the year: Dalton Banks, Eau Claire North.

The selections for the top male and female athlete of the spring will be announced at a later date in the Leader-Telegram.

The following athletes were nominated by their respective schools and honored at the event: Altoona: Lydia Berseth, Karly Maurina, Evan Moss, Jake Nelson, Sydney Presler, Averie Varsho.

Augusta: Tanner Alix, Ashlyn Korger, Carolyn Shult.

Bloomer: Cole Michaelsen, Kenadi Poirier, Grace Post, Sierra Raine, Zach Ruf, Chloee Swartz.

Cadott: Jenna Sedlacek, Kaitlyn Tice, Madeline Wahl, Coy Bowe, Andy

Eau Claire North: Charlotte Akervik, Dalton Banks, Sydney Brown, Carter Duerkop, Kary Petricka, Sam Stange, Sydnie Steinmetz, Zach Urdahl.

STAFF PHOTO BY DAN REILAND

Leader-Telegram Prep Sports award winners from left to right: Front: Dalton Banks, Sam Stange, Rico DeLeon. Back: Charlotte Akervik, Morgan Radtke, Kary Petricka.

Eleva-Strum: Isaac Larabee, Ryan Johnson, Matthew Tomasello, Brianna Nelson, Aubrey Lasher, Connor Windjue.

Elk Mound: Brady Redwine, Cade Hanson, Morgan Radtke, Alana Plaszcz, Abigail Curry.

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Menomonie: Destiny Haldeman, Lexi Hastings, Lindsey Johnson, Jace Kressin, Mackenzie Maguire, Kylie Mogen, Sam Thompson, Adam Wilson, Sam Zbornik.

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MULTI-SPORT MASTERS

North’s Stange, Elk Mound’s Radtke excelled in multiple sports on way to athletes of the year awards

By JACK GOODS

N

early every elite athlete has to ask themselves an important question when approaching the college recruitment process.

Should they stick to their main sport, focusing all their time to honing the skills they need to attract coaches’ interest? Or should they play multiple, allowing them to train develop different skills, work out different muscles, avoid burnout, and, most importantly, continue to participate in sports they love?

Well, Sam Stange and Morgan Radtke prove you can still jump to the next level while following the latter approach.

Stange, a University of Wisconsin hockey commit, also spent serious time on the baseball diamond for Eau Claire North.

Radtke, a star volleyball player heading to Michigan Tech in the fall, also played basketball and softball for Elk Mound.

The duo, this year’s Leader-Telegram Prep Sports Awards male and female athletes

PHOTO BY BRANDEN NALL

Sam Stange

of the year, not only shined in their main sport, but found success in others.

“I think some of my sports, even though softball wasn’t my strongest sport, it taught me to be a leader in different situations and take on different roles,” Radtke said. “It also taught me, athletic-wise, how to be versatile and do different things.”

Stange was dominant on the ice, propelling the Huskies to their first state tournament appearance since 2006 while leading the Big Rivers in points and finishing sixth in all of Wisconsin. Prior to North’s state bout with Verona, he was named the Wisconsin Player of the Year by the Wisconsin Hockey Coaches Association and shared the Leader-Telegram’s All-Area Player of the Year honors with teammate and fellow future Badger Zach Urdahl.

He secured his iconic moment by scoring the overtime game-winner against Hayward in double overtime in the sectional final, helping the Huskies fend off a late Hurricane rally to send it to extra time.

But Stange is also a baseball star.

He helped the Huskies make their third-straight state tournament appearance last year, earning second team all-state honors along the way.

He hit .397 as a junior with 15 extra-base hits and 22 RBIs. As a senior, he has been among North’s top hitters and pitchers.

“I think it’s a huge bonus to play my last season in a North uniform,” Stange said.

“I think I was always hoping I’d be able to finish my baseball career here too.”

Radtke was a well-rounded force for the Mounders on the volleyball court, eclipsing the 1,000-career kill mark while serving as the team’s go-to player. The middle hitter was the Dunn-St. Croix Player of the Year, the Leader-Telegram’s All-Area Player of the Year and an all-state selection.

“I was glad I was able to grow as much as I did over the past four years,” Radtke said. “I never reached the goal of going to state. That’s everybody’s goal probably playing in sports, but I was very happy with the success my team had and how I was able to grow as a player and the accomplishments I made.”

STAFF PHOTO BY DAN REILAND

Male and female Athlete of the Year winners Sam Stange and Morgan Radtke hold their awards at the Leader-Telegram Prep Sports Awards on May 8.

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PHOTO BY BRANDEN NALL

Elk Mound’s Morgan Radtke rises for a shot on Tuesday, Jan. 22 in Colfax.

She also made a big impact on the basketball court, her first athletic passion. Radtke topped the Mounders with 18.1 points per game and a Dunn-St. Croix-leading 10.3 rebounds per game. She was a first-team all-conference selection and a second-team All-Northwest pick.

“When I talked to the coaches at Michigan Tech, they were very welcoming to the fact that I play several sports,” Radtke said.

“The club season for volleyball, that’s where they like to watch you and I wasn’t able to go to as many tournaments as other athletes that were just playing volleyball. They were very understanding of the fact that I played other sports. They liked that.”

Radtke’s prep career came to an end on May 20 when Elk Mound softball’s season concluded in the WIAA playoffs with a loss to Statford. It was her last connection to high school since Elk Mound seniors have already graduated.

Stange and the Huskies’ postseason starts on the week of May 26.

“I think in our section at least, we’ve had a target on our back,” Stange said. “That’s something we enjoy playing with because it never lets us be off our game.”

When Stange’s senior season comes to an end, he’ll be working out in the summer in preparation for junior training camp.

He expects to play a season in the United States Hockey League, the top junior circuit

in the country, before heading to Madison.

Sioux City owns his USHL rights, and he got an extended opportunity to play with the Musketeers this spring during a school break.

Radtke is working a job this summer and training before heading to Houghton in mid-July. She’ll be studying biomedical engineering.

“I’m kind of glad one chapter is closing and the other is beginning,” Radtke said.

“It’s kind of sad to leave something that I’ve known my entire life but I’m excited to start something new at college.”

With their careers coming to close, the spring has been a time of reflection for this stellar duo. What does this pair hope to be remembered for? Even with all the success they’ve had, they turn to the intangibles.

“Even though I know I was a talented player on the team, (it’s important) staying humble,” Radtke said. “Even when you know you did something well, just stay humble.

Also, the younger athletes that are coming up, set a good example for them.”

“I think the work ethic is something that everyone in the program has been trying to change,” Stange said. “I think we’ve always tried to do things the right way, especially me while I was here. That’s something I’ve focused on and I hope I set an example of doing things the right way, whether it was in games or in the community.”

PHOTO BY SPENCER NICKEL

Eau Claire North’s Sam Stange cuts in sharp to take a shot on goal during the WIAA sectional final boys hockey game against Hayward at Hobbs Ice Arena on Feb. 23.

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Petricka closing out North career as record holder Has another chance to go to state this spring

K

ary Petricka has proven she has a knack for breaking track and field records for Eau Claire North.

At the Big Rivers track and field championship on May 13, she showed she has the ability to bounce back too.

The Eau Claire North senior was a runner-up in the 100-meter dash by a razor-thin margin of 0.03 seconds behind River Falls’ Sofia Naranjo-Mata, but she didn’t let it get to her. After all, there was still the 200.

“Before the 200, I walked up to Sofia and was like, ‘So since you took the 100, maybe I can take this 200?’ as a joke,” Petricka said.

She responded by winning the 200 with a personal-best time and then won the long jump.

“I got out of the blocks and knew I had to give it my all, because she’s so fast and her legs are long,” Petricka said of facing Naranjo-Mata in the 200. “I came into the last 50 (meters) and thought maybe I could let up a little, but then I just turned into another gear and said ‘I’m finishing it.’”

On May 8 Petricka earned another honor when she was named the Leader-Telegram Prep Sports Awards’ Readers’ Choice female athlete of the year.

Petricka has qualified for state in three track and field events in her career and has a chance to head to La Crosse again this spring. She qualified for sectionals on May 20 in the 200, long jump and 400 meter relay in Menomonie.

She holds North records in the 4X200 and long jump and plans on continuing her career at the collegiate level at Minnesota State, just like her mother did.

On the volleyball court Petricka was a second team All-Big Rivers selection leading the Huskies in kills by surpassing the 400 mark for the season.

She was dominant against Eau Claire Memorial in an Oct. 5 intracity battle, firing home a game-high 23 kills in North’s 3-1 victory. “(Petricka) was huge,” North coach Perris Cooley said that night. “She was really the deciding factor. Our other hitters struggled tonight, so Kary was the key, no doubt about it. It was her night.”

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Eau Claire North’s Kary Petricka runs the 100-meter dash during the Big Rivers track and field championship on May 13 at North.

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STAFF PHOTOS BY DAN REILAND

Above: Eau Claire North athletes sit at their table during the 2019 Leader-Telegram Prep Sports Awards on May 8. At right: Emcee Bob Bradovich speaks at the podium at the Leader-Telegram Prep Sports Awards.

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STAFF PHOTOS BY DAN REILAND

Sports editor Jack Goods shakes hands with an area athlete during the award ceremony.

Keynote speaker Josh Gasser speaks at the podium during the Prep Sports Awards.

Above: Reader’s Choice winners Dalton Banks and Kary Petricka hold their awards at the Leader-Telegram Prep Sports Awards on May 8. Below: Students look on during the Leader-Telegram Prep Sports Awards on May 8.

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Already program’s all-time leading scorer as junior

By JACK GOODS Dalton Banks has already etched his name into the Eau Claire North basketball record books even before he starts his senior year.

The star Husky guard set the program record for career points this season, finishing this year’s campaign off with a total of 1,239. His junior year saw him score 535 points, a 23.3 average per game which was hurt by a game he left early with injury, and hit 48 3-pointers. He notched three triple doubles and topped 30 points six times. He set a season high when he scored 37 points in a 75-65 win against Marshfield in February.

“He is the heart and soul of the team,” North coach Todd Marks said. “He is a special talent who offers great leadership.”

Banks, unsurprisingly, earned multiple honors at the end of the season, including selections to both the AP and WBCA All-State teams, the All-Big Rivers first team and the Leader-Telegram’s All-Northwest first team and all-city team.

Few players in this area had the type of impact on their team that Banks instilled, even when he wasn’t 100%. Banks was clearly dealing with the fallout of a hip injury and broken nose suffered against Chippewa Falls when he suited up against River Falls on Jan. 26. Wearing a mask to protect himself, Banks was still eager to drive the basket and hit a twisting layup to lift the Huskies to a 63-61 overtime triumph. He notched 28 points total in the game on 10 of 19 shooting.

“It bothered me but I just played as tough as I could,” Banks said that night. “I tried to help the team and gave everything I could.”

River Falls coach Zac Campbell understood there was only so much his Wildcats could do to try and stop him. Not only can he shoot, but his passing and rebounding ability make him an incredible difficult cover.

“There is no better player in the area than Banks in space,” he said. “We tried to limit the space he works with but he’s hard to contain.”

Banks is one of the top recruited boys basketball players in the area, already possessing multiple Division I offers. UWGreen Bay, UW-Milwaukee, Montana, North Dakota State and South Dakota have all offered a spot for him following the conclusion of his prep career.

“This season, his responsibilities were elevated significantly, and he embraced and attacked the challenge,” Marks said. “He is extremely unselfish, and, undoubtedly, raised the level of play of those around him in allowing the STAFF PHOTO BY STEVE KINDERMAN

Eau Claire North’s Dalton Banks splits the River Falls defense to score a first half basket Saturday, Jan. 26, 2019 at North.

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17

DISRUPTIVE

FORCE Chippewa Falls’ DeLeon couldn’t be stopped in backfield pursuit

By SPENCER FLATEN

T

here was hardly a more consistent presence in the backfield last fall than Chippewa Falls’ Rico DeLeon.

Impressive, considering he was a defensive lineman.

DeLeon was a first team all-state selection for the Cardinals after finishing third in the state in tackles for a loss. The 6-foot-3, 235-pound powerhouse in the trenches made 4.5 sacks despite facing constant double and triple teams.

Rico DeLeon (8) of Chippewa Falls fights through the Menomonie offensive line to pressure Menomonie quarterback Jake Ebert Friday, Aug. 31, 2018 at Menomonie.

fumble recovery, and one big nightmare for He was noted by coaches from around opposing coaches. And the highlights were the area for his ability to make up tremenmany. From a 15-tackle, two-forced fumble dous amounts of ground in the backfield to game against Superior to chase down a runner from an 11-tackle, two-forced behind. fumble game against HolWith that kind of ability, men, the lineman always game plans focused on seemed to find a way to running in the opposite make his presence felt. direction of the defensive DeLeon helped lead the star didn’t do much good.

Cardinals to a playoff berth “He has the ability to this fall. He was the co-Big change games,” River Falls Rivers Conference defencoach David Crail said. “I sive player of the year. was most impressed by his DeLeon garnered plenty ability to chase down plays of interest from NCAA from the backside.”

Division I and Division II DeLeon was named the football programs, but Leader-Telegram’s male decided on Iowa Western athlete of the year for the — David Crail, Community College where fall sports season at May’s River Falls coach he plans to continue his Prep Sports Awards. career on the gridiron.

Longtime Chippewa Iowa Western is one of the top programs Falls head coach Chuck Raykovich heralded at the junior college level. The Reivers went DeLeon as “unblockable.”

10-1 and won the Graphic Edge Bowl last The numbers spoke for themselves: season.

102 total tackles, four forced fumbles, one

“He has the ability to change games. I was most impressed by his ability to chase down plays from the backside.”

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BUCKSHOT THE MAGAZINE | MAY 2019

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19

Akervik was coach on the ice for Stars Named Ms. Hockey and All-Area Player of Year as senior

By JACK GOODS There comes a bit of pressure while walking into Hobbs Ice Arena when you carry the Akervik surname. After all, Akervik Rink is adorned in large letters above the doors of the middle of the three ice surfaces, big enough to draw your eyes as soon as you walk into the building.

“I didn’t realize how much of a big deal that was until probably high school,” Charlotte Akervik said. “I don’t think my family put any pressure on me. I think everyone in our family understands if you want to be successful, it’s on you.”

Luckily for Charlotte and the Eau Claire Area Stars, she lived up to the billing.

Akervik proved over her four years with ECA there was little that could slow her down, especially not opponents. A torn ACL she suffered as a sophomore couldn’t stop her either, as eight months after that injury she was back and producing again. At this point, the scary incident isn’t even on her mind anymore.

“That’s a pretty good indication of the type of kid she is and how determined she is,” Stars coach Tom Bernhardt said.

She leaves as one of the top players to ever don the Stars’ blue and black sweater after amassing three all-state

and four all-Big Rivers selections in addition to a state title. In February she kept the Ms. Hockey Award in Eau Claire, earning the Wisconsin Girls Hockey Coaches Association’s nod as the state’s top senior a year after Abigail Stow earned the honor.

In March she was named the Leader-Telegram’s All-Area Player of the Year.

A month later she was named the top winter female athlete at the L-T Prep Sports Awards.

“To have a defenseman like that, that you build your power play around, that you build your penalty kill and d-zone around, that’s something that you don’t come across very often,” Bernhardt said. “She was really a coach on the ice for us for four years.”

Akervik possesses a versatility and poise that’s uncommon to find at the high school level. Matching up against her often meant picking your poison. If you sag off her, she has the speed and confidence with the puck to launch a rush. Over commit to her and she’ll dish the puck to an open teammate. In settled situations in the offensive zone, she was never afraid to let off a wicked slap shot.

Akervik has traditionally spent her springs running track for Eau Claire North but took this final season off to prepare for her next chapter, a collegiate hockey career at Minnesota State.

STAFF PHOTO BY SPENCER FLATEN

Eau Claire Area’s Charlotte Akervik (8) skates away from Chippewa Falls/Menomonie’s Chloe Beaudette (28) on Dec. 13, 2018 at Hobbs Ice Arena.

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BUCKSHOT THE MAGAZINE | MAY 2019

21

Cherishing high school moments Gasser’s fondest memories come from prep sports

W

By AARON ROSE

hen former Wisconsin Badger Josh Gasser looks back on his athletic career, his fondest memories aren’t his two appearances in the Final Four or playing in front of thousands of fans at Big Ten games. Instead, they’re the moments from his high school days when local fans packed into small gyms to watch him play for his community.

That was the message Gasser wanted to convey to over 90 high school athletes in attendance on May 8 at the second annual LeaderTelegram Prep Sports Awards. He wanted the athletes to cherish their high school careers and continue to work hard to overcome whatever obstacles they face along the way.

“I was fortunate to play in front of millions of fans on some of the biggest stages, but my greatest memories are from playing youth sports and high school sports, when you’re playing with your best friends that you grew up with,” Gasser said.

For many of the athletes in attendance, the next month is the final time they walk out onto a field in front of their local communities wearing their local towns on their jerseys.

“I’m going to miss that feeling of stepping onto the court before the game even starts,” Durand’s Emily Annis said. “Just looking at the crowd and knowing that they’re all there watching you and your team and wanting you to succeed. That feeling is what I’m going to miss the most.”

Eau Claire North’s Sam Stange, who won athlete of the year honors along with Morgan Radtke of Elk Mound, said he’ll miss those moments on the bus and in practice

with his teammates. He said he took pride representing the Eau Claire North community and he’ll miss that as he moves on with his career.

That’s what high school sports creates that few other things can, according to Memonomie athletic director Caleb Hundt.

“It offers a sense of spirit and identity,” Hundt said. “Without high school sports, Menomonie isn’t the Mustangs, we have an identity and around that identity we can create some spirit that gets everyone excited.”

Caden Boettcher found himself in the middle of uniting the Osseo-Fairchild community this past year as he helped lead Thunder basketball down to Madison.

“Making state in basketball brought our community together, it made us stronger,” he said.

Aside from the wins and losses, high school sports helps build character in the boys and girls that participate.

“I was fortunate to play in front of millions of fans on some of the biggest stages, but my greatest memories are from playing youth sports and high school sports, when you’re playing with your best friends that you grew up with.”

— Josh Gasser, former Wisconsin basketball player

STAFF PHOTO BY DAN REILAND

Keynote speaker Josh Gasser speaks at the Leader-Telegram Prep Sports Awards on May 8. View more photos at LeaderTelegramPhotos.com.

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STAFF PHOTO BY DAN REILAND

North High School senior Sydney Brown had her dad, Tony, photograph her with keynote speaker Josh Gasser at the Leader-Telegram Prep Sports Awards on May 8.

“It taught me a lot of lessons,” Boettcher said “It teaches you the life lessons that you’ll carry on after school.”

It teaches students how to deal with adversity, something Gasser said he had no shortage of early in his career.

“Everyone is going to have adversity as a player or a student,” Gasser said. “It’s not about the adversity you face, it’s about how you’re going to bounce back, that shows your true character.”

Many of these athletes will face a new challenge as they move away from home and into different communities and environments over the next few years.

“Enjoy it and embrace it,” Gasser said. “It can be scary, but everyone feels that way. ... Get comfortable being uncomfortable, whether you’re playing college athletics or just trying to meet friends.”

Before these athletes all head their separate ways, Gasser reminded them to take advantage of the remainder of their high school careers.

“There’s nothing like high school sports,” he said.

“Enjoy it and embrace it. It can be scary, but everyone feels that way. ... Get comfortable being uncomfortable, whether you’re playing college athletics or just trying to meet friends.”

— Josh Gasser

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