Wisconsin Heights’ year in sports

By: 
Rob Reischel

Thrilling victories. Magnificent individual performances. Memories to last a lifetime.

These are the norm inside the remarkably successful sports programs at Middleton High School.

And 2019 was certainly no different.

MHS provided area sports fans with a bevy of highlights this past year. Here’s one person’s view of the top-10.

 

1. Patzka, Herrling

shine at state

Christian Patzka set his goal 12 months ago. He never wavered, and he most certainly delivered.

Patzka, a standout cross country runner at Wisconsin Heights/Barneveld, finished fifth at the state meet in 2018. And as Patzka headed home from the race held at The Ridges Golf Course in Wisconsin Rapids, he had just one target in 2019.

“I would say that I had no other goal than to win (state),” Patzka said. “I had been waiting for this moment since last year’s state meet and I did not want to settle for second.”

Mission accomplished.

At this year’s WIAA Division 3 state meet, Patzka didn’t settle for anything.

Instead, Patzka raced to an individual championship, finishing his Vanguards’ career in style.

Patzka completed the 5,000-meter course in 16 minutes, 8.7 seconds, while Matthew Marcinske of Birchwood was second in 16:14.5.

“To finish my senior year with a state title means everything to me,” Patzka said. “Going into my first cross country meet my freshman year, I was supposed to be on JV.  If someone told me right after that meet that I would go on to win the state meet, I think I would have a very hard time believing them. 

“I know it sounds cliché, but if you set your mind to something and you always work hard and pursue that dream, you will get it. Winning that state title was one of the most emotional days of my life and I wouldn’t trade that experience for anything this world has to offer.”

Vanguards’ freshman Samantha Herrling enjoyed a brilliant day herself, finishing second in the girls’ race. Abby Bartel, a sophomore from Weyauwega-Fremont was first in 18:52.9, while Herrling was second in 19:09.2.

“Going into the meet I was really hoping on getting first,” Herrling said. “I am very happy with second place, but I wouldn’t say I’m satisfied. I am ready for next season and what it may hold.”

Vanguards’ coach Sara Boutelle was incredibly impressed with Herrling’s performance. 

“She ran a gutsy and smart race,” Boutelle said of Herrling.

Both Vanguard runners were at the top of their games.

Patzka knew many runners would expend too much energy at the start of the race, so his early goal was simply to be in the top-10 after one mile. Patzka completed his first mile in 5:02 and was in ninth place.

Patzka moved up to sixth place after two miles, then grabbed the lead early in the third mile. At that point, there was no catching Patzka as he continued to pull away from a gifted field and brought a gold medal back home.

“The last 400 meters was his hard-fought victory lap, sprinting for every second as the crowds cheered him on,” Boutelle said of Patzka. “He went into the race believing winning was possible, and he proved his worth with a great strategy and smart running.”

Patzka was thrilled with how the race played out, too.

“The last mile I knew I had to push myself and use the downhills to my advantage,” Patzka said. “At the awards ceremony, the other runners told me, ‘I didn’t know that someone could run downhill that fast.’ 

“I had knowledge of all of the other runners in my race and I did not think that the Birchwood kid would be so close to me, but I knew I had enough energy left in me to handle everyone. I took the lead right after the second mile and I held it through the finish. Seeing that finish line was the most memorable experience.”

Patzka’s sensational race closed the book on a terrific career that he plans to continue in college next year.

“My thought going into this meet was that I had to be both physically and mentally tough,” Patzka said. “I knew I had the ability to win it and I knew that I had to be smarter and more tactical in the race than any other runner.

“I couldn’t have done anything without the help of Coach Sara Boutelle, Coach Lucas Caminiti, and Billy Boutelle. I would also like to thank my teammates for always supporting me and my parents for always leading me in the right direction. I am eternally grateful for this experience.”

While the book was being closed on Patzka’s career, Herrling just wrote her first chapter — and what a story it’s becoming.

Herrling ran with Bartel much of the race and actually led for a brief stretch around the two-mile mark. And while Bartel gained some separation from Herrling, the Vanguards’ star defeated the third place runner by a full 21 seconds.

“I planned on staying in the top-five and having a kick in the second mile and separating myself from the group,” Herrling said. “I went out a little slower than usual to make sure I had enough energy to finish strong. As the race went on I knew it was just me and (Bartel).  

“I went down the hill right after the second mile point and really used the hill. I think I am good at using the hills better than most of my competition. They are better at the flats. I powered down the hill and passed her, but she came back right away. I was hoping I could close the gap before the finish, but I didn’t have any more energy. I knew that I had a good hold on second, but I was hoping for first. I was really tired at the last 100 meters.”

As the Vanguards’ standouts left Wisconsin Rapids, Boutelle was brimming with pride. 

“We went into the day knowing each athlete was physically and mentally ready to run for state titles,” Boutelle said. “They were nervous and excited to prove themselves on the challenging Ridges course. 

“I could not be more proud of both of these athletes as they addressed the pressure to compete at a top level with humility and poise. I am grateful that I got to share this season and those moments with them.”

Moments the Vanguards will remember forever.

 

2. Football team

surprises

Wisconsin Heighs’ 2019 football season was a joyride packed with more success than most people saw coming.

Things could be even better in 2020.

The Vanguards finished the year 7-2 overall and 4-2 in the Great 8 Conference.

Considering Heights had just five seniors, the 2020 campaign could be more of the same.

“It’s hard to believe how fast this goes, and how much this group has grown,” Heights coach Trevor Steiner said. “They really did an incredible job all year.  

“I felt we could do some things that people were not going to expect, but not to the level they performed throughout the year. I loved how coachable the kids were, always open to correction, and adjusted when they needed to. I was also super pleased with our mental toughness as a team. It got stronger as the year went on.  

“We had a big hiccup in the middle of the season, and instead of blaming, complaining, and defending poor play, the kids took off in the right direction and got better. That was really exciting to me as a coach.”

After so much success, it was far less shocking to see several Vanguards rewarded with postseason awards.

Heights senior Jack Fields was named first-team all-Great 8 Conference as both a wide receiver and a defensive back. Senior quarterback Ozur Kepler and junior offensive lineman Dakota Lueck were also named first-team all-conference.

Senior wide receiver Ace Ayers, sophomore linebacker Hudson Smith and sophomore defensive lineman Jaeger Schoenemann were named second-team all-league.

Junior Connor Herrling was named honorable-mention all-conference as both an offensive and defensive lineman. Senior running back Willy Hanson was named honorable-mention at both running back and linebacker, and punter Hunter Walz received honorable-mention honors as a specialist.

As the year ended, Steiner took a minute to reflect on just how enjoyable the season was.

“I have to say how blessed I was to have the situation that I had,” he said. “Tremendous support throughout the school and community, incredible kids, coaches, and parents. It’s easy to be a coach when that’s the formula you are working with.  

“I know winning games solves a lot of problems, but at the end of the day you have to walk your talk. I had never been around 8-player football. I was asked to take over for a very successful coach and from my perspective there was a level of expectation to continue the success.  

“The kids deserve all the credit, our staff simply showed them the path. They’re the ones who actually had to perform day to day, and boy did they.”

Steiner knows the good times could continue, too.

While it’s still eight months until they’ll get going again, expectations will be sky high for Heights in 2020.

“I want everyone to just relax and enjoy the end of the season for a couple weeks before we even begin to think about next year,” Steiner said. “It’s kind of fun to think about next year when you had all kinds of success with only five seniors, and our JV had an outstanding year too. But I will tell you that the first thing I am going to say when I address the kids and coaches next fall at our first meeting is that we are not going to compare that team with this team.  

“We will be different, our opponents will be different. We’ll take each day and try to be the best we can be on that day. This is what I said this past August, and I believe it more than ever now.

“I’m sure we will have some new looks and different twists on how we do some things because of having different personnel. But our passion, persistence, and daily business-like mentality must stay the same.”

 

3. Softball team

wins conference title

Wisconsin Heights’ girls softball team finished the regular season 20-5 and won the Capitol Conference with a 10-0 mark.

Senior Tayler Kraemer, juniors Jada Wood and Miranda Keith and sophomore Sydnee Duhr all received first-team all-Southern Capitol Conference honors. Senior Haylee Cumuta and junior Alycia Hosking were named second-team all-league.

Heights also had aspirations of making the state tournament for the first time in school history.

But the Vanguards’ dreams came up just short.

Heights reached the WIAA Division 4 sectional final, but fell to top-ranked Horicon, 7-1.

The Vanguards had edged Mineral Point, 5-4, in nine innings in the sectional semifinals on May 28.

In Heights’ loss to Horicon, Marshmen pitcher Allison Tillema struck out 13 Vanguards and didn’t allow a hit.

“The team has been resilient in battling back,” Heights coach Dennis Wood said.

The Vanguards were resilient all year, but fell just short of a trip to state.

 

4. Track stars

In 2018, Christian Patzka was just happy to be at the WIAA Division 2 boys state track and field meet.

In 2019, Patzka — a junior at Wisconsin Heights — had far greater aspirations.

“I was pretty inexperienced last year,” Patzka said. “It was my first time at state. I thought I could run pretty well. I was definitely happy with getting to state last year. But this year, I wanted to get on the podium.”

Mission accomplished.

Patzka ran a brilliant race and finished second in the 3,200-meter run at Veterans Stadium in La Crosse. In 2018, Patzka was seeded fifth at state, but settled for 11th place.

“He learned last year that when you come into state with a time, it doesn’t mean that’s what you’re actually capable of doing,” Heights coach Sara Lazarescu said of Patzka. “People run to qualify. That’s what happened last year. He actually PRd last year at state, but everyone else was just at another level.”

This year, Patzka was at that level.

Patzka was seeded second at state — behind East Troy standout Henry Chapman — and held his seed.

Chapman, a senior, won the race in 9 minutes, 37.26 seconds. Patzka finished in 9:45.20, while Grafton senior Zander Lichosik was third in 9:47.83.

The race was run with temperatures in the mid-80s, making it tough for runners to post personal-best times. 

“This year, we knew Henry (Chapman) was at another level,” Lazarescu said. “So, we went into this going, second place is the race we’re going for. Christian ran the perfect race today. If it would have been less hot, Henry probably would have gone for a state record.

“But with the heat, he had to be conservative. Christian knew, we knew Henry was going to break away with a few laps left. The job was just to be in the perfect position to then take over that second part of the race and be the lead of that second pack.”

Knowing it was going to be one of the hottest days of the year, Patzka’s preparation for the race was sublime.

“When I knew it was going to be in the 80s, I said I’m just sticking in the tent, drinking as much water as I can, eating good food, just trying to take as good of care of myself as I can,” Patzka said. “I didn’t go outside the tent at all except to warm up. 

“It was a killer. With the last 800, 1,200 to go, it was, ‘It’s too hot out. We’ll go for a good place and see where that gets me.’ I’m still happy with my race.”

In 2020, Patzka will return as the favorite to win a state championship in the 3,200.

“Next year I just want to do as well as I can and break the school record in the mile and the two mile,” Patzka said. “If I can win a state championship, that would be great. That’s one of my goals.”

Heights senior Connor Murphy also enjoyed a memorable state tournament experience.

Murphy competed in the 400-meter run where he finished sixth in first heat and 10th overall in a personal-best time of 50.87 during the preliminaries. Murphy then placed 10th in the finals in a time of 52.73 seconds.

Murphy qualified for state as an alternate in the 800 relay as a freshman, but this was his first time competing at state.

“I was nervous, but I was just glad to get here and get an opportunity to run,” Murphy said. “It was great. Ever since I was a freshman and came here as an alternate, I’ve wanted to run here. It’s so much fun. I just had to work for it.”

Murphy’s primary race the last four years was the 100-meter dash. Late in the year, though, Murphy and the Vanguards discovered his talent for the 400 and he made the switch.

Amazingly, he just kept getting better and better.

“He’s PRd every time he’s run it this season until the finals,” Lazarescu said. “He started running it about four weeks ago. He’s learned to love it. He’s learned from our assistant coaches how to run it. So every time he’s run, he’s gotten slightly better and slightly better. I think he’s learning to love it a little bit.”

In the end, there was plenty to love for both Patzka and Murphy.

“It was fun,” Murphy said. “I didn’t think I was going to get there. It was great to run here.”

 

5. Girls soccer team

has terrific season

The Wisconsin Heights/Barneveld girls’ soccer team had a season to remember.

Unfortunately for the Vanguards, their year ended with a 5-1 loss to St. Mary’s Catholic, in a WIAA Division 4 sectional semifinal. 

The Vanguards finished the season 8-5-4, while St. Mary’s Catholic advanced to state two days later with a 10-1 win over Northland Pines.

Heights/Barneveld took an early 1-0 lead on a goal from Ashlee Adler. St Mary’s scored right before halftime to even the score, 1-1, then scored four second half goals.

“Our girls tried their best,” Vanguards’ coach Bartlett Holmes said. “It’s always hard to end the season with a loss because it causes people to forget about all the good things that we’ve done. These girls should be really proud as they gave a good team a tough game.”

One year after reaching the state tournament for the first time, the Vanguards had another terrific year. The Vanguards went 3-1-3 in the Southern Capitol Conference, played an extremely tough schedule and finished the year with three straight wins before encountering St. Mary’s Catholic.

“Overall I think the season went well,” Holmes said. “We were not only competitive all the way through, but strong. 

“The girls gave it their all and that’s what we ask for. We’re sad to see this year’s seniors go, but are thankful that they gave us four good years. As for the rest of the team, I know they will be back and ready to build on everything we’ve done this season.”

Heights/Barneveld assistant coach Tommy Lancaster agreed.

“The end of the season is always tough,” Lancaster said. “The one bright spot is that we are returning our entire team except for our two seniors. 

“Last year’s trip to state and this year’s sectional appearance have been great experience for a team that I would consider fairly young. So, while we may have had a rough spot or two this season, I think ultimately those are the times this group of girls will learn the most from. I think that you will be seeing them use what they’ve learned next season.”

 

6. Boys basketball

team has big year

Wisconsin Heights finished the regular season 15-6 overall and in sole possession of second place in the Southern Capitol Conference at 7-3. The Vanguards then received the No. 4 seed in their sectional.

“Our sectional is incredibly tough,” Heights coach Zack Colby said. “We like our chances to make a push.

,We’re possibly set up even better than last year in my opinion, but the top six or seven teams in our sectional are all so good that no one can afford a bad night. All we can do is keep working hard and give it everything we got!”

Heights did just that, but came up short in the postseason.

The Vanguards rolled past Brookwood, 75-36, in a WIAA Division 4 regional quarterfinal game. But Heights suffered an 81-76 setback to Fennimore in a regional semifinal.

The Vanguards had four players named all-Southern Capitol Conference.

Clay Caminiti and DeShawn Barsness were named first-team all-league. Shravan Parman received second-team all-conference honors and 

Camden Brown was named honorable-mention all-conference.

 

7. Girls spikers excel

Wisconsin Heights’ girls volleyball team enjoyed a terrific year, finishing in second place in the Southern Capitol Conference and reaching a WIAA Division 4 regional final.

Not surprisingly, the Vanguards were justly rewarded when it came time for all-conference honors.

Heights seniors Ashlee Adler and Jada Wood were both named first-team all-Southern Capitol Conference. Senior Kelsi Handel was named second-team all-league, while senior Reagan Doherty and sophomore Kylee Doherty were both named honorable-mention all-conference.

“It was great to see all of our nominations get recognition,” Heights first-year coach Kala O’Connell said. “We had the same nods as Waterloo and they had one more nomination than us.  I was happy with the outcome of the night.”

Adler led the Vanguards with 260 kills and a sensational .391 kill percentage. Adler also finished first on the team in aces (103), second in digs (310), fourth in blocks (18) and fourth in serves received (250).

Wood led the Vanguards in assists (668), was second in aces (81) and digs (260) and fifth in kills (91). 

Handel was first in blocks (38) and digs (313), third in assists (44), fourth in kills (148) and fifth in aces (45).

Reagan Doherty was second in kills (174) and had a .323 kill percentage. Doherty was also second in blocks (29) and assists (52), fourth in aces (52) and fifth in digs (243).

And Kylee Doherty was second in kills (202), second in digs (266) and third in assists (53).

Heights reached the regional finals, where it lost to River Ridge. Aside from that, it was another terrific year for the Vanguards.

“We have a lot of positions to replace, including a setter, but I’m confident that the underclassmen on varsity this year will step up and do a good job,” she said. “They improved so much this year and challenged everyone to be better.”

 

8. Boys soccer team

has stellar season

The Wisconsin Heights/Barneveld boys soccer reached the WIAA Division 4 sectional semifinals, where it dropped a 2-1 decision to Lake Mills.

“Lake Mills is a very strong team,” Vanguards’ coach Bartlett Holmes said. “I was proud of how our boys played and kept playing strong to the end.”   

The Vanguards, trying to qualify for the state tournament for the first time in school history, did win a WIAA Division 4 regional championship.

The third-seeded Vanguards cruised past 14th-seeded Prairie du Chien, 10-0, in a regional semifinal. Heights/Barneveld then toppled sixth-seeded Watertown Luther Prep, 3-1, in overtime in a regional final.

But Heights/Barneveld couldn’t get past Lake Mills.

“The wind and the field conditions were terrible, particularly on one side of the field,” Holmes said. “Each team definitely had the advantage when trying to score on the better half of the field.”  

Late in the first half, an error on the Heights/Barneveld defense led to an own goal, giving Lake Mills a 1-0 lead. Minutes later, Lake Mills scored again on a perfectly placed shot into the upper corner for a 2-0 halftime advantage.

In the second half, Heights/Barneveld came out firing.  

Operating with its offense on the better side of the field and the wind with its back, Heights/Barneveld had more scoring opportunities. The Lake Mills keeper was able to make the saves, though.  

Midway through the second half, Heights/Barneveld was awarded an indirect kick. Caeben Schomber scored bringing the Vanguards within 2-1.   

Snow started coming down in earnest and as conditions deteriorated and play became more difficult. Heights/Barneveld continued attacking, but was unable to finish.  

With 10 minutes left, Lake Mills made a run. Keeper Trevor Dimpfl went down trying to make the save.

With the ball rolling toward the net, it looked like Lake Mills would put the game away until defender AJ Olson flew into the net to make the goal line save and keep Heights/Barneveld in the match.   

“AJ’s save was amazing,” Holmes said. “It fired up the team, knowing we still had a chance to pull off the win.”  

Heights/Barneveld continued to attack. With 2 minutes remaining in the match, the Vanguards placed a corner kick in front of the net, but the header was saved by the L-Cats and they eventually prevailed. 

Lake Mills then defeated Lake Country Lutheran in a sectional final and is headed to the state tournament.  

“It’s good to see a public school, and particularly a Capitol Conference school in the D4 state (tournament),” Holmes said.   

When reflecting on the season and the match, Holmes was thrilled with his team. 

“I’m very proud of our boys. They could have folded when down 2-0, but they fought their way back and gave themselves chances,” Holmes said. “Things look bright for next year with nine starters returning and a very strong junior class.”

 

9. Schlimgen leaves

Family first.

At the end of the day, those two words trumped any other for Amy Schlimgen.

Schlimgen, the girls volleyball coach at Wisconsin Heights for 24 seasons, took the same position at Sauk Prairie last February.

The primary reason is that Schlimgen’s daughter, Alia, was a freshman who played varsity for the Eagles in 2018. Alia was injured throughout the 2019 season.

More often than not, Amy Schlimgen’s schedule conflicted with Alia’s and Amy saw just a handful of games.

Amy Schlimgen, a 1987 graduate of Wisconsin Heights and one of the state’s most successful coaches the last quarter century, said the decision to leave was tough. In the end, though, Amy knew the chance to coach her daughter was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

“I really didn’t think it would become an option,” Schlimgen said of the Sauk Prairie job opening up. “In my head for years, I kind of thought if the door opened, I would take it. I just feel like I have to.

“I’ve kind of been prepping people. I was going to leave Heights within a year or two anyway so I could see (Alia) play. But now, I’ll have a better seat on the sideline.”

Schlimgen replaces Eleanor Engelby, who resigned at the end of last season.

Schlimgen led the Vanguards to a 618-231 record that included 15 conference championships and 17 regional championships. Schlimgen also led Heights to state on four occasions and guided the Vanguards to a WIAA Division 3 state title in 2008.

Schlimgen coached one of her sisters and three nieces while at Heights. And Schlimgen is leaving behind a program that’s in terrific shape.

“I am very proud of what we accomplished,” Schlimgen said. “I don’t think about it too much. I just do my job and I always knew the kids have it in ‘em if they buy in. But the memories we made were amazing. It was a fun, fun ride.”

 

10. Steiner hired

Wisconsin Heights turned to the past with hopes of bettering its future.

The Vanguards named Trevor Steiner as their new football coach last spring. Steiner was also the Vanguards’ coach in 2010.

Steiner replaced the ultra-successful Jeff Supernaw, who led Heights to a Great 8 Conference title in 2018.

“The timing was just right,” Steiner said. “I really like working with our current leadership team at Wisconsin Heights. Their vision of extra-curricular and athletics are in line with mine.

“My family situation at this time is much more conducive to the demands of this position, and there are two people on staff that are excellent teachers and coaches that are already lined up to be on the football coaching staff.”

Steiner has been teaching in Wisconsin since 1995 and at Wisconsin Heights in the spring of 2002. In that time, Steiner has coached in New Glarus, Sauk Prairie, Verona, and Mount Horeb and been the Vanguards’ head coach for a year.

Steiner said he’ll have a simple philosophy for the program.

“Family first, academics second, sports/football third,” Steiner said. “That is how I live my life, and would expect that from our kids.

“Whatever decision that is made in regards to the program will be based on what is the best decision for the kids. It may not be what they ,want,, but it very well may be what they need!”

Heights is coming off a year in which it went 8-1 overall and tied with Oakfield for the conference title.

“As for success, I never base success on wins and losses,” Steiner said. “I have been quite removed from the Heights football program for some time and I am brand new to the 8-man game, so it is difficult for me to project what I think we can accomplish at this time.

“My focus is to do the best I can with where we are right now. We are projecting that we will have about 20 kids out at the start of the season and we are graduating a very strong class.”

 

 

 

Login Help

Thank you for visiting the new website. For your initial login, please use the following:

Username: Your current Star News username
Password: Please also use your username as your password

Once you successfully login, you can change your username. Thank you.