General

Kwik Trip Athletes of the Week - September 15

MADISON, Wis.--Following are the WIAC Kwik Trip Athletes of the Week for the week of Sept. 8 - 14.

MEN’S CROSS COUNTRY
Cameron Cullen, Senior (Kewaunee, Wis./Kewaunee), of UW-Oshkosh
Cullen won the UW-River Falls River Town Invitational individual title on Sept. 12, in 25:51.70. He led the Titan contingent that won the team title by claiming the three top spots and six positions in the top 10.
 
Also nominated:
UW-River Falls, Jack Richter, Sophomore, Bayport, Minn. (Stillwater)
 
 
WOMEN’S CROSS COUNTRY
Lehna Mitchell, Freshman (Oshkosh, Wis./Oshkosh North), of UW-Oshkosh
Mitchell opened her collegiate cross country career on Sept. 12, with a third-place finish (23:28.3) at the UW-River Falls River Town Invitational. She was the fastest Division III runner at the meet and helped UW-Oshkosh to second place.
 
Also nominated:
UW-River Falls, Adison Wilde, Sophomore, Baldwin, Wis. (Baldwin-Woodville)
 
 
FOOTBALL
Offense
Kaleb Blaha, Senior (Coon Rapids, Minn./Fridley), Quarterback of UW-River Falls
Blaha broke his own program single-game record with 569 yards of total offense during a 59-47 win over Coe College (Iowa), completing 30-of-38 through the air for 335 yards, while adding 234 rushing yards. He tallied four rushing touchdowns and two passing touchdowns as UW-River Falls improved to 2-0 on the season.
 
Also nominated:
UW-Eau Claire, Matt Kuczaj, Sophomore, Wide Receiver, Wheaton, Ill. (Wheaton North)
UW-La Crosse, Kyle Haas, Junior, Quarterback, Prior Lake, Minn. (Prior Lake)
UW-Platteville, Nathan Uselding, Sophomore, Quarterback, Port Washington, Wis. (Port Washington)
 
Defense
Sam Baumgard, Junior (Barron, Wis./Barron), Defensive Back of UW-La Crosse
Baumgard returned an interception 41-yards for a touchdown in UW-La Crosse's 38-14 win at No. 17-ranked Carnegie Mellon University (Pa.) on Sept. 13. It was UW-La Crosse's first interception return for a touchdown since 2022. Baumgard also had two tackles. 
 
Also nominated:
UW-Eau Claire, Kingsley Obikwelu, Sophomore, Cornerback, Farmington, Minn. (Farmington)
UW-Oshkosh, Kyle Dietzen, Senior, Linebacker, Omro, Wis. (Omro)
UW-Platteville, Donovan Nedelcoff, Sophomore, Defensive Back, Oregon, Wis. (Edgewood)
UW-Stevens Point, Joe Berens, Senior, Linebacker, Wausau, Wis. (West)
UW-Stout, Brooks Brewer, Junior, Defensive Back, Menomonie, Wis. (Menomonie)
UW-Whitewater, Jayden Fowler, Sophomore, Linebacker, Morton Grove, Ill. (Niles Township West)
 
Special Teams
Brycen Cashin, Senior (Plover, Wis./Stevens Point Pacelli), Running Back of UW-Stevens Point
Cashin amassed 180 kick return yards on three attempts, including a 97-yard return for a touchdown in a 41-17 win over St. Norbert College (Wis.) on Sept. 13. It was the fourth-longest TD kick return and he now has two of the top-5 kick returns in program history. He also had kick returns of 66 and 17 yards in the game.
 
Also nominated:
UW-La Crosse, Ethan Tranel, Sophomore, Punter, Blue Mounds, Wis. (Mount Horeb)
UW-Oshkosh, Dayshawn Henry, Sophomore, Linebacker, Oshkosh, Wis. (Oshkosh North)
UW-Platteville, Carter Olson, Junior, Wide Receiver, Cuba City, Wis. (Cuba City)
UW-River Falls, Justin Scheberl, Senior, Kicker, Fond du Lac, Wis. (Fond du Lac)
UW-Stout, Brady Prieve, Sophomore, Punter, Randolph, Wis. (Randolph)
UW-Whitewater, Seth Adams, Sophomore, Kicker, Utica, Ill. (La Salle-Peru)
 
 
WOMEN'S GOLF
Julia Imai, Sophomore (Brookline, Mass./Brookline), of UW-Stout
Imai tied for first at the Gustie D3 Classic at the Emerald Greens Golf Course in Hastings, Minn. She shot a 70 on day one and 75 on day two to finish with a 1-over 145. Over the 36 holes, Imai cared six birdies. The field consisted of 18 teams and 97 golfers.
 
Also nominated:
UW-Eau Claire, Lily Kaminski, Junior, Green Bay, Wis. (Denmark)
UW-La Crosse, Allison Balduzzi, Senior, Onalaska, Wis. (Onalaska)
 
 
MEN’S SOCCER
Offense
Owen Williams, Senior (Stevens Point, Wis./SPASH), Forward of UW-Eau Claire
Williams helped the Blugolds go 1-1 against non-conference opponents – No. 7-ranked Augsburg University (Minn.) and Elmhurst University (Ill.). He garnered the game-winning goal at home against Elmhurst on Sept. 13, to help UW-Eau Claire bring their record at home to 13-1-1 in their last 15 games at Simpson Field.
 
Also nominated:
UW-River Falls, Josh Villanueva, Freshman, Midfielder, Richmond, Calif. (Summit Tamalpais)
UW-Whitewater, Luka Breslin, Sophomore, Forward, Dublin, Ireland (Terenure College)
 
Defense
Zeke Healy, Senior (Mukwonago, Wis./Mukwonago), Defense of UW-Whitewater
Healy was a key part of the Warhawks' defense in their contest against No. 7-ranked Augsburg University (Minn.) on Sept. 13. Healy played 82 minutes in the contest, taking one shot on goal in the Warhawks attack. He led the Warhawks backline, as they didn't allow a single shot on goal from the Auggies in the second half of the game.
 
Also nominated:
UW-Eau Claire, Alek Laroi, Junior, Defense, Grayslake, Ill. (Libertyville)
UW-River Falls, Mauricio Cuevas, Sophomore, Defense, Rosemount, Minn. (Rosemount)
 
 
WOMEN'S SOCCER
Offense
Meghan Frantz, Junior (Middleton, Wis./Middleton), Midfielder of UW-Platteville
Frantz scored a pair of game-winning goals for the Pioneers during the week in wins over Luther College (Iowa) and Simpson College (Iowa). Against Luther, she scored her first goal of the season in the 44th minute as UW-Platteville picked up the 2-1 win. Frantz followed that up by scoring the first goal in a 2-0 win over Simpson on Saturday in the 66th minute. Frantz concluded the week with three total shots, two of which resulted in goals.
 
Also nominated:
UW-Eau Claire, Emma Donovan, Sophomore, Forward, Hazel Gren, Wis. (Wahlert Catholic)
UW-La Crosse, Jillian Sawadski, Junior, Forward, Mount Prospect, Ill. (Prospect)
UW-Oshkosh, Jaden LeRoy, Sophomore, Forward, Evansville, Wis. (Evansville)
UW-Stout, Anna Odisho, Senior, Forward, Roselle, Ill. (Lake Park)
UW-Whitewater, Karina Osborn, Freshman, Midfielder, Arena, Wis. (River Valley)
 
Defense
Sophia Vriesema, Freshman (Sun Prairie, Wis./Sun Prairie West), Goalkeeper of UW-Platteville
Vriesema picked up a pair of wins in net during the week as the Pioneers beat Luther College (Iowa) and Simpson College (Iowa). She stopped three of the four shots that she faced in the 2-1 win over Luther on Sept. 10, before collecting a career-high nine stops in a 2-0 victory against Simpson for her third shutout of the season.
 
Also nominated:
UW-Eau Claire, Josie Steeno, Sophomore, Defense/Midfielder, Oneida, Wis. (Pulaski)
UW-La Crosse, Monica Wawrzyn, Freshman, Midfielder, Delafield, Wis. (Kettle Moraine)
UW-Oshkosh, Shannon Walsh, Junior, Defense, Des Plaines, Ill. (Maine West)
UW-River Falls, Maddie Johnson, Junior, Defense, Oak Grove, Minn. (Saint Francis)
UW-Stout, Kaitlyn Krengel, Freshman, Goalkeeper, Brooklyn Park, Minn. (Champlin Park)
UW-Whitewater, Jude Dobrinska, Senior, Goalkeeper, Milwaukee, Wis. (Ronald Reagan College Prep)
 
 
WOMEN’S TENNIS
Singles
Hannah Cady, Junior (Delafield, Wis./Hartland Arrowhead), of UW-La Crosse
Cady earned a pair of straight set wins during the week. She opened the week with a 6-1, 6-1 victory over Abigail McIsaac of UW-Whitewater at No. 6 singles in UW-La Crosse's 4-3 dual victory on Sept. 12. Cady then earned a 6-3, 6-1 win over Makayla Counsell of Carroll University (Wis.) at No. 5 singles on Sept. 14 in the Eagles' 7-0 win. 
 
Also nominated:
UW-Eau Claire, Aubrey Wittwer, Sophomore, Delano, Wis. (Delano)
UW-Oshkosh, Olivia Pethan, Junior, Oshkosh, Wis. (Fox Valley Lutheran)
UW-Stevens Point, Chloe Regal, Freshman, Stewartville, Minn. (Stewartville)
UW-Whitewater, Molly Asfeld, Senior, Waukesha, Wis. (Waukesha West)
 
Doubles
Abigail Weaver, Sophomore (Wakarusa, Ind./Mishawaka Marian) & Gracie Ha, Senior (Palatine, Ill./Fremd), of UW-Whitewater
Weaver and Ha went undefeated at the top doubles flight in the Warhawks' two conference dual matches during the week. The pair fended off match-point for multiple games, trailing 2-5 against UW-La Crosse’s Tasha Bailey/Shelby Roth before winning five straight games to take the match 7-5. The next day against UW-Eau Claire, Weaver and Ha cruised to a 6-0 victory at No. 1 doubles over Olivia Herzog/Beatriz Felchak.
 
Also nominated:
UW-La Crosse, Caitlyn Stadter, Sophomore, Mondovi, Wis. (Mondovi) & Lily Jorgenson, Sophomore, Racine, Wis. (The Prairie School)
UW-Oshkosh, Sarah Schaeffer, Freshman, Rock Springs, Wis. (Reedsburg) & Jameson Gregory, Sophomore, Delavan, Wis. (Big Foot)
UW-Stevens Point, Tristin Jantz, Senior, Salem, Wis. (Westosha Central) & Ellie Aitken, Freshman, Sterling, Ill. (Sterling)
 
 
WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL
Offense
Samantha Perlberg, Junior (Chippewa Falls, Wis./Chippewa Falls), Pin Hitter of UW-Oshkosh
Perlberg averaged 5.36 points and 4.73 kills in three matches during the week, helping UW-Oshkosh to three-set wins over No. 8-ranked Hope College (Mich.) and the University of Chicago (Ill.). Hitting .239 during the UW-Oshkosh Invitational, she recorded a 24-kill, 13-dig double-double against the No. 5-ranked University of La Verne (Calif.) on Sept. 12, before adding 16 kills and 13 digs against Hope on Sept. 13. In the Titans’ win over the Flying Dutch, Perlberg joined the 1,000 kills club with the 12th point of the second set. In UW-Oshkosh’s win over the Maroons, she registered 12 more kills for 52 on the weekend.
 
Also nominated:
UW-Eau Claire, Bailey Leeke, Senior, Rightside Hitter, Lakeville, Minn. (Lakeville North)
UW-La Crosse, Annie Werner, Sophomore, Middle Hitter, Scales Mound, Ill. (Scales Mound)
UW-Platteville, Kierney McDonald, Senior, Middle Blocker, Taylor Ridge, Ill. (Rockridge)
UW-River Falls, Blessing Adebisi, Junior, Middle Blocker, White Bear Lake, Minn. (White Bear Lake)
UW-Stevens Point, Lauren Shaw, Junior, Outside Hitter, Gurnee, Ill. (Warren Township)
UW-Stout, Brooke McCune, Junior, Outside Hitter, Osseo, Wis. (Osseo-Fairchild)
UW-Whitewater, Abbie Dix, Junior, Middle Hitter, Brodhead, Wis. (Brodhead)
 
Defense
Natalie Lawton, Freshman (Elmhurst, Ill./IC Catholic Prep), Defensive Specialist of UW-Whitewater
Lawton bolstered the Warhawk defense in three wins on the court during the week. She averaged 5.30 digs per set, including a 23-dig performance against St. Catherine University at UW-Eau Claire’s Sandy Schumacher Memorial Tournament sponsored by BSN Sports/Nike. In serve-receive, Lawton had a single reception error in 33 attempts, while adding an ace in ten sets played. 
 
Also nominated:
UW-Eau Claire, Mary Zettle, Senior, Libero, Rock City, Ill. (Dakota Illinois)
UW-La Crosse, Taylor Larson, Senior, Libero, Hartland, Wis. (Menomonee Falls)
UW-Oshkosh, Callie Panasuk, Freshman, Libero, Oak Creek, Wis. (Oak Creek)
UW-River Falls, Audrey Petersen, Sophomore, Defensive Specialist/Libero, Glencoe, Minn. (Glencoe-Silver Lake)
UW-Stout, Kailey Kline, Junior, Libero, Genoa, Ill. (Genoa-Kingston)
 
Setter
Aubrie Krzus, Junior (Wheaton, Ill./Warrenville South), Setter of UW-Whitewater
Aubrie Krzus led UW-Whitewater to another 3-0 week on the court, capturing All-Tournament Team honors for the third straight invitational. The Warhawks swept Marian University (Wis.) and Lakeland University (Wis.) before topping St. Catherine University (Minn.) 3-1 at UW-Eau Claire’s Sandy Schumacher Memorial Tournament sponsored by BSN Sports/Nike. In the three matches, Krzus tallied 116 assists, including 47 in the four-setter. Offensively, she added 20 kills on an attack percentage of .485, while posting six blocks defensively. For the week, she averaged 11.60 assists, 2.00 kills and 0.60 blocks per set. Now 10 matches into the season, Krzus leads the WIAC by nearly three assists per set.
 
Also nominated:
UW-Eau Claire, Hannah Thole, Sophomore, Setter, West Des Moines, Iowa (Waukee)
UW-La Crosse, Megan Lund, Sophomore, Setter, Rochester, Minn. (Century)
UW-Oshkosh, Izzy Coon, Senior, Setter, Fond du Lac, Wis. (St. Mary’s Springs Academy)
UW-Platteville, Laura Boberg, Sophomore, Setter, Lake in the Hills, Ill. (Huntley)
UW-River Falls, Olivia Noble, Sophomore, Setter, Maynard, Minn. (Kekhoven-Murdock-Sunburg)
 
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