CAL DOROTA, a former Highland High School athlete, had a perfect weekend for the Wartburg College (Ia) men’s wrestling team weekend in Dubuque, Ia. Dorota, a sophomore at 197 pounds, went undefeated in four matches at the NCAA Division III Regional #6 and was crowned champion. He was one of five individual champions for the Knights, each earning the automatic berth into the upcoming national championships. En route to becoming a regional champion, Dorota outscored his opponents 31-8. He earned his first trip to the national tournament via a 4-3 decision over Jean Ngoma from Coe College (Ia). Dorota advanced to the championship match with a 4-2 decision over Samuel West from Central College (Ia). Seeded first in the division, Dorota opened with a commanding 17-2 technical fall over Eli Lupton from Lyon College (Ark) and followed that with an 8-1 decision over Kam Royster from Loras College (Ia). The Knights amassed 210.5 points to win the meet, their fifth straight regional title, by 37 points. Wartburg (15-1, 8-0) now prepares for the NCAA III Championships March 13-14 in Cedar Rapids, Ia.
AIDAN GRUENENFELDER, a former Pecatonica High School athlete, had a strong weekend for the Loras men’s wrestling team. Gruenenfelder, a freshman at 125 lbs, went 3-1 and captured third place at the DIII Regional 6 meet in Dubuque. By virtue of his finish, Gruenenfelder earns a trip to the DIII national championships. He placed third following a no-doubt 18-5 major decision over Carter West from Central. Gruenenfelder’s first match in the consolation bracket was a touch more dramatic; he battled Shelton Chastain from University of the Ozarks (Ark) and prevailed 13-12. Following a 2-0 decision over Jase Van Pelt from Cornell College (Ia), Gruenenfelder was upended by eventual champion Brett Birchman from Wartburg, 12-8, in the semifinals. The Duhawks were runners-up to Wartburg after scoring 173.5 points. Loras (17-3, 3-1) returns to action in Cedar Rapids for the national championships.
TARRON BOCKHOP, a former Dodgeville High School athlete, reached base for the UW-Platteville baseball team in all four games last week. Bockhop, a 5-8 junior INF/OF, was on base a total of six times as the Pioneers won three of four games in Rantoul, Ill. He batted .333 (5-for-15) with three runs scored and five runs batted in (RBI). Three of those hits went for extra bases; a pair of doubles against Elmhurst University (Ill) and a 2-run home run against Beloit College. The Pioneers opened with an 8-3 win over Elmhurst and saw the Bluejays score twice in the bottom of the ninth to win the second game 10-9. The Pioneers also notched dominating wins over Beloit, 11-1, and Wisconsin Lutheran College, 10-0. UW-P (3-1, 0-0) is off until March 9 when it travels to Marion, Ia., to play Maranatha Baptist University.
MACKENZIE KRUSE, a former River Valley High School athlete, helped the UW-Eau Claire women’s track team to a second place finish last weekend. Kruse, a sophomore multi-sport athlete, contributed 10 points to the Blugolds’ cause at the WIAC Indoor championships at UW-P. She finished second in the 4×400-meter relay and seventh in the open 400m. Kruse anchored the Blugolds to a time of 3 minutes 51.90 seconds after running 58.05 in her final two laps. She was clocked with a similar time in the open 400m, crossing the finish line in 58.35. The Blugolds scored 109.25 points over the two-day event to finish runner-up to UW-La Crosse. UW-EC returns to the track on Saturday at the UW-L Last Chance Meet.
BENTLEY CUTTS, a former Iowa-Grant High School athlete, picked up a save for the UW-P softball team last weekend in Rochester, Minn. Cutts, a sophomore P/INF, took the mound for the final three innings in a 7-4 win over St. Olaf College (Minn). She gave up three earned runs on a hit, walk, and hit batter while striking out three to notch her second save of 2026. Cutts then started the next game against the University of Northwestern (Minn), but lasted just two innings and was not the pitcher of record. She allowed a hit and two walks to the Eagles that produced one run to go along with two strikeouts. Cutts also reached on an error in her lone at bat against UNW as the Pioneers rallied for an 8-7 win.
LIZ HOFFMAN, a former Mineral Point High School athlete, made another pinch hit appearance for the Pioneers last week. Hoffman, a freshman IF/P, ended the third inning against UNW with a ground ball to second base. UW-P (4-1, 0-0) has a small break until March 10 when it plays at the University of Dubuque.
LEXIE WEIER, a former Mount Horeb athlete from Mineral Point, was a placewinner for the UW-Whitewater women’s track team last weekend. Weier, a senior horizontal jumps specialist, captured eighth place in the triple jump at the WIAC Indoor championships. She took the last place on the podium with a leap of 36 feet 2.25 inches (11.03m), and was her only mark over 11 meters. Weier earned one team point with her finish, and the Warhawks scored 26.25 points to place eighth in the team race. UW-W is scheduled to compete in Last Chance Meets on Friday and Saturday.
MASON AIDE, a former Iowa-Grant High School athlete, was on the track for the UW-Stout men’s team track last weekend. Aide, a junior distance runner, was on the blue oval at UW-P for the WIAC Indoor championships. He finished 15th in the two longest races of the competition; on Friday in the 5000m in 15:20.90, and then again Saturday in the 3000m with a time of 8:52.19. The Blue Devils finished fifth out of the eight teams with 50 points. UW-S travels to the Wartburg Final Qualifier this weekend.
BRYN MEYER, a former Barneveld High School athlete, helped the Loras women’s track team earn points last weekend. Meyer, a freshman sprinter/jumper, was part of the Duhawks’ 4×400 relay that finished fourth at the American Rivers Conference Indoor championships. She handled the third leg for the Duhawks, who finished in 3:57.77. Meyer also placed ninth in the long jump with an effort of 16-5 (5.04m) and 11th in the 60m preliminaries in 8.00. The Duhawks finished third out of nine teams while in Decorah, Ia., after scoring 112 points. Loras travels to Wartburg this weekend.
OLIVIA ARGALL, a former Dodgeville High School athlete, helped the UW-Oshkosh women’s basketball team split its two tournament games last week. Argall, a 5-10 senior forward, delivered 12 points for the Titans as they dumped UW-River Falls, 68-41, but were upset by UW-L, 52-49, in the championship game. All of Argall’s points came from three-point range (4-for-10); nine against the Falcons and three against the Eagles. She also collected six rebounds and was credited with three blocks. UW-O (24-3, 12-2) hosts Webster University (Mo) in NCAA DII Regional action on Friday.
CHARLOTTE FERSTL, a former River Valley High School athlete, helped the UW-Superior women’s basketball team win its conference tournament last Saturday. Ferstl, a 6-3 junior forward, had a combined 16 points and 14 rebounds for the Yellowjackets as they beat the University of Minnesota Morris, 68-59, and North Central University (Minn), 78-51. The victory over Morris in the semifinals avenged two losses to the Cougars during the regular season. She also added seven assists to her stat line, including six against North Central. UW-Sup (12-15, 7-5) plays at Concordia-Moorhead University (Minn) in the first round of the NCAA III tournament on Friday.
AIDEN MURPHY, a former Dodgeville High School athlete, helped the Viterbo University baseball collect its first win of the season last weekend. Murphy, a 5-8 freshman pitcher, was called out of the bullpen in the series finale against Baker University (Kan). Murphy faced 11 batters in two innings on the mound where he allowed two earned runs on three hits and two walks while striking out two as well. Twenty-three of his 43 pitches were strikes against the Wildcats. Even with giving up two runs in the bottom of the seventh inning, the V-Hawks prevailed, 13-10. Viterbo (1-7, 0-0) is scheduled to host Trinity Christian University (Ill) for doubleheaders on Friday and Saturday.
AIDEN FISHNICK, a former Barneveld High School athlete, made one appearance for the UW-Milwaukee baseball team last weekend. Fishnick, a 6-2 redshirt junior pitcher, pitched 2.2 innings of relief against the University of Evansville and allowed just one baserunner via a fielder’s choice. The Aces sent eight batters against Fishnick; seven were retired with groundouts and one with a strikeout. Despite Fishnick’s strong performance, the host Aces prevailed 4-2. UW-M (2-8, 0-0) plays at the University of Minnesota on Wednesday before traveling to Cape Girardeau, Mo., this weekend for a series against Southeast Missouri State University.
CALEB KITELINGER, a former Dodgeville High School athlete, was a point producer for the UW-P men’s track team last weekend. Kitelinger, a freshman sprinter, was part of the Pioneers’ 4×400 relay at the WIAC Indoor championships. He anchored the Pioneers’ quartet to fifth place with a time of 3:19.80, and was clocked in 49.22 for his two laps around the track. The host Pioneers finished fifth in the team race with ?? points. UW-P will have athletes competing in Last Qualifier meets on Friday and Saturday.
LIAM STUMPF, a former Mineral Point High School athlete, had a rough outing in his last appearance for the Central Michigan University (CMU) baseball team. Stumpf, a 6-0 redshirt senior pitcher, was on the bump to start the ninth inning against the University of Louisville. He walked the three batters he faced to load the bases before being removed from the game. All three would come home to tie the game before the Cardinals plated the game-winning run to win 9-8. CMU (5-5, 0-0) opens MAC play on Friday in Muncie, Ind., against Ball State University.
LACI LINDSEY, a former Mineral Point High School athlete, scored in double digits for the Edgewood University women’s basketball team last Saturday. Lindsey, a 5-10 freshman guard, was one of three Eagles to do so in an 81-70 loss to Aurora University (Ill) in NACC tournament play. She shot 5-for-17 from the floor, including two of seven triples, and 1-for-2 from the free throw line to finish with 13 points. Lindsey was also responsible for eight rebounds to accompany a steal and assist, each. Edgewood ends the season 12-14 overall and 11-7 in conference play.
ANNA TISCH, a former Pecatonica High School athlete, was in one event for the University of Mary (ND) women’s track team last weekend. Tisch, a sophomore sprinter/hurdler, made the most of her appearance at the NSIC championships by running a new personal best. She placed eighth in the 600m in 1:38.64, and missed advancing into the finals by three-tenths of a second. The Marauders tallied 111 points to place second among the 15 teams. UMary is scheduled to begin its outdoor season on March 21.
LILY PETTIT, a former Iowa-Grant High School athlete, made her season debut for the Lakeland University softball team. Pettit, a 5-1 sophomore P/INF, was tagged with the loss in a 5-3 contest against Lawrence University played at the Hodag Dome in Rhinelander. She faced 19 batters in 4.0 innings of work where she allowed four earned runs on seven hits. Pettit did not issue any free passes and struck out one Viking on the day. Lakeland (0-2, 0-0) plays the first of 10 games at the Space Coast Games beginning Sunday.
JAMESON JOHNSON, a former Pecatonica High School athlete, opened the season for the Rock Valley College (Ill) baseball team. Johnson, a 6-2 sophomore utility player, hammered a pair of solo home runs for the Golden Eagles; one against Lake Land College (Mo) with the other against Highland Community College (Ill). The Golden Eagles fell to Lake Land, 14-4, before defeating Highland, 4-3. Johnson also slapped a double and a single against Highland. RVC (1-3, 0-0) travels to Union, Mo., to play a four-game series against East Central College (Mo) beginning Saturday.
DAELYNN RHOADES, a former Barneveld High School athlete, returns to the Cornell softball team this season. Rhoades is a 5-4 senior P/INF for the Rams and wears No. 16. Cornell opens the season Friday in Melbourne, Fla., at the Space Coast Spring Games.
Former area athletes who participated for their respective teams last week, but did not record any statistics, or statistics were available included Mallory Lindsey (MPHS) UW-O women’s basketball and Mckenna Reilly (DHS) Edgewood women’s basketball.