WSAW Hilight Zone Podcast

Don't stress, the Ouimette sisters of Minocqua will still play Division 1 basketball together. It'll just be in a different city than originally planned. Julianna is transferring from Lehigh after her freshman season to play for UW-Green Bay and naturally, her sister Kristina followed her commitment there.  Noah Manderfeld talks with the pair about the decision and the benefits Green Bay offers than has them very excited to be close to home. 

For months, Antigo long jumper MacKenzie Wissbroecker has strived for the 19-foot long jump. Last Friday, she achieved that in front of the very person who initially held the school record, Cherie Dillahunt.  There's a lot to unpack with the senior who is going for a three-peat in the long jump at state in Division 2. Noah Manderfeld talks with Wissbroecker about the moment she set her new PR, the potential three-peat and her future goals at Winona State next season. 

Seven freshman, five sophomores, three juniors and one senior is the roster construction of Chequamegon softball. There's a lot of young talent for a Fighting Eagles squad on the rise. Sports Director Noah Manderfeld speaks with Head Coach Paige Herbst and sophomore Angelina BeBeau about the youth movement up north, and how the unique roster construction is pushing players to grow even faster.

Few people spend 33 years at one job. But Tom Anderson isn't most people. He's entering year 33 at Iola-Scandinavia as their head softball coach and he's loving every minute of it. He's had a lot of success in that time, as well. He's sitting at over 440 career wins and just won his first state title last season.  Noah Manderfeld speaks with Anderson about his career and his passion for the game of softball— even if he didn't know the game when he started coaching. 

A new era on the gridiron is underway at D.C. Everest with offensive assistant Braden Mitchell being promoted to Head Coach. NewsChannel 7's Nolan Bulmahn dives into how the combo of football and family fuels Mitchell to strive for success as the Evergreen's sixth coach in program history.   

Columbus Catholic and Almond-Bancroft boys basketball are the two central Wisconsin teams who will be playing at state in Division 5 and they are the top two seeds. However, the programs are quite different. Columbus is making their third trip to state since 2017 and has nine seniors on their team, while Almond-Bancroft has just two seniors and is making their first trip to state in school history.  In this episode, Noah Manderfeld speaks with Emmitt Konieczny, Blake Jacobi and Head Coach Joe Konieczny of Columbus and TJ Lamb, Ayden Phillips, Shane Klismith and Head Coach Curt Lamb of Almond-Bancroft about each team's trip to state. 

Marathon is a basketball town and Thursday night will be a special one for the community. The boys basketball team will be making the trip down to Madison to play Kenosha St. Joseph in the WIAA Division 4 State Semifinal game. I will be their first trip to state since 2018. These Red Raiders remember that 2018 team fondly- the five seniors were in 6th grade at the time. In this episode, they look back on that trip and how much that influenced their desire to get back to Madison. Noah Manderfeld speaks with seniors Tyler Underwood, Cooper Hoeksema, Grant Warren and head coach Adam Jacobson about the moment and how they will feel when they step onto the Kohl Center floor.

Stratford native Derek Kraus will be racing in NASCAR's Cup Series, a dream come true. He will be sporting the No. 16 in a part-time role for six races this year for Kaulig Racing starting this weekend at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. In this episode, Kraus talks with Noah Manderfeld about his excitement for the new adventure and what this accomplishment means to him.

It had taken over a century for Marshfield boy's basketball to win an outright Wisconsin Valley Conference title. Now they've done it three years in a row. It's a run of excellence that deserves a deeper look. Noah Manderfeld speaks with Brook Hinson, Chris Pohl and head coach Chris Fischer about what's made this team successful and why playoff success could be coming their way this season. 

It's been 17 seasons since Pittsville girls basketball has had success close to this season's. They are 18-4 as they near the playoffs as a No. 2 seed, hoping to make their first state title appearance since 2004.  In this episode, Reese Grimm, Brynn Friday, Brooke Grossman and Head Coach Jason Knott discuss the special season and how things will only look up from here.

Last year, Marcus Hall was helping D.C. Everest boys' basketball win games in the Wisconsin Valley Conference. This year, he's part of the Green Bay men's team that has gone from worst to first in the Horizon, all with a new head coach and a boatload of new players.    NewsChannel 7's Ben Helwig visits with Hall on his first year playing D1 college basketball, the role he's playing and what makes this Phoenix team so special. 

Last year, the Crandon girls' basketball team took home a share of the Northern Lakes Conference title. That group was led by five seniors.  This year, a new group, featuring a blend of veterans and young contributors, is charting its own path to success, while relying on the lessons learned from the seniors before them. NewsChannel 7's Ben Helwig speaks to Crandon players Alexis Shallock, Samara Kane, Lily Palubucki and Laurne Littleton about the strong start to the season and how they're making a name for themselves. 

Phillips girls basketball has won their regional in each of the last three years. There's a number of reasons, but at the core of the Loggers success is family and consistent winning. NewsChannel 7's Noah Manderfeld speaks with Kacy Eggebrecht, Mataya Eckert and head coach Mike Eggebrecht about what makes this program special, and their desire to get over the hump and into the WIAA state tournament.

Pacelli Boys basketball was two wins away from state last season and that's a good thing when you see how much of their roster is returning. They lost just two seniors from that team, and they return their two scoring leaders in Camden Schurk and Jaydon Awe. Both are sophomores. NewsChannel 7's Noah Manderfeld speaks with those two and senior Logan Mayer about the hopes this team has of building off last season's performance.

Gabe Sommers grew up racing bandoleros at State Park Speedway in Wausau. The Plover native had no idea that he'd become a tour champion. However, that's exactly what happened. On Oct. 8, Sommers won the Oktoberfest 200 at La Crosse Speedway to claim the 2023 ASA Midwest Tour title.    Ben Helwig visits with Sommers about his journey through the racing scene and how he is grateful for the ride. 

Lakeland's Saylor Timmerman is going to the SEC for softball. The junior who throws 70 milers per hour has committed to Arkansas. Noah Manderfeld speaks to the flamethrower about her decision, and her goals for the last two seasons at Lakeland. 

September of 2021. That's the last time Marshfield volleyball lost a Wisconsin Valley Conference match. They've won 27 straight regular season matches and they haven't dropped a set in any of those matches.  Noah Manderfeld speaks with seniors Abby Ongna and Ashlyn Barwick along with head coach Dawn Sadowska about the streak and what it's doing for the future of the program.

Through their first four games, the Three Lakes/Phelps football team is averaging nearly 35 points per game. On defense, they've given up just 26 points all season. Those are totals emblematic of how the number two team in eight-player has won games this season, using their perfect blend of strength and speed.  Ben Helwig visits with Three Lakes/Phelps head coach Tyler Maney, quarterback Jared Kaufman, running back LJ Terlizzi and wide receiver Tyler Janikowski on how this team is a long-time coming and why this group still has plenty more to accomplish.  

On Saturday, Sept. 16, Andy's Madison Capitols will host the Green Bay Gamblers at Marathon Park in the first-ever USHL game in Wausau. It will also mark a family reunion for the Brandt family. Andy and Brian Brandt Jr. both grew up in Wausau and played for Wausau West. Once each of their playing careers were over, they became coaches. Andy is now the head coach and general manager for the USHL's Madison Capitols, and Brian is the head coach for Wausau West boys hockey. He is also a part-owner for the Wausau Cyclones. Noah Manderfeld speaks with the two of them about how much this event will mean to the family, and how their lives have intertwined in coaching.

It's been quite the couple of years for Wausau East football. The Lumberjacks played just two games in 2020. In 2021, they were unable to field a varsity roster. The last two years they've been bouncing as a JV team and in 8-player.  Finally, on August 11, they returned to varsity 11-man action, topping Lakeland 23-7 in Minocqua. It was their first win in 1,440 days.  Now, the team prepares for their first installment of Wausau's greatest rivalry since that two-game 2020 season; the Log Game. The game with history all the way back to the early 1970's will be renewed when East faces Wausau West on Friday night. It's not just the first meeting in a long time, it'll also be their last.  NewsChannel 7's Ben Helwig visited with Wausau East head coach Tyler Kramer as well as quarterback Pacey Weber and wide receiver Caden Werth on the emotional start to the season and why Friday's Log Game against Wausau West may just be the biggest of their lives.

Wausau's Brady Cleveland had the dream of his life come true when he was drafted by the Detroit Red Wings in the second round of the NHL draft. For Brady, the moment was stamp on a lifetime of hard work. NewsChannel 7's Noah Manderfeld spoke to the Wausau native about what draft night was like and what he's doing as he gets ready for his freshman season with the University of Wisconsin. You can find the video story of this interview at https://www.wsaw.com/2023/07/14/whirlwind-year-cleveland-puts-hard-work-into-perspective/.

Wausau native and racer Luke Fenhaus reached victory lane in just his third race in the ARCA Menards Series East, winning in Nashville on a last lap restart. It's been a great start to the season for Fenhaus through four races of his first full-time season in the ARCA series, who's sitting in second in the standings. Noah Manderfeld speaks with the Wausau driver about the moment he won at Nashville, and returning home to race at Wisconsin's short tracks, including State Park Speedway.

In 2020, Macey Kilty suffered a devastating shoulder injury in the 2020 Olympic Trials. Just two years later, the Stratford native would suffer the same injury while pushing for the Olympic rings once again. Through perseverance and the help of her loved ones, she's feeling better than ever, with some monster matches looming that could determine her fate for Paris 2024.    Ben Helwig visits with Kilty on her road second road to recovery and why her Wisconsin roots are always fuel for her to keep going. 

Janel McCarville is the next SPASH girls basketball head coach. If you don't know the McCarville name, look no further than her 2013 WNBA Championship ring with the Minnesota Lynx. But her home is Stevens Point, and she is back to replace her former head coach Kraig Terpstra as the new Panther coach. Noah Manderfeld speaks with McCarville about her path from Stevens Point to the pros and then back to Point as she prepares to lead the Panthers this winter.

For over a decade, Russell Gymnastics has been a hub for young gymnasts in central Wisconsin. However, success is just one aspect of what makes this place home. Take it from three stand-out gymnasts who will be competing on the biggest of stages. Hear from Arianna Ostrum, a level ten competing at Nationals in Oklahoma, as well as Addison Brock and Abigail Berens, both level nine athletes who are competing at Westerns in Idaho. They're joined by Debbie and Dave Russell, two of their coaches and the owners of Russell Gymnastics about the road to success and the family they've become in Stevens Point. 

There's so much to unpack with Northland Pines' Nora Gremban. Her mom is her coach and she has run nine marathons—something that blows Gremban's mind. She's so passionate about psychology and the brain that it supersedes her love for running. Oh, and she's won the Division 2 State title in the 800 and 1,600 meter races in each of the last two seasons. She's still a junior. We unpack all of it in a conversation with Gremban.

There's an expectation around Mosinee softball—win a conference title. Mosinee won 11 in a row from when they joined the Great Northern Conference in 2009-2019. They took back the crown in 2022. Noah Manderfeld speaks with players Martina Miller and Alanna Bembenek along with head coach Kelly Remondini about the high Mosinee expectations and how their great chemistry this season might be their ticket to another conference title.

The Columbus Dons baseball team has three, reliable starting pitching options. The best part is—they're all juniors. Options 1A, 1B and 1C are Emmitt Konieczny, Cy Becker and Blake Jacobi as Columbus tries to follow up their first state appearance in school history with another. Noah Manderfeld speaks with Konieczny, Becker and head coach Jared Krasselt about the potential for this pitching staff, and how a little bit of small ball may be in the cards for the Dons this season.  

In a game that lasted over five hours, had over two hours of gameplay, and saw 122 combined shots, the UW-Stevens Point men's hockey team pulled out an NCAA Tournament win over Augsburg in the second-longest game in D3 history.    In this episode of the Hilight Zone Podcast, Ben Helwig speaks with Pointers' goalkeeper Ryan Wagner and forward David Hill, who scored the game-winning goal in the game's fourth overtime. They discuss the physical exhaustion of playing in such a long game, the jubilation in victory, and how they're preparing for the next round of the tournament.   

Lakeland girls basketball is going to state for the first time since 1993, and you could say they are excited for the trip to Green Bay. Noah Manderfeld speaks with Julianna and Kristina Ouimette, along with Lily Fortier about the dream trip to state as two of them near the end of their high school careers.

Laona/Wabeno girls basketball is heading to state for the first time in their history. And it comes two years after losing five seniors. Noah Manderfeld talks with the seniors Grace Krawze and Kaylyn LaRock along with head coach Andrew Harrison about their history trip to state that includes a confident statement from Harrison, and the potential for a Griddy in Green Bay.

It's been 15 years since Mosinee boys hockey has made the trek to Madison for state. To get there, they finally beat conference rival Lakeland in the playoffs. Today's conversation is with senior Caden Schmirler and junior Grant Kuklinski about the accomplishment ahead of their debut on the state stage.

Two years after the Rhinelander girls swimming team won a state title, the boys side adds their program's first-ever banner next to it. That's a feat the Hodags don't take lightly. Noah Manderfeld speaks with seniors Carter Gaber and Daniel Gillingham about taking the first state title in program history back to Rhinelander, and what the accomplishment means to the team and the community.

Rhinelander native Parker Retzlaff is just 19 years old, but he is already a full-time driver in NASCAR's Xfinity Series. Retzlaff will drive the No. 31 with Jordan Anderson Racing in 2023. Noah Manderfeld speaks with the young driver ahead of his first-ever Daytona race and his first full-time season in the Xfinity Series.

The Newman Catholic boys senior athletic class has quite the laundry list of achievements at the small school. They've won back-to-back 8-player football state titles, regional titles in baseball and basketball along with a top-five finish in golf. They are also a very lively bunch. Noah Manderfeld speaks with Mason Prey, Eli Gustafson, Conner Krach and basketball head coach Jeff Waldvogel about what makes this group special. 

We've all heard the noise—Wausau East Athletics are on the downturn. Their boys basketball team aims to reverse that notion. Their thrilling 77-69 overtime win over D.C. Everest is a start to bigger goals. Noah Manderfeld talks with their leading scorer Jesse Napgezek, Isaac Rozwadowski and head coach Dan Garrett about their win over the Evergreens, and what it means for Wausau East Basketball now and in the future.

Almond-Bancroft boys basketball's TJ Lamb is a certified passer. His 8.1 assists per game are third in the state, and he is nearing the school record books in all-time assists and steals.  Noah Manderfeld speaks with TJ along with his dad and coach, Curt Lamb, about the junior's vision on the floor, and the relationship between father and son, as well as coach and player.

It's been an up and down few years for Wisconsin Rapids native Vince Biegel. The NFL linebacker had a breakout season with the Miami Dolphins in 2019, then tore his Achilles before 2020 before injuring his calf in the 2021 training camp. Now he's with the Baltimore Ravens with a clean bill of health, and he's ready to get back to work. Noah Manderfeld talks to Biegel about his opportunity ahead in Baltimore and how he keeps a positive mindset despite the roadblocks.

Lakeland girls' soccer is returning to state for the first time since 2004 and the second time ever. It comes in the same year they won their conference for the first time in 11 years. It's a big deal in Minocqua. Noah Manderfeld speaks with Sophia Myshchyshyn and Leah Wolf along with head coach Stephanie Hartzheim about how big it is for the school, and what they look to do in Milwaukee.

Medford softball is back-to-back Great Northern Conference champions and enters the playoffs as a two-seed.  But the group has many storylines including their ultra-competitiveness. Noah Manderfeld speaks with Martha Miller, Rynn Ruesch and Laurissa Klapatauskas as well as head coach Virgil Berndt to give some examples of their competitiveness. They also talk about how good it feels to be on top of Mosinee two years in a row.  

The Mosinee 4x200 and 4x400 girls relay team was one second away from making the podium at state last year, and they return nearly everybody. I speak with Adalyn Lehman, Kate Fitzgerald, Claire Selenske, Britt Fitzgerald and Katelyn Baars along with coach Craig Martens about their dynamic, their indoor performance and how they are hoping to get on that podium.

SPASH runner Roisin Willis has another world record, this time the fastest distance medley relay time ever recorded. Willis set the mark with three new balance professionals at the unveiling of their new facility "The Track," besting the previous indoor mark by five seconds. I speak to her about the opportunity and the moment, as well as discuss her high school season as she looks to break her own state record.

After making a thrilling run through the postseason last year, Marathon baseball's Jaden Koeller and Grant Warren hope to recapture some of that magic ahead of their new season.

Stratford native Macey Kilty was on the biggest stage of her wrestling career so far. She was in the finals of the 2020 U.S. Olympic Trials until a shoulder injury in the final bout ended her hopes of qualifying for the Olympics. 11 months after the injury, Noah Manderfeld talks to the wrestler about that moment, the recovery and where she is at since returning to competition.

Former Wausau West Track and Field star Brook Jaworski is coming off one of the most stunning moments of her career: tripping over a hurdle in the NCAA Preliminary Round last spring. But her mindset since has been one of focus. Noah Manderfeld talks with Jaworski in a candid interview about that moment, and how she hit the reset button this year to qualify for the indoor championships, but also how badly she wants to finish business in the outdoor season.

Lakeland Union's Julianna and Kristina Ouimette aren't your average sister duo. They are best friends. What was meant to be an interview about Julianna Ouimette committing to Lehigh for girls basketball turned into one about her and her sister's relationship. The conversation starts with Julianna about her commitment, but then quickly turns to the pair about their height difference, cooking recipes and everything in between.

For the second year in a row, Lakeland Union boys hockey is back in the state tournament. But this year, their mindset is a bit different. Head coach Jake Suter along with players Max Masayesva and Cooper Fink about the feeling of going to state, and how they intend to make noise this time around.

Mosinee girls basketball is 23-1, and they believe they have a chance at state. A team made up of mostly seniors, they look like one of the most dangerous teams in Division 2. Noah Manderfeld speaks with the team about the regular season, specific games and the team's goals moving forward in a playoff run.

For the first time ever in 100 years in conference, Marshfield is outright Wisconsin Valley Conference champions. With an 11-0 record in the conference so far, the year 2022 will be on the banner forever. Noah Manderfeld speaks to coach Chris Fischer, Gavin Fravert and Chase Hinson about the season and their upcoming playoff matchup against D.C. Everest.

The Hall brothers are an interesting duo, but their story this season with D.C. Everest boys basketball is special. Colton, the senior, tore his ACL before the season started. His brother Marcus, the junior, has filled his role, averaging 29.6 points per game The pair talk with Noah Manderfeld about an analogy including the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, pick-up basketball game, Marcus' success and more.

If you ask Neillsville girls basketball head coach John Gaier the key to winning, he'll likely respond with, "defense wins championships." It's worked wonders this season. The team is allowing just under 25 points per game, holding teams to under 20 points eight times on their way to a 19-2 record. NewsChannel 7's Noah Manderfelds speaks with Junior Delaney Rochester and Senior Emma Moseley, along with Gaier about how important defense is and how they hope their style of play will win a championship.