STEVENS POINT, Wis. – The Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association, in cooperation with Rural Mutual Insurance Company, has selected the team Sportsmanship Award winners for the 2022 fall State Tournaments.

The recipients of the awards are Pulaski in boys soccer, Wonewoc-Center in girls volleyball, Franklin in boys volleyball, Notre Dame in girls team tennis and Monroe in football.

The WIAA/Rural Insurance Sportsmanship Award is presented to one school program and community–or communities in the case of cooperative programs–in each of the State team tournaments that demonstrates outstanding sportsmanship. Award winners are determined by the conduct and sportsmanship displayed by athletes, coaches, cheer and support groups, mascots, bands and spectators. Additional consideration is given for the effort of school administrators and chaperones to ensure support for their teams are positive and that the highest ideals of sportsmanship are demonstrated.

Pulaski receives the honor in boys soccer with its display of sportsmanship both on and in the stands during the State Boys Soccer Tournament at Uihlein Soccer Park in Milwaukee on Nov. 3.  The Red Raiders fell to Whitefish Bay in their semifinal match, 4-2.  It marks the second time Pulaski has received the award overall. Their previous recognition came in softball in 1996. Aquinas, Hudson, Rhinelander, Verona and Wisconsin Dells received honorable mention.

Wonewoc-Center is the 2022 recipient of the award for the State Girls Volleyball Tournament, which was held at the Resch Center in Green Bay on Nov. 3-5. The Wolves earned the school’s first Sportsmanship Award in any sport for their outstanding sportsmanship, enthusiasm and community support during their Division 4 semifinal game despite a 25-18, 25-13, 25-20 loss to eventual champion McDonell Catholic. Schools receiving honorable mention were Athens, Bloomer, Divine Savior Holy Angels, McDonell Catholic, Randolph, Wauwatosa East and Xavier.

Franklin was the winner of the award for the State Boys Volleyball Tournament held in conjunction with the girls tournament. The Sabers are recognized for their sportsmanship over the other seven schools qualifying for the one-division tournament. They fell to Marquette in their quarterfinal match 25-13, 25-10, 25-17. It’s the third time Franklin has been presented with the award. Last winter, their co-op with Muskego won the gymnastics honor, and the Sabers were recipients of the girls soccer award in 1998. Marquette and Wauwatosa East both received honorable mention.

Notre Dame is the recipient of the Sportsmanship Award at the State Girls Team Tennis Tournament held Oct. 21-22 at Nielsen Tennis Stadium. It’s the seventh time the Tritons have been bestowed the honor and the second time in girls tennis. The previous selection in girls tennis came in 2008. The other recognitions came for girls soccer in 2002 and 2011, boys soccer in 2007 as well as girls basketball and boys tennis in 2012. The Tritons lost their match against Divine Savior Holy Angels 6-1 in the quarterfinals. Altoona, Arrowhead and Elkhorn received honorable mention.

Monroe earned its first sportsmanship recognition of its positive support for the Cheesemakers at the State Football Championships held at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison on Nov. 17-18. They won the school’s sixth football State championship in the program’s ninth appearance in the football championship game. The Cheesemakers downed West Salem 35-14 to earn the Division 3 crown. It is the fourth time they have received the Sportsmanship Award and the first time in football. The previous three recognitions all came in girls tennis, including 1996, 1997 and 1999. Honorable mention for the award went to Aquinas, Columbus, Mondovi and Stratford.

Award winners receive a trophy and banner in recognition of the honor. Schools receiving honorable mention are acknowledged with a certificate of recognition. The selection process includes contributions and evaluations from contest officials, tournament management, police and security personnel, crowd control and ushers, WIAA staff members, and area hotels and restaurants on occasion.

The WIAA, as defined by its Constitution, is a voluntary, unincorporated, and nonprofit organization. The membership oversees interscholastic athletic programs for 518 senior high schools and 45 junior high/middle level schools in its membership.