The winners of the prestigious sportsmanship recognition are Winneconne in team wrestling, Highland in girls basketball, Brillion in boys basketball, Middleton co-op in girls hockey and Franklin/Muskego in gymnastics. Boys hockey did not have a recipient.
The sportsmanship observations and evaluations at the State Team Wrestling Tournament led to the selection of Winneconne as the sportsmanship award winner this year. For the second consecutive season, the student-athletes, coaches and the enthusiastic fan support were rewarded for their sportsmanship. The Wolves fell 58-9 to Luxemburg-Casco in the Division 2 State semifinals this season. The Wolves fell 58-9 to Luxemburg-Casco in the Division 2 State semifinals this season. It’s the third time the school has won the award overall. Winneconne was also the recipient in girls soccer in 2017. Honorable mention for the award was extended to Amery, Arrowhead, Marshfield, Nicolet, Prairie du Chien and St. Croix Falls.
The Franklin/Muskego co-op capped an outstanding gymnastics season by winning the Division 1 championship and earning the gymnastics program’s first Sportsmanship Award. It’s the second sportsmanship award won by one of the two members of the cooperative program. Franklin was also recognized for their sportsmanship in girls soccer in 1998. The co-op earned the State championship this season with a team score 147.682. Also receiving consideration for the award were Arrowhead, Antigo, Hartford, Homestead, Holmen and Reedsburg.
The Middleton co-op consisting of seven schools, including Middleton, Dodgeville, Edgewood, Madison Memorial, Madison West, Mount Horeb and Verona, won the award in girls hockey after participating in the State Tournament for the second time in the past three seasons. The Metro Lynx fell 4-1 in the semifinals to eventual champion D.C. Everest co-op. It’s the first time the co-op program has won the sportsmanship award. As the lead program in the configuration of the co-op, Middleton claims its seventh sportsmanship recognition. The Cardinals have been recognized twice in boys tennis and boys volleyball, and once in both girls tennis and girls basketball. The Xavier co-op received honorable mention.
The award winner in girls basketball is Highland. The Cardinals were chosen as recipients for the sportsmanship displayed at the State Tournament held at the Resch Center for the first time in its entirety since 2019. They lost in their semifinal match-up with top-seeded and eventual Division 5 champion Randolph, 47-25. It’s the first time Highland has received the award in any sport. The schools receiving honorable mention are Assumption, Brookfield East, De Pere, Dominican, Menomonie, Randolph and St. Croix Falls.
Brillion returned to the tournament field in boys basketball for the first time since 2014 and has been bestowed the award after falling to top-seeded West Salem, who eventually finished runner-up, in the State semifinals, 71-61. It’s the fourth time the Lions have been selected. The first three came in the sport of football in 2003, 2004 and 2010. The schools receiving honorable mention are Ashwaubenon, Cameron, Gibraltar, Hurley, Marshall, Racine Case and Randolph.
The WIAA/Rural Mutual Insurance Sportsmanship Award is presented to one school and community in each of the State team tournaments that exhibits exemplary sportsmanship. The award recipients are determined by the 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 showcased. 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, area hotels and restaurants. Rural Mutual Insurance has been a sponsor of this award since 1965, and their partnership contributes to the promotion of sportsmanship in education-based athletics as a valued corporate partner of the WIAA.
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Author: David Keech
David Keech is a retired teacher and works as a sportswriter, sports official and as an educational consultant. He has reported on amateur sports since 2011, known as 'KeechDaVoice.' David can be reached at [email protected]
