Area Individuals Are WIAA 2025 Scholar Athlete Recipients

Division 1

John Kubisch, Arrowhead High School - 3.89 GPA
Kubisch is a three-time track & field team State champion, and he earned a sixth-place finish at State in the high jump as a sophomore and followed that performance with a fourth-place finish his junior season. In basketball, he helped the Warhawks bring home a sectional championship his junior year. In his essay, he writes, “I learned to persevere and be disciplined, especially when facing adversity. I demonstrated this mindset while being on three track championship teams despite having many setbacks: surgery and a shin stress fracture.” Kubisch plans to study finance at college.

Ryan Lang, Sheboygan North, 4.0 GPA
A 4.0 student, Lang was a cross country state qualifier his junior season and is a four-time Fox River Classic All-Conference honoree in  the sport. He swam the 200-yard medley relay at State, setting a school record. He is a three-time sectional champion in track & field;  once in the 400m, 800m and 4x800 relay. Ryan writes in his essay, “Another critical lesson I learned is leadership. Now that I am a team captain for both cross country and track, I strive to be like the captains before me; I hope to inspire my younger teammates with my attitude and work ethic, helping them have a rewarding experience and find athletic success.” Lang plans to attend the New Jersey Institute of Technology to study computer science.

Paolo Pagnucci, Superior High School, 3.98 GPA
Pagnucci is a four-time team Most Valuable Player in swimming & diving and earned Lake Superior All-Conference honors as a sophomore, junior and senior. On the tennis court, he was a first team all-conference selection as a junior. Pagnucci writes, “Goals provide direction, and direction is helpful to guiding life choices and behaviors. But the most important part of my learning process, and why I think goal setting was the greatest lesson, is in what I learned from not accomplishing my top swim goal. I had time to reflect on choices that led me to where I am. We are a compilation of all of our choices, and with each process we are better equipped to handle what comes next." Pagnucci will attend UW-Eau Claire to study kinesiology. 

Ray Pember, Menomonie High School, 4.0 GPA
First in his class with a 4.0 GPA, Pember received first team Big Rivers All-Conference selections in wrestling his junior and senior seasons while helping the Mustangs earn a sectional team wrestling championship as a junior. He was an individual sectional wrestling champion his senior year, earning himself a trip to the State Tournament. Pember writes in his essay, “My high school experiences have created an atmosphere similar to what I imagine my professional career will be like. School and athletics have helped me develop many skills such as consistency, determination, and teamwork, which are vital for anyone to succeed in today's society.” Pember will attend Iowa State University to study civil engineering.

Division 2

Layne Aurit, Dodgeville High School, 4.0 GPA
With a 4.0 GPA, Aurit is a three-time individual Southwest Wisconsin Conference champion in cross country and a seven-time individual conference champion in track & field. He is a three-time cross country team State qualifier as well as a three-time 4x800 relay State qualifier. He was voted cross country conference MVP three times. “While I am an extremely competitive person and see sports as a place to express my mental and physical attributes to the best of my ability, I am also aware of how little my accomplishments alone will impact my future and those around me. With that in mind, I work for what I want to work toward and try to help others around me with the things I learn from it, which is why I still enjoy training and competing.”  Aurit plans to attend UW-La Crosse to study geography or preoptometry.

Jack Hefty, Whitewater High School - 4.0 GPA
Jack holds a 4.0 GPA and won back-to-back state titles in the 1600m as a sophomore and junior, breaking his school record both times.  During his senior year of cross country, he won a State championship while setting a new school record. His efforts also helped the Whippets secure back-to-back sectional championships in cross country. In his essay Jack stated, “The dedication and perseverance I’ve developed through running have shaped who I am. The challenges, setbacks, and victories have all taught me that success comes from consistent effort and a belief in pushing past limits.”  He plans to study chemistry and continue his athletic career in cross country and track & field at the United States Naval Academy.

Kyle Hehli, West Salem High School - 3.93 GPA
Hehli is a State tennis doubles champion and is a three-time team and Coulee Conference tennis MVP. He qualified individually for the sectional golf tournament his sophomore year, and as a junior, he helped his team qualify for sectionals. Hehli was voted conference Basketball Player of the Year during his senior season. In his essay, he writes, “I have had the once-ina-lifetime opportunity of being a state champion during my freshman year tennis season. This title showed me that hard work truly pays off. I lost two times in the state championship for basketball and two times at sectionals for golf. Coming up short pushed me to work harder and improve my skills individually and as a teammate.”  Hehli will attend UW-La Crosse to study sports marketing.

Ben Krauklis, Lakeside Lutheran High School - 4.0 GPA
Krauklis is a two-time track & field Capitol Conference Athlete of the Year, and he helped the Warriors secure back-to- back State championships in track & field during his sophomore and junior seasons. He and his teammates claimed the State title in the 4x200 relay his junior season and on the basketball court, and he was a member of the team that finished State runner-up his junior year. He shared in his essay, “The greatest lesson I have learned is that the growth throughout the journey is more important than awards or championships. The growth I have experienced has come from overcoming injuries, working towards goals, and always giving my best effort in everything I do.”  Krauklis will be attending UW-La Crosse to study exercise science and continue his career in track & field.

Division 3

Jack Schmeling, Luther High School - 4.0 GPA
First in his class with a 4.0, Schmeling was a basketball State champion as a sophomore. He is a two-time track & field sectional champ and a three-time  individual conference champion. He was voted Coulee Conference Athlete of the Year in track & field as a junior and was his team’s back-to-back track & field MVP his sophomore and junior seasons. Schmeling writes in his essay, “The greatest lesson I learned in academics is to always shoot for greatness, and this translates to every aspect of life. Like my Dad always told me, though I'm sure he is not the first to say it, ‘If something is worth doing, it's worth doing well.’”  He will continue his participation in track & field and study mechanical engineering at UW-Madison.

Blake Thiry, Prairie du Chien High School, 3.56 GPA
Blake has earned 25 Southwest Wisconsin All-Conference honors across football, wrestling and track and field. He is a State champion  in wrestling and a seven-time State place winner in track and field. He helped his Blackhawks wrestling team earn three sectional championships and was voted his conference football player of the year twice. Blake states in his essay, “One of the best lessons I learned in my athletic experiences so far is perseverance. Failing to meet my goals during my earlier years of high school made me a better athlete. This failure pushed me to work harder to get higher up on that podium the next year.”  Thiry plans to attend Indiana University to play football and study education.

Jacob Thornton, Aquinas High School, 4.0 GPA
A 4.0 student, Thornton was a member of the Blugolds State championship football team his junior year, while  earning first team all-conference honors his senior year. He was the catcher for his State championship baseball team his junior season and capped off his high school basketball career as a senior with a State championship. Thornton states in his essay, “After having a successful season the year before, a coach reminded us that the man on the mountaintop did not just land there. This stuck with me because it reminds me of the hard work that is necessary to have success. Even if you make it to the top, you have to continue to work hard to stay successful.”  He plans to study accounting in college.

Jack Tubbs, Stratford High School - 4.0 GPA
Tubbs is a three-time football State champion and was named conference Most Valuable Player in football his senior year. The 4.0 student earned first  team all-conference honors in wrestling, football and baseball, and he helped the Tiger’s wrestling team make two State appearances. As a senior, he was recognized as his team’s Most Valuable Player in football. Tubbs shared in his essay, “One motto that has really shaped my character is reminding myself I’m never going to look back and wish I didn’t try as hard. Instead, I want to look back and be able to say I gave it all I had. I wouldn’t have had the success I have had so far without working hard and putting in one-hundred percent effort.”  Tubbs will attend St. Mary's University of Minnesota to study finance and play baseball.

Division 4

Jesse DeBauch, Gillett High School, 4.0 GPA
DeBauch is a two-time Marinette & Oconto Conference basketball MVP, earning the award both his junior and senior seasons. A 4.0 student, he is the  Tiger’s boys basketball all-time leading scorer and a three-time team MVP award recipient. He was voted his football team’s MVP twice and was also a sectional track & field champion as a freshman. In his essay, DeBauch writes, “Being part of a team taught me how to collaborate, communicate effectively, and support others. Additionally, athletics instilled in me a sense of perseverance, teaching me to remain focused and determined in the face of challenges.”  He intends to study business in college.

Oliver Post, Potosi High School - 4.0 GPA
Post is a four-time Six Rivers Conference football and basketball champion, and he was a State qualifier in track & field his junior  season. The 4.0 student was selected as a first team all-state tight end his senior year, while helping his team earn a sectional championship in football. Oliver shares in his essay, “Both academics and athletics have shown me that success is not just about talent but also about effort, adaptability, and persistence. Whether in my future career or personal life, these lessons will guide me in overcoming obstacles, working with others, and striving for excellence.”  He plans to attend UW-Platteville in the fall.

Isaac Scheer, Columbus Catholic High School - 3.87 GPA
A four-time Cloverbelt Conference first team cross country runner and three-time first team all-conference track &  field athlete, Scheer holds three school records in the 1600-meter, 3200 and 5000 races. He has earned five State medals between cross country and track & field, and he won back-to-back individual conference titles in cross country as a junior and senior, as well as in track & field as a sophomore and junior. Isaac stated in his essay, “Every year before the cross country conference race our team jogs to the cemetery while connected by a rope. The run is not just about honoring those who have gone before us, but it is about teaching us the valuable life lessons of hard work, sacrifice, dedication, and most importantly, holding the rope. My coach says that holding the rope is a metaphor for life. Can you trust those around you to hold the rope and support you when you feel that you cannot go on?” Scheer will attend the University of Mississippi to study sports broadcasting.

Jared Schultz, Northwood High School, 4.0 GPA
First in his class with a 4.0 GPA, Schultz is a three-time winner of the Northwoods West Conference football Offensive and Defensive Player of the Year awards,  and he is a four-time first team all-conference selection. On the basketball court, he became Northwood’s all-time leading scorer, surpassing 1,950 career points. In baseball, Schultz helped his team earn a State runner-up finish as a junior. He shares in his essay, “Being a good leader is crucial especially when others are struggling. The relationships and experiences I have had in High School taught me the value of leadership and personal growth. These skills will help me tackle new challenges confidently and positively as I move forward into the next chapter of my life.”  Shultz plans to study finance at UW-River Falls.

Division 1

Mackenzie Babcock, Monona Grove High School - 4.0 GPA
A 4.0 student, Babcock won an State championship in the 1600-meter run her freshman year, and she is a four-time cross country state qualifier. She is a  four-time cross country first team Badger Large Conference selection, a four-time team cross country MVP and a four-time individual cross country conference champion. In her essay she states, “I have always challenged myself to uphold the highest academic and athletic record possible; however, this mindset caused me to be constantly overwhelmed and stressed. The deepening of my relationship with Christ has helped me become a better athlete and student, but even more, a better individual. I have learned that no amount of success or heartache can magnify or diminish my worth.”  She will study biomedical sciences and continue competing in track & field and cross country at Liberty University.

Jacquelyn Cox, Arrowhead High School - 4.0 GPA
Cox is a two-time State tennis champion and was a State runner-up her senior season. The 4.0 student has earned three first team all-conference selections in softball, and she was a three-time all-district and three-time all-state nominee. She also helped her tennis team bring home four Classic 8 Conference championships. Cox writes in her essay, “To have great success, a team must have great chemistry. The support system that is built from being a part of such a tightly bonded group not only applies to sports but also extends into the classroom. Every day, I am challenged to achieve my greatest academic success by my teachers and my fellow students. Collaboration with my peers in the classroom has led to the creation of many thoughtful ideas and robust discussions that have not only benefited the group but also me as an individual.” Cox will play softball at Villanova University and study pre-med biochemistry and neuroscience.

Ella Opie, Pewaukee High School - 4.0 GPA 
Opie is a three-time Woodland West all-conference soccer selection, and she was named team Most Valuable Player her junior season. She was a  member of the State championship basketball team her junior year and followed with a run to the sectional final game her senior season. Opie writes in her essay, “Losing doesn’t mean that you failed, it means that you have the opportunity to improve. To me, the greatest lesson I have learned is that losing is a part of life, and it is how you react, how you push yourself after you lose, that defines who you are and makes you into a more well-rounded, hard-working person.” She will attend UW-La Crosse to play soccer and study physical therapy and Spanish.

Kate Schmoll, West De Pere High School - 3.96 GPA
Schmoll is a dual-sport fall athlete and was a four-time State qualifier in both cross country and swimming & diving. She was a member of the Phantoms’ track & field State championship team her freshman year. In cross country, she is a two-time individual sectional champion. Schmoll shares in her essay, “I have learned that the setbacks I have faced, including knee and leg injuries, mental blocks, and periods of regressive sports performance are not excuses to give up but rather my motivators to work harder to reach my goals. As a 17-time Division 1 state qualifier across three sports, I have learned anything is possible when one dedicates themselves to the work needed to make their dreams come true.”  She plans to attend to UW-Green Bay to compete in cross country and study finance and acounting.

Division 2

Megan Johnson, West Salem High School - 3.97 GPA
Johnson is a two-time State tennis qualifier, finishing sixth as a senior. She was named Coulee Conference Tennis Player of the Year three times and  earned all-conference honors all four years. In basketball, Johnson is West Salem’s all-time leading scorer, a two-time State Tournament participant, and a four-time all-conference selection. She earned all-state softball honors as a catcher and contributed to two regional championship teams. She shares in her essay, “Through playing three sports, I’ve learned the importance of teamwork. Whether on the court, field, or in life, teamwork is essential. In sports, success is never achieved alone; each person has a unique role, and working together is key to reaching one common goal.”  Johnson will play basketball and study composite material engineering at Winona State.

Hailie Krueger, New London High School - 4.0 GPA
First in her class and a 4.0 student, Krueger is a three-time State female wrestling champion. She is a four-time first team all-conference  wrestling selection, and she was voted the Bay Conference Female Wrestler of the Year four consecutive seasons. In track and field, she earned second team all-conference honors in shot put as a junior. Reflecting on her high school experience, she writes, “High school athletics and academics have taught me how to work with others, listen to others' ideas, communicate positively, be empathetic, work hard, and have integrity. I will utilize the skills I’ve learned while I pursue a career as an educator and coach.”  Krueger will attend Wartburg College to compete in wrestling and study secondary education.

Ellie Schiszik, Elk Mound High School - 4.0 GPA
With a 4.0 GPA, Schiszik earned seven team MVP awards: two in cross country, three in basketball and two in  softball. She was a State qualifier in cross country her freshman year. The Mounder earned the Dunn-St. Croix Conference Basketball Player of the Year award both her junior and senior seasons. She joined the 1,000-point scorer club her junior season and helped lead her basketball team to a sectional championship her senior year. Reflecting on her high school experience, Schiszik writes, “Academics and athletics have taught me to be resilient. Whether it is after a tough loss, a call that doesn’t go my way, or a struggle in the classroom, I have learned to bounce back and never give up.”  She plans to study math education at UW-La Crosse.

Addison Schliewe, Sheboygan Falls High School - 3.97 GPA 
Addison is a three-time team basketball MVP and earned first team all-conference honors in the sport during her sophomore, junior, and  senior seasons. She was named Eastern Wisconsin Conference Basketball Player of the Year her junior season and helped lead her team to back-to-back conference championships. Schliewe shares in her essay, “The importance of resilience in the face of failure and grace in the face of adversity will stay with me far beyond the classroom and basketball court. They will guide me as I pursue my education and future career, always striving not just for success, but for growth and understanding.” She will continue her basketball career at the University of St. Thomas and study exercise science.

Division 3

Molly Duel, Laconia High School - 3.98 GPA
Duel was named Flyway Conference MVP in track & field as a freshman and sophomore. She holds five school records in the 800-meter run, mile, two- mile, 4x400 relay and 4x800 relay. On the basketball court, she was a key contributor to her team’s four consecutive State tournament appearances, winning two State championships. Duel shared in her essay, “The self-discipline I’ve developed as an athlete is one of the most important traits I have obtained, as it gives you a purpose to constantly better and push yourself when no one is watching. These challenges that seemed so testing at first were not roadblocks but just stepping stones to valuable lessons in my life.”  She will attend UW-Madison to study pharmacy.

Reese Grimm, Pittsville High School - 4.0 GPA
A 4.0 student, Grimm is a three-time, first team all-conference selection in both volleyball and basketball, and she earned the title of  Central Wisconsin-South Conference Basketball Player of the Year as a junior. On the track, she is an eight-time conference champion and three-time State qualifier in the 400-meter dash. Reflecting, she writes, “The most valuable lesson I learned in high school, both academically and athletically, is that fulfillment isn’t something you wait for; it’s something you create. I used to think the good moments, like success, fun, and excitement, would just happen on their own, but I’ve learned they come from the effort and intention you put in.” Grimm will attend UW-Eau Claire to play basketball and study nursing.

Lexi Kuffel, Cameron High School - 4.0 GPA
First in her class with a 4.0 GPA, Kuffel is a four-time team MVP and four-time Heart O’ North Conference cross  country first team selection. She earned an individual State championship in track & field her junior season, and she is a member of the State record-setting 1600-meter relay team. In her essay, Kuffel writes, “Being a leader in both academics and athletics taught me more than just taking charge. It taught me to listen, support, encourage, and guide others to be their best. Leadership requires selflessness—putting the goals of others ahead of your own.”  She will continue her track & field career at Minnesota-Mankato and study nursing.

Ellen Robinson, Mineral Point High School - 3.99 GPA
In cross country, Robinson is a four-time team MVP, four-time conference MVP, four-time first team all-conference performer, and four- time first team all-state selection. She finished fourth at State as a freshman while helping the Pointers bring home a championship trophy. On the track, she is an eight-time individual conference champion, nine-time regional champion and a nine-time sectional champion. She writes in her essay, “My experiences in cross country, track, and basketball have shaped me into a more responsible, determined team player and student. They have taught me the importance of perseverance, time management, and the value of working toward a goal—the discipline and structure of athletics carried over to my academics." She will attend South Dakota State University to study agronmony and animal science while continuing her career in cross country and track & field.

Division 4

Kamdan Johnson, Florence High School - 3.94 GPA
Johnson is a three-time track & field team MVP and first team all-conference selection, bringing home back-to-back individual State championships in the  100-meter hurdles her sophomore and junior seasons. She was selected as the Northern Lakes Conference Volleyball Player of the Year as a junior and helped her team win their regional championship her senior season. Johnson shared in her essay, “High school taught me how to overcome failure and has helped me understand that failure paints the road to achievement. It took countless hours of hard work and perseverance to see my success as a student-athlete shine through. At the end of the day, everyone experiences some form of loss or failure in their life. It’s whether or not you choose to let it define you that determines your success in the future.”  Johnson plans to study elementary education in college.

Sarah Shaw, Assumpion High School - 3.92 GPA
Sarah was named conference soccer Player of the Year as a junior. She was a member of the state championship basketball team her senior season, and  voted conference Basketball Player of the Year both her junior and senior seasons. She and her doubles partner were voted conference MVPs her senior season while qualifying for state tennis twice. In her essay, Shaw writes, “Much like in sports, life doesn’t always go according to plan, and what truly matters is how we respond to any challenges we might face. I’ve learned that the best way to handle difficult situations is by staying positive, keeping faith in myself, and continuing to move forward with determination.”  She intends to study business at UW-Madison.

Emily Sorensen, Faith Christian High School - 4.0 GPA
First in her class with a 4.0 GPA, Sorensen is a three-time team MVP and first team all-conference selection in basketball, surpassing  both 1,000 career points and 1,000 career rebounds during her senior season. In track & field, she is an 11-time individual Lake City Conference champion. Sorensen shared in her essay, "While both art and track have provided me with priceless experiences and knowledge, perhaps even more significant is the fact that, through participating in these opportunities, I’ve grown to appreciate the hard work, accomplishments, and uniqueness of others around me. I look forward to carrying these attributes over into new experiences at the college level.” She plans to continue her career in track & field and study marine biology in college.

Kendall Weiler, Owen-Withee High School - 4.0 GPA
Kendall was the Eastern Cloverbelt Conference champion in the 300m hurdles her junior year, is a four-time all-conference selection  and is a three-time team MVP in the sport. During her senior basketball season, she and her team earned a trip to the state tournament as sectional champions. She ranks first in her class with a 4.0 GPA. In her essay, Weiler writes, “I’ve grown to find that everyone is on a different path as they get older. We each have unique interests and experiences that make comparing ourselves to others absolutely useless. When I began to focus on my passions and what made me happy, I was able to see so much more success and transformation in my academic and athletic pursuits.”  She will attend Concordia University to study biology.