WIAA Names 32 Scholar Athlete Finalists
Wednesday, April 22nd, 2026 -- 10:07 AM
Stevens Point, WI—From a pool of more than 724 nominated seniors across 379 Wisconsin high schools, just 32 have earned the distinction of the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association’s (WIAA) Scholar Athlete Finalist for 2026. Sixteen senior girls and 16 senior boys — representing communities from Dresser to Janesville — have been selected to receive the prestigious award, presented by We Energies Foundation and Wisconsin Public Service Foundation. More than 1,344 Scholar Athlete finalists have been recognized since the program began in 1984.
To determine the top 32 finalists, four boys and four girls were selected based on both athletic and academic achievement from each of four WIAA divisions. The academic credentials of this year's class are remarkable — nearly two-thirds of the finalists have maintained a perfect 4.0 GPA, and together they hold a cumulative GPA of 3.96. “On behalf of the WIAA and our membership, it’s an honor to recognize these scholar athletes for the discipline, integrity, and commitment they’ve shown in both the classroom and competition,” said Jake Beschta, Assistant Director of the WIAA. “Their achievements reflect not only personal excellence, but also the support of their families, coaches, and schools. We are proud to celebrate students who truly embody the balance of academics and athletics, and we look forward to the positive impact they will continue to make in their communities and beyond.”
2026 WIAA Scholar Athlete Finalists
This list includes Scholar Athlete’s name, hometown and the high school they attend.
DIVISION 1 – BOYS
Blake Buhr, Sheboygan, Sheboygan North High School
Cooper Erickson, Plover, Stevens Point Area Senior High
McCoy Smith, Dane, Waunakee High School
Caden Van Buren, Cross Plains, Middleton High School
DIVISION 1 – GIRLS
Ella Anschutz, Wind Lake, Muskego High School
Harper Brandenburg, Janesville, Janesville Parker High School
Piper Schuster, Richfield, Slinger High School
Emily Urban, Appleton, Kimberly High School
DIVISION 2 – BOYS
Brodie Allram, Dresser, St. Croix Falls High School
Logan Becker, Fountain City, Aquinas High School
Brody Schaffer, Winneconne, Winneconne High School
Treve Stoffel, Mosinee, Mosinee High School
DIVISION 2 – GIRLS
Josie Brudos, West Salem, West Salem High School
Taelyn Jirschele, Wausau, Mosinee High School
Isabella Kongshaug, Elk Mound, Elk Mound High School
Rory Salvesen, Hatley, Wittenberg-Birnamwood High School
DIVISION 3 – BOYS
Gavin Esterholm, Phillips, Phillips High School
Carson Roemhild, Boyceville, Boyceville High School
Tucker Streit, Edgar, Edgar High School
Ryan Westrich, Bonduel, Bonduel High School
DIVISION 3 – GIRLS
Emmerson Drobac, Deerfield, Deerfield High School
Leah Harper, Phillips, Phillips High School
Hannah Miller, Kewaunee, Kewaunee High School
Mariah Wondra, Cecil, Bonduel High School
DIVISION 4 – BOYS
Bradyn Wendorff, Gillett, Gillett High School
Ryan McCoic, Wonewoc, Hillsboro High School
Chanse Ludescher, Sheldon, Flambeau High School
Heston Hueckman, Prentice, Prentice High School
DIVISION 4 – GIRLS
Mya Dernbach, Almond, Almond-Bancroft High School
Izabel Durst, Barneveld, Barneveld High School
Jordyn Jaglinski, Wisconsin Rapids, Assumption High School
Molly Olson, Monticello, Monticello High School
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