Category Archives: Sports

April 7, 2014 · 9:58 pm

Ballpark Adjacent To South Milwaukee?

The Oak Creek property previously eyed for a U.S. Postal Service facility — located across Nicholson Avenue from South Milwaukee — is now a “leading alternative” for a Frontier League baseball stadium.

That’s according to this story from the Business Journal. From it …

The Rock Sports Complex CEO Mike Zimmerman said his top alternate location for a proposed Frontier League baseball stadium is the U.S. Postal Service site in Oak Creek.

That is emerging as Plan B if Zimmerman cannot come to financing terms with Franklin officials, he said. Discussions with Franklin are ongoing, Zimmerman said.

However, facing a tight deadline and hoping to start construction next month, Zimmerman said he is exploring other options. On Friday, he toured the Post Office’s 62-acre property at the southwest corner of East College and South Pennsylvania avenues in Oak Creek. He also had a “quick” conference call with Oak Creek Mayor Steve Scaffidi.

“We walked the site Friday afternoon,” he said. “I really like the site. It think it’s in a really interesting area.”

I’ll keep you posted.

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March 9, 2014 · 5:58 pm

Big Finish: South Milwaukeean Kleppin Takes Third In L.A. Marathon

Update: More details here and here (and a great photo).

What an amazing result … Lauren Kleppin was the first American woman to finish Sunday’s Los Angeles Marathon in a time 13 minutes better than her previous best.

Check out the story here, and see my previous post for more on Lauren’s journey.

Congratulations, Lauren!

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March 7, 2014 · 10:09 pm

South Milwaukee Cinderella?

Update: Belmont lost.

Looking for a Cinderella to cheer for in the upcoming NCAA Tournament?

Well, a former South Milwaukee star has led his team to one win shy of the Big Dance.

Drew Windler (2009) is a starting forward for Belmont, which plays in the Ohio Valley Conference championship at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday on ESPNU. The winner gets an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.

The 6-foot-9 Windler, who transferred to Belmont after two years at Samford, had nine points in the OVC semifinal win over Morehead State Friday and is averaging 10 points and 4.2 rebounds per game for the Bruins.

Belmont won its division and is 24-8 overall after finishing 14-2 in the OVC.

Go Bruins! Go Drew!

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March 2, 2014 · 9:45 am

Season Wrapups: Wrestling, Basketball

Correction: An earlier version of this post had the girls’ basketball team losing in a regional. That was incorect. They play at Whitnall in a WIAA regional at 7 p.m. Friday. My apologies.

The seasons are over for the South Milwaukee wrestling and boys’ basketball teams. Here’s a quick look at how they finished …

  • Wrestling. Five Rockets made the WIAA state tournament, and congratulations to Tom Mitchell, who finished fifth at 195 pounds. Also competing were Calvin Shilling (152 pounds), Tanner Dorangrichia (160), Ben Zbikowski (170), and Josh Wilkowski (182). See full results here. Congratulations to all five wrestlers and to coach Shilling’s team, which had a great season, including a regional championship.
  • Boys’ basketball. The South Milwaukee boys’ basketball team lost in the WIAA regionals, 48-45, to Whitnall, after beating Cudahy. South Milwaukee finished the year 8-14. Get results and stats here.

Congratulations to all the Rocket sports teams!

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February 28, 2014 · 10:39 pm

Sports Update: Two Successful Alumni And One Successful Fundraiser

Redd Out gameFrom the South Milwaukee School District …

South Milwaukee School District Health & Physical Education Department is proud to announce the final count collected during the annual month of February RED OUT/Jump Rope for Heart campaign.

Millions of Americans live with heart disease, stroke or a cardiovascular condition. Your donations will help save and improve lives with research, education and emergency care.

The elementary students, staff,  Mr. Walters (Lakeview) and Ms. Stellwagen (Blakewood and Luther) really outdid themselves with a total count of $2690.00.  The middle and high school students/campus with the help of Mr. Fix’s Marketing Classes and Mr. Hojnacki at the Middle School combined efforts to raise $2663.00.  

The South Milwaukee community continues to meet the challenge to fight against heart disease.  A big heartfelt thank you to everyone for your continued passion toward this cause.  Your generosity is appreciated on so many levels regionally, at the state level and nationally.

And here are a couple alumni updates …

AUSTIN STUECK (2012)

Below are links to 2 articles on a tremendous accomplishment for Austin. He was just selected this week as the NACC Conference Player of the Year. He is the first sophomore to win this award. He was also selected to the All-NACC First Team for the 2nd year in a row.

Austin and the Raiders are waiting and hoping for an at-large berth in the NCAA DII Tournament next month.

Good luck and great job Austin!

http://naccsports.org/sports/mbkb/2013-14/releases/20140225bbqn7m

http://go-raiders.com/sports/mbkb/2013-14/releases/20140225s47f9q

KATIE BARTLETT (2013)

Below is a link to an article about the Alverno Women’s Basketball Team which plays on Saturday at 2pm at the Wisconsin Lutheran College Recreation Complex. At stake is the NACC Championship and an automatic berth in the NCAA DIII Tournament. Good luck to the Inferno and Katie!

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February 24, 2014 · 9:06 pm

On To State: Record Day For Rocket Wrestlers

From the South Milwaukee School District … good luck at state!

Saturday was another banner day for the South Milwaukee Rocket Wrestling team!

The Rockets set a school record by qualifying FIVE wrestlers for the WIAA State Individual Tournament next weekend.

STATE WRESTLING QUALIFIERS

Calvin Shilling (11) took 2nd place at Sectionals at 152 lbs 

Tanner Dorangrichia (11) took 2nd place at Sectionals at 160 lbs

Ben Zbikowski (12) took 2nd place at Sectionals at 170 lbs

Josh Wilkowski (12) was the Sectional Champion at 182 lbs

Tom Mitchell (12) was the Sectional Champion at 195 lbs

Division 1 matches begin at 3:00pm on Thursday starting at the lower weight classes and should be live streamed on the following website:

http://msn.foxsports.com/wisconsin/prep-zone-stream

Additionally, Kenny Senner (12) at 285 took 3rd place just narrowly missing out on qualifying.

Good luck at State to Coach Shilling, Coach Sino, Coach Simmons & Coach Ratka and good luck Rockets!!

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February 24, 2014 · 9:06 pm

Cheers To The Cheerleading Team!

Success at state for the South Milwaukee cheerleaders … congratulations!

Congratulations to our South Milwaukee Rocket Cheerleaders. This past weekend they competed at State in Madison. The Rockets performed for the first time this year in the co-ed division. Competing against other teams who have been in the co-ed division for several years, our Rocket cheerleaders placed second in State to Brown Deer by only one point! Way to go Rockets and Coach Sodemann & Coach Tuska!

Thanks to Ante with the school district for the continued updates.

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February 19, 2014 · 9:03 pm

Rockets Score Regional Wrestling Title

The South Milwaukee wrestling team lost to Burlington in a WIAA team sectional on Tuesday … but this team’s successful season is not over yet.

Next up for the Rockets: the individual sectional on Saturday. This, after winning the WIAA regional championship last weekend. Congratulations!

Here are details from the school district …

Congratulations to the Rocket Wrestling Team on their WIAA Regional Championship on Saturday!

  • South Milwaukee – 229 pts
  • Oak Creek – 222 pts
  • Franklin – 209 pts
  • Tech – 153 pts
  • Cudahy/SF – 102.5 pts
  • Pulaski – 67 pts
  • Bay View – 31 pts

REGIONAL CHAMPIONS

  • Ben Zbikowski (170)
  • Josh Wilkowski (182)
  • Tom Mitchell (195)
  • Kenny Senner (285)

2nd PLACE IN REGIONALS

  • Ted Swanson (126)
  • McCoy Swanson (132)
  • Calvin Shilling (152)
  • Tanner Dorangrichia (160)

3rd PLACE IN REGIONALS

  • Conrad Shilling (106)
  • Victor DeLao (113)
  • Gage Keene (138)

4th PLACE IN REGIONALS

  • Shawn Garrett (145)
  • Jeremy Ratka (220)

INDIVIDUAL SECTIONAL

On Saturday at 10:00am the Rockets all will compete in the Individual Sectionals at Racine Horlick HS. Here is the info on tickets and schedule of matches.

Time Schedule:

  • 7:45am—School opens (Enter building through tennis court doors on the West end)
  • 10:00am (approximate)—Quarter Finals (Continuous wrestling on 3 mats)
  • 12:00-12:30pm (approximate) —Lunch Break
  • 12:30pm (approximate)—Semi Finals (Continuous wrestling on 3 mats)
  • 1:30-1:45pm—Break
  • 1:45pm (approximate)—Finals and Wrestle Backs

Ticket Prices

  • Anyone showing up for ALL Sessions (Rounds 1-5) pays the following rate: $8 Child/Student/Adult
  • Anyone showing up for the Second Session and Finals pays the following rate: $6 Child/Student/Adult
  • Anyone just showing up for the Finals pays the following rate: $5 Child/Student/Adult

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February 14, 2014 · 2:18 pm

Big Win For Swimming And Diving Team

From the school district … next up, WIAA sectionals today and tomorrow.

Congrats to the boys swim and dive team for taking first place out of 9 teams in the Cudahy Packer Relays on January 30th and note the new meet record set by the 400IM team of Travis Lahr, Ryan Hagen, Joey Fischer & Andrew O’Neill!

  • 1st place 200 medley relay – Nick Calkins, Andrew O’Neill, Denis Lazaj, and Kody Kaszuba
  • 2nd place 400 free relay – Joey Fischer, Travis Lahr, Bart Brzezicki, and Noah Gear
  • 1st place 300 Back relay – Nick Calkins, Adam Brzezicki, Colin Sodemann, Brian Rewolinski
  • 1st place 300 Breast Relay  – Ryan Hagen, Matt Kwiecinski, Mitchell Budish, and Andrew O’Neill
  • 4th Place Dive Relay  – Kody Kaszuba, Josh Wegner, and  Tyler Osiecki
  • 2nd place 300 Fly relay  – Nick Calkins, Joey Fischer, Colin Sodemann, and Denis Lazaj
  • 1st place 200 Free Relay – Kody Kaszuba, Adam Brzezicki, Noah Gear, and Brian Rewolinski
  • 1st place and breaking a meet record!!! 400 IM relay  – Travis Lahr, Ryan Hagen, Joey Fischer, and Andrew O’Neill
  • 2nd place 100 Medley Relay  – Colin Sodemann, Matt Kwiecinski, Adam Brzezicki, and Mitchell Budish
  • 1st place 100 Free Relay  – Bart Brzezicki, Denis Lazaj, Noah Gear, Brian Rewolinski

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February 13, 2014 · 9:47 pm

Five Rocket Wrestlers Earn Conference Championships

Congratulations to the South Milwaukee wrestling team, which took second in the Woodland Conference meet last weekend and saw five of its wrestlers win individual titles. Good luck on the road to state!

From the South Milwaukee School District …

The Rockets took 2nd as a team in the dual match season with a 7-1 record. The Rockets also took 2nd as a team in the Woodland Conference Tournament held last Saturday as well. Great job this season thus far for Rocket Wrestling and Coach Shilling, Coach Sino and Coach Simmons. 

Of special note is the fact that the Rockets took home 5 Conference Championships which is a school record!!! Great work Rockets!

Rocket Conference Champion Wrestlers

  • Tanner Dorangrichia – 160
  • Ben Zbikowski – 170
  • Josh Wilkowski – 182
  • Tom Mitchell – 195
  • Kenny Senner – 285

3rd Place Wrestlers

  • Victor DeLao – 113
  • Calvin Shilling – 152
  • Jeremy Ratka – 220

4th Place Wrestler

  • Conrad Shilling – 106

WIAA REGIONALS

The Rockets next travel to Bay View High School on Saturday, February 15th to wrestle in WIAA Regionals. Matches are scheduled to start at 9:45am. Tickets are $5 for the entire session and $4 for the finals only.

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February 13, 2014 · 9:46 pm

Sports Update: Busy Schedule

Update: Adds cheerleading even for Feb. 15.

From the South Milwaukee School District …

Friday, February 14

Rocket Girls’ Basketball at Cudahy (JV @ 5:45pm and Varsity @ 7:30pm). Huge game for the girls…good luck!

Rocket Boys’ Basketball hosts Cudahy (4:15pm Frosh, JV @ 5:45pm and Varsity @ 7:30pm). Huge game for the boys as well…good luck! This will be South Milwaukee Youth Boys’ Basketball Night as well!

Saturday, February 15

Rocket Wrestling travels to Bay View HS for a 9:45am start for WIAA Regionals. I will update you soon regarding Sectionals as well depending on how Regionals go.

Rocket Boys’ Swimming & Diving travel down to Carthage College for the WIAA Sectional Swim meet at 11:00am on Saturday. Good luck Rockets!

Rocket Cheerleading travels down to Wilmot HS Saturday morning to compete in the WACPC Cheer Regionals. They will be competing in the co-ed competition for the first time in school history and they should perform around 1:30pm. Best of luck Rockets in your quest for State!!!

Monday, February 17th

Rocket Boys’ Basketball travels to Oak Creek (4:00pm Frosh, JV @ 5:30pm and Varsity @ 7:15pm).

Tuesday, February 18

Rocket Girls’ Basketball hosts Shorewood and Oak Creek (frosh only) (4:15pm Frosh v. OC, JV @ 5:45pm and Varsity @ 7:30pm).

Rocket Boys’ Basketball at Shorewood (Frosh at 4:15pm JV @ 5:45pm and Varsity @ 7:30pm). 

Thursday, February 20 – Note the earlier times

Rocket Boys’ Basketball hosts Heritage Christian (JV @ 5:15pm and Varsity @ 7:00pm). 

Friday, February 21

Rocket Girls’ Basketball hosts Greendale (4:15pm Frosh, JV @ 5:45pm and Varsity @ 7:30pm). This will be South Milwaukee Youth Girls’ Basketball Night as well!

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February 8, 2014 · 9:58 pm

A 2016 South Milwaukee Olympian? Kleppin Finding Success

Former South Milwaukee track star Lauren Kleppin is making a name for herself on the national — and soon to be international — running scene. Might the 2016 Summer Olympics lie ahead?

After a runner-up finish in the USA Half Marathon Championship, Lauren will compete in the World Half Championships in March.

Lauren, who now lives in California, talks about her recent success and future plans on the “Daily Relay” website. From it:

Daily Relay: You had a very strong collegiate career and now seem to be coming into your own as a professional. What are some of your goals moving forward in the sport?

Lauren Kleppin: I like to take my goals step by step, which I believe ultimately has helped fuel a steady but engaging progression throughout my running career thus far. Each day I am amazed that running continues to fuel and stimulate me. My goal is to take that journey as far as it lasts. Obviously an ideal path would ultimately lead to an Olympic Team. However, I was NOT that little girl that ever dreamed I would grow up to be a professional runner. (That’s not to say I wouldn’t have, had I known it was an actual possibility…because I pretty much believed I could be anything else whether it was an Oscar winning actress, a berry farmer, a veterinarian, a rocket scientist, a raft guide, a tattoo artist, or a brew master.) At this point, my main focus and goals are getting to that starting line of the 2016 Olympic Trials in the marathon, and to toe that line with the best health and the deepest confidence possible.

 I’ll keep you posted. Also, follow Lauren’s road to Rio on her website.

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January 16, 2014 · 9:58 pm

Little League Registration Opens Soon

The South Milwaukee Little League is one of the things that makes this community special. As the proud parents of a soon-to-be AAA player next year — AA All-Star in 2013! — my wife and I continue to be impressed with the organization and what they do.

And our son, Christian, loves it.

Well, registration for 2014 is coming up soon. Here are details from Little League …

We are having On-Site Registration on January 30th, 2014 at South Milwaukee Little League Park from 6:00 – 8:30. January 30th, 2014 is the last day for the Early registration.

  • Pay by credit card $75.00 (Rookie $50)
  • Pay by Check/Cash $100.00 (Rookie $50)
  • After January 30th the Registration Fee is $110 (Rookie $50)

In an effort to accommodate for Little Leaguers to play with their classmates, and ease the burden on parents and guardians, Little League has amended its residency requirements to allow children to play in the local league whose boundaries where they attend school is located.

And here are the tryout dates …

February 1st, 2014 and February 22nd, 2014

Softball

  • 12:00pm – 12:30pm Jr./Sr. Softball (13-16 Year Olds)
  • 12:30pm – 1:15pm Major Softball (10-12 Year Olds)
  • 1:15pm – 2:00pm Minor Softball (7-10 Year Olds)

Baseball

  • 2:00pm – 3:30pm AA Baseball (6-8 Year Olds)
  • 3:30pm – 5:00pm AAA Baseball (9-10 Year Olds)
  • 5:00pm – 6:00pm Intermediate Baseball (11-13 Year Olds)

Rookie League Players (5-6 Year olds) do not need to tryout. All other level players need to show up for tryouts. Returning players from Major Softball and Intermediate Baseball DON’T need to show up for tryouts.

You only need to show up at one of the days for tryouts.

Learn more at the SMLL website.

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January 16, 2014 · 9:46 pm

Sports Update: Packed Schedule

Lots happening the next few weeks. From the school district …

UPCOMING VARSITY HOME EVENTS

  • Friday, January 17 – Girls’ Basketball v. St. Francis 7:30pm at SMHS Sullivan Gymnasium
  • Saturday, January 18 – Dave Van Duser Duals & JV wrestling tourney 9:00am at SMHS Sullivan Gymnasium & SMMS Teff Gymnasium

If anyone (staff or non-staff) is interested in volunteering to help at the wrestling meet in working concessions, we can always use a few more volunteers to make sure parents can watch their kids wrestle, so just email me if you are interested.

  • Monday, January 20 – Girls’ Basketball v. Brown Deer 7:30pm at SMMS Teff Gymnasium
  • Tuesday, January 21 – Boys’ Basketball v. Franklin 7:30pm at SMHS Sullivan Gymnasium
  • Wednesday, January 22 – Boys Swim v. Shorewood 5:00pm at SMMS Pool
  • Wednesday, January 22 – Wrestling v. Whitnall 7:00pm at SMMS Teff Gymnasium
  • Friday, January 24 – GIRLS’ Basketball v. Cudahy 7:30pm at SMHS Sullivan Gymnasium

ROCKET GIRLS’ BASKETBALL

Congratulations to the Rockets on their come-from-behind win at Brown Deer last night. Trailing by 11 pts with 3 min to play they came back to beat Brown Deer by a point!

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January 14, 2014 · 12:33 pm

Former South Milwaukee Football Coach Knoche Headed To Hall Of Fame

Here’s a well-deserved honor …

Longtime South Milwaukee educator and coach Brad Knoche is being inducted into the Wisconsin Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame on March 29.

Knoche passed away in 2011, but his legacy obviously lives on.

Also, former South Milwaukee boys’ track coach Gregg Dufek (1999 WFCA inductee) is being honored as the recipient of the Dave McClain Distinguished Service Award. Congratulations Coach Dufek!

Check out the WFCA press release here.

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