Region's top winter prep athletes named

WAUSAU - The dominant performance of the Stevens Point Area Senior HIgh boys basketball team this winter resulted in discussions on where the Panthers rank among the best teams in the state history.

The Assumption girls basketball team continued a remarkable run with a fourth straight trip to the WIAA state tournament and a second Division 5 championship in that span.

Those stories highlighted a season in which the Central Wisconsin Storm girls hockey team and Stratford wrestling team both reached state tournaments as well.

Now we take one last look a winter's top individuals with the all-area teams for athletes from the central Wisconsin region of the state that comprises  USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin coverage area.

The teams were put together by consensus of the sports staff for USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin and are capped by the player of the year, which has been selected for both  boys and girls basketball and boys and girls hockey as well as wrestling, gymnastics and boys swimming

BOYS BASKETBALL

Trevor Anderson could hurt teams in so many different ways on a basketball.

The Stevens Point Area Senior High senior point guard could rip you heart out by knocking down shots from behind the arc at a 53.2 percent clip. Anderson also was unstoppable getting to the basket and either scoring or going to the free throw line. If his path to the hoops was closed down, he would invariably find an open man for a wide open 3-pointer or an easy layup.

Anderson was the heart and soul of the two-time defending Division 1 state champions, and for that reason he has been selected the boys basketball player for the third year in a row.

Trevor Anderson named AP player of year

The first team has a heavy SPASH flavor and why not. The 28-0 season, capped off with an 89-64 win over Muskego in the state championship game in the Kohl Center, has the Panthers being mentioned as one of the all-time great boys teams in state history.

The three key cogs in the run -  Sam Hauser, Joey Hauser and Anderson - are all Division I recruits with Sam (Marquette) and Anderson (UW-Green Bay) already locked in. Joey Hauser is destined for a high-major scholarship with Wisconsin and Marquette already offering, among others.

The first team also includes Port Edwards center Jared Joslin and Owen-Withee junior Josiah Goerlitz.

All-area boys basketball

First Team

Trevor Anderson, sr., SPASH, The point guard averaged 24.6 points, 4.2 rebounds and 4.4 assists for the Panthers. The Associated Press boys basketball player of the year.

Sam Hauser, sr. SPASH: The Marquette commit averaged 18.2 ppg, 9.1 rpg, 4.0 apg this season and also added 89 blocks. Was the state's Gatorade player of the year and shared the Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association state player of the year honors with Anderson. 

Jared Joslin, sr. Port Edwards: The 6-foot-7 Blackhawks standout aveaged 25.3 ppg, 9.4 rpg for the Central Wisconsin Conference-10 champions. Earned all-WBCA honors

Josiah Goerlitz, jr., Owen-Withee: The Cloverbelt Conference East Division player of the year aveaged  21.7 ppg and 12.8 rpg for the Blackhawks

Joey Hauser, so., SPASH: The 6-8 forward was a second-team Associated Press all-state selection who aveaged  17.8 ppg, 7.6 rpg, 3.0 apg this winter. 

Second Team

Bobby Pilz, sr. Spencer; Tyler Biadasz, sr., Amherst; Dylan Bunders, jr., Almond-Bancroft; Dane Fronek, sr. Newman Catholic; Cameron Brussow, jr., Loyal

Honorable Mention

Evan Nikolai, sr. Columbus Catholic; Cameron Gaulke, sr., Amherst; Tyler Fuehringer, jr., Columbus Catholic; JP Lacy, sr., Wausau East; Jake Elliott, sr. Pacelli; Addison Gibbs, fr., Port Edwards; Treven Gorst, sr., Abbotsford; Xaxier Lechleitner, sr., Marathon; Jordan Budnik, sr., Mosinee; Jake Allind, sr., Pittsville

GIRLS BASKETBALL

Gena Grundhoffer has been one of the top girls basketball players in not only the area, but the state, but the state over the past four years.

The Assumption senior demonstrated that again in the final two games over her prep career.

Grundhoffer totaled 55 points during the WIAA girls state tournament in March to help the Royals capture the Division 5 championship for the second time in four years. That includes a Division 5 single-game record of 35 points in a state semifinal win over Fall River. She went 17 of 19 from the foul line in the game to set a  state record for made free throws as well

Grundhoffer, who played in a state championship game in all four years of her prep career, is the girls basketball player of the year.

The Royals standout, who was a third team Associated Press all-state selection, averaged 17.2 points and 5.4 rebounds this season and helped the Royals end the season on a 12-game winning streak.

She is joined on the all-area first team by SPASH's Maggie Negaard, Marathon's Morgan Rachu, Marshfield's Ema Fehrenbach and Loyal's Karysn Rueth.

All-area girls basketball

First team

Gena Grundhoffer, sr., Assumption: A third-team Associated Press all-state selection and a Division 5 all-state pick by the Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association. Grundhoffer, who is headed to Lehigh, averaged 17.2 points and 5.4 rebounds this season. 

Maggie Negaard, so., SPASH: The Wisconsin Valley Conference player of the year and a honorable mention Associated Press all-state pick averaged 23.1 points per game in conference play. 

Morgan Rachu, sr., Marathon: A standout defensive player, the Raiders veteran also averaged 13.2 points and 9.3 rebounds a game. A honorable mention AP all-state selection. 

Ema Fehrenbach, jr., Marshfield: A first team all-Wisconsin Valley Conference selection. Was second in the conference in both points per game (18.5) and rebounds (7.4) for the Tigers, who reached a WIAA Division 1 sectional title game. 

Karsyn Rueth, jr., Loyal: A reason why the Greyhounds have captured a Cloverbelt Conference East Division title the past two years. Averaged 17 points and nine rebounds a game this winter. 

Second team

Bailey Schultz, sr., Mosinee; Bre Richter, sr., Rosholt; Kendra Dombrowski, so., Amherst; Caitlin Deaton, jr., Wausau West; Taylor Gotz, sr., Auburndale.

Honorable mention

Amber Baehman, so., Tri-County; Ashley Hodell, jr., D.C. Everest; McKayla Scheuer, sr., Marshfield; Macie Zurfluh, sr., Assumption; Maddix Bonnell, so., Merrill; Tianna Borchardt, sr., Edgar; Olivia Meurette, sr., Marathon; Maddie Schires, fr., Wausau West; Devyn Schoonover, sr., Loyal; Whitney Baehr, jr., Owen-Withee; Natasha Stubbe, sr., Mosinee. 

WRESTLING

Stratford sophomore Jeremy Schoenherr had the daunting task of taking on another state champion in the 126-pound WIAA Division 3 championship match in late February at the Kohl Center.

He outlasted Fennimore’s Alston Nutter in a wild 15-13 match, clinching his second straight state championship to cap a season in which he posted a 45-1 record. For his performance, he has earned the all-area wrestler of the year honor.

Schoenherr was the 113 pound winner last year, while Nutter was the 120-pound champ in 2015. Schoenherr won by pin in his state quarterfinal match over Ethan Leis of Cashton and posted an 8-5 decision over Tate Murty of Cochrane-Fountain City in the semifinals.

Stratford, Point wrestlers win gold

“It felt a little better because it’s the second title,” Schoenfuss said after the state individual finals. It’s not getting any easier for any of us. We’re known in the state and this is the second year in a row we’ve had four state champs. People notice that.”

All-area wrestling team

First team

Jeremy Schoenherr, Stratford, jr., 126: Won his second straight WIAA Division 3 state championship after winning at 113 pounds as a sophomore. Has a 86-3 record overall in two years of wrestling at the varsity level

Brady Koontz, SPASH, jr, 106: Koontz beat Arrowhead’s Dominic Dentino11-4 to win the Division 1 title at his weight to finish the season with a 43-1 record. He placed sixth at 106 last year.

Dylan Koontz, SPASH, jr., 113: Koontz beat Aaron Schulist of Mukwonago 8-4 to win his first state title and finish the season 44-0. He placed fifth in the same weight a year ago.

A.J. Schoenfuss, Stratford, soph., 120: With a 6-2 win over Riley Blair of Fennimore, Schoenfuss became a Division 3 two-time state champion and finished with season with a 50-3 record. He won the 106 pound title as a freshman. He was also part of the Tigers D3 team state runner-up squad.

Jordan Sarver, Nekoosa/Port Edwards, jr, 132: Sarver was the Division 2 bronze medalist this season and finished with a record of 40-6. He placed third at 120-pounds as a sophomore.

Sam Wenzel, Stratford, sr., 138: Wenzel did not place in the D3 138-pound field this season, but he did place fourth at 106 pounds as a sophomore. He closed out his senior year with a 41-11 record and competed on the Tigers’ state tournament team.

Austin Engel, Athens, jr., 145: In his first trip to the WIAA state meet, Engel placed third in the Division 3 competition in his weight class. He finished the season with a 47-4 record.

Mason Kauffman, Stratford, jr., 152: Kauffman was the D3 runner-up at 152 pounds due to a medical forfeit and finished the season 50-1. As a sophomore he was an undefeated champion at 126 pounds with a record of 49-0.

Fritz Schierl, SPASH, sr., 160: A three-time state qualifier, Schierl was the D1 runner-up at 160 pounds and finished with a record of 43-1. He placed fourth as a sophomore at 130 and did not place at 152 as a junior.

Tucker Peterson, Medford, sr., 170: Peterson was the Division 2 runner-up and finished with a 37-2 record. He was a state qualifier at 160 pounds as a junior, but did not place.

Kam Bornbach, Stratford, jr., 182: Won his second straight D3 title at the same weight by beating Garrett Joles of Boyceville in the state finals. He finished with a record of 50-2. He competed on the Tigers’ state tournament team, winning both matches.

August Peplinski, Wittenberg-Birnamwood, sr., 195: Peplinski is a four time D2 state qualifier and finished as the 195-pound runner-up the past two seasons, finishing 48-1 this season.. He placed sixth at 182 as a freshman and fourth as a junior at the same weight class.

Dane Borchardt, Tomahawk, sr., 220: Borchardt was unable to repeat as 220-pound D2 state champ, placing fifth in 2016 and finishing with a 44-4 record. He went 49-1 when he won his state title as a junior.

Tyson Kauffman, Stratford, jr., 285: Kauffman beat Bennett Gunderson of Bonduel to win the D3 crown at 285-pounds and finish the season with a 50-3 record. He competed on the Tigers team state team this season and was a state qualifier as a sophomore.

Second team

106: Macey Kilty (29-6), Stratford, 2nd D3; 113: Josh Ehster, (38-6), Mosinee, 3rd D2; 120: Vellko Kochiu (33-7), Wausau West, 5th D1 126: Trenton McManus (45-5), Adams-Friendhsip, 4th D2; 132: Austin Post (29-9), Spencer/Columbus, SQ D2; 138: Nolan Hertel (31-14), Marshfield, SQ D1; 145: David Marquardt (37-14), Stratford, 6th D3; 152: Derek Nielsen (48-6), Neillsville/Greenwood/Loyal), SQ D2; 160: Brock Benitz (44-4), Wis. Rapids, 3rd D2; 170: Quinton Wallenfang (41-7), Tomahawk, 5th D2; 182: Kaleb Kaminski (45-2), Tomahawk, 2nd D2; 195: Nate Engle (28-3), SPASH, 5th D1; 220: Dakota Venzke (36-6), Athens, 5th D3; 285: Cole Warzynski (47-2), Almond-Bancroft/Pacelli, 2nd D2

BOYS HOCKEY

Brock Caufield had a goal and an assist against Antigo in the third game of the season and that was just the beginning for the Stevens Point Area Senior High junior.

Caufield, a forward, scored at least a point in 21 of 25 games this season for the Panthers, including a goal in 10 straight games to end the year

The speedy Ohio State commit finished the season with 26 goals and 59 points and is the all-area boys hockey player of the year.

Caufield, who was a first team all-Wisconsin Valley Conference selection for the second straight year, and an all-state selection by the Wisconsin Hockey Coaches Association, highlights the all-area first team.

Central Wisconsin players top all-state hockey

Caufield's brother, Cole, was a linemate and also is part of the first team that also includes Mosinee's Landon Stepan, Wausau West's Jacob Evans, Wisconsin Rapids' Sam Storlie and Pacelli goalie Trent Kollock.

All-area boys hockey

First team

Brock Caufield, jr, SPASH: The first team all-state selection by the Wisconsin Hockey Coaches Association has scored 59 goals and 138 points in 75 career games with the Panthers. 

Landon Stepan, sr., Mosinee: The forward was a first team all-Great Northern Conference selection and honorable mention all-state pick. Finished with team-high 26 goals and 56 points. 

Cole Caufield, fr., SPASH: The  forward was a first team all-state selection and led the Panthers with 29 goals and 65 points this season. A first team all-WVC selection as well 

Jacob Evans, jr., Wausau West: A first team all-Wisconsin Valley Conference selection and a honorable mention all-state pick. Had 13 points for the Warriors this winter. 

Sam Storlie, sr., Wisconsin Rapids: The Wisconsin Valley Conference player of the year and a all-state selection. Had six goals and 35 points this season for the Raiders. 

Trent Kollock, sr., Pacelli: The Cardinals veteran had a .931 save percentage this winter and eight shutouts, including one in the postseason. A honorable mention all-state selection. 

Second team

Grant Czaikowski, sr., SPASH, F; Logan Conkey, sr.,Wisconsin Rapids, F; Nick Techel, jr. Wausau West, F; J.J. Berdal, so., D.C. Everest, D ; Kellen Tharaldson, jr., Wausau West, D; Jacob Warnke, jr. Wausau West, G

Honorable mention

G-Michael Janke, so., D.C. Everest; Paul Weise, jr., Wausau West. Phil Trzebiatowski, jr., SPASH; Haydon Roy-Peterson, jr., Marshfield.  D-Jacob Morman, sr., Wisconsin Rapids; Jarett Jones, jr., SPASH;  F-Chris Karch, sr., Pacelli; Mathew Janke, sr., D.C. Everest; Bryce Graveen, sr., Mosinee; Cale Bowman, sr., Wausau West; Christian Bardarson, jr., Wausau West; Zeth Pyan, jr., Mosinee; Gabe McGinnity, sr., Wausau East;  Austin Burgener, jr., Merrill. 

GIRLS HOCKEY

Katelynn Schilling didn't lead the high-scoring Central Wisconsin Storm in goals or points this season.

But the junior was one of the the biggest playmakers for the Storm in the postseason

Schilling scored six of her 24 goals in the playoffs as the Storm reached the WIAA state tournament once again. The Storm forward had a hat trick in a win over Northland Pines in a sectional title game and then added a pair of goals in a state semifinal loss to University School of Milwaukee. It is a reason why Schilling, who finished with 41 points, has been selected as the girls hockey player of the year.

Schilling was paired with the Bauer sisters - Emily and Elizabeth - to comprise the Storm's high-scoring red line this season.

Both Bauer sisters finished with 60 points, tied for the team lead with junior forward Katelyn Ramthun.

All-area girls hockey Top 10

Erin Sparks, jr., Tomahawk, G;  Chole Westberg, so., Central Wisconsin Storm, G; Taylor Treu, jr., Central Wisconsin Storm, D; Hailey Ehr, sr., Point/Rapids/Marshfield;  Katelynn Schilling, jr., Central Wisconsin Storm, F; Katelyn Ramthun, jr., Central Wisconsin Storm, F; Kendra Robinson, so., Point/Rapids/Marshfield, F; Elizbeth Bauer, sr., Central Wisconsin Storm, F; Emily Bauer, sr., Central Wisconsin Storm, F; Marissa McPeak, sr., Medford, F, 

BOYS SWIMMING 

Stevens Point Area Senior High dominated the pool during the Wisconsin Valley Conference season and senior Ben Harris played a huge role in that success.

Not only did he anchor a pair of WVC winning relay teams, but Harris was a lock to bring home at least a pair of individual first-place results for SPASH which went unbeaten during the dual meet season. He also was instrumental in the Panthers claiming a Valley championship all four season on varsity.

For his contributions to the team’s success and undeniable leadership as one of the few seniors, Harris has been selected as the boys swimmer of the year.

Having played his part in the team’s success, Harris then capped of his high school career by qualifying for the WIAA Division 1 Swimming and Diving Championships in a pair of individual events and as part of the 200- and 400-yard relays, which each finished 12th in the 24-team fields.

Harris went out with a bang, earning his first career appearance on the podium at state by placing fifth in the 50 freestyle with a time of 21.66. He also finished eighth in the 100 butterfly (51.82).

GYMNASTICS

Wisconsin Rapids sophomore Tia Dorshorst advanced to the  WIAA state gymnastics meet for the second straight year in an injury-plagued season..

She tied for fourth on the balance beam with a score of 9.20 in the Division 1 competition and 10th on the uneven bars (8.967).

And she did it with severe sprains on both ankles.

For that the Raiders standout selected as the gymnast of the year.

At the Bradley Invite in Whitefish Bay in February, Dorshorst overextended on a tumble while warming up on the floor exercise and landed on the top of her feet with her full body weight. She instantly knew something was wrong. By the next morning her ankles had swollen to the size of baseballs.

The injury forced Dorshorst to sit out the Great Northern Conference meet, but she returned to competition for the WIAA postseason with the chance to defend the state title she won on the beam as a freshman.

Dorshorst fell just short of that goal as Arrowhead senior Taryn Sherman won the event with a score of 9.450. However, Dorshorst reached the podium for the second straight year and it marked just the third time that a Rapids gymnast had accomplished the feat overall.