Gannett names region's fall all-area athletes
WAUSAU - Amherst proved to be one of the most dominant football teams in the state this season, regardless of division.
The Newman Catholic volleyball team proved it still has a championship resolve.
Stevens Point Area Senior High's Emily Luetschwager was unbeatable through the girls tennis season.
Amherst's Alissa Niggemann's won the final race of her career on a state meet course on a rainy day in late October.
The Spencer/Columbus Catholic football team had the best season in the program's history, advancing to a state championship game at Camp Randall Stadium.
Those were among the most notable peformances by local teams and athletes in a memorable fall season.
We take one final look back at the top individuals with the Gannett Wisconsin Media's all-area teams.
The teams were put together by consensus of the GWM sports staff and are capped by the player of the year, which has been selected for football, volleyball, boys soccer, boys and girls cross country, girls swimming and girls tennis as well.
FOOTBALL
GANNETT CENTRAL WISCONSIN ALL-AREA FIRST TEAM
*-player of the year
OFFENSE
*QB-Garrett Groshek, sr., Amherst: Groshek led the Falcons to an undefeated season and is our choice as the Gannett Central Wisconsin Media's football player of the year. The quarterback was a unanimous selection to The Associated Press all-state team and was the Wisconsin Football Coaches Association offensive player of the year. Groshek rushed for 1,432 yards and 16 touchdowns and passed for 2,398 yards and 41 touchdowns. He put on a show in a 42-0 win over Spencer/Columbus Catholic in the state championship game at Camp Randall Stadium. Groshek passed for 172 yards and four touchdowns, and rushed for 161 yards and two scores in the final statement of a dominant season.
RB-Stephen Paoli, sr., D.C. Everest: Honorable mention Associated Press all-state player. Led the Valley Football Association-North Division in rushing and totaled 1,449 yards and 18 touchdowns overall.
RB-Nick Hoheisel, sr., Marshfield: Was a first team all-Valley Football Association South Division. Rushed for 1,665 yards and 17 touchdowns to lead the Tigers. Averaged 7.5 yards per attempt.
RB-Brandon Piotrowski, jr., Amherst: The first team all-Central Wisconsin Conference-8 selection rushed for a team-high 1,638 yards and 27 touchdowns for the Falcons. Averaged 8.7 yards per attempt.
OL-Brady Lenz, sr., Wausau West: The 6-foot-3, 220-pound veteran was a unanimous all-Valley Football Association-North Division selection. A two-way player, Lenz also was a key member of the Warriors defensive line.
OL-Jacob Erdman, jr., SPASH: The 6-foot-4, 265 underclassman was named the Valley Football Association-South Division's offensive lineman of the year. The Panthers rushed for an average of 275.5 yards per game this year.
OL-Sam Buchberger, sr., Marathon: The Marawood Conference lineman of the year also was a Wisconsin Football Coaches Association honorable mention all-state pick. The 6-foot-1, 210-pound Buchberger also earned first team all-confernece honors at linebacker as well.
OL-Garett Storch, sr., Medford: A unanimous all-Great Northern Conference selection. The 6-foot-4, 260-pound veteran helped the co-GNC champions rush for 177.6 yards per game this fall.
OL-Cole Warzynski, sr., Almond-Bancroft: The 6-foot-1, 280-pound veteran was a first team all-Central Wisconsin Conference-10 selection on both the offensive and defensive lines. Helped the Eagles rush for 3,163 yards.
WR-Bryce Graveen, sr., Mosinee: The 6-foot-2, 185-pound wideout ranked in the top 20 in the state with 54 receptions for 889 yards and seven touchdowns. The first team all-Great Northern Conference selection averaged 16.5 yards per reception.
TE-Zach McManus, sr., Marshfield: The 6-foot-1, 208-pound end was a unanimous all-Valley Football Association-South Division selection. Averaged 10.1 yards per reception this fall.
K/P-Brad Goetsch, sr., D.C. Everest: The Evergreens special teams standout led the Valley Football Association-North Divison with a 39.1 yard average per punt and also led the conference in field goals.
DEFENSE
DL-Tyler Biadasz, sr., Amherst: A unanimous Associated Press all-state selection. Had 11 tackles for a loss and seven sacks to lead a Falcons defense that allowed an average of 9.1 points per game.
DL-Wylie Frahm, sr., Edgar: The first team all-Marawood Conference selection had 18 tackles for a loss and 11 sacks.
DL-Trent Kollock, sr., Assumption: The Royals defensive end tied for third in the state with 16.5 sacks. The first team all-Cloverwood Conference selection also forced three fumbles and returned an interception for a touchdown
DL-Jared Joslin, sr., Port Edwards: The Central Wisconsin Conference-10 defensive player of the year. The 6-foot-7, 225 pound veteran also was a first team all-conference pick at tight end.
LB-Logan Heise, sr., Wausau West: A unanimous all-Valley Conference Association-North Division selection. Heise led the Valley Football Association-North Division with 61 solo tackles in conference play.
LB-Hunter Hildebrandt, sr., Spencer/Columbus Catholic: A two-way starter who also played at running back for the WIAA Division 5 state runners-up. Hildebrandt, a first team all-Cloverbelt Conference selection, finished with 110 tackles to lead the Rockets.
LB-Kristian Welch, sr., Iola-Scandinavia: A two-way starter who also rushed for 1,000 yards as a running back for the Thunderbirds and was a first team all-Central Wisconsin Conference-8 selection on both offense and defense. Led Iola-Scandinavia in tackles.
DB-Pierce Kauth, sr., SPASH: The Valley Football Association-South Division defensive back of the year. Had four interceptions in conference play and finished eighth on the Panthers in tackles overall.
DB-Kaleb Kaminski, sr., Tomahawk: A unanimous all-Marawood Conference selection and a first-team all-state selection by the Wisconsin Football Coaches Association. Had six interceptions and 103 total tackles.
DB-Johl Turzinski, sr., Almond-Bancroft: Finished tied for third in the state with eight interceptions. A first team all-Central Wisconsin Conference-10 selection, also had 854 yards receiving for the Eagles.
DB-Austin Borchardt, sr., Edgar: A first team all-Marawood Conference selection, had three interceptions and two fumble recoveries for the Wildcats. A two-way starter, finished sixth on the team in overall tackles and also averaged 22.3 yards per reception.
All-purpose-Victor Kizewski, sr., SPASH: A unanimous selection to the all-Valley Football Association-South Division as both a returning specialist and running back. Was the conference offensive player of the year. Averaged 15.3 yards per rushing attempt and scored 13 touchdowns in the VFA-South. Also averaged 18.8 yards per punt return in conference play.
VOLLEYBALL
ALL-AREA FIRST TEAM
*-player of the year
*Mariah Whalen, jr., Newman Catholic: An outside hitter is the Gannett Central Wisconsin Media player of the year after leading the Cardinals to a 39-1 record and a third straight WIAA Division 4 state championship. Was the Marawood Conference player of the year and a first team all-state selection by the Wisconsin Volleyball Coaches Association. Finished with 697 kills and had a .483 hitting percentage. Also had 310 digs and 112 blocks. Set a WIAA Division 4 state tournament record for a three-set match with 31 kills in a state semifinal win over Living Word Lutheran and had a .529 hitting percentage.
Regan Stefan, jr., D.C. Everest: An outside hitter and unanimous all-Wisconsin Valley Conference selection who helped the Evergreens reached the WIAA Division 1 state quarterfinals. Led Everest with 425 kills. Also had 401 digs for the Evergreens.
Hanna Meyer, sr., Tomahawk: First team all-Great Northern Conference selection, finished with 554 kills for season. Averaged 4.7 kills and 2.9 digs per set in conference play this year An honorable mention all-state selection by the Wisconsin Volleyball Coaches Association.
Stephanie Rhodes, jr., Marshfield: The Tigers outside hitter was a first team all-Wisconsin Valley Conference selection. Led the Tigers with 349 kills and had a .287 hitting percentage. Had 262 digs on season as well.
Victoria Lammar, jr., Medford: The player of the year in the Great Northern Conference. The outside hitter had 223 kills and 224 digs and helped the Raiders capture the conference championship.
Anna Finnell, sr., Merrill:
The Bluejays outside hitter was a unanimous all-Wisconsin Valley Conference selection. Had 395 kills this fall with a .279 hitting percentage for the Wisconsin Valley Conference champions
Ali Zamzow, sr., Merrill: The Bluejays libero totaled 610 digs and was a unanimous all-Wisconsin Valley Conference pick. Zamzow averaged 4.9 digs per set and was an honorable mention all-state selection.
Emily Page, sr., Merrill: The setter totaled 1,170 assists for the Bluejays, who finished the season with a 37-7-1 record. Page, a unanimous all-Wisconsin Valley Conference selection, averaged 9.3 assists per set Also finished tied atop the WVC with a .990 serving percentage in conference games.
Becca Doughty, sr.,Tomahawk: The setter was a unanimous all-Great Northern Conference selection and honorable mention all-state pick. Totaled 1,043 assists, averaging 9.2 per set this fall.
SOCCER
TOP ELEVEN
*-player of the year
*Jack Mittelsteadt, jr., D.C. Everest: The Evergreens forward who was an all-state honorable mention selection by the Wisconsin Soccer Coaches Association, is also the Gannett Wisconsin Media soccer player of the year. Mittelsteadt, the Wisconsin Valley Conference player of the year, was a key member of the Evergreens team that captured the conference title and led the WVC in shots on goal. Everest finished third overall in goals in the WVC this fall.
Osy Ekwueme, jr., Medford: The Raiders forward was the offensive player of the year in the Great Northern Conference. Ekweume led the GNC with 11 goals and was second with 41 points for the Raiders, who finished third overall in the conference.
Kirill Romashov, jr., Mosinee: A unanimous selection to the all-Great Northern Conference team, the underclassman led Mosinee with 16 goals and 35 points in conference play.
Farid Torbey, sr., Columbus Catholic: A unanimous all-Mid-State Conference selection. Was a leading scorer for a Dons team that finished second in the conference this year, a point behind McDonell/Regis
Luke McCann, jr., Marshfield: A unanimous all-Wisconsin Valley Conference selection, the midfielder was a reason why the Tigers finished tied for second with 35 goals in conference play.
Adrian Felix , sr., Medford: The Raiders veteran led the Great Northern Conference with 54 points this fall. Was a first team all-conference selection.
Tyler Fuerlinger, jr., Columbus Catholic: A unanimous all-Mid State Conference selection. Was a stopper on a Dons team that was state-ranked in Division 4 throughout the season and reached the sectional semifinals.
Arturo Anaya, sr., Tri-County: A first team all-Mid-State Conference selection. Anaya was the leading scorer for the Penguins this fall.
Nate Napiwocki, jr., SPASH: Along with junior teammate Joey Dorgan, Napiwocki was a first-team all Wisconsin Valley Conference selection. Part of reason why the Panthers
Austin Schulze, sr., Wisconsin Rapids: The veteran midfielder was part of a Raiders offense that led the Wisconsin Valley Conference with 38 goals.
Alex Pagel, jr., D.C. Everest: A first team all-Wisconsin Valley Conference selection, the Evergreens keeper was part of an Everest defense that allowed just 12 goals in conference play this season.
GIRLS TENNIS
Stevens Point Area Senior High's Emily Luetschwager is the player of the year as she capped an undefeated season by beating Sun Prairie's Dao Sysouvanh 6-2, 6-4 in the Division 1 singles championship match in Madison.
The Panthers junior, who was seeded No. 1 in the tournament, finished the season with a 35-0 record and became the program's first state champion.
“I’m just going to enjoy this one,” Luetschwager said after the state title matchup. “It’s amazing, I can’t even explain what I’m feeling. It’s just very exciting and I’m glad I had the opportunity (to play for a state championship).”
GIRLS SWIMMING
SPASH's Alex Raczek is the swimmer of the year after helping the Panthers tie D.C. Everest for the Wisconsin Valley Conference championship.
The junior, who is known as 'The Animal' by her teammates and coaches, captured conference titles in the 50- and 100 yard free and also was part of the WVC-winning 200 and 400 free relay teams.
Raczek was named the WVC swimmer of the year and also won the 50 free in a Division 1 sectional to qualify for the state meet.
"Once I get up on the block for a race, I try to clear my mind," Raczek said on her approach in a race before the state meet. "Especially for sprint events, because it’s over so fast you just have to swim and trust yourself to swim as fast as you can."
CROSS COUNTRY
D.C. Everest's Anthony Anderson and Amherst's Alissa Niggemann are the boys and girls runners of the year.
Anderson, a senior, won the Wisconsin Valley Conference championship and also was first in a WIAA Division 1 sectional meet in Stevens Point the following week. Anderson, whose season-best time of 15 minutes, 49 seconds was the third-fastest in the program's history. He finished sixth overall in the Division race in the state meet in Wisconsin Rapids in 16:05.
Niggemann, a senior, became the second state champion in the Amherst girls program history as she won the Division 3 race in 19 minutes, 0.40 seconds. The Falcons' other state champion is Sulla Pulli, who won in 2000.
It was Niggemann's third Top 10 finish at the state meet in her prep career with her previous best being a sixth-place performance
"I didn't necessarily expect to win, but it was a goal of mine," Niggemann said after winning the title. "I just told myself today that this was my last race, 'So just go for it.'"
Tim Johnson can be reached at 715-845-0731 or attimothy.johnson@gannettwisconsin.com. Find him on Twitter @timmyjo11.
ALL-AREA FOOTBALL
FIRST TEAM
OFFENSE
QB-Garrett Groshek, sr., Amherst. RB-Stephen Paoli, sr., D.C. Everest; Nick Hoheisel, sr., Marshfield; Brandon Piotrowski, jr., Amherst. OL-Brady Lenz, sr., Wausau West; Jacob Erdman, jr., SPASH; Sam Buchberger, sr., Marathon; Garrett Storch, sr., Medford; Cole Warzynski, sr., Almond-Bancroft. WR-Bryce Graveen, sr., Mosinee. TE-Zach McManus, sr., Marshfield. K/P-Brad Goetsch, sr., D.C. Everest.
DEFENSE
DL-Tyler Biadasz, sr., Amherst; Wylie Frahm, sr., Edgar; Trent Kollock, sr., Assumption; Jared Joslin, sr., Port Edwards. LB-Logan Heise, sr., Wausau West; Hunter Hildebrandt, sr., Spencer/Columbus Catholic; Kristian Welch, sr.,. Iola-Scandinavia. DB-Pierce Kauth, sr., SPASH; Kaleb Kaminski, sr., Tomahawk; Johl Turzinski, sr., Almond-Bancroft; Austin Borchardt, sr., Edgar. All-purpose: Victor Kizewski, sr., SPASH.
SECOND TEAM
OFFENSE
QB-Jake Gajewski, sr., Newman Catholic; Landon Stepan, sr., Mosinee; Wyatt Richtmyre, jr., Almond-Bancroft. RB- Gus Turner-Zick, jr., SPASH; Austin Bunders, sr., Almond-Bancroft; Hunter Luepke, so., Spencer/Columbus Catholic; Cooper Hendrickson, sr., Abbotsford; Jake Stange, jr., Athens; Ryan Gassner, sr., Marathon. OL-Jack Vruwink, sr., Wisconsin Rapids; Andrew Gilkerson, sr., Marshfield; Eric Jorgenson, sr., Colby; Dylan Peterson, sr., Stratford. WR-Mike Delzer, sr., Medford; Thomas Dunbar, jr., Wausau East.
DEFENSE
DL-Josiah Goerlitz, sr., Owen-Withee; Andrew Melvin, sr., Nekoosa; Jake Harlow, sr., SPASH; Christian Klienschmidt, sr., Merrill; Jamie Moe, sr., D.C. Everest; Devin Mathwich, sr., Marathon. LB-Jake Collinsworth, jr., Merrill; Brett Paul, sr., Medford; Austin Engel, jr., Athens. DB-Calvin Lenz, sr., Spencer/Columbus Catholic; Amaziah McCall, sr., Amherst; Sawyer Kurtzweil, jr., Rosholt. All-purpose: Alec Hafferman, jr., Edgar; Garrett Rau, sr., Abbotsford; Tarek Tuttle, sr. , Nekoosa; Kam Bornbach, jr., Stratford; Dane Borchardt, sr., Tomahawk.
ALL-AREA VOLLEYBALL
FIRST TEAM
Mariah Whalen, jr., Newman Catholic, OH; Regan Stefan, jr., D.C. Everest, OH; Hanna Meyer, sr., Tomahawk, OH; Stephanie Rhodes, jr., Marshfield, OH; Victoria Lammar, jr., Medford, OH; Anna Finnell, sr., Merrill, OH; Ali Zamzow, sr., Merrill, L; Emily Page, sr., Merrill S; Becca Doughty, sr., Tomahawk, S
SECOND TEAM
Macie Weber, sr., Spencer, MH; Amanda Kind, jr., Marathon, MB/OH; Andrea Pisarski, jr., OH; Taylor Nier, jr., Wittenberg-Birnamwood, OH; Anna Ripp, jr., Marshfield, S; Sara Dasler, sr., Marshfield, L; Natalie Mohring, so., D.C. Everest, MH/RS/S; Claire Nievinski, sr., OH; Abbey Fox, sr., Newman Catholic, S; Ally Miklesh, so., SPASH, S; Riley Vaughn, so., Newman Catholic, S/RS; Madison Bushman, jr., Wittenberg-Birnamwood, S.