Athletes from Suring, Lena, Gillett eyeing collegiate play

SURING — One senior athlete from Suring, Lena and Gillett high schools are headed to colleges within the state with collegiate sports within their sights.

Football

After a strong ending to his high school football season, Suring’s Logan Stuart will look to keep things rolling for St. Norbert College (De Pere) in the coming years.

“It’s truly an honor and a blessing that I have the opportunity to be able to further play the sport I have worked so hard for the last couple years,” said Stuart, who chose St. Norbert because of its pre-med program.

Stuart put an exclamation point on his high school career this past fall, being named the MONLPC-8’s top player on offense and defense. Stuart played running back and linebacker.

Stuart rushed for 2,475 yards and 32 touchdowns while helping Suring tie Gibraltar for the conference title. On defense, Stuart tallied 162 total tackles and was credited with 12 tackles for loss, six forced fumbles and one fumble recovery.

Stuart was also named to the Wisconsin Football Coaches Association 2020 All-Star Game, which was recently suspended because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The football standout said he visited St. Norbert multiple times, meeting some of the coaches and players at those times. “They all seem like a great group of guys and I think I’ll fit in well there.”

Stuart, who thanked his family, coaches and teammates for their help over the years, is most excited to make more memories on the field and friendships with the team.

Track and field, dance

After battling an injury throughout her high school years, Lena’s Alexis Misco is undecided about competing at the college level. Headed to UW-La Crosse, she’s considering trying out for the track and field team and also has some interest in the dance team.

“I’m very excited to have the opportunity to try and compete in either dance or track because I love to be involved,” said Misco, who also talked to the UWL wrestling coach about potentially helping manage the team. “They have an excellent track team so it would be very rewarding to make the team.”

Misco’s injury — the flexor hallucis longus tendons in both her feet were inflamed and had fluid in them — made competing in athletic events painful in her first three years of high school. After figuring out a way to address the injury, Misco was determined to have a big senior season on the track, only to have the season erased by the pandemic.

She plans to go through summer training and then reassess her situation. “If need be, I would be happy to just be running on my own pain-free rather than spending college in pain and in physical therapy.”

Misco chose to attend UWL for several reasons: her mom’s (Lisa) side of the family lives nearby; she has some friends also attending the school; and because it is a close knit campus with plenty of opportunities to pursue.

Basketball

Since signing a letter of intent to play basketball at Ripon College on Dec. 20, 2019, Gillett’s Sydney Young has been gearing up for the higher level of play.

Young averaged 6.5 points per game during her senior season on the court, helping the Tigers finish with a 17-7 overall record and make a run to the regional finals.

She’s made contact with her soon-to-be teammates, both current players and other incoming freshmen.

Young said the pandemic has made practicing a bit more difficult, having to do her work at home instead of in a gym.

The Gillett athlete also recently had surgery on her pinky finger, and it’s expected to keep her out 4-6 weeks, “but that’s allowing me to also focus on my mental game and keeping a steady mind.”

sports@newmedia-wi.com