Three Witt-Birn seniors to play collegiate sports

Three Wittenberg-Birnamwood High School seniors will continue their athletic careers at the college level.

All three athletes chose colleges within the state.

Football, baseball

Simon Stewart is planning on playing both football and baseball at St. Norbert College (De Pere).

“Being a college athlete was always a dream and goal of mine since I was a child, and now that it’s happening and I get the opportunity to play two sports is very special to me,” said Stewart, who said he liked St. Norbert because of their successful programs over the years.

Stewart said the head coaches (Dan McCarty for football and Mike Wallerich for baseball) and their staffs were very helpful during the recruiting process. The two-sport athlete has also got to meet some of his soon-to-be teammates, saying “they are a great group of guys that I think I’ll fit in nicely to.”

In his senior football season, Stewart made the first team as a defensive lineman in the Central Wisconsin Conference-Large Division. Stewart was stripped of his spring baseball season because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Stewart is excited to get his college career underway and prepared to put in the necessary work to be successful.

“Some things that I’m looking forward to about college sports is the atmosphere and getting to battle teammates day in and day out to get the team better,” said Stewart, who thanked family members and former coaches for their help on and off the field over the years.

Swimming

After capping a strong high school career with a memorable senior season, Lauren Bahr is set to dive into the pool again for Ripon College.

“I chose Ripon primarily because of my campus visit. Coach (Ryan) Goggans’ philosophy of the importance of athletics matched my own, and I felt at home with the team.”

Bahr met the team and its coaches during an overnight visit and said she’s been getting weekly emails from Goggans. “As far as my teammates go, I’ve been messaging a few of them and already I can’t wait to meet them in person.”

The Witt-Birn swimmer is thrilled to get to compete at the college level in the sport she loves, and already is setting high standards for her collegiate career.

“I’m looking forward to being able to train and compete at a higher level than I was able to in high school, as well as hopefully setting some new school records. There are already a few I have my eye on,” said Bahr.

As a senior, Bahr helped the 200 medley and 200 freestyle relay teams to first-place finishes at the Bay Conference Meet, along with individual third-place finishes in the 100 freestyle and 100 backstroke. Bahr eventually competed at state on the 200 freestyle relay team.

Basketball

Olivia Curley was a part of the swim team’s success in the pool, but it will be basketball that Curley competes in at the college level. Curley will join the Lakeland University (Plymouth) women’s team.

“I chose this college because it’s a small college and I really fell in love with the campus,” said Curley. “The advisors I had and coaching staff are so amazing and they made sure all my questions were answered. Just left like home the first time I showed up there.”

Curley said she kept in contact with Lakeland throughout the season, with coach Amber Peterson attending one of the Chargers games.

Curley also said she’s talked with some of the current team members. “They were super fun and had nothing bad to say. They had good vibes and they loved playing basketball at Lakeland.”

Curley ended her high school basketball career making the CWC-East second team. She’s hoping to be even more successful in college.

“I’m looking forward to working hard and excelling my skills in basketball and seeing what it’s like to play at the next level and see if I can match it,” said Curley, who thanked her family and coaches for their support and help over the years.

sports@newmedia-wi.com