Witt-Birn athletics shine in year of pandemic

Editor’s note: The following is a list of the top sports stories for 2020.

Coronavirus shuts down spring sports season

The coronavirus pandemic has had a big impact on everyone’s life at some point during the past several months. The pandemic took away the entire high school spring sports season.

After weeks of waiting, the decision to not play in the spring was finally made during a Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association Board of Control meeting April 21, ending any hope that sports teams would play any games.

For spring athletes in the Class of 2020, it meant that their last spring competitions had already happened in their junior year. Freshmen athletes weren’t able to get their first taste of spring sports, while sophomores and juniors couldn’t build on their previous seasons.

“We want to extend our sincere empathy and regrets to all the student-athletes and coaches that have worked hard in anticipation of participating in sports this spring, particularly the seniors,” WIAA Executive Director Dave Anderson said.

While WIAA sports returned in the fall and continue to be played this winter, athletes have had to mask up. Crowds have been limited or eliminated, and many schools have had to pause their seasons or shut them down entirely.

Witt-Birn wrestling team wins CWC Tournament, sends 2 to state

Before the coronavirus hit, the Wittenberg-Birnamwood High School wrestling team turned in a strong season.

The Chargers won the Central Wisconsin Conference Tournament on Feb. 8 and had several individual wrestlers shine in postseason action before sending Chad Moegenburg and Wyatt Esker to state.

At the CWC Tournament, Damien Wudtke, Will Urquhart, Allen Uttecht, Moegenburg and Esker all took first, while Pierson Potrykus took second and Larken Betry and David Gauderman third. Witt-Birn coach Troy Ostrowski was named the conference’s Coach of the Year after posting a perfect dual record in CWC matchups and winning the tournament title.

Despite dealing with an injury, Moegenburg placed fifth at state in the Division 2 126-pound weight class, capping a 44-7 season on the mat. Esker went 2-3 and took sixth in the 145 weight class at state, finishing the year with a 43-8 mark.

“It felt special to win the last match, especially under the circumstances,” said Moegenburg. “I gave every last ounce I had to push through everything, and to be there with everyone that has been with me since the beginning was very special.”

“(Placing sixth) means a lot,” said Esker. “I came into state with a goal of placing and I knew if I wrestled well, I could get the job done. It was a great feeling winning in the quarters (quarterfinals) to guarantee my placement.”

Metropulos represents Chargers at state again

Witt-Birn swimmer McKenna Metropulos turned in a strong senior season in the pool and finished by competing at state for a second straight season.

At state, Metropulos placed sixth in the 200-yard freestyle and seventh in the 100 freestyle.

“Finishing at state is always the goal, but it is the little cherry on top to have placed so well and make the podium,” Metropulos said of her top-six finish. “I couldn’t be happier to be ending my season this way.”

Earlier in the season, the senior won a pair of titles (50 and 100 freestyles) at the Bay Conference Championships. She also helped the 200 and 400 freestyle relay teams to top-five finishes.

Witt-Birn volleyball team wins CWC-East again

Despite losing senior Abi Fraaza to injury during the season, the Witt-Birn volleyball team claimed its second consecutive CWC-East title this fall.

The Chargers capped a perfect run through conference play with a 25-18, 25-23, 25-12 sweep of Shiocton on Oct. 15 in Wittenberg.

“I think it really proves how hard-working we are, especially since I think we had seven seniors that we lost last year, and then we lost Abi who was first team all-conference, so obviously she’s pretty good,” said senior Emma Herb after the win over Shiocton. “So coming off of that, I think we worked pretty hard this season and I think it was well-deserved — the win tonight and conference.”

After the season concluded, Witt-Birn racked up conference honors. McKenna Foster was named the Player of the Year, Becky Rew was tabbed the Coach of the Year and Foster, Herb, Fraaza, Reese Rogowski and London Metropulos all landed on all-conference teams.

“I am honored to be named the Player of the Year of my conference,” said Foster. “I always set goals and try to achieve them, but receiving this award just helps me realize how much my hard work has paid off. I am thankful for all of my coaches and teammates that have helped me along the way.”

Chargers girls basketball team wins conference title behind Fraaza

The Witt-Birn girls basketball team entered the 2019-20 season with aspirations of winning the CWC-East title. The team didn’t disappoint, edging Bonduel for the crown.

The Chargers secured the title with a 43-42 win over Amherst behind a big game from then-junior Abi Fraaza, who was later named the conference’s Player of the Year.

“It is such a big accomplishment for me to be named the conference Player of the Year, and I am so thankful for my teammates and coaches pushing me harder every day in practice,” said Fraaza. “I am also thankful for my parents (Bill and Charity) and all the fans always believing in me through the season.”

Emma Herb and Olivia Curley also earned all-conference nods for the Chargers.