STEVENS POINT, Wis. – The Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association, in partnership with Rural Mutual Insurance Company, has selected the team Sportsmanship Award winners for the 2014 Spring and Summer State Team Tournaments.
The winners of the prestigious award are New Holstein in girls soccer, Eau Claire Memorial in boys tennis, Arcadia in softball, Oconto in spring baseball and Oak Creek in summer baseball.
New Holstein and its fan base demonstrated outstanding sportsmanship in a 2-1 loss to Assumption in the Division 4 State finals and in a 2-1 victory over Racine St. Catherine’s in the semifinals of the State Girls Soccer Tournament. It is the second time the Huskies have been honored for its positive sportsmanship in girls soccer and it’s the fifth award overall. They were also recognized in girls soccer in 1999 and three times in summer baseball (2003, 2007, 2009). Honorable mention for the award was extended to Ashland, Assumption, Cedarburg, Kettle Moraine, Lake Country Lutheran/University School/Trinity, Mount Horeb, Muskego, Racine St. Catherine’s, Rhinelander and Xavier.
It is the first time Eau Claire Memorial has been named the recipient of the Sportsmanship Award in boys tennis, and it is the seventh time the school has received the award across all sports. In 1970, the school and its fans were recognized in boys basketball. In 1992 and 2000, the Old Abes won the award in boys hockey, and in 1999, 2005 and 2012 they won it in girls tennis. They also added a sportsmanship award in girls soccer in 2005. The Old Abes finished runner-up in Division 1 with a 6-1 loss to Brookfield East in the State final. They advanced to the championship match with a 7-0 win over Waukesha South in the quarterfinals, and a 7-0 blanking of Oregon in the semifinals. Edgewood, Neenah and University School received honorable mention for the award.
Oconto is the recipient of the Rural Mutual Insurance/WIAA Sportsmanship Award for the second time and for the first time in spring baseball. In 2012, the school was honored for its sportsmanship in girls volleyball. The Blue Devils finished runner-up in Division 3 this season, after downing Racine St. Catherine’s 5-4 in the semifinals, they were shutout 6-0 by Wisconsin Heights in the title game. Janesville Parker, Middleton, Mondovi, Notre Dame, Racine St. Catherine’s, Ripon and Wisconsin Heights received honorable mention for the award.
Oak Creek was selected as the winner of the award in summer baseball. Overall, it’s the second Sportsmanship Award for the Knights. They also received the honor in team wrestling 1996. They fell in their semifinal match-up to eventual runner-up Homestead, 7-5.
Arcadia earned the Sportsmanship Award at the State Softball Tournament for the first time. The Raiders won the State title by edging Laconia 1-0 in the Division 3 championship game after a 1-0 shutout over Grantsburg in the semifinals. It is the third time the school has received a Sportsmanship Award. The other two came in summer baseball in 1997 and 2000. Schools receiving honorable mention were Cochrane-Fountain City, Grantsburg, Hortonville, Ithaca, Laconia, McFarland, Mishicot, New Berlin Eisenhower, Oakfield, Racine Case and Verona.
The WIAA/Rural Mutual Insurance Sportsmanship Award is presented to one school and community in each of the State team tournaments. The award winners are determined by the conduct and sportsmanship displayed by athletes, coaches, cheer and support groups, mascots, bands and spectators. Additional consideration is given for the effort of school administrators and chaperones to insure support for their teams are positive and that the highest ideals of sportsmanship are upheld. Award winners receive a plaque and banner in recognition of the honor. Schools receiving honorable mention are acknowledged with a certificate of recognition.
The selection process includes evaluations from contest officials, tournament management, as well as, security personnel, crowd control and ushers, and WIAA staff members.
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Release prepared by WIAA Communications