STEVENS POINT, Wis. – The Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association, in cooperation with Rural Mutual Insurance Company, has selected the team Sportsmanship Award winners for the 2024 fall State Tournaments.
The recipients of the awards are Lomira in football, Elkhorn in boys soccer, Eau Claire Immanuel Lutheran in girls volleyball, Appleton North in boys volleyball and Kohler in girls team tennis.
The WIAA/Rural Insurance Sportsmanship Award is presented to one school program and community–or communities in the case of cooperative programs–in each of the State team tournaments that demonstrates outstanding sportsmanship. 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 ensure support for their teams are positive and that the highest ideals of sportsmanship are demonstrated.
Lomira was chosen for the award with its display of outstanding sportsmanship at the State Football Finals, which was held at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wis., on Nov. 21-22. The Lions earn the school’s first Sportsmanship Award in any sport. Lomira won the Division 6 championship by defeating Grantsburg 26-19 in the program’s first appearance in the championship game. Participants in the 8-player and 11-player finals receiving honorable mention are Catholic Memorial, Lena/St. Thomas Aquinas, Owen-Withee and Wrightstown.
Elkhorn receives the award in boys’ soccer with its display of sportsmanship both on the field and in the stands during the State Boys Soccer Tournament at Uihlein Soccer Park in Milwaukee on Nov. 7-9. The Elks finished runner-up after being on the short end of a 2-1 tally in a shootout following a 0-0 tie with Waukesha West in the Division 2 championship game. They advanced to the title game with a 1-0 victory over Homestead in the semifinals. The Elks earn the Sportsmanship Award for the second time with the school’s first recognition awarded in boys soccer in 2011. DeForest, Homestead, Kiel, Lake Country Lutheran and Marquette received honorable mention.
Eau Claire Immanuel Lutheran is the recipient of the award for the State Girls Volleyball Tournament, which was held at the Resch Center in Green Bay on Nov. 7-9. The Lancers earned the school’s second Sportsmanship Award in girls volleyball, which also accounts for their overall total. They received their previous honor in 2020. The sportsmanship and enthusiasm during a 25-10, 23-25, 25-19, 25-21 win in the first-ever Division 5 championship game against Columbus Catholic and the Lancers’ 25-21, 21-25, 25-20, 25-19 semifinal victory versus Sheboygan Christian contributed to excellent evaluations. Schools receiving honorable mention were Bay Port, Columbus Catholic, Lake Country Lutheran, Mineral Point, Newman Catholic, Oak Creek, St. Thomas More, Shawano and Sheboygan Christian.
Appleton North was the winner of the award for the State Boys Volleyball Tournament held in conjunction with the girls tournament. The Lightning are being recognized for their sportsmanship above the other seven schools participating in the one-division tournament. They fell in their quarterfinal match to Germantown by scores of 30-28, 25-21, 25-17. It’s the first time Appleton North has been presented with the award. Kenosha Indian Trail received honorable mention for the award.
Kohler is the recipient of the Sportsmanship Award at the State Girls Team Tennis Tournament held Oct. 25-26 at Nielsen Tennis Stadium in Madison. It’s the second time the Blue Bombers have been awarded the honor. The previous selection in boys basketball came in 1999. Kohler fell 5-2 in their semifinal match against Aquinas. Honorable Mention for the award was issued to Neenah.
Award winners receive a trophy and banner in recognition of the honor. Schools receiving honorable mention are acknowledged with a certificate of recognition. The selection process includes contributions and evaluations from contest officials, tournament management, police and security personnel, crowd control and ushers, WIAA staff members, and area hotels and restaurants on occasion.
The WIAA, as defined by its Constitution, is a voluntary, unincorporated, and nonprofit organization. The membership oversees interscholastic athletic programs for 514 senior high schools and 36 junior high/middle level schools in its membership.
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