Wisconsin Heights’ ‘Best of the best’

This was a year like no other. The high school sports world came to a screeching halt on March 12 as the COVID-19 pandemic struck. And sports never started up again. Still, the Star News would like to recognize Wisconsin Heights’ elite performances of the shortened 2019-’20 school year. This week, we’ll honor the top girls and next week we’ll pay homage to the boys.   Performance of the Year: Samantha Herrling, cross country Vanguards’ freshman Samantha Herrling enjoyed a brilliant day at the WIAA Division 3 state cross country meet, finishing second in the girls race. Abby Bartel, a sophomore from Weyauwega-Fremont was first in 18:52.9, while Herrling was second in 19:09.2. “Going into the meet I was really hoping on getting first,” Herrling said. “I am very happy with second place, but I wouldn’t say I’m satisfied. I am ready for next season and what it may hold.” Vanguards’ coach Sara Boutelle was incredibly impressed with Herrling’s performance.  “She ran a gutsy and smart race,” Boutelle said of Herrling. Herrling ran with Bartel much of the race and actually led for a brief stretch around the two-mile mark. And while Bartel gained some separation from Herrling, the Vanguards’ star defeated the third-place runner by a full 21 seconds. “I planned on staying in the top-five and having a kick in the second mile and separating myself from the group,” Herrling said. “I went out a little slower than usual to make sure I had enough energy to finish strong. As the race went on I knew it was just me and (Bartel).   “I went down the hill right after the second mile point and really used the hill. I think I am good at using the hills better than most of my competition. They are better at the flats. I powered down the hill and passed her, but she came back right away. I was hoping I could close the gap before the finish, but I didn’t have any more energy. I knew that I had a good hold on second, but I was hoping for first. I was really tired at the last 100 meters.” Heights senior Christian Patzka also finished first on the boys side. And as the Vanguards’ two standouts left the race held in Wisconsin Rapids, Boutelle was brimming with pride.  “We went into the day knowing each athlete was physically and mentally ready to run for state titles,” Boutelle said. “They were nervous and excited to prove themselves on the challenging Ridges course.  “I could not be more proud of both of these athletes as they addressed the pressure to compete at a top level with humility and poise. I am grateful that I got to share this season and those moments with them.”   Senior Athlete of the Year: Ashlee Adler, volleyball, basketball Adler was named first-team all-Southern Capitol Conference in girls volleyball. Adler helped the Vanguards go 22-8 overall, finish second in the league and reach the regional finals. Adler was named the Vanguards’ MVP her junior and senior seasons, and was a team captain the last three years. Adler was also named first-team all-conference in basketball. Adler, a four-year varsity player, averaged 9.8 points and 6.3 rebounds per game in conference games only. Adler also averaged 3.0 steals, 2.8 assists and shot 77% from the free throw line. Adler scored in double figures six times, had a season-high seven steals against Cambridge and six assists against Belleville. “Ashlee was a captain and was the focus of some teams to know where she was on the floor,” Heights coach Bill Sullivan said. “She played all guard spots, as well as some post for us. She looked to get others involved in the game and was a quality floor leader.”   Team of the Year: Cross country Wisconsin Heights’ girls cross country team is a group on the rise. And the Vanguards showed how bright their future last fall. Four of the Vanguards’ top five finishers at the WIAA Division 3 Boscobel Sectional will be back in 2020. And that group helped lead Heights to a sixth-place overall finish at sectionals. “(We) finished with many personal best times, which is all you can ask for at the end of the season,” Vanguards coach Sara Boutelle said. “In a tough sectional, finishing that high is a success and something to be proud of.”  Heights also finished second at the Capitol Conference meet, behind only New Glarus-Monticello. Heights standout freshman Samantha Herrling won the conference championship, while senior Kassidy Frame and sophomore Greine Simmert both earned first-team all-conference honors. “The girls team knew they had an outside shot at their first title if we showed up and did our best, but we really needed some help from NG-M having a bad day to make the championship happen,” Boutelle said. “NG-M ran a great race, and we finished the day proud of our performance and couldn’t see any way we could have ran better. Having three girls on first-team all-conference is a huge victory and has impressed a lot of other teams.”   Newcomer of the Year: Samantha Herrling, cross country (see above)   Game/event of the Year: Volleyball team wins the Monroe Invite They say you never get a second chance to make a great first impression. The 2019 Wisconsin Heights girls volleyball team was certainly proof of that. The Vanguards opened their season at the Monroe Invitational, went a perfect 5-0 and won the tournament. For both Heights and first-year coach Kala O’Connell the start couldn’t have gone any better. “Overall, the tournament went really well,” O’Connell said. “We ran a lot of plays, which we practice all of the time but never really execute in games, so it was really fun to see them able to do that.” Heights went on to have a terrific year, going 22-8 overall and finishing second in the highly competitive Southern Capitol Conference. And the Vanguards’ fast start to the season told the story of what was to come. Heights opened with a hard fought, 17-25, 25-15, 15-12 win over Mount Horeb and University of Kentucky recruit Elise Goetzinger. Considering neither team lost the rest of the day, this was, in essence, the championship match. Heights followed that with a 25-21, 25-12 win over Waukeza-Steuben. The Vanguards then dispatched Monroe, 25-14, 25-13. Heights bested Watertown Luther Prep, 25-19, 25-17. The Vanguards then finished their perfect day with a 25-18, 25-14 win over Darlington. “This was our first competition of the season,” O’Connell said. “The girls and I were anxious to get started.”