WSAW Hilight Zone Podcast

Blending Strength and Speed: Three Lakes/Phelps Football

Through their first four games, the Three Lakes/Phelps football team is averaging nearly 35 points per game. On defense, they've given up just 26 points all season. Those are totals emblematic of how the number two team in eight-player has won games this season, using their perfect blend of strength and speed. 

Ben Helwig visits with Three Lakes/Phelps head coach Tyler Maney, quarterback Jared Kaufman, running back LJ Terlizzi and wide receiver Tyler Janikowski on how this team is a long-time coming and why this group still has plenty more to accomplish.  

The Brandt Family Affair: Wausau’s Andy and Brian Brandt Jr.

On Saturday, Sept. 16, Andy's Madison Capitols will host the Green Bay Gamblers at Marathon Park in the first-ever USHL game in Wausau. It will also mark a family reunion for the Brandt family.

Andy and Brian Brandt Jr. both grew up in Wausau and played for Wausau West. Once each of their playing careers were over, they became coaches. Andy is now the head coach and general manager for the USHL's Madison Capitols, and Brian is the head coach for Wausau West boys hockey. He is also a part-owner for the Wausau Cyclones.

Noah Manderfeld speaks with the two of them about how much this event will mean to the family, and how their lives have intertwined in coaching.

1,440 Days: Wausau East Football

It's been quite the couple of years for Wausau East football. The Lumberjacks played just two games in 2020. In 2021, they were unable to field a varsity roster. The last two years they've been bouncing as a JV team and in 8-player. 

Finally, on August 11, they returned to varsity 11-man action, topping Lakeland 23-7 in Minocqua. It was their first win in 1,440 days. 

Now, the team prepares for their first installment of Wausau's greatest rivalry since that two-game 2020 season; the Log Game. The game with history all the way back to the early 1970's will be renewed when East faces Wausau West on Friday night. It's not just the first meeting in a long time, it'll also be their last. 

NewsChannel 7's Ben Helwig visited with Wausau East head coach Tyler Kramer as well as quarterback Pacey Weber and wide receiver Caden Werth on the emotional start to the season and why Friday's Log Game against Wausau West may just be the biggest of their lives.

Drafted by the Red Wings: Wausau’s Brady Cleveland

Wausau’s Brady Cleveland had the dream of his life come true when he was drafted by the Detroit Red Wings in the second round of the NHL draft. For Brady, the moment was stamp on a lifetime of hard work. NewsChannel 7's Noah Manderfeld spoke to the Wausau native about what draft night was like and what he's doing as he gets ready for his freshman season with the University of Wisconsin. You can find the video story of this interview at https://www.wsaw.com/2023/07/14/whirlwind-year-cleveland-puts-hard-work-into-perspective/.

Success on the Track: Wausau’s Luke Fenhaus

Wausau native and racer Luke Fenhaus reached victory lane in just his third race in the ARCA Menards Series East, winning in Nashville on a last lap restart.

It's been a great start to the season for Fenhaus through four races of his first full-time season in the ARCA series, who's sitting in second in the standings.

Noah Manderfeld speaks with the Wausau driver about the moment he won at Nashville, and returning home to race at Wisconsin's short tracks, including State Park Speedway.

Persevering Through Pain: Macey Kilty

In 2020, Macey Kilty suffered a devastating shoulder injury in the 2020 Olympic Trials. Just two years later, the Stratford native would suffer the same injury while pushing for the Olympic rings once again. Through perseverance and the help of her loved ones, she's feeling better than ever, with some monster matches looming that could determine her fate for Paris 2024. 

 

Ben Helwig visits with Kilty on her road second road to recovery and why her Wisconsin roots are always fuel for her to keep going. 

Returning Home: SPASH’s Janel McCarville

Janel McCarville is the next SPASH girls basketball head coach.

If you don't know the McCarville name, look no further than her 2013 WNBA Championship ring with the Minnesota Lynx. But her home is Stevens Point, and she is back to replace her former head coach Kraig Terpstra as the new Panther coach.

Noah Manderfeld speaks with McCarville about her path from Stevens Point to the pros and then back to Point as she prepares to lead the Panthers this winter.

Flying High: Russell Gymnastics

For over a decade, Russell Gymnastics has been a hub for young gymnasts in central Wisconsin. However, success is just one aspect of what makes this place home. Take it from three stand-out gymnasts who will be competing on the biggest of stages. Hear from Arianna Ostrum, a level ten competing at Nationals in Oklahoma, as well as Addison Brock and Abigail Berens, both level nine athletes who are competing at Westerns in Idaho. They're joined by Debbie and Dave Russell, two of their coaches and the owners of Russell Gymnastics about the road to success and the family they've become in Stevens Point. 

Marathons, Psychology, and State Titles: Northland Pines’ Nora Gremban

There's so much to unpack with Northland Pines' Nora Gremban. Her mom is her coach and she has run nine marathons—something that blows Gremban's mind. She's so passionate about psychology and the brain that it supersedes her love for running. Oh, and she's won the Division 2 State title in the 800 and 1,600 meter races in each of the last two seasons. She's still a junior.

We unpack all of it in a conversation with Gremban.

It’s all in the Chemistry: Mosinee Softball

There's an expectation around Mosinee softball—win a conference title. Mosinee won 11 in a row from when they joined the Great Northern Conference in 2009-2019. They took back the crown in 2022.

Noah Manderfeld speaks with players Martina Miller and Alanna Bembenek along with head coach Kelly Remondini about the high Mosinee expectations and how their great chemistry this season might be their ticket to another conference title.