WSAW Hilight Zone Podcast

New Coach, New Protocols, Same Domination: Stratford Wrestling

Stratford wrestling is annually in the state wrestling tournament as one of the top ranked teams in the state. But in a year like no other, a big change has occurred.

Legendary head coach Joe Schwabe stepped down last spring, making new way for Brad Davison. Davison brings youth to a program that is much younger than they were a year ago.

Matt Infield sits down with Davison, along with wrestlers Hunter Ford, Elijah Lucio and Gavin Drexler. They talk about the coaching change, COVID-19 safety protocols and everything in between.

If you have any episode ideas, feel free to email sports@wsaw.com. We'd love to hear from you.

The Edgar Legend: Edgar's Jerry Sinz

Jerry Sinz has been coaching the Edgar Wildcats football team for as long as many people have been alive. He just went through one of the weirdest seasons he's ever seen.

Matt Infield talks to Jerry about the dominant season that Edgar had, what it was like to game plan against teams that you may have just scheduled late in the week. He also asks Jerry the big question: is it time for retirement?

If you have any episode ideas, feel free to email sports@wsaw.com. We'd love to hear from you.

A Stud On and Off the Ice: Lakeland Union's Max Toijala

88 career goals. 167 career points. On the ice, Max Toijala is a hockey coach's dream. Off the ice, he's even better.

Noah Manderfeld talks with Lakeland Union senior forward Max Toijala about his play, what drives him, what it was like going to Wisconsin Badger games as a kid and the work that he puts into the game to get to where he wants to be.

We also continue our conversation with head coach Jake Suter where he talks about Max off the ice. He agrees that Max is a stud, but couldn't give enough praise to him as a person.

If you have any episode ideas, please email us at sports@wsaw.com. We'd love to hear from you.

Suter Stories

The Suters. You know the name. Bob Suter, Gary Suter and Ryan Suter. Many other relatives have also gone on to have hockey careers.

Jake Suter is one of them, but now that it's over he's giving back to the local hockey community. Jake has been head coach at Lakeland Union for two years. His dad Gary, and NHL hall of famer, has been helping out for 10-15 years. Noah Manderfeld talks with Jake about growing up in the locker room, being a Suter and what hockey means to the family.

If you have any episode ideas, feel free to email sports@wsaw.com. 

Too Guden

Makenna Guden set the Edgar girls basketball all-time scoring record on Tuesday (1-5-2021). Reece Van Haaften talked with her on Wednesday about the record and how she became the player she is. Guden mentioned her two brothers playing a part. If you're wondering, Guden has 1,263 points and is only 12 away from setting the school's all-time record.

 

If you have any ideas, feel free to send them our way by emailing us at sports@wsaw.com.

A New Cardinal Era

The Newman Catholic basketball team has seen its struggles the last few years. This year, those struggles have disappeared. The big change? Their new head coach Cory Marquardt.

Noah Manderfeld talks to Marquardt at practice about this season and what has led to this turnaround. With both of them being Drake University graduates, he also asked about his Drake University coaching days and how that has helped teach him this year.

If you have any episode ideas, feel free to email sports@wsaw.com. We'd love to hear from you.

Becoming a Volume Shooter

The Medford girls basketball team is right in the thick of the Great Northern Conference race. Star point guard Marissa Fronk thrives on the bright lights. Fronk's style of play shows what type of person she is. She likes to share the ball, but head coach Greg Klapatauskas tells Reece Van Haaften that he wants to see Fronk shoot the rock a little more.

 

If you have any ideas for our podcast, feel free to email sports@wsaw.com.

Score First, Pass Later

The Medford Raiders boys basketball team is undefeated. The Raiders are led by Peyton Kuhn. Reece Van Haaften talks to head coach Ryan Brown who helps walk us through how Kuhn went from being a volume scorer to a well-rounded player.

 

If you have any episode ideas, email us at sports@wsaw.com

A Three-Trick Pony

Three sport athletes.  You see it in high school, but sometimes it's tough to understand how in the world someone has time for that. Kit Kronberger does. She plays basketball, golf, and softball at Wausau East. That’s in addition to school.

Noah Manderfeld talks about how she does this, why she does this and which one is her favorite.

If you have any episode ideas, email sports@wsaw.com. We'd love to hear from you.

Pointers Return to Play

The WIAC announced sports were returning February first. That includes UWSP Pointers athletics.

Noah Manderfeld talks with the track and field team's Brooke Wellhausen and Jared Schrang, as well as head coach Brett Witt. They talk about the 45 minute dance party Wellhausen had when she found out the news and how excited they are to get back on the track.

If you have any episode ideas, feel free to email sports@wsaw.com. We'd love to hear from you.