From The Court To The Track - Division 3

This is part 3 of our look at some Wisconsin volleyball players who showed they are more than a “one-trick pony”. On June 1st and 2nd athletes from around the state gathered to compete in the WIAA Track and Field State Championship at the University of Wisconsin -La Crosse. As another sport season has wrapped up for the 2017-2018 school year, we will take a look at some of our top performing multi-sport athletes. While many young athletes are in pursuit of the Division I athletic scholarship, they sometimes overlook many universities that may be able to offer scholarships between two sports and possibly packaged with academic scholarships that equal a full-ride. With smaller enrollment, these schools are dependent on the multi-sport athletes to be able to even have teams. Here are some Division 3 Track and Field standouts that made their way to the top of the podium who also make an impact on their high school volleyball teams. *Due to the high volume of athletes in both track and field and volleyball, we did have to focus more on those placing 1st or 2nd. From #1 – Benton [player_tooltip player_id="9319" first="Emma" last="Lawrence"] – 2018 – 5’9” – Middle Blocker Lawrence led her team to a state appearance in the fall with tallying 517 digs, 492 kills, 102 blocks, and 57 aces on the season. She competed with DBQ Elite 181 National during the club season and finished her senior sports campaign taking 1st place in the 100 Meter Hurdles (15.23), 1st place in the 300 Meter Hurdles (45.11), 2nd place in the 200 Meter Dash (26.07), and 5th place in the Triple Jump (35-09.00).   From #2 - Algoma Katelyn Williams – 2018 – 5’10” – Outside Hitter Williams led her volleyball team to a conference title by tallying 309 kills on the season. This spring she took 2nd place in the Discus Throw (144-07) and 3rd place in the Shot Put (41-06.25). Williams was also the anchor in their 3rd place 4x100 Meter Relay team (51.20). From #3 – Wausau Newman Catholic [player_tooltip player_id="9407" first="Julianne" last="Barkholz"] – 2018 - 5’9” – Outside Hitter Barkholz has been a key piece to Newman’s state runs the past 3 years. She was even fighting to come back from a bad ankle injury that took her out for a large part of the 2017 season. Thankfully she was able to capitalize on her senior track campaign with placing 1st in the Long Jump (18-00.75), 200 Meter Dash (25.52), and 400 Meter Dash (56.32). She also took 2nd place in the 100 Meter Dash (12.56). Barkholz will be competing in track and field at the Naval Academy Prep. From #3 - Ozaukee Emma Richards – 2018 – 6’0” Richards led her team in the fall with 191 kills and 75 blocks. Track and Field is where she really shines. At the State Track Meet she took 1st place in the Shot Put (42-05.25) and 1st place in the Discus Throw (158-01). Richards will be competing in Track and Field next year at Grand Valley State. From #7 - Hilbert Makaylee Kuhn – 2019 – 5’11” – Middle Blocker [player_tooltip player_id="80230" first="Veronica" last="Thiel"] – 2020 – 5’7” – Outside Hitter [player_tooltip player_id="9371" first="Megan" last="Lau"] – 2018 - 6’1” – Middle Blocker Kuhn led her volleyball team with a .346 hitting percentage and will be a very big key for Hilbert next season. Thiel led the team with 59 aces. Lau led the team with 342 kills, 148 digs, and 66 blocks. Thiel was the lead-off, Lau ran the 3rd leg, and Kuhn was the anchor in the 4x400 Meter Relay (4:05.96) that placed 1st. Kuhn also took 2nd place in the 400 Meter Dash (56.70). Thiel played for FC Elite 14 Navy this club season and should be set to make a big impact in the Fall. Lau is committed to play at UW-Stevens Point in the fall. From #8 – Cuba City Mykenzie Vaassen – 2018 – Outside Hitter Elizabeth Misky – 2019 – 5’6” – Libero Vaassen and Misky were key pieces to Cuba City winning their conference title in the fall. Misky ran the 2nd leg and Vaassen was the anchor of their 1st place 4x100 Meter Relay (50.74). Vaassen also took 3rd in the 100 Meter Dash (12.56) and 3rd in the Long Jump (17-09.50).   From #9 – Shell Lake Cassie Skattebo – 2019 – 5’10” – Middle Blocker Skattebo led her volleyball team with 96 blocks this past fall. This spring she took 2nd place in the High Jump (5-03.00). From #16 - Fennimore Brynlee Nelson – 2021 – 5’8” - Middle Blocker Nelson saw plenty of time on the court this fall as a freshman, and while Fennimore struggled, she will be a key to their success in the future. She played 2 age groups up this past club season with Top Tier 17 Red. Nelson made her first State Track appearance and took 2nd place in the 800 Meter Run (2:17.37) and 4th place in the 400 Meter Dash (58.69). This will be a player to keep your eye on!   From #18 – Wild Rose Addy Lauritzen – 2019 – 5’7” Setter/Right Side/Middle Blocker Olivia Bennot – 2018 – 5’6” – Outside Hitter Lauritzen led her team with 103 kills and 20 blocks this past fall and Bennot was a key piece that Wild Rose will have to figure out how to replace. Lauritzen was the lead-off and Bennot was the anchor for their 2nd place 4x200 meter relay (1:47.68). Lauritzen was the lead-off and Bennot ran the 2nd leg for their 4th place 4x100 Meter Relay (51.27). From #23 - Rio Jordyn Hutzler – 2019 – 5’7” – Outside Hitter Hutzler is a 3-sport athlete and basketball seems to be her #1, but this past fall she led her volleyball team with 115 digs, 104 kills and 31 aces. This spring she took 2nd place in the 300 Meter Hurdles (46.79) and 6th place in the 100 Meter Hurdles (15.99).   From #27 - Athens [player_tooltip player_id="9402" first="Gabriella" last="Janke"] – 2018 – 5’7” – Outside Hitter Janke has been a key to Athens volleyball’s strong run the past few years and helped lead them to a conference title. She has been a 3-sport varsity athlete at Athens for a few years. I have a ton of respect for pole-vaulters, and she killed it at State Track taking 1st place in the Pole Vault (10-06.00).