Nicolet Athletic Update: 2.25.13

Nicolet Athletic Update: 2.25.13

The NHS Boys Hockey Co-op with Whitefish Bay HS: The boys hockey team won their sectional and qualified for the WIAA State Tournament!  As the #4 seed in their sectional, the boys team felt disrespected by their perceived low seed and went and took it out on their opponents.  They defeated Kettle Moraine in a thrilling Sectional semi-final game 4-3 by scoring twice in the final 14 minutes to force overtime then won in OT on a shot just 1:12 into the extra period.  In the Sectional Championship, with a State Tournament berth on the line, the team defeated Waukesha 4-3 to advance to Madison.  It's the first state tournament berth in the history of the program.  The WNS "Storm", made up of players from Whitefish Bay, Nicolet and Shorewood (22-4-1) will face Eau Claire Memorial at 6pm Thursday in a quarterfinal game at the Alliant Energy Center.  There is no need to purchase tickets in advance as tickets can be purchased at the door before the game.  Nicolet is working with Whitefish Bay and Shorewood on fan busses and information will be forthcoming.  A win on Thursday night would put the team in the State semi-final game on Friday night at 6pm setting up a possible trip to the State Championship game on Saturday at approximately 2:15pm.  Congratulations to Nicolet players: Sean Leahy, Nick Sullivan, Kyle Brahm and  Phillip Poliakov.

The NHS Girls Hockey Co-op with University School: The girls hockey team also won their sectional and like the boys, qualified for the WIAA State Tournament!  As the #2 seed, the University School Co-op team (which Nicolet is a part) defeated Fond Du Lac 4-1 in the Sectional Semi-Final last Tuesday night.  Nicolet Senior Laine Tomesch scored two goals in the win.  Then it was off to face Brookfield Glacier in the Sectional Finals.  Despite losing to Brookfield three times during the regular season, the "Wildcats" won when it counted, knocking out the #1 seed with a thrilling 1-0 victory.  Tomesch was credited with the assist on the game-winning goal that sent the team to the WIAA State Tournament in Madison this weekend at the Alliant Energy Center.  The Wildcats (20-6-1) will face Hayward at 2:15pm on Friday.  A win Friday and the team will be playing for the State Championship on Saturday at noon, just prior to the boys Championship game.  The lone Nicolet player on the squad is senior Laine Tomesch who was just named First Team All-State and is also a finalist for the "Defender of the Year" award given out by Wisconsin Prep Hockey.  We are so proud of you Laine!

 The NHS Girls Basketball team: The Lady Knights split a pair of home games last week in the final tune-up before the playoffs.  They defeated West Allis Central 41-14 on Tuesday night with 9 players scoring for the Knights lead by Briana Gray's 12 and Jo Jo Rubnitz's 5.  The Girls defense completely stifled the Bulldog offense, holding them to 1 point in both the 1st and 3rd quarters.  On Thursday night, after falling behind early 18-5 against Bay in the conference finale, the girls battled back and pulled within 3 with three minutes left in the 4th quarter but couldn't quite get over the hump, falling 45-37.  Gray again led the way with 23 points and 13 rebounds.  Brooke Silverbeg added 5 points and Lanoira Duhart had 7 rebounds.  The girls will now begin the WIAA playoffs as a #4 seed in their sectional and will host West Bend East (#5) on Friday night at 7pm.  A win would put the Lady Knights in the Regional Final, likely at #1 Beaver Dam on Saturday night.

The NHS Ski team: Nicolet boys and girls ski team members: Joe Tarnowski, John Jaekels, Nathan Franz, Brody Wallace, Charlie Rossman, Charlie Dickson, Robbie Abrahamian, Megan McMahon, Ginny Groh, Callie Dickson, Stephanie Larson, Kristen Maling, Ellie Mittlestadt and Katie Braun competed in Lacrosse for the State Ski Championships last weekend.  The Boys took 7th overall and the Girls team took 17th out of 23 teams.  John Jaekels took the silver medal in the Slalom.  Joe Tarnowski ended up 23rd overall, Brody Wallace 27th.  Unfortunately for the girls Stephanie Larson had a disastrous crash in the first event and was taken to the hospital with what was later diagnosed as a broken arm, but she amazingly returned to the hill to cheer on her teammates!  Ginny Groh had some great finishes and finished 54th.  Shorewood teammate Megan McMahon finished the highest for the girls at 17th in the Slalom.  John Jaekels was named to the All-State team and invited to participate in the Eastern States Championships at Franconia Notch, New Hampshire.  The JV team closed out their season in the Conference Championships at Alpine Valley last Thursday night.

The NHS Gymnastics team: The Girls competed and finished 4th in the WIAA Sectional meet at Arrowhead this past Saturday.  Although the team had some great individual performances, no gymnasts qualified for State.  Congratulations to Senior Lauren Dueser on completing her gymnastics career at Nicolet.  Juniors Chantel Drake, Aleah Ellis, Calley Mannion and Rachel Rabenn will be the team leaders next year as the team prepares to improve on this year's finish.  The team also received top-notch performances from Sophomores Allie Marcus, Hayley Raj and Ali Zimmerman and Frosh Alissa Sandfort.  Congratulations ladies on a great season!

The NHS Boys Basketball team: The boys basketball season eneed with a tough loss in the WIAA Regional Semi-Final game against Grafton last week at home 56-50.  The shots just didn't fall for the Knights who had beated Grafton twice during the regular season.  Despite the loss, the team had a successful season finishing 14-9 overall and 9-5 in 4th place in the tough North Shore Conference, just a game out of 2nd place.  The Knights will graduate 7 seniors: Starters Tyler Miller, Treland Jenkins, Nolan Wagner and Eugene Bonner and contributors Jimmie Scales, Nasir Childs, Randy Grzybowski.  The Knights return some talented players next year including startng guard Greg Pigg.  Congrats on a great season boys!

The NHS Varsity Cheerleaders: The taem will be traveling to Sun Prairie, WI for the Cardinal Classic on March 3rd to conclude the season.

Nicolet Senior Cross Country and Track star Lauren Cunningham was awarded the very prestigous Academic All-State Award by the Wisconsin Coaches Association for excelling not only on the field but also in the classroom.  Congrats Lauren!

Nicolet Head Girls Volleyball Coach Dann Jacobson was named a finalist for the Positive Coaching Alliance's "Double Goal Coach of the Year".  Coach Jacobson was nominated along with 500 other coaches throughout the country and is now among the 50 finalists for the award.  Congrats Coach Jake!

The NHS Booster Club:  Next meeting is Wednesday, March 6th at 7pm in room B113.  Their next big fundraiser is Saturday, April 13th.  The Boosters will team with Heiser Ford on "Drive for Your School!"  Beginning at approximately 10am, each household that tests drives a Heiser Ford vehicle will earn Nicolet athletics $20.  There will be plenty for your family to do while you test drive a Ford.  Free sports clinics will be offered for basketball, dance, wrestling, pole vault, football, softball, volleyball, gymnastics and much much more.  While you are on your test drive, we will wash your car and there will be food cooking in the concession stand.  There will be a raffle drawing and Nicolet spirit wear available for sale as well.  SAVE THE DATE: APRIL 13TH "DRIVE FOR YOUR SCHOOL!"

Please save the date for the 5th Annual Nicolet Athletic Golf Outing Fundraiser scheduled for Saturday, July 13th, 2013 at the Fire Ridge Golf Club in Grafton. 

The past four golf outings have raised more than $50,000 for the Nicolet Athletic Department! We need your help again.  We are looking for golfers, donations and silent auction items.  Please mark this date on your calendar and stay tuned for more details.

Please click on http://nicolet.k12.wi.us/activities/athletics.cfm to check out the Nicolet Athletic Department's athletic website.

Thank You and Go Knights!!