MEQUON — A forecast for inclement weather Thursday delayed the start of the outdoor portion of the track and field season for Cedarburg and Homestead by two days, while setting Grafton back even further as the Black Hawks pulled out due to prom, but the Outdoor Opener took place Saturday for the Bulldogs and Highlanders.
Homestead’s girls team got things started in grand fashion, winning several events. Senior Eva Brandenburg took first place in the 200-meters in 26.12 seconds and helped the 400 relay team win in 51.40, joining forces with Adrienne Ness, Scout Bonkoski and Lindsey Martin.
Shaylin Swenson was first in the 400 for Homestead, completing the race in 1:02.87. Alex Gaskin edged out her sister, Mara, to win the 800 in 2:25.30, while the freshman finished in 2:27.17. They switched the order in the mile, with Mara Gaskin winning in 5:24.91, followed by the junior in 5:25.62.
Meredith Niedfeldt was the winner of the 3,200, with a time of 13:22.38.
In field events, Ava Albrecht won both the discus and the shot put. In the discus, the senior took first with 32 feet, 2 1/2 inches. In the shot put, she reached 123-5 1/2.
Top finishes for Cedarburg were turned in by sophomore Ava Roberts and junior Mallory Lewis. Roberts won the long jump, at 14-9. Lewis took first in the pole vault (9-0).
On the boys side, Homestead took first in 11 events.
Lucas Mersky and Elias Ulmen were double winners in individual competition. Mersky took first place in the 200 (22.59) and 400 (51.65), while Ulmen was the winner in the 800 (2:07.78) and mile (4:34.08).
Sean O’Byrne was also part of two victories. He was the winner of the 100, in 11.02 seconds, then joined forces with Dominic Bruno, Bentley Hickman and Jackson Montgomery to take first place in 44.61.
Connor Rathe was the winner of the twomile run, reaching the finish line in 9:54.37.
Homestead also got first-place finishes from Carter Fisher in the high jump (5-8), Jack Ferguson in the 110 hurdles (16.52), Cole Hart in discus (134-3) and Luka Ivancevic in shot (48-7).
The top finisher for Cedarburg was freshman Lucas Peterman, who tied for third place in the long jump at 17-10.
Cedarburg, Homestead and USM finish in top half at Washington County Invite
HARTFORD — The boys golf season teed off with a two-day, 36-hole meet Friday and Saturday as Hartford hosted the Washington County Invitational.
Marquette won the 41-team event with a total score of 612, carding 319 strokes on the opening day followed by shooting a 293 to wrap up the meet. Robbie Meyers from Waterford was the medalist, with a score of 145 (74-71).
Homestead was the top local team finisher, claiming 12th place with a total of 653. The Highlanders were led by the efforts of Matthew Handal, who tied for 24th place individually with a 156 (80-76).
Cedarburg placed 15th as a team, with a score of 657. Owen Wood led the charge for the Bulldogs with a 157 (81-76). Colton Baxter tied for 41st with a 161 (80-81).
University School of Milwaukee also finished in the top half of the team standings, taking 18th with a total of 667. Theodoros Dimitropoulas led the Wildcats with a score of 161 to tie for 41st. Miles Jaeger from Grafton also shot a 161 (85-76), helping the Black Hawks clinch 23rd place with a score of 692.
Bats come alive for Grafton fastpitch softball team
GRAFTON — The Grafton fastpitch softball team put up 23 runs in two games to pick up victories over Nicolet and Saint Thomas More.
On Thursday, the Black Hawks needed just two hits to score an 11-1 victory over the Knights thanks to 13 walks and some defensive errors by the visitors. Riley Bergmann, Ava Eernisse and Mary Weishan each scored two runs in the win.
The next day, Grafton plated four runs in both the first and third innings on the way to a 12-2 triumph over the Cavaliers. Weishan led the offensive attack with four hits, including a pair of doubles, and drove in three runs. The junior also stole three bases and scored twice. Freshman first baseman Grace Zvara chipped in three hits, including a double and triple, and drove in two runs.
With the wins, Grafton improved to 3-3 on the season overall and is 1-2 in the North Shore Conference. Up next, the Black Hawks host Hartford today at 4:30 p.m. at John Long Middle School.
Viesselmann, Verplancke net hat tricks for Grafton against Dominican
GRAFTON — It was another comeback game for the Grafton girls soccer team Wednesday as the Black Hawks earned a 9-6 victory against Dominican, with two players finishing with hat tricks.
“They didn’t give up” Grafton head coach Jason Rogers said. “Because we went down a few times in this game, and they continue to fight every minute of the game.”
The visitors led the game with a 3-0 surge in the opening half, with Claire Emmerich putting in two early goals to give the visitors the lead. Grafton did not hold back and began to catch up by notching three quick goals to tie the game.
Shortly before halftime, Grafton put in a goal to take its first lead of the match, making the score 5-4.
Grafton never trailed after the break, with senior Allison Viesselmann and freshman Lily Verplancke each scoring three goals.
“Allison is a major threat, versatile enough that we can move her up into the midfield,” Rogers said. “When we got the lead, (we can) move her into the backline so that we don’t give up any more goals.”
Sophia Goetz said the victory was a sign of the Black Hawks’ growth.
“We did a good job of coming back. We didn’t give up. In past years we would get a goal scored on us, or be down a significant amount, and think we are out of the game,” the junior explained. “I think this year we stepped it up, especially this game. We are still trying, and we know that we have the talent to get the ball in the back of the net.”
Grafton played again the following day, walking away with a 1-1 draw against St. Augustine Prep.
The Black Hawks are 2-1-1 on the season overall. Up next, Grafton hosts Slinger in a North Shore Conference game set for today at 7 p.m.
Homestead kickers shut out at Menomonee Falls
MENOMONEE FALLS — After a scoreless opening half, host Menomonee Falls netted three goals in the second period to earn a 3-0 victory over Homestead in a nonconference girls soccer match.
The home team struck first 13 minutes into the final frame, then tacked on two more goals shortly after that to earn the victory.
Homestead dropped to 0-3-1 overall on the season. Up next for the Highlanders is a trip to face the West Bend co-op. The North Shore Conference match is set for a 7 p.m. start.
Homestead boys lacrosse team wins a pair of games
MEQUON — The Homestead boys lacrosse team notched a pair of convincing victories, downing the WNS co-op by a 19-1 margin Wednesday and adding a 14-4 triumph Friday.
Brady Allen and Austin Krueger each netted four goals and handed out a pair of assists against the Wolfpack, while Drew Bowers and Sean West notched three goals each. West chipped in four assists to finish with a team-best seven points.
Conner McGinley and Nick LaValle combined to allow just one goal in the win.
On Friday, the Highlanders earned a victory over Bay Port to improve to 6-0 on the season. Up next, the team travels to Cedarburg for a North Shore Conference game Wednesday at 7:15 p.m.
Cedarburg boys lacrosse team on a three-game winning streak
CEDARBURG — Cedarburg made it three wins in a row with victories over the West Bend co-op and Bay Port.
On Wednesday, the Bulldogs earned a 7-3 triumph over West Bend at Alumni Field. Cedarburg then took down Bay Port by a 10-9 margin Saturday in overtime.
Cedarburg is now 3-1 for the season and will return to action Wednesday, hosting Homestead at 7:15 p.m. in a North Shore Conference contest.
Shell scores nine goals in two games for Cedarburg girls lacrosse team
CEDARBURG — Emelia Shell netted seven goals Friday to lead the Cedarburg girls lacrosse team to an 18-6 victory Friday over Franklin.
Caroline Kellner and Maggie Sadowski tacked on three goals each and Jaidyn Herzog netted two goals.
On Wednesday, the Bulldogs notched a 20-3 victory over the West Bend Rush. Herzog, Maddie Katte, Delaney Miller, Ashley Rytman, Shell and Zoe Schiek each netted a pair of goals.
Cedarburg improved to 3-1 overall on the season and will return to action Wednesday at Homestead for a North Shore Conference contest set for 7 p.m.
