(WIAC/BIG TEN) – The WIAC has announced this week’s Kwik Trip athletes of the week.
Two Rivers alum Justin Klinkner earned offensive player of the week among football player for his performance against Carleton College. The Warhawks quarterback set career marks in a number of categories.
Other area athletes nominated included Bay Port’s Matt Grzybowski and Xavier’s Isaiah Des Jardins for football and Neenah’s Kayla White and De Pere’s Jocelyn Blahnik for soccer.
FOOTBALL
Offense
Justin Klinkner, Junior (Two Rivers, Wis./Two Rivers), Quarterback of UW-Whitewater
Klinkner led the Warhawks to a record-breaking 69-7 win over Carleton College (Minn.) at Perkins Stadium on Sept. 5. He set career marks in passing yards (366), passing touchdowns (5) and longest pass (84). Klinkner completed 20-of-23 passes in the game with an efficiency rating of 283.7. The Warhawks racked up 762 yards of total offense to break the program record – a mark that ranks fourth in WIAC history. UW-Whitewater also tied the program record for passing touchdowns with six in the win.
Also nominated:
UW-Eau Claire, Paxton Rothmeier, Sophomore, Running Back, Medford, Wis. (Medford)
UW-La Crosse, Calahan Miles, Senior, Tight End, Salem, Wis. (Burlington Catholic Central)
UW-Oshkosh, Demir Ashiru, Sophomore, Quarterback, Plainfield, Ill. (Plainfield North)
UW-Platteville, Nathan Uselding, Junior, Quarterback, Port Washington, Wis. (Port Washington)
UW-River Falls, Peter McDevitt, Sophomore, Quarterback, Milwaukee, Wis. (Milwaukee Marquette)
UW-Stout Polytechnic, Matt Grzybowski, Senior, Running Back, Green Bay, Wis. (Bay Port)
Defense
Paul Morris, Senior (McFarland, Wis./McFarland), Linebacker of UW-Stevens Point
In a 17-12 season-opening victory over Augsburg University (Minn.) on Sept. 5, Morris led the UW-Stevens Point defense with 12 tackles, including a pair of solo tackles.
Also nominated:
UW-Eau Claire, Jimmy McGovern, Junior, Defensive Tackle, Chicago, Ill. (Loyola Academy)
UW-Platteville, Rob Francis, Junior, Defensive Back, Chicago, Ill. (St. Laurence)
UW-River Falls, Noah Nusbaum, Sophomore, Linebacker, Roberts, Wis. (St. Croix Central)
UW-Stout Polytechnic, Munnikhuysen Braxton, Senior, Inside Linebacker, Claremont, Minn. (Triton)
Special Teams
Connor Radaj, Senior (Wauwatosa, Wis./Wauwatosa East), Kicker of UW-Eau Claire
Radaj had a career-high three field goals in UW-Eau Claire’s 23-15 win over Alma College (Mich.) on Sept. 5. Just before the half, he knocked home a career long 48-yard field goal to extend the Blugolds lead to 17-0. In the fourth quarter, Radaj added a 25-yarder and a 36-yarder to UW-Eau Claire’s total to help the Blugolds win their season opener for the eighth consecutive season. Radaj was also 2-for-2 on extra point attempts.
Also nominated:
UW-La Crosse, Maddox Pratt, Senior, Kicker, Hartford, Wis. (Hartford)
UW-Oshkosh, John Abernathy, Junior, Punter, Valdese, N.C. (Valdese Draughn)
UW-Platteville, Brady Mobley, Sophomore, Kicker, Oak Creek, Wis. (Oak Creek)
UW-River Falls, Johnny Figgins, Freshman, Kicker, Palmer, Alaska (Palmer Colony)
UW-Stevens Point, Isaiah Des Jardins, Junior, Wide Receiver, Little Chute, Wis. (St. Francis Xavier)
UW-Stout Polytechnic, Brady Prieve, Junior, Punter, Randolph, Wis. (Randolph)
WOMEN’S GOLF
Julia Imai, Junior (Brookline, Mass./Brookline), of UW-Stout Polytechnic
Imai captured the individual title at the UW-River Falls Falcon Invitational in River Falls placing first among the field of 73 golfers. Imai finished with a 2-over 146. She closed the tournament with an even-par 72 in the second round, recording four birdies and 27 pars over the two rounds. Imai won the individual title by six strokes over her teammate in second place and finished nine strokes ahead of the next WIAC competitor.
Also nominated:
UW-Eau Claire, Karalyn Skinner, Sophomore, Altoona, Wis. (Altoona)
UW-La Crosse, Haley Thoeny, Senior, Lodi, Wis. (Lodi)
UW-Platteville, Chloe Chappell, Junior, Lake Geneva, Wis. (Lake Geneva Badger)
UW-Stevens Point, Maddie Fletcher, Freshman, Viroqua, Wis. (Viroqua)
MEN’S SOCCER
Offense
Westley Hankes, Junior (Edgerton, Wis./Edgerton), Defense of UW-Platteville
Hankes scored a pair of goals during the week as the Pioneers opened the season 1-1-1. He scored the team’s lone goal in a 1-1 draw against No. 13-ranked Macalester College (Minn.) on Sept. 1, and added a second goal in UW-Platteville’s 2-1 win over University of Mount Union (Ohio) on Sept. 6.
Also nominated:
UW-Eau Claire, Oge Enwemnwa, Senior, Midfield, Madison, Wis. (Robert M. LaFollette)
UW-River Falls, Ben Harris, Junior, Forward, Chippenham, England (Sheldon)
UW-Stevens Point, Mac Gaskell-Larson, Sophomore, Midfield, Verona, Wis. (Verona)
UW-Stout Polytechnic, Logan Bergien, Sophomore, Midfield, Shakopee, Minn. (Shakopee)
UW-Whitewater, James Kiraly, Junior, Forward, Twin Lakes, Wis. (Wilmot Union)
Defense
Carter Eklund, Junior (Andover, Minn./Andover), Defense of UW-River Falls
Eklund made an impact on both ends of the field during the Falcons’ first two matches of the 2026 campaign. He scored both UW-River Falls goals in the 2-2 draw against Edgewood University (Wis.), converting both of his shots on goal while playing all 90 minutes. He followed with 65 minutes on the back line in UW-River Falls’ 6-0 victory over North Central College (Minn.). Eklund totaled 155 minutes across the two matches, while adding two goals on three shots.
Also nominated:
UW-Eau Claire, Alek Laroi, Senior, Defense, Grayslake, Ill. (Libertyville)
UW-Whitewater, Mason Diercks, Senior, Defense, Oregon, Wis. (Oregon)
WOMEN’S SOCCER
Offense
Jenna Laidlaw, Junior (Aberdeen, Scotland/Aberdeen Grammar), Forward of UW-Whitewater
Laidlaw recorded her first career hat trick against Cornell College (Iowa) on Sept. 5. She was a part of the scoring on the first three goals of the game, recording two herself, then given the assist on the third. Laidlaw then scored her third goal in the 64th minute to complete the hat trick. Earlier in the week, the junior forward scored a goal against Concordia University-Chicago. For the week, Laidlaw scored four goals and one assist in just 124 minutes of action.
Also nominated:
UW-Eau Claire, Mikalyn Hidde, Junior, Forward/Midfield, Zimmerman, Minn. (Elk River)
UW-La Crosse, Aubree Caya, Senior, Forward, Oregon, Wis. (Oregon)
UW-Platteville, Mira Petri, Sophomore, Forward, Sun Prairie, Wis. (Sun Prairie West)
UW-River Falls, Brooke McDaniel, Senior, Midfield, Oak Grove, Minn. (Saint Francis)
UW-Stevens Point, Sofia Jimenez, Sophomore, Midfield, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Air Academy)
UW-Stout Polytechnic, Kayla White, Junior, Midfield, Neenah, Wis. (Neenah)
Defense
Tessa Czajkowski Higgins, Freshman (Prairie du Chien, Wis./Prairie du Chien), Defense of UW-Whitewater
Czajkowski Higgins recorded her first career brace against Coe College (Iowa) to lead the Warhawks to a 6-0 win. In addition to the two goals against the Kohawks, Czajkowski Higgins has led the Warhawks on the defensive end. Through the first three games, the Warhawks have not given up a goal, while only allowing six shots on goal and two corners.
Also nominated:
UW-Eau Claire, Olivia Lukrafka Varassin, Sophomore, Midfield, Woodbury, Minn. (East Ridge)
UW-La Crosse, Catherine Arnold, Sophomore, Midfield, Fitchburg, Wis. (Madison West)
UW-Platteville, Marguerite Mueller, Senior, Goalkeeper, Bolingbrook, Ill. (Bolingbrook)
UW-River Falls, Lauren Gregory, Senior, Defense, Elk River, Minn. (Elk River)
UW-Stevens Point, Jocelyn Blahnik, Sophomore, Goalkeeper, De Pere, Wis. (De Pere)
UW-Stout Polytechnic, Kristen Silenzi, Senior, Goalkeeper, Carpentersville, Ill. (Harry D. Jacobs)
WOMEN’S TENNIS
Singles
Abigail Weaver, Junior (Wakarusa, Ind./Mishawaka Marian), of UW-Whitewater
Weaver won the top singles draw at the 55th Warhawk Fall Invitational. She opened the invite with two straight set wins. In the championship match, Weaver took the first set over Pari Chavan of Grinnell College (Iowa) 6-2 and was leading 4-2 in the second set before a retire. Earlier in the week, Weaver defeated Ramirez of Augustana College (Ill.) at No. 1 singles 7-6(5), 6-3 to help the Warhawks open the season with a dual win over the Vikings.
Also nominated:
UW-Eau Claire, Magdalena Kristo, Freshman, Doha, Qatar (Doha British School)
UW-La Crosse, Lily Jorgenson, Junior, Racine, Wis. (The Prairie School)
UW-River Falls, Sydney Wiener, Senior, Forest Lake, Minn. (Forest Lake)
UW-Stout Polytechnic, Gretchen Murphy, Sophomore, Rosemount, Minn. (Rosemount)
Doubles
Maia Samuelson, Senior (New Berlin, Wis./New Berlin Eisenhower) & Lauren Lindow, Senior (East Troy, Wis./East Troy), of UW-La Crosse
Samuelson and Lindow compiled a 4-0 record to start the season. The duo opened with a 6-0 victory over Sarah Schaeffer/Peyton Peterson of UW-Oshkosh at No. 3 doubles on Sept. 4. Samuelson and Lindow then captured the No. 2 doubles flight at the UW-Whitewater Warhawk Invitational on Sept. 5. The duo opened with an 8-4 win over Brooke Boland/Beatriz Felchak of UW-Eau Claire before an 8-1 victory over Rya Arreazola/Greta Peterson of Carthage College (Wis.) in the semifinals. Samuelson/Lindow won the flight with an 8-3 win over Margot Groundwater/Eliana Martin of Grinnell College (Iowa).
Also nominated:
UW-Eau Claire, Reese Keller, Freshman, Hastings, Minn. (Hastings) & Delaney Hanson, Junior, New London, Minn. (New London-Spicer)
UW-River Falls, Sydney Wiener, Senior, Forest Lake, Minn. (Forest Lake) & Brooke Lindeman, Sophomore, Montevideo, Minn. (Montevideo)
WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL
Offense
Samantha Perlberg, Senior (Chippewa Falls, Wis./Chippewa Falls), Pin Hitter of UW-Oshkosh
Perlberg hit at a .223 clip during the Titans’ four wins at the University of Puget Sound (Wash.) Premiere on Sept. 4-5. She totaled 66 kills with at least 10 in each match and a high of 24 against Pacific Lutheran University (Wash.). Perlberg added five assists, three service aces and four blocks on the weekend for 72 points. She was named the Most Outstanding Player at the conclusion of the tournament.
Also nominated:
UW-Eau Claire, Rachel Johnson, Sophomore, Opposite, Belle Plaine, Minn. (Belle Plaine)
UW-La Crosse, Ali Dehnicke, Freshman, Outside Hitter, Andover, Minn. (Andover)
UW-Platteville, Kennedy Wenger, Senior, Middle Blocker, Mineral Point, Wis. (Mineral Point)
UW-River Falls, Emily Brenner, Senior, Outside Hitter, Boyd, Wis. (Stanley-Boyd)
UW-Stevens Point, Carly Thomka, Senior, Middle Blocker, Muskego, Wis. (Muskego)
UW-Stout Polytechnic, Brooke McCune, Senior, Outside Hitter, Osseo, Wis. (Osseo-Fairchild)
UW-Whitewater, Penny Schell, Freshman, Outside Hitter, Cross Plains, Wis. (Madison St. Ambrose Academy)
Defense
Callie Panasuk, Sophomore (Oak Creek, Wis./Oak Creek), Libero of UW-Oshkosh
Panasuk totaled 83 digs and a .963 reception percentage to help the Titans open their season with a 4-0 mark at the University of Puget Sound (Wash.) Premiere on Sept. 4-5. She recorded a personal-best 32 digs against Pacific Lutheran University (Wash.), while accumulating 12 assists and four service aces across the four matches.
Also nominated:
UW-Eau Claire, Kaitlyn Erickson, Junior, Defensive Specialist, Champlin, Minn. (Champlin Park)
UW-La Crosse, Maddy Wilson, Sophomore, Middle Blocker, Onalaska, Wis. (Onalaska)
UW-Platteville, Kennedy Wenger, Senior, Middle Blocker, Mineral Point, Wis. (Mineral Point)
UW-River Falls, Audrey Petersen, Junior, Defensive Specialist/Libero, Glencoe, Minn. (Glencoe-Silver Lake)
UW-Stevens Point, Sadie Grabarski, Junior, Rightside, Waunakee, Wis. (Waunakee)
UW-Stout Polytechnic, Brynn Hessel, Senior, Middle Blocker, South Range, Wis. (Northwestern)
UW-Whitewater, Natalie Lawton, Sophomore, Libero, Elmhurst, Ill. (IC Catholic Prep)
De Pere’s Lenn honored by Big Ten: The Big Ten Conference has announced its Men’s Cross Country weekly award winners for competitions that occurred between Sept. 4-Sept. 9.
Athlete of the Week
Will McGraw, Ohio State
Senior – Dublin, Ohio – Dublin Coffman High School – Major: Industrial and Systems Engineering
- Ran a person best of 15:14.4 to place second overall in the mike Baumer Invite
- His efforts helped the Buckeyes to a team title
- Last Ohio State Athlete of the Week Award: Kevin Agnew (Sept. 10, 2025)
Freshman of the Week
Grady Lenn, Wisconsin
Freshman – De Pere, Wis. – De Pere High School – Major: Undecided
- Led Wisconsin to the team title at the Badger Classic in his first collegiate race and won the event
- His 8K time of 25:11.4 was nearly 29 seconds better than the next-fastest runner
- This marks Wisconsin’s first Freshman of the Week award
Marquette volleyball to honor 2: Legendary Marquette volleyball coach Catherine “Tat” Shiely and former standout Allie Barber will each be recognized with banners in the Al McGuire Center during the 2026 season.
Shiley and Barber will become the first volleyball figures to be honored with a banner inside the Al McGuire Center, joining an elite group of Marquette legends to be recognized for their impact on the program both on and off the court. Their banners will officially be recognized during the weekend of Oct. 9-10.
Shiely was a pioneering force in Marquette athletics and a central figure in the establishment and growth of the university’s women’s sports programs. Named Marquette’s first Coordinator of Women’s Athletics in 1975, she also served as the inaugural head coach of both the volleyball and women’s basketball teams, uniquely becoming the only woman in the nation to lead both sports simultaneously.
Over a 24-year tenure as volleyball head coach, she compiled 380 victories—the most in program history—while also guiding the women’s basketball program for 11 seasons. Beyond coaching, Shiely played a vital administrative role at Marquette, serving as Senior Women’s Athletic Administrator and NCAA Compliance Officer, while also contributing at the conference and national levels through leadership positions with the Great Midwest Conference and American Volleyball Coaches Association.
A two-time conference Coach of the Year and recipient of the 1989 Wisconsin Women’s Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Special Recognition Award, Shiely’s legacy is defined by her leadership, advocacy, and lasting impact on women’s athletics at Marquette and beyond. Shiely was inducted into the M Club Hall of Fame in 2004.
Barber is one of the most accomplished student-athletes in Marquette history, emerging as a program-defining player from 2016-19. A three-time AVCA All-American and the only player in program history to earn that honor three times, she still stands as Marquette’s all-time leader in kills with 1,871 while ranking among the program’s best in hitting percentage.
Barber was a two-time BIG EAST Player of the Year and the league’s Freshman of the Year in 2016, while earning four All-BIG EAST First Team selections and helping guide the Golden Eagles to a 101-32 record during her career. In 2018, she became the program’s only AVCA Region Player of the Year and was later named the 2019 CoSIDA Academic All-American of the Year, the first student-athlete in Marquette history to receive the honor. Barber was inducted into the M Club Hall of Fame in 2026.
Catherine “Tat” Shiely (1975-98)
- Founder of Marquette women’s athletics programs; named first Coordinator of Women’s Athletics (1975)
- First head coach in both volleyball and women’s basketball program history
- Amassed 380 wins over 24 seasons as volleyball head coach (program record)
- Led women’s basketball program for 11 seasons
- Only woman in the nation to serve simultaneously as head coach of both volleyball and basketball
- Served as Senior Women’s Athletic Administrator (1985-94) and NCAA Compliance Officer (1988-94)
- Great Midwest Conference compliance chairperson (1993-94)
- Member of NCAA Committee on Student-Athlete Welfare, Access and Equity (1992-94)
- AVCA Board of Directors member (1994-98) and Legislation Chair
- Named WWIAC Coach of the Year (1980) and Great Midwest Conference Coach of the Year (1992)
- Recipient of 1989 WWIAC Special Recognition Award for contributions to women’s athletics
Allie Barber (2016-19)
- MU record during tenure: 101-32 (59-12 BIG EAST)
- Only three-time AVCA All-American in program history (2017-19)
- Only MU player named to one of the top two AVCA All-America Teams (second team in 2018)
- Only student-athlete in Marquette University history to earn CSC/CoSIDA Academic All-American of the Year (2019)
- Only two-time CSC/CoSIDA First Team Academic All-American in program history (2018-19)
- Two-time CSC/CoSIDA Academic All-District (2018-19)
- Senior CLASS Award First Team (2019)
- BIG EAST Scholar -Athlete Sport Excellence Award (2019-20)
- BIG EAST NCAA Woman of the Year nominee (2019-20)
- Four-time BIG EAST All-Academic Team (2016-19)
- Only player in program history named AVCA Region Player of the Year (2018)
- Three-time AVCA All-Region Team (2017-19)
- One of three players to earn three all-region selections (Jenna Rosenthal and Aubrey Hamilton are the others)
- Only two-time BIG EAST Player of the Year (2017 and 2019) in program history.
- BIG EAST Freshman of the Year (2016)
- Two-time All-BIG EAST Championship Team (2018-19)
- Four-time All-BIG EAST First Team (2016-19)
- One of only three players to earn four first team all-conference honors (Meghan Niemann is the other)
- Marquette’s McCahill Award Winner (2020)
- Marquette’s President’s Award Winner (2020)
- Marquette’s Ralph H. Metcalfe Senior Award Winner – Leadership through Academic Excellence (2020)
- Marquette’s Ralph H. Metcalfe Senior Award Winner – Leadership through Athletic Excellence (2020)
- NCAA All-Regional Team (2018)
- MU single-season ranks (as of June 2026)
- No. 3 in kills (569 in 2019)
- No. 4 in kills (546 in 2017)
- No. 6 in kills (537 in 2018)
- MU career ranks (as of June 2026)
- No. 1 in kills (1,871)
- No. 2 in attacks (4275)
- No. 6 in hitting percentage (.324)
- No. 7 in sets played (463)
- No. 3 in matches played (133)
Comments