Male Co-Athletes of the Week
Josh Bird, Burlington High School boys wrestling: Just a freshman, Bird showed plenty of perseverance at the WIAA Division 1 state wrestling tournament last week.
After battling his way through to the finals, Bird faced defending WIAA state champion Robert Lee of Kaukauna. Bird quickly fell behind 4-1, but battled back to tie the match.
In the final period, Bird went ahead 6-5, but Lee got an escape in the final seconds of the match. Headed into sudden victory overtime, Bird scored a takedown to claim the state title.
Bird finished his season 44-3 overall.
Cody Nannemann, Waterford Union High School boys wrestling: Nannemann earned the area’s other state title at the individual wrestling meet, taking the top spot at 160 pounds.
Nannemann didn’t have a point scored on him in the first two rounds of the tournament, and then beat Mason Reinhardt of Merrill 7-2 in the semifinals.
That Nannemann up to wrestle Mitchell Cole of Ashwaubenon in the finals. However, Cole was forced to forfeit due to a knee injury, giving Nannemann the title.
A senior, Nannemann finished the season 45-5.
Female Athlete of the Week
Jenna Fitzpatrick, Burlington Combined gymnastics: One of three all-arounders considered to be the best in the state, Fitzpatrick finally earned a major title this season, winning the WIAA Division 1 sectional all-around title at Waukesha West last week.
In addition to winning the uneven bars with a score of 9.675, Fitzpatrick finished second on the vault (9.525) and tied for fourth on the floor exercise (9.425).
Her all-around total of 38.00 was enough to edge out teammates Molly Benavides and Bailey Fitzpatrick, who finished second and third in the all-around, respectively.
Team of the Week
The Waterford Union High School gymnastics team: The Wolverines are headed back to the WIAA Division 2 state gymnastics tournament for the second straight year as a team.
In addition, sophomore Sam Dziak and her freshman sister, Lauren, both qualified in the all-around. Lauren Dziak qualified on the balance beam, while senior Sam Jahnke will compete as an individual in the floor exercise.
Waterford scored 128.825 points at the Whitefish Bay sectional, good enough to earn a state berth. The top two teams and top five individuals on each event and in the all-around qualify for state.
Games of the Week
A number of area gymnasts will look to make their mark at Friday and Saturday’s WIAA state gymnastics meet in Wisconsin Rapids.
Individual competition – which will feature Burlington Combined all-arounders Jenna and Bailey Fitzpatrick and Molly Benavides, as well as Waterford gymnasts Sam and Lauren Dziak and Sam Jahnke – will be Friday starting at 5:40 p.m.
Both teams will also compete in the team competition, which starts at 11 a.m. Saturday.
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