Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
July 19, 2005
Thursday, September 19, 2013
Tuesday, September 10, 2013
Colgate driver wins track title
West Bend Daily News: Sept. 10, 2013
By NICHOLAS DETTMANN
Daily News Sports Editor
SLINGER — Colgate's Ryan DeStefano learned the hard way patience is essential to winning a race.
Being patient is also key in a race for the championship. His patience was tested Sunday afternoon.
Twice, DeStefano nearly got tangled in accidents in front of him as he tried to put the finishing touch of a long championship season.
"You've just got to be cautious," DeStefano said. "As a driver, I've learned to really watch ahead instead of me just maybe the next turn and not just the next car ahead of me."
DeStefano stayed out of trouble and finished second Sunday to wrap up his first career limited late model championship.
Mike Lichtfeld won the feature, his fifth victory of the season, while defending track champion Alex Prunty finished third. DeStefano beat Lichtfeld by 32 points and Prunty by 34.
DeStefano entered the season finale 32 points ahead of Prunty.
"It feels awesome," DeStefano said. "The (car) was great. All season, we had one thing on our mind, big picture: championship."
Also wrapping up championships Sunday were Ken Joosten (midwest sportsman), Brad Keith (midwest sportsman FRED Series), Kyle Chwala (area sportsman), Nick Schmidt (Slinger Bees) and Scott Goetzke (Figure 8).
Steve Apel wrapped up the super late model championship Sept. 1.
For Schmidt, he won his second straight championships, and for Goetzke, he won his sixth Figure 8 title, one shy of tying Mark Ritger's record of seven. It was also Joosten's second championship (2007).
It is DeStefano's second career championship, also winning a four-cylinder championship at Columbus about six years ago.
DeStefano made it his goal to win a track championship at Slinger because of a good 2012 season, where he won three features.
"We had a great season last year," DeStefano said. "We came up just a little short."
Last season, Prunty used consistency to take control of the championship and ultimately win it. Prunty had eight top-five finishes in eight races for the second half of the season, including three victories.
This season, DeStefano won a championship in similar fashion. In 18 starts, he had 17 top-five finishes for an average finish of 3.5. His lone finish outside of the top five was eighth June 9. He won just one feature (May 19). It is the second time in three years where the limited late model champion won the championship despite winning just one feature (Wayne Freimund, 2011).
"We came out this year saying, 'Last year we missed it, missed by a little,'" DeStefano said. "We did more work in the offseason, our crew kept digging, our sponsors came back and supported us more than they ever have. We're like, 'This is our year to do it.' It all came together."
Improved maturity as a driver also helped DeStefano develop into a championship driver.
In 2010, DeStefano often found himself in trouble. Also known as The Italian Nightmare, he often rubbed drivers the wrong way with his driving style. In that season, he had just five top-five finishes in 18 starts. Fortunately for him, it got better.
In 2011, he had seven top-five finishes in 14 starts, six coming after the calendar flipped to July. He also won his first career race July 3, 2011.
"That really got us rolling," DeStefano said. "That showed we were here and that we mean business."
DeStefano narrowily avoided a disaster on the fifth lap of the 40-lap feature when Al Stippich spun in Turn 3, while battling at the front of the field. The field quickly bunched up behind them and there were a couple fender benders, which included DeStefano. It could've been a devastating blow in the championship.
Then, DeStefano was nearly caught up in another incident just a couple laps later.
"It's nerve-wracking," DeStefano said.
However, he had confidence and knew he was far more patient than he once was.
"We were in the cat bird seat," DeStefano said. "As long as we did what we needed to do, took care of business, we knew we were fine."
“I really can sort of see the accidents develop,” he added. “It’s helped me see what’s going on out there because if you can’t see that, (at) this track, you’ll come off (the track) on the (tow truck) hook.”
SEASON CHAMPIONSHIP
Feature winners
TUNDRA Super Late Model Series: Brad Mueller
Limited late model: Mike Lichtfeld
Midwest sportsman: Mike Borchardt Jr.
Area sportsman: Kody Hubred
Slinger Bees: Steve Dickson
Figure 8: Joe Mueller
American Super Cup: Erle Hoth
Fast qualifiers
TUNDRA Super Late Model Series: Steve Apel (11.479 seconds)
Limited late model: Alex Prunty (12.62)
Midwest sportsman: Jack Stern (12.956)
Area sportsman: Bill Prietzel (13.324)
Slinger Bees: Steve Dickson (14.644)
Final points standings
Super late model: 1. Steve Apel 1,385; 2. Rob Braun -89; 3. Lowell Bennett -184; 4. Conrad Morgan -239; 5. Dennis Prunty -283.
Limited late model: 1. Ryan DeStefano 1,607; 2. Mike Lichtfeld -32; 3. Alex Prunty -34; 4. Braison Bennett 1,365 -242; 5. Danny Church -316.
Midwest sportsman: 1. Kenny Joosten 908; 2. Jack Stern -60; 3. Ryan Gutknecht -73; 4. Brian Holtz -100; 5. Jay Shambeau -185.
Midwest sportsman FRED Series: 1. Brad Keith 412; 2. Brian Holtz -80; 3. Jack Stern -109; 4. Jay Shambeau -113; 5. Ryan Gutknecht -114.
Area sportsman: 1. Kyle Chwala 1,836; 2. Kody Hubred -152; 3. Joe Shelby -589; 4. Nick Egan -612; 5. John Daley -762.
Slinger Bees: 1. Nick Schmidt 1,686; 2. Brandon Tackes -117; 3. Grant Griesbach -387; 4. Steve Dickson -422; 5. Dale Kiley-Schaefer -464.
Figure 8: 1. Scott Goetzke 1,830; 2. Willy Van Camp -25; 3. Joe Mueller -75; 4. Ron Schmitt -155; 5. Shane Becker -175.
By NICHOLAS DETTMANN
Daily News Sports Editor
SLINGER — Colgate's Ryan DeStefano learned the hard way patience is essential to winning a race.
Being patient is also key in a race for the championship. His patience was tested Sunday afternoon.
Twice, DeStefano nearly got tangled in accidents in front of him as he tried to put the finishing touch of a long championship season.
"You've just got to be cautious," DeStefano said. "As a driver, I've learned to really watch ahead instead of me just maybe the next turn and not just the next car ahead of me."
DeStefano stayed out of trouble and finished second Sunday to wrap up his first career limited late model championship.
Mike Lichtfeld won the feature, his fifth victory of the season, while defending track champion Alex Prunty finished third. DeStefano beat Lichtfeld by 32 points and Prunty by 34.
DeStefano entered the season finale 32 points ahead of Prunty.
"It feels awesome," DeStefano said. "The (car) was great. All season, we had one thing on our mind, big picture: championship."
Also wrapping up championships Sunday were Ken Joosten (midwest sportsman), Brad Keith (midwest sportsman FRED Series), Kyle Chwala (area sportsman), Nick Schmidt (Slinger Bees) and Scott Goetzke (Figure 8).
Steve Apel wrapped up the super late model championship Sept. 1.
For Schmidt, he won his second straight championships, and for Goetzke, he won his sixth Figure 8 title, one shy of tying Mark Ritger's record of seven. It was also Joosten's second championship (2007).
It is DeStefano's second career championship, also winning a four-cylinder championship at Columbus about six years ago.
DeStefano made it his goal to win a track championship at Slinger because of a good 2012 season, where he won three features.
"We had a great season last year," DeStefano said. "We came up just a little short."
Last season, Prunty used consistency to take control of the championship and ultimately win it. Prunty had eight top-five finishes in eight races for the second half of the season, including three victories.
This season, DeStefano won a championship in similar fashion. In 18 starts, he had 17 top-five finishes for an average finish of 3.5. His lone finish outside of the top five was eighth June 9. He won just one feature (May 19). It is the second time in three years where the limited late model champion won the championship despite winning just one feature (Wayne Freimund, 2011).
"We came out this year saying, 'Last year we missed it, missed by a little,'" DeStefano said. "We did more work in the offseason, our crew kept digging, our sponsors came back and supported us more than they ever have. We're like, 'This is our year to do it.' It all came together."
Improved maturity as a driver also helped DeStefano develop into a championship driver.
In 2010, DeStefano often found himself in trouble. Also known as The Italian Nightmare, he often rubbed drivers the wrong way with his driving style. In that season, he had just five top-five finishes in 18 starts. Fortunately for him, it got better.
In 2011, he had seven top-five finishes in 14 starts, six coming after the calendar flipped to July. He also won his first career race July 3, 2011.
"That really got us rolling," DeStefano said. "That showed we were here and that we mean business."
DeStefano narrowily avoided a disaster on the fifth lap of the 40-lap feature when Al Stippich spun in Turn 3, while battling at the front of the field. The field quickly bunched up behind them and there were a couple fender benders, which included DeStefano. It could've been a devastating blow in the championship.
Then, DeStefano was nearly caught up in another incident just a couple laps later.
"It's nerve-wracking," DeStefano said.
However, he had confidence and knew he was far more patient than he once was.
"We were in the cat bird seat," DeStefano said. "As long as we did what we needed to do, took care of business, we knew we were fine."
“I really can sort of see the accidents develop,” he added. “It’s helped me see what’s going on out there because if you can’t see that, (at) this track, you’ll come off (the track) on the (tow truck) hook.”
SEASON CHAMPIONSHIP
Feature winners
TUNDRA Super Late Model Series: Brad Mueller
Limited late model: Mike Lichtfeld
Midwest sportsman: Mike Borchardt Jr.
Area sportsman: Kody Hubred
Slinger Bees: Steve Dickson
Figure 8: Joe Mueller
American Super Cup: Erle Hoth
Fast qualifiers
TUNDRA Super Late Model Series: Steve Apel (11.479 seconds)
Limited late model: Alex Prunty (12.62)
Midwest sportsman: Jack Stern (12.956)
Area sportsman: Bill Prietzel (13.324)
Slinger Bees: Steve Dickson (14.644)
Final points standings
Super late model: 1. Steve Apel 1,385; 2. Rob Braun -89; 3. Lowell Bennett -184; 4. Conrad Morgan -239; 5. Dennis Prunty -283.
Limited late model: 1. Ryan DeStefano 1,607; 2. Mike Lichtfeld -32; 3. Alex Prunty -34; 4. Braison Bennett 1,365 -242; 5. Danny Church -316.
Midwest sportsman: 1. Kenny Joosten 908; 2. Jack Stern -60; 3. Ryan Gutknecht -73; 4. Brian Holtz -100; 5. Jay Shambeau -185.
Midwest sportsman FRED Series: 1. Brad Keith 412; 2. Brian Holtz -80; 3. Jack Stern -109; 4. Jay Shambeau -113; 5. Ryan Gutknecht -114.
Area sportsman: 1. Kyle Chwala 1,836; 2. Kody Hubred -152; 3. Joe Shelby -589; 4. Nick Egan -612; 5. John Daley -762.
Slinger Bees: 1. Nick Schmidt 1,686; 2. Brandon Tackes -117; 3. Grant Griesbach -387; 4. Steve Dickson -422; 5. Dale Kiley-Schaefer -464.
Figure 8: 1. Scott Goetzke 1,830; 2. Willy Van Camp -25; 3. Joe Mueller -75; 4. Ron Schmitt -155; 5. Shane Becker -175.
Mueller pulls off difficult feat
West Bend Daily News: Sept. 10, 2013
By NICHOLAS DETTMANN
Daily News Sports Editor
SLINGER — Brad Mueller waited four years to do what he did Sunday afternoon.
Less than 24 hours from winning the late model “A” main feature at the Plymouth Dirt Track, which also sealed his second track championship in three years, Mueller won the 75-lap TUNDRA Super Late Model Touring Series feature at Slinger Superspeedway.
Never had Mueller won a feature at Plymouth and Slinger on the same weekend.
“This car was awesome today,” Mueller said in victory lane. “This is a dream come true. It doesn’t get any better than this. This is awesome.”
To win Sunday’s race, Mueller got the jump on the restart over race-leader James Swan and made the outside line stick, which at times can be tricky at Slinger, and drove away, leading the final 25 laps for the victory.
“I’ve been trying for a lot of years to get both on the same weekend,” Mueller said. “It’s pretty cool to do that. It’s kind of unbelievable.”
It was Mueller’s second feature victory of the season at Slinger. He also won May 5.
“There was no way James Swan was going to beat me on the restart here on my home track,” said Mueller, a three-time track champion at Slinger. “The car was superior.”
Braison Bennett, son of seven-time track champion Lowell Bennett, won the consolation feature for his first career super late model victory at Slinger.
“This is like the upper echelon of late model racing,” Mueller added. “To win with a dirt late model and an asphalt late model, it’s not like you’re doing it in a street stock and a modified. You’re doing it with the best of the best.
“On Saturday night, I race against the best of the best around here and Sunday I race against the best of the best around here.”
Dennis Prunty finished second, followed by Swan, Steve Apel and Austin Luedtke. The top finishing touring star for the TUNDRA Series was Dalton Zehr, who finished seventh after starting the feature 23rd.
It was the first time in about a decade that Mueller has won a touring series race.
“It’s tough as imaginable,” said Mueller. “It’s two completely opposite ends of the spectrum. With the dirt car you throw it in the corner and you blast it off. That thing makes 850 horsepower and (an asphalt late model) makes 550 horsepower. Everything is so completely different.”
Nick Panitzke sealed the championship when the green flag dropped on the 24-car field. He went on to finish eighth.
“It means so much to my family and my whole racing program,” he said. “It couldn’t have been a better season. We had a blast with it.”
Paige Decker finished her season with a 16th-place finish. She ended the season with the Rookie of the Year award in a season in which she became the first rookie and first woman to win a feature race. She finished eighth in the points, three points ahead of Matt Pyburn, who crashed on lap 47 and finished 23rd.
“My crew’s been behind me 100 percent,” Decker said. “At times where I was ready to almost give up, they were there saying, ‘Hey, look what you’ve done.’”
Of the top-10 finishers, seven were Slinger regulars.
“They all did a really, really good job,” said Mueller of the TUNDRA drivers who made their first appearance at Slinger. “They have a lot to be proud of. This isn’t the easiest place in the world to race at.”
By NICHOLAS DETTMANN
Daily News Sports Editor
SLINGER — Brad Mueller waited four years to do what he did Sunday afternoon.
Less than 24 hours from winning the late model “A” main feature at the Plymouth Dirt Track, which also sealed his second track championship in three years, Mueller won the 75-lap TUNDRA Super Late Model Touring Series feature at Slinger Superspeedway.
Never had Mueller won a feature at Plymouth and Slinger on the same weekend.
“This car was awesome today,” Mueller said in victory lane. “This is a dream come true. It doesn’t get any better than this. This is awesome.”
To win Sunday’s race, Mueller got the jump on the restart over race-leader James Swan and made the outside line stick, which at times can be tricky at Slinger, and drove away, leading the final 25 laps for the victory.
“I’ve been trying for a lot of years to get both on the same weekend,” Mueller said. “It’s pretty cool to do that. It’s kind of unbelievable.”
It was Mueller’s second feature victory of the season at Slinger. He also won May 5.
“There was no way James Swan was going to beat me on the restart here on my home track,” said Mueller, a three-time track champion at Slinger. “The car was superior.”
Braison Bennett, son of seven-time track champion Lowell Bennett, won the consolation feature for his first career super late model victory at Slinger.
“This is like the upper echelon of late model racing,” Mueller added. “To win with a dirt late model and an asphalt late model, it’s not like you’re doing it in a street stock and a modified. You’re doing it with the best of the best.
“On Saturday night, I race against the best of the best around here and Sunday I race against the best of the best around here.”
Dennis Prunty finished second, followed by Swan, Steve Apel and Austin Luedtke. The top finishing touring star for the TUNDRA Series was Dalton Zehr, who finished seventh after starting the feature 23rd.
It was the first time in about a decade that Mueller has won a touring series race.
“It’s tough as imaginable,” said Mueller. “It’s two completely opposite ends of the spectrum. With the dirt car you throw it in the corner and you blast it off. That thing makes 850 horsepower and (an asphalt late model) makes 550 horsepower. Everything is so completely different.”
Nick Panitzke sealed the championship when the green flag dropped on the 24-car field. He went on to finish eighth.
“It means so much to my family and my whole racing program,” he said. “It couldn’t have been a better season. We had a blast with it.”
Paige Decker finished her season with a 16th-place finish. She ended the season with the Rookie of the Year award in a season in which she became the first rookie and first woman to win a feature race. She finished eighth in the points, three points ahead of Matt Pyburn, who crashed on lap 47 and finished 23rd.
“My crew’s been behind me 100 percent,” Decker said. “At times where I was ready to almost give up, they were there saying, ‘Hey, look what you’ve done.’”
Of the top-10 finishers, seven were Slinger regulars.
“They all did a really, really good job,” said Mueller of the TUNDRA drivers who made their first appearance at Slinger. “They have a lot to be proud of. This isn’t the easiest place in the world to race at.”
Passing on by West
West Bend Daily News: Sept. 7, 2013
By NICHOLAS DETTMANN
Daily News Sports Editor
Unfortunately for West Bend West, Oconomowoc quarterback Canton Larson is good running the ball, too.
Larson ad-libbed for a crucial 65-yard touchdown run late in the first half as part of a 35-point run by the visiting Raccoons on Friday night. Oconomowoc won 42-14.
"He's a great athlete," West coach Aaron Paulin said. "He's a smart player. He's fundamental, he's disciplined. He made plays and they were better than us."
Coming into the game, Paulin was worried about the Raccoons' passing game, led by Larson as he should've been. Coming into the game, Larson was the Wisconsin Little Ten Conference's leading passer with 437 yards passing.
In the passing game, Larson didn't disappoint. He was 13 for 19 for 219 yards and two touchdowns. At one point in the first half, he competed eight straight passes.
However, his 65-yard run was a crushing blow for the Spartans (0-3, 0-1). It came during a stretch where Oconomowoc (3-0, 1-0) scored on three straight possessions.
In addition, the play looked like it was going to go for a loss as a Spartans defender had a hand on the elusive quarterback in the backfield. Instead, Larson turned to his left, rushed across the field, turned the corner and picked up key block after key block to reach the end zone. The play made it 28-8 in favor of Oconomowoc with 1:30 left in the first half.
"That was huge," Oconomowoc coach Ryan McMillen said. "He's got some athleticism. He can do some nice things at the quarterback (position). He's a dual threat kid.
"No doubt it was a huge play. He just made that happen."
Larson finished with 77 yards rushing on six carries.
"They've got a great play-action package with that run game they have and it's tough to defend that," Paulin said. "If we have one breakdown, it looks bad and they get chunks of yards."
Larson would've had three touchdown passes if it wasn't for Jack Bourdo, who dropped the ball after the reception on West's 5-yard line. The ball rolled into the end zone and Bourdo jumped on top of it for the fumble recovery and touchdown.
On the ensuing possession, West pieced together a nice drive, but ultimately ended with a punt. The punt by Kyle Krier was downed at the 2-yard line. On the next play, West sacked Larson in the end zone for a safety.
On the ensuing West possession, the Spartans drove the length of the field and scored on a 1-yard run by quarterback Jake Lenz. The extra point was blocked for an 8-7 lead.
"It's a tough place to play," McMillen said. "I don't know if we've ever really come up here and kicked the thing off and really played well. It took us a little bit to wake up."
From there, Oconomowoc was in control.
The Raccoons scored on their next three possessions to take a 28-8 lead. Their fourth possession ended because of halftime.
The second half remained in Oconomowoc's favor. Up until a 66-yard touchdown by Jake Fischer with 6:07 left in the fourth quarter, West had just 16 yards of total offense and no first downs.
On the play before Fischer's big run, Patrick Baumann rushed for 11 yards.
The Spartans were down 42-8 before Fischer's touchdown run.
"We threw the ball," McMillen said when asked about adjustments during the game. "We just changed how we called plays and our play makers showed up."
McMillen credited West's defense for being able to stop the Oconomowoc running game.
"West came out and they were ready to go," he added. "Coach Paulin had them all geeked up and we knew they would.
"They smacked us right in the face at the start of the thing. We did enough to score some points."
When the Raccoons needed the game to swing in its favor, they turned to their three-year starter at quarterback and there wasn't anything West could do about it.
"We're just fortunate enough that we can throw the ball," McMillen said.
West finished with a respectable showing on the ground, led by Fischer with 121 yards on 12 carries. Baumann added 52 yards on 17 carries. For the game, West had 204 yards rushing. However, the Spartans were 0 for 7 passing.
"It handcuffs us greatly," Paulin said about the inability to pass the ball. "We had to stay out of situations that we become predictable, primarily third and long."
For Larson, he continued to impress and some receivers broke out after hovering in the shadow of former tight end Zach Poker, who is now at the University of Pittsburgh on a football scholarship.
And for West, the Spartans will host Beaver Dam next week in a pivotal game; if the Spartans lose, their season could hang in the balance.
"We've got to correct what we do," Paulin said. "We've got to work on the basics, the fundamentals and get better with what we do.
"Right now our biggest problem is us."
OCONOMOWOC 42, WEST 14
Oconomowoc.....7 21 14 0 — 42
West...................2 6 0 6 — 14
First quarter
O — Jack Bourdo 5 fumble recovery (Casey Bednarski kick), 6:57
W — Safety, 3:06
Second quarter
W — Jake Lenz 1 run (kick blocked), 11:09
O — Casey Zwart 4 run (Bednarski kick), 10:22
O — Bednarski 42 pass from Canton Larson (Bednarski kick), 5:47
O — Larson 65 run (Bednarski kick), 1:30
Third quarter
O — Bourdo 4 run (Bednarski kick), 7:34
O — Logan Larson 18 pass from C. Larson (Bednarski kick), 2:28
Fourth quarter
W — Jake Fischer 66 run (kick blocked), 6:07
OCO WBW
First downs 20 10
Total yards 360 204
Passing yards 231 0
Rushing yards 129 204
Turnovers 1 2
Penalties 7-79 8-40
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
Passing — OCO: C. Larson 13-19-0-219, Jason Brandl 1-1-0-12; WBW: Lenz 0-6-0-0, Hunter Johnson 0-1-0-0.
Rushing — OCO: C. Larson 6-77, Zech Jens 3-11, Nate De La Barra 9-27, Logan Ballering 1-9, Zwart 6-17, Bourdo 1-4, Brandl 2-(-6); WBW: Lenz 3-(-11), Fischer 12-121, Patrick Baumann 17-52, Austin Thiessen 6-18, Jordan Fields 2-6, Kieran Conley 2-4, Gage Czuppa 3-14, Johnson 2-0.
Receiving — OCO: Bourdo 6-73, L. Larson 3-34, Bednarski 4-109, De La Barra 1-15.
IN SHORT: Oconomowoc's passing game is too much against West Bend West on Friday night.
KEY STAT: West Bend West is 0 for 6 passing.
KEY MOMENT: Oconomowoc's Canton Larson runs for a 65-yard touchdown just before halftime to give the Raccoons a 28-8 lead.
QUOTABLE: Right now our biggest problem is us. - West coach Aaron Paulin
By NICHOLAS DETTMANN
Daily News Sports Editor
Unfortunately for West Bend West, Oconomowoc quarterback Canton Larson is good running the ball, too.
Larson ad-libbed for a crucial 65-yard touchdown run late in the first half as part of a 35-point run by the visiting Raccoons on Friday night. Oconomowoc won 42-14.
"He's a great athlete," West coach Aaron Paulin said. "He's a smart player. He's fundamental, he's disciplined. He made plays and they were better than us."
Coming into the game, Paulin was worried about the Raccoons' passing game, led by Larson as he should've been. Coming into the game, Larson was the Wisconsin Little Ten Conference's leading passer with 437 yards passing.
In the passing game, Larson didn't disappoint. He was 13 for 19 for 219 yards and two touchdowns. At one point in the first half, he competed eight straight passes.
However, his 65-yard run was a crushing blow for the Spartans (0-3, 0-1). It came during a stretch where Oconomowoc (3-0, 1-0) scored on three straight possessions.
In addition, the play looked like it was going to go for a loss as a Spartans defender had a hand on the elusive quarterback in the backfield. Instead, Larson turned to his left, rushed across the field, turned the corner and picked up key block after key block to reach the end zone. The play made it 28-8 in favor of Oconomowoc with 1:30 left in the first half.
"That was huge," Oconomowoc coach Ryan McMillen said. "He's got some athleticism. He can do some nice things at the quarterback (position). He's a dual threat kid.
"No doubt it was a huge play. He just made that happen."
Larson finished with 77 yards rushing on six carries.
"They've got a great play-action package with that run game they have and it's tough to defend that," Paulin said. "If we have one breakdown, it looks bad and they get chunks of yards."
Larson would've had three touchdown passes if it wasn't for Jack Bourdo, who dropped the ball after the reception on West's 5-yard line. The ball rolled into the end zone and Bourdo jumped on top of it for the fumble recovery and touchdown.
On the ensuing possession, West pieced together a nice drive, but ultimately ended with a punt. The punt by Kyle Krier was downed at the 2-yard line. On the next play, West sacked Larson in the end zone for a safety.
On the ensuing West possession, the Spartans drove the length of the field and scored on a 1-yard run by quarterback Jake Lenz. The extra point was blocked for an 8-7 lead.
"It's a tough place to play," McMillen said. "I don't know if we've ever really come up here and kicked the thing off and really played well. It took us a little bit to wake up."
From there, Oconomowoc was in control.
The Raccoons scored on their next three possessions to take a 28-8 lead. Their fourth possession ended because of halftime.
The second half remained in Oconomowoc's favor. Up until a 66-yard touchdown by Jake Fischer with 6:07 left in the fourth quarter, West had just 16 yards of total offense and no first downs.
On the play before Fischer's big run, Patrick Baumann rushed for 11 yards.
The Spartans were down 42-8 before Fischer's touchdown run.
"We threw the ball," McMillen said when asked about adjustments during the game. "We just changed how we called plays and our play makers showed up."
McMillen credited West's defense for being able to stop the Oconomowoc running game.
"West came out and they were ready to go," he added. "Coach Paulin had them all geeked up and we knew they would.
"They smacked us right in the face at the start of the thing. We did enough to score some points."
When the Raccoons needed the game to swing in its favor, they turned to their three-year starter at quarterback and there wasn't anything West could do about it.
"We're just fortunate enough that we can throw the ball," McMillen said.
West finished with a respectable showing on the ground, led by Fischer with 121 yards on 12 carries. Baumann added 52 yards on 17 carries. For the game, West had 204 yards rushing. However, the Spartans were 0 for 7 passing.
"It handcuffs us greatly," Paulin said about the inability to pass the ball. "We had to stay out of situations that we become predictable, primarily third and long."
For Larson, he continued to impress and some receivers broke out after hovering in the shadow of former tight end Zach Poker, who is now at the University of Pittsburgh on a football scholarship.
And for West, the Spartans will host Beaver Dam next week in a pivotal game; if the Spartans lose, their season could hang in the balance.
"We've got to correct what we do," Paulin said. "We've got to work on the basics, the fundamentals and get better with what we do.
"Right now our biggest problem is us."
OCONOMOWOC 42, WEST 14
Oconomowoc.....7 21 14 0 — 42
West...................2 6 0 6 — 14
First quarter
O — Jack Bourdo 5 fumble recovery (Casey Bednarski kick), 6:57
W — Safety, 3:06
Second quarter
W — Jake Lenz 1 run (kick blocked), 11:09
O — Casey Zwart 4 run (Bednarski kick), 10:22
O — Bednarski 42 pass from Canton Larson (Bednarski kick), 5:47
O — Larson 65 run (Bednarski kick), 1:30
Third quarter
O — Bourdo 4 run (Bednarski kick), 7:34
O — Logan Larson 18 pass from C. Larson (Bednarski kick), 2:28
Fourth quarter
W — Jake Fischer 66 run (kick blocked), 6:07
OCO WBW
First downs 20 10
Total yards 360 204
Passing yards 231 0
Rushing yards 129 204
Turnovers 1 2
Penalties 7-79 8-40
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
Passing — OCO: C. Larson 13-19-0-219, Jason Brandl 1-1-0-12; WBW: Lenz 0-6-0-0, Hunter Johnson 0-1-0-0.
Rushing — OCO: C. Larson 6-77, Zech Jens 3-11, Nate De La Barra 9-27, Logan Ballering 1-9, Zwart 6-17, Bourdo 1-4, Brandl 2-(-6); WBW: Lenz 3-(-11), Fischer 12-121, Patrick Baumann 17-52, Austin Thiessen 6-18, Jordan Fields 2-6, Kieran Conley 2-4, Gage Czuppa 3-14, Johnson 2-0.
Receiving — OCO: Bourdo 6-73, L. Larson 3-34, Bednarski 4-109, De La Barra 1-15.
IN SHORT: Oconomowoc's passing game is too much against West Bend West on Friday night.
KEY STAT: West Bend West is 0 for 6 passing.
KEY MOMENT: Oconomowoc's Canton Larson runs for a 65-yard touchdown just before halftime to give the Raccoons a 28-8 lead.
QUOTABLE: Right now our biggest problem is us. - West coach Aaron Paulin
One is enough
West Bend Daily News: Sept. 6, 2013
By NICHOLAS DETTMANN
Daily News Sports Editor
HARTFORD — Slinger let rival Hartford Union have a freebie.
After that, the Owls were tough to beat.
Slinger defeated the Orioles, 25-21, 14-25, 25-18, 25-18, in the second of three Wisconsin Little Ten Conference dual matches Thursday.
The first game-and-a-half of the match was close. In Game 2, the Orioles took over, finishing the game with a 15-4 run.
"We celebrated the first game and thought well we're done," Slinger coach Michelle Lastovich said. "They knew it. I knew it. They came in much more focused in the next two (games).
"I told them, 'You gave them Game 2. Now let's takes games 3 and 4.'"
Slinger led all of Game 3 and Hartford had just one lead in Game 4 at 1-0.
"I thought Slinger did a nice job," Orioles coach Amy Hoffmann said. "They were aggressive and finished some nice plays on volleys and rallies that went back and forth."
In the other matches, Oconomowoc beat Watertown in five games, 25-27, 25-19, 16-25, 25-23, 16-14. In that match, Watertown had a chance to close out Oconomowoc as it led 23-19 in Game 4. The Raccoons won six straight points to steal the game and force a Game 5.
Watertown beat Slinger in three games, 25-22, 25-15, 25-22.
Oconomowoc beat Hartford in four games, 25-12, 25-17, 28-30, 25-22.
Oconomowoc beat Slinger in four games, and Hartford beat Watertown in five.
It was the first conference matches for the season for each team. For Slinger, its first conference victory of the season came against the Orioles at Hartford.
"It's nice," Lastovich said.
It was the second meeting of the season between the rivals.
At the Demon Invitational on Aug. 28 in Burlington, the Owls beat the Orioles, 25-20, 25-23, to advance to the silver bracket final, which Slinger went on to win over Nicolet.
The matches mirrored each other.
"It was a very close match," Lastovich said of Thursday's meeting. "The girls really hung in there. They lost that second game and they didn't stay focused. They came out in the third and fourth games and played much more focused and ready to play."
The Owls vowed at the beginning of the season they were going to be a tougher to team to beat. So far, they haven't disappointed. Slinger took fifth at the Demon Invitational, going 3-1. The Owls also defeated Kewaskum in the season opener.
And outside of one rough game against Watertown on Thursday, the Owls were good. Wynter Elder was a big reason why.
Elder, a 6-foot-1 middle hitter, led the Owls with 13 kills and three blocks against the Orioles. She was tough around the night on defense and on offense. She also showed some versatility, hitting kill attempts with either arm.
"That kid can hit with both arms," Lastovich said with a smile. "She brings so much energy when she gets it. She's really grown as a player."
Libby Wesela was also good on defense for Slinger with 18 digs and Brittany Kusek had 25 assists.
"She has made huge strides," Lastovich said of Kusek.
Hartford made pushes to knock off Slinger in Games 3 and 4, but couldn't get the job done.
"We had a hard time getting some momentum back," Hoffmann said. "We're still trying to find our identity."
Allie Lehner and Britney Goodreau each had 11 kills for the Orioles, while Nicole Klipstein had 8 kills.
By NICHOLAS DETTMANN
Daily News Sports Editor
HARTFORD — Slinger let rival Hartford Union have a freebie.
After that, the Owls were tough to beat.
Slinger defeated the Orioles, 25-21, 14-25, 25-18, 25-18, in the second of three Wisconsin Little Ten Conference dual matches Thursday.
The first game-and-a-half of the match was close. In Game 2, the Orioles took over, finishing the game with a 15-4 run.
"We celebrated the first game and thought well we're done," Slinger coach Michelle Lastovich said. "They knew it. I knew it. They came in much more focused in the next two (games).
"I told them, 'You gave them Game 2. Now let's takes games 3 and 4.'"
Slinger led all of Game 3 and Hartford had just one lead in Game 4 at 1-0.
"I thought Slinger did a nice job," Orioles coach Amy Hoffmann said. "They were aggressive and finished some nice plays on volleys and rallies that went back and forth."
In the other matches, Oconomowoc beat Watertown in five games, 25-27, 25-19, 16-25, 25-23, 16-14. In that match, Watertown had a chance to close out Oconomowoc as it led 23-19 in Game 4. The Raccoons won six straight points to steal the game and force a Game 5.
Watertown beat Slinger in three games, 25-22, 25-15, 25-22.
Oconomowoc beat Hartford in four games, 25-12, 25-17, 28-30, 25-22.
Oconomowoc beat Slinger in four games, and Hartford beat Watertown in five.
It was the first conference matches for the season for each team. For Slinger, its first conference victory of the season came against the Orioles at Hartford.
"It's nice," Lastovich said.
It was the second meeting of the season between the rivals.
At the Demon Invitational on Aug. 28 in Burlington, the Owls beat the Orioles, 25-20, 25-23, to advance to the silver bracket final, which Slinger went on to win over Nicolet.
The matches mirrored each other.
"It was a very close match," Lastovich said of Thursday's meeting. "The girls really hung in there. They lost that second game and they didn't stay focused. They came out in the third and fourth games and played much more focused and ready to play."
The Owls vowed at the beginning of the season they were going to be a tougher to team to beat. So far, they haven't disappointed. Slinger took fifth at the Demon Invitational, going 3-1. The Owls also defeated Kewaskum in the season opener.
And outside of one rough game against Watertown on Thursday, the Owls were good. Wynter Elder was a big reason why.
Elder, a 6-foot-1 middle hitter, led the Owls with 13 kills and three blocks against the Orioles. She was tough around the night on defense and on offense. She also showed some versatility, hitting kill attempts with either arm.
"That kid can hit with both arms," Lastovich said with a smile. "She brings so much energy when she gets it. She's really grown as a player."
Libby Wesela was also good on defense for Slinger with 18 digs and Brittany Kusek had 25 assists.
"She has made huge strides," Lastovich said of Kusek.
Hartford made pushes to knock off Slinger in Games 3 and 4, but couldn't get the job done.
"We had a hard time getting some momentum back," Hoffmann said. "We're still trying to find our identity."
Allie Lehner and Britney Goodreau each had 11 kills for the Orioles, while Nicole Klipstein had 8 kills.
TUNDRA Series rolls into Slinger to headline championship event
West Bend Daily News: Sept. 6, 2013
By NICHOLAS DETTMANN
Daily News Sports Editor
Paige Decker got into stock car racing through a spur-of-the-moment situation.
"My uncle bought a stock car for my cousin, but she was too young so I got the car," said Decker, an Eagle River native. "It was spur-of-the-moment thing. It wasn't planned. It was random."
That random moment turned into a historical moment about four years later at Golden Sands Speedway in central Wisconsin.
Decker won the TUNDRA Super Late Model Series event at Golden Sands in July, becoming the first rookie and first woman to win a feature.
"It was awesome to do it," Decker said, adding she is still feeling the aftermath of the historical moment.
A woman hasn't won a late model feature at Slinger since Cindy Peterson on Aug. 4, 2002. Decker hopes to break that drought when the TUNDRA Series hosts its championship event Sunday at Slinger.
"I remember watching the late models and thinking they were fast," Decker said. "I remember being in the stands and cheering for the girl."
Many are now doing that for her.
It is just her second year in late model racing. She competed in the Mid-American Stock Car Series for two years before that.
Before taking on stock car racing, Decker competed in go-karts and snowmobile racing.
The TUNDRA Series averages more than 30 cars per event. For Sunday, the series expects more than 40, where more than 40 championships have been won by the expected drivers.
Decker had a feeling the victory was coming as she said she'd never had as good of a handling race car as she did that night and hasn't had the same fortune since.
"There's no such thing as a perfect car," Decker said. "But it was as close to perfect as it could get. It's rare for someone to have a car that good."
Decker is working with Toby Nuttleman, who has experience in setting up cars at Slinger as he's worked with Becca Kasten, to get ready for the event. In 2011, Kasten became the first woman to lead the Slinger Nationals.
In her trial race, Decker made the feature on qualifying time. She finished 16th.
Decker, 20, races with her younger sister, Claire, 18.
For Paige Decker to win that race, it was a monumental step for both of them.
"I think a lot of people are doubting us," Decker said. "But not only did I win, I won by a long shot."
"It was good to prove to these boys that we're good and we can race with them," Decker added.
They each notice the looks they get at tracks they go to and it's not because they're attractive women.
"I also got little experience compared to what they have," Decker said.
It's also an enjoyable challenge to race against her sister.
"We probably battle harder against each other than anyone else," Decker said. "At the end of the day we're still family.
"There's been rumors we've gotten into a fist fight but that's not true. We've rubbed the fenders a few times though."
q
In addition to the TUNDRA series, it will be championship points day for the limited late model, midwest sportsman, area sportsman, Slinger Bees and Figure 8 divisions at Slinger.
Steve Apel wrapped up the super late model championship Sunday.
Kyle Chwala has clinched the area sportsman championship, and Nick Schmidt has clinched the Bees title, his second straight championship. He is also the division's only two-time champion.
The limited late model, the midwest sportsman and the Figure 8 divisions are still up for grabs.
In the limited late model division, Colgate's Ryan DeStefano leads Alex Prunty, the defending track champion by 32 points. Mike Lichtfeld is 46 points behind DeStefano.
Willy Van Camp, the defending champion, leads five-time champion Scott Goetzke by five points in the Figure 8 division. Goetzke is chasing Mark Ritger's record of seven Figure 8 titles.
Kenny Joosten leads Ryan Gutknecht by 86 points for the midwest sportsman title. Jack Stern is 90 points back. Gutknecht and Stern would need a strong race and a letdown by Joosten to win the championship.
q
The American Super Cup Series will also have its championship event Sunday at Slinger.
It is a close battle for the championship. Brian Baldyga leads Ken Jones, the defending champion, by one point. Erle Hoth is in third place three points behind Baldyga, and Mick Ellis is fourth, 15 points behind the leader.
Baldyga won the series' lone visit to Slinger on May 5.
q
Three-time Slinger super late model champion Brad Mueller will go for his second late model track championship in three years Saturday at Plymouth.
Mueller leads Tim Buhler by 14 points entering the season finale.
Germantown's Nick Strobbe Jr. is four points behind Mark Fieber for third place in the grand national points standings.
By NICHOLAS DETTMANN
Daily News Sports Editor
Paige Decker got into stock car racing through a spur-of-the-moment situation.
"My uncle bought a stock car for my cousin, but she was too young so I got the car," said Decker, an Eagle River native. "It was spur-of-the-moment thing. It wasn't planned. It was random."
That random moment turned into a historical moment about four years later at Golden Sands Speedway in central Wisconsin.
Decker won the TUNDRA Super Late Model Series event at Golden Sands in July, becoming the first rookie and first woman to win a feature.
"It was awesome to do it," Decker said, adding she is still feeling the aftermath of the historical moment.
A woman hasn't won a late model feature at Slinger since Cindy Peterson on Aug. 4, 2002. Decker hopes to break that drought when the TUNDRA Series hosts its championship event Sunday at Slinger.
"I remember watching the late models and thinking they were fast," Decker said. "I remember being in the stands and cheering for the girl."
Many are now doing that for her.
It is just her second year in late model racing. She competed in the Mid-American Stock Car Series for two years before that.
Before taking on stock car racing, Decker competed in go-karts and snowmobile racing.
The TUNDRA Series averages more than 30 cars per event. For Sunday, the series expects more than 40, where more than 40 championships have been won by the expected drivers.
Decker had a feeling the victory was coming as she said she'd never had as good of a handling race car as she did that night and hasn't had the same fortune since.
"There's no such thing as a perfect car," Decker said. "But it was as close to perfect as it could get. It's rare for someone to have a car that good."
Decker is working with Toby Nuttleman, who has experience in setting up cars at Slinger as he's worked with Becca Kasten, to get ready for the event. In 2011, Kasten became the first woman to lead the Slinger Nationals.
In her trial race, Decker made the feature on qualifying time. She finished 16th.
Decker, 20, races with her younger sister, Claire, 18.
For Paige Decker to win that race, it was a monumental step for both of them.
"I think a lot of people are doubting us," Decker said. "But not only did I win, I won by a long shot."
"It was good to prove to these boys that we're good and we can race with them," Decker added.
They each notice the looks they get at tracks they go to and it's not because they're attractive women.
"I also got little experience compared to what they have," Decker said.
It's also an enjoyable challenge to race against her sister.
"We probably battle harder against each other than anyone else," Decker said. "At the end of the day we're still family.
"There's been rumors we've gotten into a fist fight but that's not true. We've rubbed the fenders a few times though."
q
In addition to the TUNDRA series, it will be championship points day for the limited late model, midwest sportsman, area sportsman, Slinger Bees and Figure 8 divisions at Slinger.
Steve Apel wrapped up the super late model championship Sunday.
Kyle Chwala has clinched the area sportsman championship, and Nick Schmidt has clinched the Bees title, his second straight championship. He is also the division's only two-time champion.
The limited late model, the midwest sportsman and the Figure 8 divisions are still up for grabs.
In the limited late model division, Colgate's Ryan DeStefano leads Alex Prunty, the defending track champion by 32 points. Mike Lichtfeld is 46 points behind DeStefano.
Willy Van Camp, the defending champion, leads five-time champion Scott Goetzke by five points in the Figure 8 division. Goetzke is chasing Mark Ritger's record of seven Figure 8 titles.
Kenny Joosten leads Ryan Gutknecht by 86 points for the midwest sportsman title. Jack Stern is 90 points back. Gutknecht and Stern would need a strong race and a letdown by Joosten to win the championship.
q
The American Super Cup Series will also have its championship event Sunday at Slinger.
It is a close battle for the championship. Brian Baldyga leads Ken Jones, the defending champion, by one point. Erle Hoth is in third place three points behind Baldyga, and Mick Ellis is fourth, 15 points behind the leader.
Baldyga won the series' lone visit to Slinger on May 5.
q
Three-time Slinger super late model champion Brad Mueller will go for his second late model track championship in three years Saturday at Plymouth.
Mueller leads Tim Buhler by 14 points entering the season finale.
Germantown's Nick Strobbe Jr. is four points behind Mark Fieber for third place in the grand national points standings.
East strong at invite
West Bend Daily News: Sept. 3, 2013
By NICHOLAS DETTMANN
Daily News Sports Editor
MEQUON — If this is West Bend East's baseline, the 2013 season may be special.
With all sorts of expectations on the Suns this volleyball season, they met those expectations in their first action of the season Friday and Saturday in The Joust at Homestead High School.
The Suns reached the Final Four of the tournament, losing to Menomonee Falls in two games in the best-of-three games tournament format.
East Troy defeated Menomonee Falls to claim the championship after the Trojans beat Neenah in the semifinal round.
"I'm so pleased with the way we played," East coach Colleen Hasse said. "We've got some goals set for the season about what we want to accomplish and I thought the girls did a good job coming in and playing some very even-level volleyball for the whole weekend."
Kettle Moraine Lutheran won the White Bracket for 17th place, while Germantown reached the Bronze Bracket championship match for ninth place. No result was available.
“I thought we did OK for the youth on our team,” KML coach Rachel Kuehl said. “We tried a lot of different personnel and offenses.”
East Troy is a favorite to win the Division 2 state championship as the Trojans return five players who were All-State last season, while Menomonee Falls and Neenah were state qualifiers. East lost to Neenah in last year's sectional final.
No third-place match was played. If there was, it would've pitted Neenah against East. Both are scheduled to compete in The Sprawl (Sept. 27-28) and the Neenah Invitational (Oct. 5). They're also in the same sectional at the end of October.
"I think playing Neenah right now would be too early," Hasse said. "I think (Neenah's) not ready and I don't think I'm ready either."
To get to the semifinal, the Suns went 3-0 in pool play, defeating Muskego, Brookfield Central and Kimberly. On Saturday, East defeated Germantown and DSHA, the Division 1 state runner-up last season, to advance to the gold bracket, assuring them no worse than a top-four finish.
"They came in ready to play good volleyball," Hasse said.
Against DSHA, the Dashers led Game 1 22-21. A kill by Megan Kiefert started a 4-0 run to win the game. In Game 2, it was East, jumping out to a 3-0 lead and never trailed in the game to sweep DSHA.
DSHA and Muskego were ranked higher than East in the preseason polls.
The Joust and the Lynn LaPorte Sprawl later this month in West Bend are considered the two elite high school girls volleyball tournaments in the state.
"I needed to see where we were and I was able to see where our strengths were and I was unable to see where our weakness are," Hasse said.
In the match against Menomonee Falls, East struggled against Penn State-bound Simone Lee. The hitter had little trouble finding the spaces in East's defense, finishing with 13 kills.
"We got into a situation that we kind of forgot how to play like we had the whole weekend," Hasse said.
Against Falls, Natalie Geidel led the Suns in kills with seven. Sophomore Lexie Uselding had six. Delaney McCreary led the Suns in assists with 19, while Baylee Gross had a team-high nine digs.
Geidel led the Suns in the weekend with 35 kills, an average of 5.8 per match (six matches). She also had 11 blocks.
Hasse was pleased with all of her players' contributions throughout the weekend. McCreary had 135 assists (22.5 per match) and Gross had 56 digs (9.3 per match). Uselding had 43 kills for the tournament and Kiefert had 30.
The Suns have a Wisconsin Little Ten Conference triple dual Thursday against West Bend West, Wisconsin Lutheran and Beaver Dam at Beaver Dam.
"We look at this as our baseline," Hasse said.
"It's a good baseline," she added. "You look at Menomonee Falls, Neenah and East Troy, all very good teams, and to be able to stick with them and beat a couple very good teams to get into there is a great confidence booster for these kids."
By NICHOLAS DETTMANN
Daily News Sports Editor
MEQUON — If this is West Bend East's baseline, the 2013 season may be special.
With all sorts of expectations on the Suns this volleyball season, they met those expectations in their first action of the season Friday and Saturday in The Joust at Homestead High School.
The Suns reached the Final Four of the tournament, losing to Menomonee Falls in two games in the best-of-three games tournament format.
East Troy defeated Menomonee Falls to claim the championship after the Trojans beat Neenah in the semifinal round.
"I'm so pleased with the way we played," East coach Colleen Hasse said. "We've got some goals set for the season about what we want to accomplish and I thought the girls did a good job coming in and playing some very even-level volleyball for the whole weekend."
Kettle Moraine Lutheran won the White Bracket for 17th place, while Germantown reached the Bronze Bracket championship match for ninth place. No result was available.
“I thought we did OK for the youth on our team,” KML coach Rachel Kuehl said. “We tried a lot of different personnel and offenses.”
East Troy is a favorite to win the Division 2 state championship as the Trojans return five players who were All-State last season, while Menomonee Falls and Neenah were state qualifiers. East lost to Neenah in last year's sectional final.
No third-place match was played. If there was, it would've pitted Neenah against East. Both are scheduled to compete in The Sprawl (Sept. 27-28) and the Neenah Invitational (Oct. 5). They're also in the same sectional at the end of October.
"I think playing Neenah right now would be too early," Hasse said. "I think (Neenah's) not ready and I don't think I'm ready either."
To get to the semifinal, the Suns went 3-0 in pool play, defeating Muskego, Brookfield Central and Kimberly. On Saturday, East defeated Germantown and DSHA, the Division 1 state runner-up last season, to advance to the gold bracket, assuring them no worse than a top-four finish.
"They came in ready to play good volleyball," Hasse said.
Against DSHA, the Dashers led Game 1 22-21. A kill by Megan Kiefert started a 4-0 run to win the game. In Game 2, it was East, jumping out to a 3-0 lead and never trailed in the game to sweep DSHA.
DSHA and Muskego were ranked higher than East in the preseason polls.
The Joust and the Lynn LaPorte Sprawl later this month in West Bend are considered the two elite high school girls volleyball tournaments in the state.
"I needed to see where we were and I was able to see where our strengths were and I was unable to see where our weakness are," Hasse said.
In the match against Menomonee Falls, East struggled against Penn State-bound Simone Lee. The hitter had little trouble finding the spaces in East's defense, finishing with 13 kills.
"We got into a situation that we kind of forgot how to play like we had the whole weekend," Hasse said.
Against Falls, Natalie Geidel led the Suns in kills with seven. Sophomore Lexie Uselding had six. Delaney McCreary led the Suns in assists with 19, while Baylee Gross had a team-high nine digs.
Geidel led the Suns in the weekend with 35 kills, an average of 5.8 per match (six matches). She also had 11 blocks.
Hasse was pleased with all of her players' contributions throughout the weekend. McCreary had 135 assists (22.5 per match) and Gross had 56 digs (9.3 per match). Uselding had 43 kills for the tournament and Kiefert had 30.
The Suns have a Wisconsin Little Ten Conference triple dual Thursday against West Bend West, Wisconsin Lutheran and Beaver Dam at Beaver Dam.
"We look at this as our baseline," Hasse said.
"It's a good baseline," she added. "You look at Menomonee Falls, Neenah and East Troy, all very good teams, and to be able to stick with them and beat a couple very good teams to get into there is a great confidence booster for these kids."
Emotions heat up at Slinger
West Bend Daily News: Sept. 3, 2013
By NICHOLAS DETTMANN
Daily News Sports Editor
SLINGER — Who likes fireworks?
An almost capacity crowd at Slinger Superspeedway on Sunday night got to watch a spectacular Labor Day fireworks extravaganza light up the sky. Moments earlier, though, fans were treated to fireworks in the form of angry race car drivers, thus leaving fans with something to talk about.
Dennis Prunty won the 100-lap super late model feature, the final super late model race of the 2013 season, making an aggressive pass on the inside of Austin Luedtke heading into Turn 3 on the final lap of the race. The move stirred the pot.
As Prunty pulled his car into victory, Luedtke, the 2010 super late model Rookie of the Year at Slinger, charged down the banking in Turn 2, the entrance to pit road, toward Prunty. Luedtke stood nose-to-nose with Prunty in victory lane as the majority of the crowd voiced its displeasure and cheered Luedtke.
"I don't got nothing to say," an angered Luedtke said in an interview over the public address system. "We had that one in the bag."
Luedtke, a Kewaskum High School graduate, was close to winning his first career late model feature at Slinger.
"I thought I had it," he said. "My spotter said Prunty was on the outside of me on my right-rear bumper and I thought (Steve) Apel was close enough behind me that he wasn't going to be able to do a crossover. I didn't think about it.
"I guess it's one of those things I've got to play through my mind of what's all possible at the end of a race."
Luedtke called the move dirty.
"I passed Dennis clean on the outside," he added. "He thinks I chopped him going in (to the turn). If I did it bad, then I don't know what a good outside pass is. The move was dirty.
"We'll just move on to the next race and if we get the opportunity, we know how to repay it back. ... I've got a pretty good memory and I told him the rivalry is back on."
Fans may not have to wait long to see what happens next as both are expected to compete in the TUNDRA Super Late Model Series race Sunday at Slinger.
Prunty said he was about ready to watch Luedtke win his first race.
"I didn't have any chance of winning," Prunty said. "I was going to finish second.
"Coming to that last corner, he stayed real high and I didn't know what he was doing so he opened the door and I drove right down in there. ... I think he did an awesome job. I was real proud of him. But he left the door open. I come to win."
Prunty added he was glad Luedtke came down to victory lane.
"We'll be fine," Prunty said. "He says we're going to have some hard racing in the future, but we'll be fine."
Since winning the Rookie of the Year title, Luedtke has made just two super late model feature starts at Slinger, competing in various touring series around the Midwest. His best career finish at Slinger in a super late model before Sunday was fourth twice, including in his last feature start at Slinger, which was July 31, 2011. He finished third.
"I couldn't have asked for a better race," Luedtke said. "The guys gave me a great car right out of the trailer. We made a couple adjustments, that was it the entire day."
It was a battle between the leaders all night, as the top five cars were within one second of each other for most of the second half of the race. In addition, drivers used every inch of the track to gain an advantage, even tapping other cars to create space.
Luedtke appeared to have the race as he neared Turn 3. Prunty wasn't finished.
He made a sharp move to the left on the back straight and nudged his way past Luedtke, who slid up the banking as they exited Turn 4. Prunty held on and won.
"Hey, he opened the door and I'm coming in," he said in victory lane. "I saw that he stayed high and I'm like, 'Cool. I'll drive it in hard.' I think we bounced tires, but it was all good."
The boos continued throughout Prunty's interview over the public address system.
"I called Chuck Norris this morning and he said do not take second and we'll take care of the consequences," Prunty said.
This wasn't the first run in between Prunty and Luedtke.
In 2010, Luedtke had a couple rough patches on the track with Prunty. Later, they talked it over and Prunty left a message for Luedtke to remember.
"He said I needed to learn how to run on the outside," Luedtke said. "That's what I did and that's what I did to pass him."
They have raced each other a number of times since as they both compete in the ARCA Midwest Tour and have competed in other specials around the Midwest. Both said they've had no troubles in those events.
"I thought me and Dennis were over our differences and we were going to have a cordial relationship," Luedtke said. "Let's just say the feud's started again and we'll see who comes out on top next time."
Prunty said, "He was giving me enough room. I arched it real nice, I got right down in there before he was able to come down. I filled the hole real quick."
By NICHOLAS DETTMANN
Daily News Sports Editor
SLINGER — Who likes fireworks?
An almost capacity crowd at Slinger Superspeedway on Sunday night got to watch a spectacular Labor Day fireworks extravaganza light up the sky. Moments earlier, though, fans were treated to fireworks in the form of angry race car drivers, thus leaving fans with something to talk about.
Dennis Prunty won the 100-lap super late model feature, the final super late model race of the 2013 season, making an aggressive pass on the inside of Austin Luedtke heading into Turn 3 on the final lap of the race. The move stirred the pot.
As Prunty pulled his car into victory, Luedtke, the 2010 super late model Rookie of the Year at Slinger, charged down the banking in Turn 2, the entrance to pit road, toward Prunty. Luedtke stood nose-to-nose with Prunty in victory lane as the majority of the crowd voiced its displeasure and cheered Luedtke.
"I don't got nothing to say," an angered Luedtke said in an interview over the public address system. "We had that one in the bag."
Luedtke, a Kewaskum High School graduate, was close to winning his first career late model feature at Slinger.
"I thought I had it," he said. "My spotter said Prunty was on the outside of me on my right-rear bumper and I thought (Steve) Apel was close enough behind me that he wasn't going to be able to do a crossover. I didn't think about it.
"I guess it's one of those things I've got to play through my mind of what's all possible at the end of a race."
Luedtke called the move dirty.
"I passed Dennis clean on the outside," he added. "He thinks I chopped him going in (to the turn). If I did it bad, then I don't know what a good outside pass is. The move was dirty.
"We'll just move on to the next race and if we get the opportunity, we know how to repay it back. ... I've got a pretty good memory and I told him the rivalry is back on."
Fans may not have to wait long to see what happens next as both are expected to compete in the TUNDRA Super Late Model Series race Sunday at Slinger.
Prunty said he was about ready to watch Luedtke win his first race.
"I didn't have any chance of winning," Prunty said. "I was going to finish second.
"Coming to that last corner, he stayed real high and I didn't know what he was doing so he opened the door and I drove right down in there. ... I think he did an awesome job. I was real proud of him. But he left the door open. I come to win."
Prunty added he was glad Luedtke came down to victory lane.
"We'll be fine," Prunty said. "He says we're going to have some hard racing in the future, but we'll be fine."
Since winning the Rookie of the Year title, Luedtke has made just two super late model feature starts at Slinger, competing in various touring series around the Midwest. His best career finish at Slinger in a super late model before Sunday was fourth twice, including in his last feature start at Slinger, which was July 31, 2011. He finished third.
"I couldn't have asked for a better race," Luedtke said. "The guys gave me a great car right out of the trailer. We made a couple adjustments, that was it the entire day."
It was a battle between the leaders all night, as the top five cars were within one second of each other for most of the second half of the race. In addition, drivers used every inch of the track to gain an advantage, even tapping other cars to create space.
Luedtke appeared to have the race as he neared Turn 3. Prunty wasn't finished.
He made a sharp move to the left on the back straight and nudged his way past Luedtke, who slid up the banking as they exited Turn 4. Prunty held on and won.
"Hey, he opened the door and I'm coming in," he said in victory lane. "I saw that he stayed high and I'm like, 'Cool. I'll drive it in hard.' I think we bounced tires, but it was all good."
The boos continued throughout Prunty's interview over the public address system.
"I called Chuck Norris this morning and he said do not take second and we'll take care of the consequences," Prunty said.
This wasn't the first run in between Prunty and Luedtke.
In 2010, Luedtke had a couple rough patches on the track with Prunty. Later, they talked it over and Prunty left a message for Luedtke to remember.
"He said I needed to learn how to run on the outside," Luedtke said. "That's what I did and that's what I did to pass him."
They have raced each other a number of times since as they both compete in the ARCA Midwest Tour and have competed in other specials around the Midwest. Both said they've had no troubles in those events.
"I thought me and Dennis were over our differences and we were going to have a cordial relationship," Luedtke said. "Let's just say the feud's started again and we'll see who comes out on top next time."
Prunty said, "He was giving me enough room. I arched it real nice, I got right down in there before he was able to come down. I filled the hole real quick."
Apel wins super late model title
West Bend Daily News: Sept. 3, 2013
By NICHOLAS DETTMANN
Daily News Sports Editor
SLINGER — Steve Apel will argue that he doesn't belong in the same category as Alan Kulwicki, Rich Bickle Jr., Tony Strupp and Joe Shear.
However, a history board near the start-finish line of the famed quarter-mile oval at Slinger Superspeedway will say differently.
Apel, a 25-year-old West Bend driver, finished second in Sunday's 100-lap super late model feature and secured his first career track championship in the super late model division. This after back-to-back runner-up finishes in the division the last two seasons, and the limited late model runner-up in 2008.
"It's absolutely amazing," said Apel.
He is the 16th driver to win a super late model championship, the third straight first-time champion and the fourth straight different champion. Slinger hasn't had a different champion in four consecutive years since 1981-84, when John Ziegler, Willie Goeden, Bickle and Schill won the championship.
The track has never had five different champions in a row, dating back to the start of the super late model division in 1974.
"When I first started racing, I was racing four cylinders," Apel said. "I never thought I could ever afford to run this."
There were too many people he needed to thank. He said one big thank you for everyone who helped him along the way.
Other drivers Apel joins as super late model champions at Slinger include Robbie Reiser, Conrad Morgan, Al Schill and Lowell Bennett, some of the greatest drivers to ever compete on Wisconsin's short tracks.
Rob Braun, Apel's only competition for the championship, fell out of the picture early. On lap seven, a brake bias adjuster broke and got stuck behind the throttle. Braun had to come into the pits. When he returned, he was 33 laps behind the leaders. Braun went on to finish 19th.
"I had a great season," said Braun, who won three features this season.
For most of the season, Apel didn't give thought to winning a championship. He missed the season opener. Each week until the Slinger Nationals, Apel repeatedly said he wasn't going to race for a championship. In the weeks leading up to the Nationals in July, Apel won four of five races. That was when he had the first thought of winning a championship.
"There was no pressure all year long," Apel said about the first half of the season. "We weren't running for points, just try to win (races)."
Going into Sunday's finale, Apel led Braun by 37 points, needing to finish sixth or better to clinch the championship. Apel was the division's fast qualifier, while Braun was fourth-quickest, extending the lead to 45 points going into the feature.
It was Braun who convinced Apel to go after a championship.
"I've really got to thank Rob Braun," Apel said. "He told me before the opener, 'Dude. Run every week, go win the championship.'"
Apel replied by telling Braun that it wasn't something he wanted to do. Braun is Apel's boss at Ellison Technologies.
"He was giving me (expletive) at work for a while," Apel said.
After the opener, Apel said Braun told him a championship was still possible. Apel didn't believe him. He didn't want to believe him.
Then on the heels of a championship Sunday morning, Apel was ready to accept the possibility of being a champion.
"I woke up and I said, 'I'm sick and tired of finishing second,'" Apel said. "To be able to finally do it is a dream come true."
It was an up-and-down year for Apel as he had a couple of controversial moments this season. He was disqualified after winning the Nationals for failing post-race inspection. Then, just two weeks ago, he was strip-searched for a suspected and illegal traction control device.
"It was something that was out of my control," he said. "This team did an awesome job with how they handled it.
"They could've tucked their tails between their legs and run away. They came face-to-face with the facts and manned up."
Apel and his crew believed they had to come back to prove a point. They didn't want people to believe they were cheaters, claiming silence would've been a sign of guilt in the eyes of their competitors.
"The team held together and did an awesome job," Apel said.
Braun had no hard feelings about losing the championship.
"I felt like he maybe was not thinking about racing and giving up," Braun said. "I thought he was too good for that."
The championship is also part of a big year for Apel off the track. He recently bought his first home and will get married next month.
"There's not anything more that can happen," Apel said.
RESULTS
Feature winners
Super late model: Dennis Prunty
Limited late model: Jeff Holtz
Area sportsman: Brad Hetzel
Slinger Bees: Grant Griesbach
Figure 8: Willy Van Camp
Fast qualifiers
Note: Due to weather, qualifying for area sportsman and Slinger Bees wasn't held.
Super late model: Steve Apel (11.465 seconds)
Limited late model: Braison Bennett (12.489)
Points standings
Super late model (FINAL): 1. Steve Apel 1,385; 2. Rob Braun -89; 3. Lowell Bennett -184; 4. Conrad Morgan -239; 5. Dennis Prunty -283.
Limited late model: 1. Ryan DeStefano 1,507; 2. Alex Prunty -32; 3. Mike Lichtfeld -46; 4. Braison Bennett -142; 5. Danny Church -290.
Area sportsman: 1. Kyle Chwala 1,735; 2. Kody Hubred -174; 3. Joe Shelby -547; 4. Nick Egan -585; 5. John Daley -728.
Slinger Bees: 1. Nick Schmidt 1,615; 2. Brandon Tackes -147; 3. Grant Griesbach -368; 4. Marty Tackes -456; 5. Steve Dickson -466.
Figure 8: 1. Willy Van Camp 1,725; 2. Scott Goetzke -5; 3. Joe Mueller -95; 4. Ron Schmitt -150; 5. Shane Becker -160.
By NICHOLAS DETTMANN
Daily News Sports Editor
SLINGER — Steve Apel will argue that he doesn't belong in the same category as Alan Kulwicki, Rich Bickle Jr., Tony Strupp and Joe Shear.
However, a history board near the start-finish line of the famed quarter-mile oval at Slinger Superspeedway will say differently.
Apel, a 25-year-old West Bend driver, finished second in Sunday's 100-lap super late model feature and secured his first career track championship in the super late model division. This after back-to-back runner-up finishes in the division the last two seasons, and the limited late model runner-up in 2008.
"It's absolutely amazing," said Apel.
He is the 16th driver to win a super late model championship, the third straight first-time champion and the fourth straight different champion. Slinger hasn't had a different champion in four consecutive years since 1981-84, when John Ziegler, Willie Goeden, Bickle and Schill won the championship.
The track has never had five different champions in a row, dating back to the start of the super late model division in 1974.
"When I first started racing, I was racing four cylinders," Apel said. "I never thought I could ever afford to run this."
There were too many people he needed to thank. He said one big thank you for everyone who helped him along the way.
Other drivers Apel joins as super late model champions at Slinger include Robbie Reiser, Conrad Morgan, Al Schill and Lowell Bennett, some of the greatest drivers to ever compete on Wisconsin's short tracks.
Rob Braun, Apel's only competition for the championship, fell out of the picture early. On lap seven, a brake bias adjuster broke and got stuck behind the throttle. Braun had to come into the pits. When he returned, he was 33 laps behind the leaders. Braun went on to finish 19th.
"I had a great season," said Braun, who won three features this season.
For most of the season, Apel didn't give thought to winning a championship. He missed the season opener. Each week until the Slinger Nationals, Apel repeatedly said he wasn't going to race for a championship. In the weeks leading up to the Nationals in July, Apel won four of five races. That was when he had the first thought of winning a championship.
"There was no pressure all year long," Apel said about the first half of the season. "We weren't running for points, just try to win (races)."
Going into Sunday's finale, Apel led Braun by 37 points, needing to finish sixth or better to clinch the championship. Apel was the division's fast qualifier, while Braun was fourth-quickest, extending the lead to 45 points going into the feature.
It was Braun who convinced Apel to go after a championship.
"I've really got to thank Rob Braun," Apel said. "He told me before the opener, 'Dude. Run every week, go win the championship.'"
Apel replied by telling Braun that it wasn't something he wanted to do. Braun is Apel's boss at Ellison Technologies.
"He was giving me (expletive) at work for a while," Apel said.
After the opener, Apel said Braun told him a championship was still possible. Apel didn't believe him. He didn't want to believe him.
Then on the heels of a championship Sunday morning, Apel was ready to accept the possibility of being a champion.
"I woke up and I said, 'I'm sick and tired of finishing second,'" Apel said. "To be able to finally do it is a dream come true."
It was an up-and-down year for Apel as he had a couple of controversial moments this season. He was disqualified after winning the Nationals for failing post-race inspection. Then, just two weeks ago, he was strip-searched for a suspected and illegal traction control device.
"It was something that was out of my control," he said. "This team did an awesome job with how they handled it.
"They could've tucked their tails between their legs and run away. They came face-to-face with the facts and manned up."
Apel and his crew believed they had to come back to prove a point. They didn't want people to believe they were cheaters, claiming silence would've been a sign of guilt in the eyes of their competitors.
"The team held together and did an awesome job," Apel said.
Braun had no hard feelings about losing the championship.
"I felt like he maybe was not thinking about racing and giving up," Braun said. "I thought he was too good for that."
The championship is also part of a big year for Apel off the track. He recently bought his first home and will get married next month.
"There's not anything more that can happen," Apel said.
RESULTS
Feature winners
Super late model: Dennis Prunty
Limited late model: Jeff Holtz
Area sportsman: Brad Hetzel
Slinger Bees: Grant Griesbach
Figure 8: Willy Van Camp
Fast qualifiers
Note: Due to weather, qualifying for area sportsman and Slinger Bees wasn't held.
Super late model: Steve Apel (11.465 seconds)
Limited late model: Braison Bennett (12.489)
Points standings
Super late model (FINAL): 1. Steve Apel 1,385; 2. Rob Braun -89; 3. Lowell Bennett -184; 4. Conrad Morgan -239; 5. Dennis Prunty -283.
Limited late model: 1. Ryan DeStefano 1,507; 2. Alex Prunty -32; 3. Mike Lichtfeld -46; 4. Braison Bennett -142; 5. Danny Church -290.
Area sportsman: 1. Kyle Chwala 1,735; 2. Kody Hubred -174; 3. Joe Shelby -547; 4. Nick Egan -585; 5. John Daley -728.
Slinger Bees: 1. Nick Schmidt 1,615; 2. Brandon Tackes -147; 3. Grant Griesbach -368; 4. Marty Tackes -456; 5. Steve Dickson -466.
Figure 8: 1. Willy Van Camp 1,725; 2. Scott Goetzke -5; 3. Joe Mueller -95; 4. Ron Schmitt -150; 5. Shane Becker -160.
Wednesday, September 4, 2013
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