Outlook Magazine - Fall 2021

ATHLETICS

SPRING : TWO NATIONAL CHAMPS, NO-HITTER Two men won national titles, leading the Blue Devils to an eighth-place tie at the NCAA Division III outdoor track and field meet in Greensboro, N.C. Top-ranked in Division III pole vault since spring 2020 but seeing three national meets canceled, Noah Zastrow lived up to his billing with a vault of 16 feet, 8.75 inches. He also received the WIAC Max Sparger Scholar-Athlete Award for men’s indoor track and field. In the shot put, Kevin Ruechel was the top seed but was in second place entering the final round of the national meet. He let loose with a throw of 59 feet, 9 inches, more than a foot ahead of the runner-up. Other All-Americans were Jacob Bugella, hammer throw; Hannah Zastrow, 100 hurdles; and Mackenzie Huber, shot put. The baseball team finished 23-19, most wins since 2007, and reached the WIAC semifinals. Leftie James Palmer pitched UW-Stout’s first-ever nine-inning no-hitter when he struck out nine in blanking UW-Platteville. He was national pitcher of the week. Honors: All-WIAC baseball, Palmer, Kasey Bass, Charlie Szykowny, plus all-region with Hunter Merrill; All-WIAC golf and newcomer of year, Alexa Filipiak; All-WIAC softball, Shannon Jones. CoSIDA Academic All-American, Noah Zastrow (first team), Bugella (second team), Lucas Carroll (third team), hockey-track.

SLOW START, FINISHING WITH A BANG

Pandemic delayed 2020-21 athletics season, but it wrapped up in style with two national champions

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n unusual stillness settled over the UW- Stout athletic complex during August and September of 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic wiped out the fall competitive season. By late September, however, varsity programs were allowed to hold workouts. Teams were divided into workout groups with social distancing, face masks and regular COVID-19 testing for athletes and staff. Winter sports were the first to compete, delayed until February with a limited schedule and no fans. Baseball and softball played full schedules with modified conference tournament schedules and attendance limits. With a normal 2021-22 academic year expected, teams are planning for complete seasons, including fans, with protocols to be determined.

Below, Kevin Ruechel (left) and Noah Zastrow (right)

WINTER : FOUR ALL-WIAC PICKS

Kevin Ruchel

The basketball and hockey teams opened Feb. 3, playing conference opponents only and the same opponent twice within a week. All three advanced to the first round of the conference tournaments.

The gymnastics team, starting in late February, posted a 3-1 dual record.

Honors: All-WIAC, hockey’s Raphael Gosselin and Zack Cloutier and gymnasts Shadae Boone and Kiara Bruening. WIAC women’s basketball newcomer award, first-year guard Anna Mutch; WIAC Judy Kruckman Scholar-Athlete Award, gymnast Maddie Mullenbach.

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