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Menomonie News Net
November 5, 2025, Issue 51
Local News Group
November 05, 2025
You’re reading Issue 51 of Menomonie News Net. If you missed previous Issues, you can always catch up HERE.
In this issue we’re excited to feature MHS senior Lauren McCalla who shattered the girls cross country record at state competition last weekend, along with her girls and boys teams placing 4th and 8th in the state. Proud Menomonie!
Also featured are Veterans Day events, ways to support our food pantry in these challenging times and the latest installment of MHS Grads featuring Sue Orfield.
If you enjoy MNN thanks for telling others…and encouraging them to subscribe and/or donate online or by mail: MNN, P.O. Box 63, Menomonie.
Thanks for helping us Inform, Connect, Engage…
Editorial Team: Layne Pitt, Becky Kneer, Marsha Biggs; MNN Contributors; Advisory Team Volunteers; Tech Support: Tracy Glenz
Website: menomonienewsnet.org Submit News: [email protected]
In this Issue…
Nov 11 Veterans Day Programs in Menomonie
By MNN Staff
Veterans Day Programs open to the public on Tuesday, November 11 are:
Menomonie Middle School - 10 am - Middle School Gymnasium. This annual program will include middle school band, choir and orchestra, student readers and guest speaker Staff Sergeant Daniel Sliter.
Menomonie Senior Center - 11 am - Senior Center (1412 6th St E). Presented by the Dunn County Veterans Service Office.
The Neighbors of Dunn County - 2:30 pm - Central Building Bistro (2901 Forbes Ave). Presented by Dunn County Veterans Service Office. Refreshments to follow. Event will also be live streamed on The Neighbors Facebook page.
Menomonie Singers Present Fall Concerts
Sunday, November 16, 2pm — Our Savior’s Lutheran, 910 9th St, Menomonie
Menomonie - The theme for the upcoming autumn concerts by The Menomonie Singers is "When Silence Breaks." Breaking silence refers to discussing subjects that have previously been unaddressed or left unspoken for extended periods.
Performances are November 15 at the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, 1120 Cedar Street, Eau Claire; and November 16 at Our Savior’s Lutheran, 910 9th Street East, Menomonie. Both concerts begin at 2 pm. There is no ticket fee but a suggested donation of $10 is greatly appreciated to defray expenses of the concerts.
Conductor Brian Klein suggests that engaging with works by lesser-known composers resembles exploring unfamiliar musical conversations. For example, few are acquainted with the French composer Lili Boulanger, who, at a young age was the first female winner of the prestigious music composition prize, the Prix de Rome. She remained relatively obscure compared to her renowned sister, Nadia, an influential composition teacher of several prominent figures in American music. Lili wrote music for voice, strings, piano, organ, and orchestra. The choir will perform her Hymn to the Sun which was composed in 1912. It is rich harmonically and demonstrates the shifting tonalities so prevalent at the time.
To continue the unique conversation, some of the other lesser-known composers on the program are three based in Minnesota – Jocelyn Hagen, Kyle Pederson, and Matthew Culloton.
Hagen composes primarily for voice: solo, chamber and choirs, but has also composed for chamber, wind, and orchestral ensembles. She has explored large-scale multi-media works, electro-acoustic music, dance, and opera. The piece on the choir’s program is On My Dreams which utilizes a poem by Yeats. It has a delicate and intricate accompaniment not often heard in choral music.
Kyle Pederson’s works have been commissioned and recorded by All State/Honors choirs, and youth, church, college, and professional choirs around the world. Kyle enjoys working at the intersection of the sacred and secular, and his lyrics and music invite the choir and audience to be agents of hope, grace, and compassion in the world. With Pederson’s piece, Hands Are Knockin’, the Menomonie choir is called upon to sing in Arabic, in a prayer exhorting all to open minds, hearts and reach out to others.
Matthew Culloton, conductor of The Singers in the Twin Cities, not only composes and conducts, he has also worked as a classical recording producer, and choirmaster. His tenor and baritone work featured on the program, Let the Music Rise, was commissioned by the Staples, Minnesota, Men’s Chorus with a poem by one of its singers, David Bengtson. The piece speaks to the power and comfort of choral music in dark times.
Other works in this musical conversation include works by Marques Garrett, May Erlewine, a sacred work by Felix Mendelssohn, a finale from the musical, Titanic, and an arrangement of the old Scottish tune, Loch Lomond.
The Menomonie Singers are a nonprofit music organization started in 1989. This adult community choir performs at various venues in Menomonie and western Wisconsin. Singers are a mix of many professions. The group frequently sings four-part, a cappella music.
The choir is looking for new members to expand the group to 40. Auditions will be held again in January with rehearsals beginning again shortly after auditions for concerts in the spring. Interested singers should contact Juliana Schmidt, Executive Director and founder, at [email protected].
Check out our website at www.themenomoniesingers.org or on Facebook.
Brian Klein, conductor
Looking Back: October
News items from Dunn County’s past compiled by the Dunn County Historical Society
Menomomie Middle School eighth grade student council members put a copper-clad time capsule into place prior to the official setting of the building’s cornerstone. From left to right, they are Emma Kolden, Heather Gagner, Tyler Hastings, Megan Hackbarth and Molly Lynch. Barbara Lyon/Dunn County News
MMS STUDENTS DEDICATE AND PLACE CORNERSTONE
Menomonie Middle School eighth grade student council members put a copper-clad time capsule into place prior to the official setting of the building’s cornerstone. From left to right, they are Emma Kolden, Heather Gagner, Tyler Hastings, Megan Hackbarth and Molly Lynch. Barbara Lyon/Dunn County News. November 26, 2000 Dunn County News
DRIVER TRAINING FOR TOWNSPEOPLE
A driver trainer-trainee course is being conducted this month at Stout Institute to teach students and townspeople the fundamentals of good driving and to provide driver training certificates to graduates of the college. Under the direction or R.F. Kranzusch, member of the Stout faculty, 10 driver trainers and 20 learners are enrolled in the course. The project is one of several driver education classes offered each year at Stout. November 1, 1950 Dunn County News
FEW HALLOWE'EN PRANKS
Overturning horse blocks, ringing church bells and tallow writing on Main Street and Broadway windows were the limit of boyish pranks Wednesday night. Marshal Tilleson reports little damage done. The business men will experience some little trouble in wiping the decorations from their windows. About two o’clock Thursday morning boys rang the Congregational Church bell, but the prompt response of police put a quick stop to this prank. Many a house-wife swept corn from the porch the morning after. November 2, 1906 Dunn County News
LOCAL COMPOSER MAKES A HIT
A.L. Curtis, talented musician of this city, has scored a hit in the music composing world. His production is a vocal selection, words and music his own. "Watching at the Window for Me” is the title of this delightful ballad, with a charm to both words and music. The piece is having a great run in Chicago. Mr. Curtis has received much encouragement from the music publishers, who praise his effort highly. He has another selection that will be issued soon. S.H. Metcalf of the Cable Company will have Mr. Curtis' selection for sale at 25 cents a copy. November 8, 1906 Dunn County News
COUNTERFEITER RECAPTURED
The west-hound passenger train was stopped, Thursday night, near Wilson, by a large rock that had fallen on the track. During the delay a convicted counterfeiter, whom United States Marshal Sheehan was taking to Stillwater, made his escape. Information was at once sent to the surrounding towns, including the authorities of Menomonie. Wednesday morning ex-Sheriff Geo. Thum, who had been notified, observed a man studying the signboard at the cross-roads near his house, and from a description given him concluded he was the man wanted. On the plea of giving him work Mr. Thum induced the man to come into the house, when be covered him with a gun and told him to throw up his bands. The prisoner was brought to Menomonie and again taken in charge this morning by the United States marshal. November 4, 1898 Dunn County News
WITH BUOYANT HOPE
They say it is a dead certainty that at least two Menomonie young men will, on Thanksgiving Day, launch their boats amidst plaudits of assembled crowds, and with sparkling eye, flushed cheek and buoyant hope, boldly strike out into a sea upon which neither has yet navigated before — that is, they get married. November 18, 1898 Dunn County News
DANGER ON OUR STREETS
The dangerous use of fire-arms in inexperienced hands, was rather forcibly illustrated on our streets last Wednesday. Messr. S.C. Putnam and Jurgen Young were passing along the sidewalk near The News office, when they passed a couple of youngsters eight or ten years old playing with a gun. As Putnam and Young passed them the boys fired the piece, the charge going between the two gentlemen and within six inches of either. To prevent further risks, the gun was taken from the boys and they were allowed to go their way. Of course the boys were innocent of any criminal intent, and the got the guns without their parents knowledge but it will serve as a lesson they will not soon forget. November 14, 1874 Dunn County News
MERCURY MOVEMENT
Jack Frost and several other polar “bears” came down last Wednesday, and too a hand in the weather market at the opening of the early Morning Board. The excitement was mainly in quicksilver, which the “bears” succeeded in forcing down to 21 degrees below zero. When Old Sol appeared on ‘Change in the morning he went for J.F. and his cubs, who had come down under cover of night, to meddle with his favorite stocks, and before the afternoon Board closed he had “bulled” the mercury up to 15 above zero. The market is now quiet and comfortable, and the world jogs on as usual. November 30, 1872 Dunn County News
Do you like “old news?” Follow the Dunn County Historical Society on Facebook at www.facebook.com/dunnhistory for a daily dose.
UW-Stout Performing Arts Presents “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) [Revised] {Again}”
One of the world’s most frequently produced plays which has been translated into several dozen languages. Featured are all 37 of Shakespeare’s plays, meant to be performed in 97 minutes, this play is fast paced, witty, and physical, it’s full of laughter for Shakespeare lovers and haters alike.
Thursday, Nov 6 at 7:30 pm (house lights dimmed, lower sound levels)
Friday, Nov 7 at 7:30 pm
Saturday, Nov 8 at 7:30 pm
Sunday, Nov 9 at 2:00 pm
LOCATION Harvey Hall Theater, 721 3rd St E
COST $15 adults, $10 students/seniors, FREE for UW-Stout students and active/retired military (Must show ID at the door).
TICKETS click HERE or at the door.
Source: Facebook pages
MHS Grads: Where are They Now?
Sue Orfield - Class of 1986
By Judy Foust This week’s interview is with well-known area musician Sue Orfield. It was one of the most laughter-filled interviews I’ve done. We “clicked” right away. Her joy in life is contagious! If you follow the local music scene, you already know something about Sue. But there is so much more to this talented Menomonie High School graduate. Born in Menomonie, Sue lived most of her growing-up years at the family’s rural home on Highway P. The Orfields always had an array of cats, Samoyed dogs, chickens, rabbits, and turkeys. Sue’s love of the outdoors, as well as her special love for cats and dogs, are attributed to her “country” beginnings. (And more than once during our interview, she repeated that she absolutely loves Menomonie)! Currently residing in Eau Claire, Sue remains close to her dad who lives in Altoona, and to her brother Eric and family, who live in Green Bay. (Sue lost her mom two years ago). Music became Sue’s primary interest and passion at River Heights Elementary. She called herself a “music nerd.” Starting in first grade, she took piano lessons with Anita Pershern until graduating high school. In fifth grade she started playing saxophone with the school band. Sue became grounded in music through Ken Cance, her junior high band teacher. And when she reached high school, Jim Borgaro helped expand her love of music into the jazz genre. In addition, Sue got a chance to play in the pit orchestra at the Mabel Tainter and for two years was accompanist for the Our Savior’s Lutheran Church choir.  High school photo While Sue was especially drawn to musical endeavors, she also loved athletics—basketball, cross country, and track. However, she became so involved in Menomonie’s music programs and opportunities that by her senior year she was only participating in cross country. After graduation, Sue checked out a variety of colleges and universities, planning to major in mathematics. When asked why she wasn’t looking for a music school, she explained that she never thought of music as being a career — rather it was just something she loved. Sue decided on Lawrence University in Appleton—a small private college with both mathematics and music programs. Within the first weeks of school, she realized that her heart was truly in music. But feeling a need to also have a practical background, she ended up graduating from Lawrence with both a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music plus a degree in Math. Sue never worked in math, but began finding her way into the music arena locally and beyond. She landed in Seattle from 1990 – 2004, immersing herself in the exciting music environment of that city. It was a time of exploration, making connections, and mastering various musical styles. Sue returned to Menomonie in 2004. One night, while attending a jam session at the Stones Throw in Eau Claire, she met her future husband, Randy Sinz. He invited her to sit in with the other performers (and the rest is history). At that time Sue also played with a group that had a regular gig at The Den in Menomonie. Sue’s musical career was taking flight! Sue estimates that she has performed with 20-30 bands in the last twenty years. She performs solo gigs as well as with various groups throughout the area and the region. She loves all genres of music including country and bluegrass. While most people probably think of her as a saxophonist, she is a gifted pianist as well. Sue gives piano, sax, and improvisation lessons 10-12 hours each week. Her students range from fifth graders to 73 year olds! It surprised me when she said that she absolutely loves teaching! | (Perhaps she comes by it through her parents—Mary and Bernie—who were both educators.) In addition to her sax and piano skills, Sue also enjoys “fiddling” around on the clarinet, flute, guitar, and bass. She truly has a musical “gift.”  Sue with husband Randy Sue also composes music in various genres. She added that she has a “slew of albums” in many different styles that she would love to record. Music has taken her to many places in the U.S. and Europe as well as once each to Thailand and Hong Kong. “Over the years, I have made wonderful friends in Austria, Germany, and Italy while touring with The Tipton Sax Quartet & Drums.” When asked about some of her especially thrilling experiences, she replied, “My first trip to Europe was in 1998 (I think), and I had such culture shock — but I loved it!” “One fun memory is of a moment during a sold-out concert in France. My horn broke in the middle of a song, and—since we were a saxophone quartet—I was able to grab my bandmate’s sax to finish that song. By the time we were done, a lovely French man had brought his brand-new tenor sax (which he just happened to have with him!?!) up to the stage and let me play that horn for the rest of the concert. It was a sweet and lovely coincidence, and the audience loved it!” While much of her life is taken up with music, Sue also enjoys “little” vacations with Randy, taking walks, and doing New York Times daily puzzles. My final question to Sue was, “Do you have any unfulfilled dreams?” Two things were mentioned — to see the pyramids in Egypt and to travel to Ireland. Sue Orfield is a woman who makes things happen. I unreservedly believe she’ll make both of those wishes come true!  Judy Foust is a retired longtime 7th Grade Reading Specialist at Menomonie Middle School. To submit info to her or to request an interview she may be contacted at [email protected] A Note/Request from Judy: Friends, as we enter the month of Thanksgiving, thank you for the feedback that you enjoy this column. I love connecting or reconnecting with many from Menomonie through these interviews. However, there are times when I scramble to find someone to interview. It’s stressful since I hate to let you down with either fillers or no column at all. (For example, right now I have no one on the docket for next week. Sigh….) So here’s my request:
Again, I truly appreciate your enthusiasm for this weekly column and hope to continue for months (and years?) to come! -Judy |
Food Drives Through Nov 14 to Benefit Stepping Stones
Ways to assist with current high demand at food pantry
Drop off locations: Compass IL, (formerly Center for Independent Living), The Great Escape & Maurices.
Drop off locations are at Dunn County departments listed above.
To send monetary donations to Stepping Stones, click HERE.
Source: Facebook pages
Voter Registration Training Offered via Zoom Nov 11
MENOMONIE - A voter registration training will be offered Tues, Nov 11, from 6-8 pm via Zoom by the League of Women Voters-Greater Chippewa Valley (LWV-GCV).
This free training is open to the public.
The information is geared for people who want to learn about voting in Wisconsin, so they may help guide others through the voter registration process. Presenters will role-play common voter registration scenarios, provide handouts, and answer questions.
The goal of the training is for participants to feel comfortably knowledgeable in helping others register to vote and to know how to access expert resources.
Topics include:
registration methods (by mail, in person, or on-line through MyVote.wi.gov)
registration deadlines
eligibility requirements
required documents
In addition, participants will learn how to direct voters to the following practical information on MyVote.wi.gov:
their municipal clerk or their polling place
the next election dates
what’s on the ballot
their voting activity history
how to request an absentee ballot
Recent changes to the Wisconsin voting process will be covered, as needed.
How to Register for this event (required):
Go to the LWV-GCV website
Click on the “Calendar” tab on top of the page
Go to Tues, Nov 11 in the calendar and click on the event title
Scroll down and click on Register
A confirmation and Zoom link will be sent after you register.
LWV-GCV is a local chapter of the League of Women Voters - a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization founded in 1920 that provides voter information and encourages voter registration.
For more information or assistance in registering for the training, contact Lori Miller, LWV-GCV member, at [email protected]
Dunn County Public Hearing on Proposed 2026 Budget Set for Nov 12
Staff photo
By MNN Staff
The public hearing on the Dunn County proposed budget for the year 2026 will be held Wednesday, November 12, 2025, at 7:00 pm in the Dunn County Government Center, Rm 54.
A copy of the proposed budget is available for public inspection at the Dunn County Manager’s Office, 3001 US Hwy 12 East, Suite 225, Menomonie, or on the Dunn County website: https://www.co.dunn.wi.us/financial-reports.
Source: Public Notice
Public Meetings: Week of Nov 5-12
City of Menomonie
Wed Nov 5 Joint Town/City Meeting, 4pm, City Hall
Mon Nov 10 Recreation Advisory Board, 7pm
Click HERE for full calendar, etc.
School District of Menomonie
Mon Nov 10 School Board Meeting, 5:45pm, ASC
Click HERE for full calendar, additional details
Dunn County
Wed Nov 5 Land Information Council/Legislative/Executive Committees, 3pm
Wed Nov 12 Transit Committee, 8am; Highway Committee, 8:15am, Highway Dept; Proposed Budget Hearing & Board of Supervisors Meeting, 7pm
Click HERE for calendar, documents, recordings & public commenting
Menomonie Events at a Glance Nov 5-12
Photo: Debra Bell
Wed Nov 5 Red Cross Blood Drive, 11am-5pm, New Hope Lutheran Church, Downsville; NARCAN Training, Kaleidoscope Ctr, 6:30pm
Thur Nov 6 FREE Scam & Fraud Awareness Program, 2-5pm, Dunn Co Govt Ctr, Rm 54; Complete Works of Wm Shakespeare, 7:30pm, Harvey Hall Theater;
Fri Nov 7 Pheasants Forever Fundraiser, 5-9pm, The Yard; Complete Works of Wm Shakespeare, 7:30pm, Harvey Hall Theater
Sat Nov 8 Applebee’s Fundraiser for MHS Hockey, 8-10am; 4-H Project Discovery Day, 9:15am, Govt Ctr; NARCAN Training, 10:30am, Public Library; Complete Works of Wm Shakespeare, 7:30pm, Harvey Hall Theater
Sun Nov 9 Complete Works of Wm Shakespeare, 2 pm, Harvey Hall Theater
Mon Nov 10 Menomonie Fall Waste Pickup
Tue Nov 11 Veterans Day Programs: Menomonie Middle School, 10am; Menomonie Senior Center, 11am; Neighbors of Dunn County, 2:30pm, Bistro, Central Bldg; LWV Voter Registration Training, 6-8pm, via zoom
Wed Nov 12 Proposed 2026 County Budget Hearing, 7pm, Govt Ctr, Rm 54
MHS Extracurricular Activities
Compiled from MHS Daily Announcements
Fri Oct 31
Girls Diving Team is hosting the BRC diving tournament. Diving starts at 5:00 pm.
Tomorrow’s Events: Girls Swim Team is hosting the BRC swim tournament. Events start at noon.
The Boys and Girls Cross Country Teams are competing at the state meet tomorrow in Wisconsin Rapids at the Ridges Golf Course. Boys are running at 1:10 and girls are running at 3:05.
Menomonie Running Fans! Join us Saturday morning Nov 1 at 8:45 in the Dairy State Bank parking lot (12/29 east across from the hospital) to send off both the Boys and Girls Cross Country Teams for the State Championships in Wisconsin Rapids! Bring your signs and your wavin’ arms! Roll Mustangs! Good Luck Teams!
Mon Nov 3
Congratulations to the Boys Cross Country Team on an excellent season, which concluded on Saturday at the State Championship meet where they placed 8th as a team, led by senior Luke Ray who finished in 37th place. They will all be recognized as Academic All-State with a team GPA of 3.98, and all seven runners easily meeting the cutoff for individual honors as well. Outstanding season boys!
Congratulations to the Girls cross Country Team for their outstanding performances at the WIAA Division I State Cross Country meet on Saturday. Lauren McCalla was the individual state champion, winning the race by 15 seconds and establishing a new state meet record with a 5k time of 17:26. Lauren was named Wisconsin Cross Country Coaches Association runner of the year and earned all-state 1st team honors. Bennett Schmitt was 23rd overall and was named all-state 2nd team. The team of Lauren, Bennett, Bella Drake, Addison Schuler, Bree Barfknecht, Kyah Barnhart and Sara Palmer finished 4th overall, the best team finish for a MHS girls squad ever. Congratulations girls!
Tues Nov 4
On Saturday, the Girls Swim and Dive Team had their Big Rivers Conference Meet at home. Some notable personal records include: Eilyn Black in the 200 freestyle, Ellie Moulder in the 200 IM, Elsa Bowman in the 100 butterfly, and Addison McKown in the 100 freestyle. Great job swimmers and divers!
Lauren McCalla Wins State Cross Country Title
Menomonie Girls Finish Fourth as Team, Boys Place Eighth
Menomonie's Lauren McCalla won the WIAA Girls Cross Country Division 1 individual championship Saturday, Nov. 1, in Wisconsin Rapids by 15 seconds. Photo: Joel Anderson
By Layne Pitt, MNN Contributor
WISCONSIN RAPIDS - The top three finishers at the 2025 WIAA Girls Division 1 State Championship broke the meet record, but Menomonie’s Lauren McCalla shattered the record on her way to becoming Menomonie’s first-ever cross country champion, Saturday, Nov. 1 at Ridges Golf Course in Wisconsin Rapids.
McCalla paced the field throughout the entire event, finishing in a time 17-minutes, 26.4-seconds, 15 seconds ahead of two-time defending champion Ella Anschutz of Muskego, who clocked a time of 17:41.4. Whitefish Bay’s Karstin McCabe finished third (17:43.2) and also surpassed the previous meet record of 17:44.6 set by Kora Malecek of Onalaska in 2019. McCalla was named the Wisconsin Cross Country Coaches Association (WCCCA) runner of the year and earned first team all-state designation.
The Menomonie girls team was making their third consecutive trip to the state meet and their 12th overall. The Mustangs finished fourth, their best-ever finish, topping a 2021 fifth place finish. | Division 1 Girls Results
Bennett Schmitt, who earned all-state second team honors, placed 23rd in a time of 18:57.9, followed by Bella Drake 71st (19:43.3), Addison Schuler 90th (20:00.5), Bree Barfknecht 119th (20:27.1), Kyah Barnhart 139th (20:50.50) and Sara Palmer 146th (21:00.0).
McCalla’s victory capped a steady rise through the state ranks. She placed 10th in 2023 with a time of 18:56.1, then moved up to sixth in 2024 with a time of 18:36.9 before capturing the 2025 title.
In 2024, Barfknecht was 23rd (19:13.6), Drake 126th (20:55.4), Schmitt 91st (20:15.8), Schuler 98th (20:21.4), Barnhart 147th (21:16.0) and Palmer 139th (21:12.5).
Neenah won the girls race, followed by Slinger and Bloomer. The Mustangs’ fourth-place finish continues an upward trend for the program. Menomonie placed 10th as a team in 2023, improved to seventh in 2024, and climbed again in 2025 to secure the highest team finish in school history.
Menomonie's Lauren McCalla won the 2025 WIAA Division 1 Girls Cross Country individual title. Photo: Joel Anderson
It's possible that McCalla and Anschutz will meet again in future Big 10 cross country races. McCalla has committed to the University of Washington and Anschutz, according to the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, has give a verbal commitment to the University of Wisconsin.
Boys Results
The Menomonie boys team was making their second consecutive trip to the state meet and their seventh overall trip, finishing eighth, improving on last year’s 15th place team mark. | Division 1 Boys Results
Luke Ray led the Mustangs by placing 37th with a time of 16:31.0. Owen Pelzel was 60th (16:49.4), Logan Topper 67th (16:52.2), Evan Olson 90th (17:02.2), Noah Winder 108th (17:16.8), Cole Christenson 177th (18:22.1) and Ben Seguin 182nd (18:36.6).
As a team, the Mustangs were recognized as Academic All-State.
At the 2024 state meet, Olson finished 68th (17:06.2); Ray, 77th (17:13.2); Topper, 79th (17:16.8); Pelzel, 89th (17:23.3). and Winder (114th, 17:56.9).
Stevens Point took the top spot, followed by Homestead (Mequon), Marquette University High School and DePere. Twenty teams qualified for each race and both races included 190 runners.
The Mustangs did not qualify a team or individual in 2023, while in 2022 senior Connor Norby represented Menomonie individually, finishing 56th in 16:59.6.
All-Big Rivers Conference
McCalla was selected as the Big Rivers Conference runner of the year and was a first team All-BRC selection following the conference meet at Rice Lake, Oct. 15. Schmitt, Barfknecht and Drake joined McCalla on the first team. Schuler was a second team selection and Barnhart was honorable mention. | Girls All-BRC
For the boys, Ray, Winder and Pelzel were first team selections. Topper earned second team honors and Olson was honorable mention. | Boys All-BRC
Layne Pitt followed Menomonie High School sports during his more than a decade at the Dunn County News.
Lauren McCalla Wins State Cross Country Title by Layne Pitt is licensed under a CC BY SA 4.0 International license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/
Menomonie Collegians
Stout Basketball, Hockey Teams to Open Play; Berg, Birt Members of Women's Basketball Team
Menomonie’s Mary Berg played in all 31 of UW-Stout's games on the Blue Devils’ run to the NCAA Final Four last season. Photo: Reese Kupsky, UW-Stout
MENOMONIE – The UW-Stout men's and women's basketball teams and the men's hockey team will get their seasons underway this weekend.
The women's basketball team, which includes Menomonie graduates Mary Berg and Brooklyn Birt, will kickoff their season with a pair of non-conference games at UW-Eau Claire's Sonnetag Center, meeting Ripon College, Saturday, Nov. 8 and Lakeland University Sunday, Nov. 9. Stout will host Bethel University, Wednesday, Nov. 12 at 7 p.m.
The men's basketball team will open the 2025-26 season under first-year coach Tom Webb by hosting Oak Hills Christian College, Saturday, Nov. 8 at 4 p.m. in Johnson Fieldhouse.
The Blue Devil hockey team will be on the road the first weekend, traveling to St. Mary's University, Friday, Nov. 7 and at Hamline University, Saturday, Nov. 8. Stout will open the home part of their schedule when they host Bethel University, Friday, Nov. 14 and St. John's University, Saturday, Nov. 15. The puck drops at the Fanetti Community Center at 7 p.m.
Women's Basketball
The Blue Devils enter 2025-26 season looking to build on one of the most successful years in program history while integrating a new core of players into its lineup.
The Blue Devils advanced to the NCAA Division III Final Four a season ago for the first time in program history and finished with a 23-8 overall record, including a 10-4 mark in the WIAC. However, coach Hannah Iverson’s squad graduated all five starters and seven total letterwinners, leaving plenty of opportunity for new contributors to step forward.
Iverson, entering her eighth season at the helm, returns nine letterwinners. Key returners include senior forward Rosella Wille, junior center Maraya Wiltrout, and sophomores Mary Berg and Julia Rybacki, both guards who gained valuable minutes last season. Stout’s depth, defensive intensity and balanced scoring will be critical as it faces another challenging WIAC slate.
In the WIAC preseason poll, UW-Stout was picked to finish fourth. UW-Oshkosh, the two-time defending champion , was selected to win the league, followed by UW-Whitewater and UW-La Crosse. Rounding out the predictions are UW-Stevens Point, UW-River Falls, UW-Eau Claire and UW-Platteville.
Berg made an immediate impact in her freshman season at UW-Stout, playing in all 31 games and helping the Blue Devils reach their first-ever NCAA Division III Final Four. Averaging 20.1 minutes per game, Berg, a business adminstration major, contributed 4.7 points, 1.8 rebounds and 1.1 assists, shooting 33.1 percent from the field and 32.0 percent from beyond the arc. She scored in double figures six times, highlighted by a season-best 14 points against UW-Stevens Point on Jan. 18. Before joining the Blue Devils, Berg was a standout at MHS, where she scored more than 1,000 career points. She was named Big Rivers Conference Player of the Year and All-Northwest Player of the Year as a senior, helping lead Menomonie to multiple conference, regional and sectional titles. Berg this year will wear No. 2.
Birt, a 2025 MHS graduate, was a four-year varsity contributor and standout guard. She earned first-team all-conference and all-state honorable mention honors as a senior, following second-team recognition as a junior and honorable mention as a sophomore. Birt, a 5-11 forward, helped lead Menomonie to conference and regional titles and played club basketball with the Wisconsin Playmakers. Birt, a criminal justice major, will wear No. 23.
Men's Basketball
The men’s basketball team begins the 2025-26 season under new leadership as Tom Webb takes over as interim head coach. Webb, in his first year at the helm but eighth with the program, inherits an experienced group that returns 14 letterwinners and three starters from last year’s 8-17 squad.
Senior center Aiden Shore, a two-time All-WIAC and defensive standout, and junior guard Colin Vick, an honorable mention pick, lead the Blue Devils’ returning core. Veterans Colin Hudson, Justin Nelson, Mason Stoik, and AJ Uttech also provide depth and experience as Stout looks to rise in the competitive Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC).
The WIAC preseason poll places UW-Stout eighth in the league. UW-La Crosse, ranked No. 7 nationally, is favored to win the regular-season title, followed by UW-Platteville at No. 18, UW-Stevens Point, UW-Eau Claire, UW-Oshkosh, UW-Whitewater, and UW-River Falls.
Men's Hockey
The Blue Devils return 20 letterwinners as it looks to climb the WIAC standings in 2025-26. The Blue Devils, who finished 12-13-2 last year, were picked fifth in the WIAC preseason poll.
Sixth-year head coach Mike MacDonald will lean on returning All-WIAC picks Nicolas Pigeon, a two-time first-team forward, and Gunner Moore, an honorable mention defenseman. Veterans Kullan Daikawa, Nicholas Stevens, and Hayden Stocks add scoring depth, while Sam Kroon and returning goalies Tomas Bolo and Ethan Chadwick bolster the defense.
UW-Stevens Point is projected to win the WIAC title, followed by UW-Superior, UW-Eau Claire, UW-River Falls, UW-Stout, and first-year member Beloit College.
Layne Pitt retired as the longest serving sports information director at UW-Stout and also worked more than a decade at the Dunn County News.
Menomonie Collegians by Layne Pitt is licensed under a CC BY SA 4.0 International license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/
For a Calendar of Events in the Menomonie Area, visit Kathy Weber’s Menomonie Minute.
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