Welcome to Menomonie News Net Vol 2, Issue 15. You can read and search for archived articles HERE.

Today’s issue features a wide variety of articles to become better informed about your wonderful community! Read below and mark your calendars for two upcoming candidate forums sponsored by the LWV-CV on March 19 and 26.

We're here to: Inform….Connect…Engage

Editorial Team: Layne Pitt, Becky Kneer, Marsha Biggs; MNN Contributors; Advisory Team Volunteers; Tech Support: Tracy Glenz

Click HERE to donate online OR by mail - check to MNN, PO Box 63, Menomonie; Website: www.menomonienewsnet.org; Submit story ideas to: [email protected]

In this Issue...

• Kyah Barnhart Honored as Youth of the Month

• Dunn County Transit Announces Ridership

• Menomonie Art Music Society Presents Spring Progra …

• Election Updates: LWV-CV Hosting Mayoral & School …

• Red Cross Hosts Six Local Blood Drives During Marc …

• Bridging the Gap: Menomonie Healthcare Academy Emp …

• City Seeks Nominations for Forestry Friends Award

• Dunn County Comprehensive Plan Update Underway

• MHS Grads: Linda Russell - Class of 1967

• Public Meetings Feb 25 - Mar 4

• Menomonie Events at a Glance Feb 25 - Mar 4

• MHS Extracurricular Activities

• Menomonie Collegians

Kyah Barnhart Honored as Youth of the Month

By John Wilkerson

The Menomonie Sunrise Rotary Club is pleased to recognize Kyah Barnhart, a member of Menomonie High School Class of 2026, as its February Youth of the Month.

Kyah is a four-year varsity cross country athlete whose commitment began as early as middle school. She credits the inclusive and supportive culture of the Menomonie High School cross country program as a formative influence in her life. Through dedication and teamwork, the program earned three BRC championships, three sectional championships, and three trips to the state meet during her tenure. Individually, Kyah earned BRC Second Team All-Conference and Honorable Mention recognition.

Outside of school, Kyah is deeply involved in 4-H, having been a member since kindergarten. She has shown sheep for many years, an experience that taught her responsibility, time management, and perseverance. Kyah has served as her club’s Secretary and is currently in her second year as Vice President, where she has demonstrated leadership through service and mentoring.

Academically, Kyah has been strongly influenced by Ms. Goodman, who has supported her pursuit of a Business Management associate degree and encouraged her involvement in DECA, an international student organization that develops emerging leaders and entrepreneurs through hands-on experiences in marketing, finance, hospitality, and management, as well as through professional internships.

After graduation, Kyah plans to pursue a career in pediatric dentistry, with the goal of creating a welcoming environment for children and giving back to her community through education and mentorship.

Rotary International is a global network of neighbors, friends, and leaders committed to creating lasting change in our communities and around the world. menomoniesunriserotary.org

John Wilkerson is a member of Menomonie Sunrise Rotary and regular contributor to Menomonie News Net.

Dunn County Transit Announces Record-Setting Community Ridership

MENOMONIE – Dunn County Transit recently reported that 2025 ridership on the Community Route was the highest in history.

Facilities, Parks and Transit Director Austin Witt recently presented the 2025 Transit Annual Report to the Dunn County Board, which included the Community Route amassing 20,660 rides in 2025. That is a 29 percent increase over 2024 and 73 percent above the 10-year average.

The Community Route is Dunn County Transit’s fixed-route bus service in Menomonie. It operates on an hourly loop connecting key destinations such as UW–Stout, downtown, grocery stores, medical facilities and major employers.

Witt attributed the growth to several years of strategic improvements that began with a major route redesign implemented on June 1, 2021. The goal of that redesign was to make the Community Route simpler, faster and easier for riders to understand.

Prior to the change, the system operated as an alternating route that served different parts of Menomonie at different times throughout the day. The south side was served during the front half of every even hour (excluding noon), the north side during the back half of each hour, and the east side during the front half of every odd hour (including noon).This structure provided broad coverage but was difficult for riders to remember and often resulted in longer travel times.

Ridership data showed that some stops being served multiple times each day were receiving extremely low usage: Stops that were served eight times per day, five days per week, recorded as few as 11 total pick-ups in an entire year. Those low-use stops were removed, streamlining the route and allowing it to be completed consistently within one hour.

The redesign reduced travel times, improved reliability and made the schedule more intuitive for riders by creating a predictable hourly loop. Witt noted that prior to the redesign, there were days the route would not receive a single rider during eight hours of service.

“Over time, those efficiencies — paired with increased awareness, improved rider information and a strong team at Dunn County Transit — helped the Community Route grow into a service that better meets Menomonie’s needs,” Witt said.

The Transit Commission also temporarily eliminated fares until fall 2023, which helped rebuild ridership, and in early 2025, Dunn County Transit upgraded technology to improve real-time tracking accuracy. Reliability was increased so that across 48,682 miles and more than 4,400 hours of fixed-route service in 2025, breakdown-related downtime was less than one hour, Witt said.

Dunn County Transit also benefits from an experienced and stable workforce, representing 53.7 combined years of service, with an average tenure of 5.4 years. Witt said that balance of long-term experience and new staff growth has strengthened daily operations, customer service and overall system reliability.

Ridership on the UW-Stout Route also increased over 2024, with 85,800 morning route riders and 12,947 afternoon riders in 2025, compared to 81,804 and 11,586 respectively in 2024.

Witt attributed the increase to “the consistent deployment of larger transit buses nearly 100 percent of the time. Increased capacity and reliability helped accommodate demand throughout the academic year and contributed to a better rider experience.”

Doorstop/Red Cedar service provided 6,271 rides, also nearly a record and above the 5,801 rides provided in 2024. “Doorstop/Red Cedar services remain a vital component of the system,” Witt added.

Volunteer drivers completed 81 rides in 2025, and early 2026 scheduling suggests the program could continue to grow. “By offering broader trip flexibility, the Volunteer Driver Program helps meet specialized transportation needs while allowing Doorstop service to focus on core in-county demand,” Witt said.

Dunn County Transit delivered 8,037 service hours and 95,660 miles with zero accidents in 2025.

Two electric shuttle buses are scheduled for delivery between June and August 2026. Charging infrastructure is already installed and staff training and operational planning are underway to ensure a smooth transition.

“With stable partnerships, ongoing technology investments, and the upcoming addition of electric buses, we expect continued growth in 2026,” Witt said. “Our team is committed to delivering safe, sustainable and accessible transit for all residents.”

For real-time bus tracking and route information, visit https://dunnride.com

Source: News release

Menomonie Art Music Society Presents Spring Program

By Juliana Schmidt

The Menomonie Art Music Society will present a spring recital entitled "Music in March"  on  Saturday, March 21, at 2 pm, at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, 910 9th Street.

There is no charge, but a free will donation is appreciated to cover expenses. Refreshments will follow the recital.

Menomonie Art Music Society exists to promote and perform classical music, and to educate audiences in the community about this marvelous genre. Local music students and experienced musicians perform on Art Music Society programs not only giving it an educational element but giving musicians in the community an opportunity to present classical music.

For more information about the Menomonie Art Music Society, or if you would like to perform on a future program, contact Juliana Schmidt, 715-505-3525 or [email protected]

Source: News release

Election Updates: LWV-CV Hosting Mayoral & School Board Candidate Forums

The League of Women Voters-Chippewa Valley are hosting two candidate forums in Menomonie:

Mayoral Candidate Forum

• Thursday, March 19, 5pm

• Holtby Hall, Rassbach Museum

• Moderator: Afton Greco, UW-Stout Director of the Menard Center for Study of Institutions & Innovation

School Board Candidate Forum

• Thursday, March 26, 5pm

• Menomonie High School Auditorium

Source: Info from LWV-CV

Red Cross Hosts Six Local Blood Drives During March

By MNN Staff

There are six Red Cross blood donation opportunities in March being offered in Menomonie:

• Tuesday, Mar 3, UW-Stout (302 10th Ave E), 10am - 4pm

• Tuesday, Mar 10: New Hope Lutheran Church (N2698 460th St)10am - 5pm

• Monday, Mar 16: St. Paul’s Lutheran (1100 9th St E), 9am - 2pm

• Tuesday, Mar 17: First Congregational UCC (420 Wilson Ave), 9am - 3pm

• Friday, Mar 27: Menomonie East YMCA (3019 Schneider Ave SE), 12:30pm - 5pm

• Wednesday, Mar 30: St. Joseph Catholic Church (921 Wilson Ave), 10am - 4pm
  

For more information visit the Red Cross scheduling page.

What is a Universal Blood Donor? (from the American Red Cross)

Universal donors are those with an O negative blood type. Why? O negative blood can be used in transfusions for any blood type.

Type O is routinely in short supply and in high demand by hospitals – both because it is the most common blood type and because type O negative blood is the universal blood type needed for emergency transfusions and for immune deficient infants.

Approximately 45 percent of Caucasians are type O (positive or negative), but 51 percent of African-Americans and 57 percent of Hispanics are type O. Minority and diverse populations, therefore, play a critical role in meeting the constant need for blood.

Note: each month MNN staff compile and bring to you the blood donation opportunities in Menomonie.

Bridging the Gap: Menomonie Healthcare Academy Empowers High Schoolers for Medical Careers

By Julia Brown, CVTC

MENOMONIE – In the spring semester of its third successful year, the Healthcare Academy at Chippewa Valley Technical College (CVTC) in Menomonie is proving to be a game-changer for local high school students.

Designed for ambitious individuals eyeing a future in medicine, nursing, or allied health, the Academy offers a rare opportunity to bridge the gap between high school and the professional medical world.

A Head Start on the Future
The program blends rigorous academics with hands-on clinical training, allowing students to earn 13 college credits while still in high school. This translates to a significant head start on their degrees and tuition savings of over $2,000 per student.

The curriculum is specifically created to form the academic backbone of healthcare careers:

• Core Science: General Anatomy & Physiology and Advanced Anatomy & Physiology

• Behavioral Health: Developmental Psychology

• Professional Certification: Students complete the Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) course and earn their Basic Life Support (BLS) CPR certification, making them workforce-ready by graduation.

• College Rigor with High School Support

One of the Academy’s greatest strengths is its "safety net" structure. Students experience the high expectations of college coursework while maintaining their existing support systems of parents, high school counselors, and peers from their home districts.

High school officials typically say the Academy is intentionally structured to help students navigate this transition. By working closely with CVTC faculty and advisors, the program ensures that every participant is a good fit for the challenge, setting them up for long-term success rather than just academic pressure.

Cutting-Edge Technology: The Anatomage Table
A standout feature of the Menomonie campus is the Anatomage Table. This full-size, interactive 3D anatomy system features five virtual cadavers, allowing students to perform digital dissections and explore the human body in ways traditional textbooks cannot match.

The table also provides real-world case studies of diseases and disorders; integration with X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs; and clinical simulations ranging from catheter insertions to labor and delivery.

Beyond the classroom, the Academy prioritizes immersion. Students interact with a variety of guest speakers from fields like radiography and nursing. They also take their learning on the road, visiting Mayo One in Eau Claire to explore emergency flight medicine and touring the cadaver lab at the University of Wisconsin–Stout.

While many graduates transition directly into CVTC’s renowned two-year Nursing (RN) program, Radiography, or Sonography, the Academy is not a one-way street. CVTC credits transfer widely, and many students use the program as a springboard for pre-med, physical therapy, or other professional tracks at four-year universities.

A Regional Impact
The Menomonie success story is part of a larger regional effort. The Healthcare Academy is also offered at CVTC’s Eau Claire and Chippewa Falls campuses, as well as an off-site location in Osseo, ensuring that students across the Chippewa Valley can access this elite pathway.

As the demand for skilled healthcare workers continues to rise, the Healthcare Academy is cultivating the next generation of medical professionals one semester at a time.

To learn more about the HealthCare Academy or other CVTC programs, visit CVTC.edu.

Julia Brown is a Life Science Instructor at Chippewa Valley Technical College.

City Seeks Nominations for Forestry Friends Award

Know someone making a difference for trees in Menomonie? Nominate them!

The City of Menomonie is now accepting nominations for the Forestry Friends Award, which recognizes individuals, businesses, and organizations that contribute to tree planting, conservation, and environmental stewardship in our community.

From planting trees to caring for our urban forest or inspiring others to protect natural resources, we want to celebrate those efforts.

Nominations are open through March 6. Award recipients will be recognized during the City’s annual Arbor Day celebration (the last Friday in April).

For more information including eligibility, criteria and the nomination form click HERE.

Source: City of Menomonie Facebook page

Dunn County Comprehensive Plan Update Underway

By John Wilkerson

At a recent Menomonie Sunrise Rotary meeting, Dunn County Planner and Zoning Administrator Tammy Traxler provided an update on the county’s Comprehensive Plan, currently in the midst of an 18-month revision process that began in January 2025.

Community Input Drives the Process

Since launching the update, the county has gathered extensive public input:

• 541 responses to an online countywide survey (March–April 2025)

• 710 responses from a direct mailing to farmland owners (September 2025)

• Feedback from cities, villages, and towns

• Focus groups addressing housing, water and natural resources, economic development, agriculture, land use, and village concerns

Traxler emphasized that meaningful public engagement is central to the plan’s success. “This process only succeeds when it reflects real experiences,” she said, describing planning as a snapshot of today’s priorities that shapes the next generation.

Why the Plan Matters

Dunn County’s current Comprehensive Plan was adopted in 2009 and revised in 2016. While state law requires updates at least every 10 years, changing local conditions often necessitate more frequent review.

The Comprehensive Plan serves as a long-term guide for decisions related to: land use, housing development, infrastructure and transportation, economic growth, natural resource protection and recreation/community development.

Without a guiding plan, decisions can become reactive and fragmented. Traxler described the Comprehensive Plan as “the quiet rulebook behind our decisions.”

Land Use at the Core

Land use decisions form the foundation of the plan. Choices about where homes are built, farmland is preserved, or commercial areas expand affect school enrollment, road maintenance, emergency services, and environmental protection.

The update process also examines how different levels of local government interact:
Cities and villages operate under home rule authority and manage their own ordinances.
Towns are unincorporated and have more limited authority.

In Dunn County, 16 of 22 towns participate in county zoning; six do not, though the county maintains shoreland and floodplain zoning in all unincorporated areas.
County planning helps align local plans to prevent conflicts and maintain a cohesive regional vision.

Ongoing Participation Encouraged

The updated document aims to be more accessible and practical—clearly outlining goals, growth areas, and limits to guide decision-making.

Residents are encouraged to stay involved by:

• Visiting the Comprehensive Plan website

• Attending Planning, Resource and Development Committee meetings (oversees the project)

• Contacting the Zoning Office

• Emailing project staff at [email protected]

John Wilkerson is a member of Menomonie Sunrise Rotary.

MHS Grads: Linda Russell - Class of 1967

By Judy Foust

Friends, this week’s article is especially meaningful to me. Why? Because the subject—Linda Russell—is not only a (1967) classmate of mine but is also a dear friend. If you’ve been in Menomonie for a while, you may remember John and Lou Russell and their remarkable family.

Linda began telling her story starting with her family. “My parents, John and Lou Russell, were part of the group that saved the Mabel Tainter Theater from the wrecking ball. It was destined to be destroyed to make room for an office building and parking lot! After the theater had been renovated, John and Lou were instrumental in founding the Menomonie Theater Guild. My dad was in the plays, and my mom did the makeup—so I grew up backstage helping my dad learn his lines - and waiting for my day to ‘take the stage’ myself!”

That opportunity came when Linda performed in The Crucible and in James Thurber’s The Male Animal. Her summer job after high school was giving tours of the Mabel. “So a lot of my life in Menomonie was bound up in that building!”

One of Linda’s strongest memories of her years at MHS was playing Mrs. Gibbs in Our Town directed by speech teacher David Blank. She also reminisced about an amazing high school music course taught by band director Larry Frost. As Linda said, “I learned to love opera by way of La Boheme. We’d lay our heads on our desks and listen deeply to Debussy’s Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun. It was brilliant teaching and an unforgettable experience!”

Besides theater, Linda was involved in band, choir, and forensics as well as a member of Red Cedar 4-H Club, participating in plays and music.

Linda shared other music experiences: “I was also in both band and choir in high school. Instrumentally, I had a checkered career. I played flute in band and was last chair! I also took five years of piano with Miss Roach who would come to my house for the lessons. I was terrible! Who would ever think that I would become a musician? Well, it turns out that I wasn’t good at ‘formal’ music, but luckily it was the age of folk music.”

“My brother Jeff bought a guitar from the Farmers Store, and my sister Cindy and I kept sneaking into his room to try it out. Finally, we ordered our own Sears Silvertone guitar which was delivered to our rural mailbox. I began to play tunes by Peter, Paul and Mary as well as Simon and Garfunkel. After I learned that there were stories behind some of those traditional tunes, my life’s work was laid out for me. I began to learn the folk songs of the past. My dad and I traveled to local clubs and historical societies. He would show slides of the old lumbering days and I would sing old lumberjack songs.”

After high school graduation, Linda attended UW-Eau Claire where she became involved in theater and was cast in A Man for All Seasons during her freshman year plus three other plays over her time there—A Streetcar Named Desire, The Heiress, and The Man of La Mancha. "Judy Berg Foust and I also had our own folk duo—Leitmotif—that performed when we were students at UW-Eau Claire.”

Upon college graduation, Linda auditioned for the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York. Three weeks later, she was taking her first solo cab ride from LaGuardia Airport to Manhattan!

After graduating the Academy, her improv teacher had formed a company that performed off-off Broadway shows and Linda began performing. She received positive reviews from The Village Voice and the New York Times. She thought she’d “arrived as an actress.” However, soon after the company folded and Linda was on her own. She realized she was still too shy to make the rounds trying to convince agents and directors that she was the right choice for a role.

One day she stumbled into Federal Hall National Memorial on Wall Street—the site of President Washington’s inauguration—and asked about being a tour guide. They were looking for a new and unique way to interpret history and ended up creating a role for Linda as a historical balladeer for the National Park Service.

For the next 16 years Linda sang 18th century American songs for tourists, school children, and Wall Street businesspeople on their lunch hours. Linda shared she found out that years after leaving the Park Service people would still ask, "Where is the lady who sings?"

One of Linda’s most notable moments was singing at the Carnegie Hall Folk Festival while five days overdue with the birth of her daughter Hallie. She was booked to sing with Tom Paxton and Mike Seeger and she didn’t tell them about her condition, figuring it would all work itself out. “After all,” she thought, “if pioneer women could plough, plant, and give birth in the fields, I could give birth after Carnegie Hall!” Five days after her performance, daughter Hallie was born. (Note: Hallie is now 33 years old and an elementary music teacher in Brooklyn. She also plays the fiddle and guitar in her own folk band).

Linda currently lives in the apartment on New York’s Upper West Side where she’s been since 1974. After leaving Federal Hall in 1988, she’s been freelancing around the country at schools, historical sites, and community organizations. Linda has recorded eight albums of early American music.

Linda loves the variety that her job gives her. She recently sang at Grant’s Tomb to celebrate Julia Grant’s 200th birthday; she will appear at a candlelit historic tavern on Staten Island singing both traditional tunes as well as songs about her childhood in Wisconsin.

“I feel that I have the best of both worlds. I live in a city but sing in venues that have taken me from the Oregon Trail to the Adirondack Mountains. I live three blocks from the Hudson River where I frequently see red-tailed hawks and eagles on my daily walks.”

“My Wisconsin roots run very deep, and I treasure all they have given me.”

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]

Public Meetings Feb 25 - Mar 4

City of Menomonie

Mon Mar 2 City Council, 7pm, Council Chambers

Click HERE for full calendar.

School District of Menomonie

Mon Mar 2 School Board, 5:45pm, ASC

Click HERE for full calendar additional details

Dunn County

Wed Feb 25 Facilities Committee, 5pm

Thur Feb 26 Neighbors of Dunn County Committee, 9am Agenda - Minutes;

Thurs Feb 26 Committee on Administration, 3pm, Agenda; Health & Human Services Committee, 6pm, Agenda - Minutes

Mon Mar 2 Fair Board, 5:30pm

Wed Mar 4 Planning, Resource & Development Committee, 8:30am

Click HERE for calendar, documents, recordings & public commenting

Menomonie Events at a Glance Feb 25 - Mar 4

Wed Feb 25 Panel: Civil Liberties, Law Enforcement & Protest, 6 - 7:30pm, Harvey Hall, UW-Stout

Thur Feb 26 Games & Origami, 4-5:30pm, Menomonie Public Library; MAKE IT Thursdays, 5-8pm, Fulton’s Workshop, Rassbach Museum

Fri Feb 27 Hadestown Teen Edition, 7pm, MHS Auditorium; The Play That Goes Wrong, 7:30pm, Mabel Tainter

Sat Feb 28 Coldest Night of the Year, 4-7pm, UW-Stout; FFA Alumni & Supporters Fundraiser, 2-7pm, Kyote’s; Hadestown Teen Edition, 7pm, MHS Auditorium; The Play That Goes Wrong, 7:30pm, Mabel Tainter

Sun Mar 1 The Play That Goes Wrong, 2pm, Mabel Tainter

Mon Mar 2 Protecting Our Water: Community Conversation, 5:30-7:30pm, Viking Bowl, Colfax

Tue Mar 3 Red Cross Blood Drive, UW-Stout, 10am - 4pm; Dementia Caregiver Training, 2-4pm, Dunn Co ADRC

Wed Mar 4 META Without the Mystery, 7:45-9:30am, Menomonie Chamber Office

MHS Extracurricular Activities

Compiled from MHS Daily Announcements

By MNN Staff

Thursday, February 19

On Tuesday the Girls Basketball Team lost a close game to Baldwin-Woodville 61-56. The Mustangs who were down two starters due to illness were led by Jordan Ohman with 19 points and 18 rebounds. Lauren Ohman added 17 points and Reece Barfknect had 12 points and 10 rebounds in the loss.

Friday, February 20

Although they battled hard the entire game, the Sabers Girls Hockey Team season ended with a 4-1 loss. Our lone goal scorer was Brooke Brovold from Chi Hi. Aubrie Dowd had a strong presence in net stopping 34 shots.

The Boys Varsity Hockey Team had their 1st playoff game against Black River Falls and it was an exciting one! In the 1st period BRF was up 2-0, Menomonie had 2 goals waved off and the fire was lit. Wes Weir, Brekkin Cody, Quinn Rabeneck, Kellen Turner, Wren Swaenepol and Cooper Marincel all scored for truly a TEAM WIN! Goalie Davin Ellis saw 51 shots and made some great plays. The final score was 6-3. Congrats boys! Thanks again to our awesome students and fans that brought the energy and packed the barn. On to the next playoff game!

Monday, February 23

Congratulations to the Boys Basketball Team on their 73-62 win over Chippewa Falls on Friday. Trevor Robert led all scorers with 29 points. 

Menomonie High School Theater is going way down Hadestown this weekend with the opening of our musical, Hadestown: Teen Edition. Join us at our Friday and Saturday performance at 7pm or Sunday at 2pm. Tickets are free with a student ID or $5 for anyone without! We're looking forward to Livin' it Up with you this weekend!

Tuesday, February 24

The Girls Basketball Team lost to Chippewa Falls on Friday 56-73. Jordan Ohman led the Mustangs with 33 points and 15 rebounds. Lauren Ohman added 7 points and 5 steals in the loss. The Mustangs will start playoffs on Friday night in Medford.

Congratulations to the Boys Basketball Team on their 78-51 win last night over LaCrosse Logan. They will finish their regular season on Thursday night at Eau Claire Memorial.

Menomonie Collegians

Stout women's basketball, Lawrence women's hockey close season

By Layne Pitt, MNN Contributor

MENOMONIE - The UW-Stout women's basketball season wrapped up Saturday. And while the Blue Devil season didn't go as hoped after a 9-2 non-conference start to the season, the very young team showed promise for the future.

After graduating seven seniors from last year's team that advanced to the NCAA Division III Final Four, the Blue Devils returned with two seniors, four juniors, five sophomores and five freshman. The young Stout team knocked off five teams that were nationally ranked at one point during the season.

Menomonie High School graduates Mary Berg and Brooklynn Birt were a valuable part of that young and growing team that learned how tough the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) can be.

Berg, a sophomore, saw considerable time during her freshman season, coming off the bench in all 31 games, averaging 20.1 minutes during the Blue Devils' magical run. This season Berg ran the offense much of the time and and played and started in 24 games, averaging 32.4 minutes. Berg was second on the team in scoring with 9.3 points per contest, trailing only freshman guard Addy Verhagen, who popped in 11.8 points per game, one of the top single-season efforts by a freshman. Berg was the team's top 3-point shooter, hitting 45 of 126 (35.7 percent) from beyond the arc. Berg led the team in steals with 42 and was stellar from the free throw line, dropping in 31 of 35 charity shots for a sparkling 88.5 percent.

Birt played in all 25 games, coming off the bench for all but four games and averaged 17.2 minutes per contest. A force to be reckoned with under the boards, Birt was second on the team with 5.3 rebounds per game. She finished the season by averaging 8.5 points per game and led the team in blocked shots with 15, ranking among the top 10 in the WIAC. Birt was first on the team in field goal percentage among players who averaged more than 10 minutes, scoring at a 50.9-percent clip (84-165) and is ranked fourth in the WIAC at the end of the regular season.

Stout finished their season 13-12 overall and 4-10 in WIAC play, but won their final two contests against nationally ranked teams. Birt played a big part in Stout's season finale, a 66-65 win over No. 22 UW-Platteville. Birt scored 12 points, pulled down six rebounds, and had the pivotal steal and defensive rebound in the final minute. Birt went to the free throw line with five seconds on the clock and hit a free throw that proved to be the difference in the game.

At Concordia-St. Paul, the Golden Bears women's basketball team is riding a 13-game winning into the NSIC tournament this weekend. In the regular season finale Saturday, the Bears dominated in a 96-75 win over the No. 1 ranked team in the NCAA Division II, Minnesota State. In that contest, Menomonie's Emma Mommsen recorded four points, seven rebounds, two blocked shots and a steal. Mommsen has started all 26 games this season, averaging 7.0 points and 5.3 rebounds. The Bears (21-6, 17-5 NSIC)  received a first round bye in the conference tournament and will open play Saturday, Feb. 28 in Sioux Falls, S.D. 

Hockey

Menomonie High grad Ashley Slupe wrapped up her first collegiate season at NCAA Division III Lawrence University. While the Vikings ended the season short of  advancing to the Northern Collegiate Hockey Association (NCHA) post-season tournament, Slupe was a regular for Lawrence, playing in all 25 contests. Slupe, a defenseman, finished fifth on the team in scoring, popping in three goals - of which two were power play goals - and two assists.

Slupe is the third generation of Menomonie Slupes who have played hockey collegiately. Both her grandfather, Tom Slupe, and her father, Greg Slupe, played at UW-Stout. Tom was the Stout men's hockey head coach from 1972-83 and Greg was an assistant at Stout for 18 years from 2004-22.

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 is a regular feature of Menomonie News Net. The column is not limited to student-athletes, but may be a former Menomonie area student in a play, forensics, music or any type of collegiate competition. If you know of a Menomonie Collegian, please email [email protected].

The column Menomonie Collegians by Layne Pitt is licensed under a CC BY SA 4.0 International license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

Menomonie Mustangs Athletics and Activities | UW-Stout Blue Devil Athletics 

For a Calendar of Events in the Menomonie Area, visit Kathy Weber’s Menomonie Minute.

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