Welcome to Menomonie News Net Vol 2, Issue 17. You can read and search for archived issues and articles HERE.

Today’s issue features candidate forums, an invitation to the community to attend UW-Stout campus events, and an MHS grad playing baseball in Japan. Check it out.

Do stay informed, connected, engaged…

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

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

In this Issue...

• Run For America

• MHS Seeking Head Football Coach

• The Power of “YOU”

• Mural Artist Meet & Greet March 12

• Hop on Board: Mastering the Bus - March 12

• Candidate Forums in Menomonie - Mar 19 & 26

• Raising a Thinking Child

• ‘Year of Design’ Central to UW-Stout’s Spring Even …

• Tomato Clubs? Where 4-H Got Its Start!

• MHS Grads by the Decade

• Public Meetings: Week of Mar 11-18

• Menomonie Events at a Glance

• MHS Extracurricular Activities

• International Baseball

• All-Big Rivers Conference Teams

• Menomonie Collegians

Run For America

MHS Seeking Head Football Coach

Mike Sinz to Step Down After Five Years at the Helm

By Layne Pitt, MNN Contributor

Menomonie High School will be searching for a new head football coach after Mike Sinz announced he will step down at the end of the 2025-26 school year, according to a school district release March 11.

Sinz informed Activities Director Matt Riley of his decision to leave the program after five seasons leading the Mustangs. The school district said a comprehensive search for a new varsity head coach will begin immediately along with other staffing vacancies for next year.

A 2001 Menomonie graduate, Sinz returned to his hometown in 2021 to take over the program following the retirement of Hall of Fame coach Joe LaBuda. Before coming to Menomonie, Sinz served as a teacher and head football coach at Eau Claire Memorial and Mondovi.

During his tenure, Menomonie qualified for the WIAA playoffs in each of his five seasons and finished with a 30-23 overall record. His first season included a 10-2 record and a Big Rivers Conference championship.

Riley credited Sinz for his impact on the program and the student-athletes he coached.

“Coach Sinz dedicated significant time, effort and passion to our football program,” Riley said in a statement. “During his tenure, he positively influenced the lives of our student-athletes both on and off the field.”

Layne Pitt is co-editor of MNN, former sports director at UW-Stout and former editor at the Dunn County News.

The Power of “YOU”

By John Wilkerson, MNN Contributor

As part of MNN’s monthly series, John Wilkerson invites you to give journaling a try in The Journal Speaks Back.

I used to teach writing at writer’s and science fiction conventions. Comparing the two groups of people is like having conversations with different species of other-worldly aliens.

Writers at writing conventions are driven by word count and punctuation, whiskey too, and revenge. They all have a book or story they want to tell you about, and if you stand still long enough, you become awash in their protagonists’ quest for salvation.

Sci-fi fans would rather walk around in flamboyant costumes and weave tales that speak to the duality of their lives and make you question your own grasp of normalcy.

One of the panels I hosted at a convention dealt with first-person perspective and the power of “I.” The “I” story or self-revelation is simple to manifest. It’s time-linear to how we live our lives and mimics how we communicate in spoken language.

From the reader’s perspective, “I” allows immersion into a story in a way no other point of view can equal. The depths to which the writer can explore their own psyche are near limitless. It does have a drawback.

I’d like to present a different approach to the use of “I.” Skip the first-person narrative and instead move to “you.” Something refreshing happens when your thoughts are presented as if they are someone else’s. The stress of being honest evaporates, as does the need to litter the paper with too many words.

Don’t worry about verbs and sentence structure, just shift the mind’s position in the story. Instead of writing, “I spilled coffee on the cat,” write, “you spilled coffee on the cat.” Why? This grants the writer the ability to speak as an observer and teacher. No longer do they have to own what is said.

Distance is what you are looking for, distance between you as the writer and the person the story is about. It’s like picking up shells on the beach. If you face the water with the sun to your back, you gain one impression, but if you have the sound of the water behind you and the sun in your face, the experience is still rooted in the shell, but the warmth comes from a different direction.

Unsettling voices are the uncomfortable point of no return for a self-conscious writer. Experiences that are difficult to name feel lighter when ownership shifts, even briefly. When the page says, “you failed at…” or “you can’t because…,” the weight moves just enough to let the words exist.

The opposite is true for life’s successes. Saying, “you are expecting your first child,” or “you achieved…” carries just as much weight as its challenges. “You” is a powerful way to look in the mirror and have the mirror gaze over your shoulder without judgment.

Second person is not a disguise. It is a form of distance that makes honesty possible. You may be surprised by what finally agrees to be written.

Today’s Assignment

Write your journal entry today using “you.” Let the shift happen as if you are sitting beside this other person.

What advice would they give, or what stories would they tell about the real you?

John Wilkerson works most days writing and fiddling with his computer. His new, old, home in Menomonie is constantly subjected to DIY mayhem. His background includes ghost writing, newspaper reporting, and a stretch in marketing and advertising. John may be contacted at: [email protected]

Mural Artist Meet & Greet March 12

Meet the Mural Coordinator, Wade Lambrigtsen, for Murals in Menomonie! Ask questions, see sneak peeks of a few mural designs, and learn how you can get involved in this one-of-a-kind festival!

Thursday, Mar 12 5:30-7:30pm Hive & Hollow (222 Main St, Menomonie)

What is Murals in Menomonie?
Murals in Menomonie is a 5-day public art festival taking place in and around downtown Menomonie, WI. Artists from around the world will gather to paint 14+ large-scale murals that celebrate the history, people, and spirit of our community. Over the course of the week, blank walls will transform into vibrant works of art that will become lasting landmarks for generations to enjoy.

Who are The Walldogs?
The Walldogs are an internationally recognized group of sign painters, muralists, and artists who select one small town each year to host a large-scale mural event. Known for their historic, story-driven murals, The Walldogs bring together local history, community input, and artistic excellence to create meaningful public art across the country — and in 2026, they’re coming to Menomonie!

June 24th - 28th, 2026

Source: Facebook event page

Hop on Board: Mastering the Bus - March 12

Austin Witt, Dunn County Facilities, Parks and Transit Director, will help us all master taking the bus.

Thurs, March 12 6-7pm Dragon Tale Books (216 Main St, Menomonie)

Austin will explain the various buses, routes, fees, tracking app and more. You will walk out confident about using public transit to reduce your carbon footprint. In person or via Zoom.

Source: Facebook event page

Candidate Forums in Menomonie - Mar 19 & 26

Menomonie Mayor Candidate Forum

Thurs, March 19, 5-6:30pm

Rassbach Museum, Holtby Hall, 1820 John Russell Road (adjacent to Wakanda Park)

For more information about the event, click HERE. To view livestream by Steve Hanson at Eye on Dunn County click HERE.

Meet the Candidates: Board of Education, School District of the Menomonie Area

Thurs, March 26, 5-6:30pm

Menomonie High School Auditorium (1715 5th St W)

For more information about this forum, click HERE. To view livestream by Steve Hanson at Eye on Dunn County click HERE.

Source: LWV-CV

Raising a Thinking Child

Free Online Six Session Course Offered via Zoom

Would you like your 4-7 year old children to think a bit more before acting?

Division of Extension family educators will be offering an online six-session course called Raising a Thinking Child this spring. Registry Credit is available to early childhood educators.

Parents and educators can use refreshingly simple techniques to help children with decision-making and communication skills which are shown to rev up the thinking brain. This program helps children care about and understand feelings, solve problems, and consider consequences. It also helps adults to ask more and tell less.

This evidence-informed course includes assignments for adults and children to complete between sessions.

Here are some comments made by previous attendees (from post-class survey):

• “I can see my son problem solving more and being able to think things through. I believe I am more open minded and thinking before I react as well.”

• “The program was excellent with a lot of helpful resources, effective tips and strategies and well organized by the two instructors.”

Beginning Tuesday, March 24 and running through Tuesday, April 28, the weekly online sessions will be offered with a flexible choice of morning (9-10:15 am) or evening (6-7:15 pm).

The class is offered FREE to Barron, Dane and Dunn County residents, who can pick up their materials at the Extension Office. Out-of-county residents or those that cannot arrange pick up may pay $25 to have materials shipped to them but should register ASAP to allow for delivery time. For questions about shipping please contact Missy Bablick (Extension Barron County) at 715-788-6217.

Sign up by Friday, March 13th. Click using this link.

Details, including the zoom link, will be provided in an email before the class starts.
For more information, contact Luisa Gerasimo (Extension Dunn County) via phone or email: 715-232-1636, [email protected].

‘Year of Design’ Central to UW-Stout’s Spring Event Schedule

Community invited to exhibitions, civic and literary conversations, film screenings and performances

By Abbey Goers, UW-Stout Marketing Communications

Menomonie – As University of Wisconsin-Stout steps into spring semester and continues its Year of Design, community members are invited to myriad civic talks, film screenings and literary conversations, art and design exhibitions, and performing arts events for everyone on campus and throughout the community.

Events are open to the public; some events require tickets.

UW-Stout’s Year of Design celebrates the innovation, leadership and impact central to Wisconsin’s Polytechnic University. Upcoming signature events include:

Saturday, April 11, 7 p.m.: Fashion Without Fabric, the Midwest’s premier unconventional fashion runway shows.
Saturday, May 2, 4 p.m.: WEAR Fashion Show, showcasing innovative capstone collections from fashion design and development seniors.
Tuesday, May 5: Research Day, celebrating the research and creative work of students, faculty, and staff from all fields.
Thursday, May 7, 6 p.m.: Stout Game Expo (SGX), western Wisconsin’s largest game developer exhibition.
Friday, May 8, 6-9 p.m.: SOAD (School of Art & Design) Senior Show, graduating seniors take over Micheels Hall and the Applied Arts building.
Saturday, May 9 - Sunday May 10: 4th Annual Unspooled Film & Animation Festival, dedicated to showcasing the very best in independent filmmaking.
Wednesday, June 24, to Sunday, June 28: Murals in Menomonie, featuring the Walldogs, is a collaborative group of community organizations bringing in some of the world’s best mural artists.

University Theatre

University Theatre will present “Something Rotten,” directed by Audric Buhr, at Harvey Hall Theatre. Set in the 1590s, brothers Nick and Nigel Bottom are desperate to write a hit play but are stuck in the shadow of that Renaissance rock star known as “The Bard.” When a local soothsayer foretells that the future of theater involves singing, dancing, and acting at the same time, Nick and Nigel set out to write the world’s very first musical. But amidst the scandalous excitement of opening night, the Bottom Brothers realize that reaching the top means being true to thine own self, and all that jazz.

Performance dates and times are:

Friday, April 10, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, April 11, 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, April 12, 2 p.m.
Thursday, April, 7:30 p.m.
Friday, April 17, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, April 18, 7:30 p.m.

“Something Rotten” has received several Best Musical nominations and was hailed by Time Out New York as “the funniest musical comedy in at least 400 years.”

Tickets available at uwstout.universitytickets.com.

Musical Performances

Stout Choirs, directed by Jean Enyeart and Jonathan Campbell, while Jerry Hui is on sabbatical: Saturday, April 25, 7 p.m., at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, 910 9th Street E., Menomonie. The spring choral program, “Questions,” will be a musical exploration of “why?” As graduates move on to build a better world, they will be faced with many uncertainties. Questions come in many forms: rhetorical, spiritual and intellectual. Fear, awe and wonder lead to different kinds of questions.

The Symphonic Band, directed by Erika Svanoe: Sunday, April 26, 2 p.m., in the Memorial Student Center Great Hall. “Elements of Nature” will feature music about our national parks, the wilderness and the great outdoors, including “Diamond Tide” by Viet Cuong, “Wilderness” by Cait Nishimura, and a music and video presentation of “National Park Suite” by Ryan Fraley. The concert will also feature a new piece by Svanoe titled “Winds Across the Water.”

Blue Devil Jazz Orchestra, directed by James Anderson: Saturday, May 2, 7 p.m., at Harvey Hall Theatre. Come hear, groove and tap your toes to jazz classics, such as Benny Goodman’s “Sing, Sing, Sing!,” Charles Mingus’ “Fables of Faubus,” Glenn Miller’s “Moonlight Serenade,” as well as some new favorites, too.

Tickets available at uwstout.universitytickets.com

To read the full story click HERE.

Abbey Goers, UW-Stout Marketing Communications, may be contacted at 715-232-2565.

Tomato Clubs? Where 4-H Got Its Start!

By Margaret Breisch

Zachary Rozmiarek, the Dunn County 4-H Program Coordinator, gave a presentation on Dunn County 4-H - Past and Present to members of the Dunn County HCE (Association of Home and Community Education) on February 20th.

The origins of 4-H trace back to 1902, when youth “Tomato Clubs” were formed to teach agricultural skills to young people. In 1910, the four-leaf clover became the official symbol of the program. By 1912, the clubs began to be widely known as 4-H. The four H’s stand for Head, Heart, Hands, and Health.

In 1914, the Smith–Lever Act established the Cooperative Extension Service. This legislation formalized a partnership between the U.S. Department of Agriculture and land-grant universities to provide research-based education to communities.
Also in 1914, the Linn Club in Walworth County was established as the first 4-H club in Wisconsin.

Today, 4-H is a research-based youth development program and part of UW–Madison Division of Extension. “Research-based” means that the programs and curricula are developed using university research and best practices in youth development and education. Activities are designed to build life skills such as leadership, responsibility, communication, and problem-solving.

Originally, 4-H programs focused primarily on agriculture. As educational opportunities expanded through schools and other organizations, 4-H adapted to meet changing interests and needs. Today, youth in Dunn County can choose from approximately 100 different projects.
The most popular project in Dunn County today is LEGO engineering, where youth develop problem-solving and engineering skills. Photography is also a popular project area.

Many activities are now organized at the county level rather than solely through individual clubs. Examples include a group outing to see White Christmas at the Mabel Tainter, a county baseball team, and the annual pie and ice cream sale at the Dunn County Fair.

4-H camp is held at Kamp Kenwood, located on Lake Wissota. Camp provides outdoor education and leadership experiences for youth.

Virtual programs are also available. Recently, art education majors from UW–Stout provided online art lessons for participants.

4-H is especially visible at the Dunn County Fair. In addition to youth exhibits and the animal auction, 4-H sponsors the Activity Barn and the Medallion Hunt.

Employers recognize the educational value of 4-H participation. Involvement in 4-H can strengthen job and scholarship applications because it demonstrates leadership experience, community involvement, and practical skill development.

For more information about contact Zachary Rozmiarek [email protected] 715-232-1636

Margaret Breisch is a retired computer programmer, president of Dunn County HCE (Home & Community Education) and a former 4-H member.

MHS Grads by the Decade

By Judy Foust

Taking advantage of a short lull in new grad interviews, I decided to categorize—according to year of graduation—the 36 (yes, 36!) interviews I’ve conducted since the articles in Menomonie News Net began.

This will give all of you an opportunity to see if anyone from your class has participated. Feel free to hum “Pomp and Circumstance” as you scroll through the names!

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: Week of Mar 11-18

City of Menomonie

Mon Mar 18 Urban Forestry Commission, 1pm AGENDA

Mon Mar 18 Airport Commission, 6pm  

Click HERE for full calendar.

School District of Menomonie

Spring Break March 16-20

Mon Apr 13 School Board Meeting, 5:45pm, ASC

Click HERE for full calendar additional details

Dunn County

Wed Mar 11 Legislative Committee, 3pm PACKET; Land Information Council, 3pm PACKET; Executive Committee, 3pm PACKET

Mon Mar 16 Board of Adjustment, 10:30am; ADRC Advisory Committee, 1pm

Tues Mar 17 Community Resources & Tourism Committee, 4:30pm

Wed Mar 18 Planning, Resource & Development Committee, 8:30am; Board of Supervisors, 7pm

Click HERE for calendar, documents, recordings & public commenting

Menomonie Events at a Glance

Wed Mar 11 Friends of the Library Book Sale (through March 20), Library Hours; Walk & Talk Book Club, 5:30-6:30pm, Public Library; Sea Shanty Sing-a-Long, 7-8:30pm, Brewery Nonic

Thur Mar 12 Red Cedar Watershed Conference, 8:30am-4:30pm, UW-Stout Student Center; Mural Artist Meet & Greet, 5:30-7:30pm, Hive & Hollow; Hop on Board-Mastering the Bus w Austin Witt, 6-7pm, Dragon Tale Books;

Fri Mar 13 Fiber Fridays, 4:15-5:45, Public Library; Knights of Columbus Fish Fry, 4:30-7pm, St Joseph Church

Sun Mar 15 White Pine Open Mic, 2-4pm, Raw Deal

Mon Mar 16 Red Cross Blood Drive, St. Paul’s Lutheran, 9am-2pm; Spring Break for Kids-Legos, 1-2pm, Library;

Tue Mar 17 Red Cross Blood Drive, First Congregational-UCC, 9am-3pm; Spring Break for Kids - Puzzles, 10-11am, Library

Wed Mar 18 Spring Break for Kids - Puppet Making, 10-11am, Library

MHS Extracurricular Activities

Compiled from MHS Daily Announcements

Friday, March 6 

Congratulations to the Educators Rising Students who competed at the state competition in Stevens Point last Wednesday. Earning 1st place in Ethical Dilemma was Kaelyn Black, Emma Scheuffele and Jai Hasse. Earning 1st place in Exploring Support Service Careers was Danica Holcomb. Earning 2nd place in Exploring Support Service Careers was Lainey Neuendorf. Earning 3rd place in Interactive Bulletin Board was Dylan Watkins And, taking 1st place and earning a trip to Nationals in the PSA event were Noah Winder, Ari Delong, Aubrie Schlueter and Lexi Thalacker.

Monday, March 9

Menomonie Science Olympiad won the 13 team Regional Championships over BRC schools Hudson, New Richmond, EC Memorial and Chippewa Falls this weekend. The team brought home medals in 27 of the 28 individual events. The team moves on to compete at the State Tournament in April. Regional Event Champions: Alex Heckendorf and Oliver Lugo in Bungee Drop; Ellie Beck, Oliver Lugo and Logan Topper in Experimental Design; Luke Ray and Logan Topper in Ping Pong Parachute; Ben Seguin and Brianna Klimek in Forestry; Brianna Klimek and Ellie Beck in Horticulture; Ella Weinberger and Protha Mitra in Designer Genes; Caylee Schaefer and Toni Fiorani in Water Quality; Jay Beston and Grace Edenborg in Entomology; Luke Ray & Nora Skorczewski in Dynamic Planet.

Congratulations to the Forensics Team on another first place finish at Hudson on Saturday. 1st Place: Levi Behm - Radio News Broadcasting; Hailey Bein, Claire Hausler, and Addy Rue - Group Interpretation; Emmy Crowley & Julia Prochnow - Play Acting; Claire Hausler - Oratory; Miles Ogden - Informative; Chase Pember - Extemporaneous; Julia Prochnow - Farrago; Abby Shields - Special Occasion; Chloe Weiss - Expository Chloe Weiss - Prose.

Congratulations to the Boys Basketball Team on their continued success into the playoffs. Winning Friday night 56-43 over Merrill; then traveling Saturday to Rhinelander and beating that #1 ranked team 65-51 to become Regional Champs. They will be traveling again on Thursday to Hudson to take on New Richmond in the sectional semi final game. All tickets are $8.35 and must be purchased on the GoFan app. Doors open 1 hour prior to the game.

International Baseball

Terrin Vavra Playing on the World Baseball Stage

By Layne Pitt, MNN Contributor

TOKYO, Japan - With the letters C E S K O emblazoned across his baseball uniform, Menomonie native Terrin Vavra proudly played for Team Czechia in the World Baseball Classic over the past 10 days.

A 2015 graduate of Menomonie High School, Vavra qualified to play for Team Czechia (Czech Republic) because his great-great-grandfather emigrated from Czechia to the United States. The four-generation family history is important to Vavra, as he explained in an interview with mlbnetworkradio.com's Dani Wexelman after the completion of the team's first game March 4 in Tokyo, Japan.

"I thought this opportunity was one of the coolest things I’ve ever had the chance to do," explained Vavra. "I wanted to come here with the intention of representing myself, my family and my heritage the best I can, and hopefully inspire someone in Europe and in the Czech Republic to play some baseball because I think it's a sport that's growing over there. From talking to these guys, it definitely seems like it's on the up and up, and I'm excited to be a part of it."

Terrin is the son of Lesa and Joe Vavra. Joe, a long-time coach in the Los Angeles Dodgers, Minnesota Twins and Detroit Tigers organizations as well as the UW-Stout head coach and a UW-Stout Hall of Fame member from his playing days, was in attendance for the games in Tokyo.

"I think my dad's been fortunate to have some great opportunities in this game, and this is unlike anything that he's had the chance to do. So I'm just trying to take it all in and represent our family the best I can and hopefully make the Czech Republic proud.

"We have a lot of roots there, and through this process we've gotten to learn a little bit more about it and dig a little deeper. That's been something that's really helped connect not only me and my dad, but our whole family. And that's been really fun to look into."

Terrin Vavra has his own history of baseball excellence.

A three-time All-Big Rivers Conference selection, Vavra went on to play for the University of Minnesota where he earned first-team All-America honors by four different organizations and was drafted by the Colorado Rockies in the third round in 2018. He was traded to the Baltimore Orioles in 2020 and played in the Orioles minor league organization before being called up to make his major league debut July 29, 2022. Vavra played in 68 games for the Orioles over the 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025 seasons. Playing at second base or in the outfield, Vavra has a major league batting average of .252 with one home run and 17 runs batted in. Vavra is currently a free agent.

MLB.com announced Feb. 28 that Vavra would join the Czechia team. Writer Michael Clair, who specializes in international baseball and the World Baseball Classic, said about Vavra, "The fan favorite Czechia has a new Major Leaguer joining the team for the 2026 World Baseball Classic. Former Orioles super utility man Terrin Vavra is stepping in to give the nation some big representation."

According to Clair, Czechia is listed as a fan favorite because the majority of the Czechian players are not professional players, which many of the other countries rely on, but actually hold down full time jobs away from baseball. At most, several of the players are considered semi-professional.

Czechia is making only their second trip to the World Baseball Classic. The team made their first appearance in the 2023 Classic, winning their opening game against Taipei China, and qualified to the 2026 Classic. Twenty teams qualify to play in the Classic and are divided into pools of five teams each. The top four finishers in each pool automatically qualify for the next World Baseball Classic. The last placed team has to go through a qualifying tournament to advance.

Team Czechia, which won their first-ever medal by winning bronze at the 2025 European Championship, is in a very tough pool, headlined by defending champion Japan, which has Shohei Ohtani, considered by many the best baseball player in the world at this time, on their roster. Other teams include Chinese Taipei - the 2024 Premier 12 champion - South Korea and Australia.

Vavra would give Czechia a boost in their opener against Korea, March 4. Trailing South Korea 6-0 in the fifth inning, Vavra launched a three-run home run to cut the lead in half. But South Korea would prevail, 11-4. Australia took a 5-1 win and Taipei blanked Czechia, 14-0. The Czechia team held powerful Japan scoreless for seven innings before Japan exploded for nine runs in the eighth inning to take a 9-0 win Tuesday. Vavra got one of the team’s two hits in the game against Japan to finish the tournament at 3 of 13 with three RBI. Czechia finished the tournament at 0-4. Teams need at least one win in pool play to automatically qualify to the next World Baseball Classic.

Before becoming the longest-serving sports information director at UW-Stout, Layne Pitt worked with the Dunn County News for 11 years, during the 1980s and early 1990s, and has been able to observe first-hand the Vavra baseball family.  

The story "International Baseball" by Layne Pitt is licensed under a CC BY SA 4.0 International license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

All-Big Rivers Conference Teams

Three Mustangs Named Girls Basketball All-Conference, Seven All-BRC Wrestling Team

By Layne Pitt, MNN Contributor

MENOMONIE - Menomonie High School had three student-athletes selected to the 2025-26 All-Big River Conference Girls Basketball Team and seven student-athletes named to the 2025-26 All-BRC Boys Wrestling Team.

On the hardwood, junior Jordan Ohman was a first team All-BRC pick, while senior Reese Barfknecht and freshman Lauren Ohman were honorable mention selections.

According to statistics posted to the GoBound website, Jordan Ohman finished the season second in the BRC in scoring with 490 points over 25 games for a 19.6 points per game average. Only two-time All-BRC player of the year Adaline Sheplee of Rice Lake outscored Ohman. The University of Wisconsin recruit tossed in 737 points (28.3 ppg) this season.

Including most points, Jordan Ohman finished in the top five statistically in five categories. Ohman led the league in assists and steals, dishing off 108 (4.3 assists per game) and swiping 80 steals (3.2 steals per game). She finished second in the BRC in free throws made with 111 and was fifth in rebounds with 208 (8.3 rebounds per game). Ohman connected on 171 of 340 shots from the floor (51.2 percent) and 31 of 82 from 3-point range (37.8 percent). Ohman was a second team pick in 2024-25.

Lauren Ohman was ninth in the BRC in scoring, tallying 275 points at 11.0 points per game. She finished third in 3-point baskets made with 42. From the floor, Lauren Ohman connected on 107 of 251 shots (42.6 percent) and 42 of 108 (38.3 percent) from 3-point range. She finished fifth in the BRC with 55 steals (2.2 steals per game), 30th in rebounds with 70 (28. rebounds per game) and 21st in assist with 42.

Barfknecht tossed in 189 points (7.6 points per game), ranking 22nd. From the floor she made 72 of 235 shots and drained 15 of 65 3-point shots. Barfknecht was 13th in assists with 49 and 18th in steals with 37.

Menomonie finished the season at 14-11 overall, 7-7 in the BRC, tied with River Falls for fourth. The Mustangs finished the season averaging 59.2 points per contest, good for third in the league.

Menomonie dominated the 2025-26 All-BRC Boys Wrestling team, capturing the wrestler of the year award while putting six Mustangs on the first team and one on the honorable mention squad.

Aiden Aure, who won the 138-pound WIAA individual state title, was selected as the 2025-26 Big Rivers Conference wrestler of the year.

Aure was joined on the first team by senior Jake Anderson, senior Bailey Casey, junior Aaron Howard, senior Luke Pember and senior Bryce Shepard. All five advanced to the WIAA individual state tournament. Freshman Calin Howard earned honorable mention honors in his rookie year.

This is third time Aure has been named to the All-BRC first team. Casey has been named to the squad all four years of his career, earning second team honors as a freshman and first team honors his final three years. Shepard is a three-time first team pick, earning honors as a freshman, junior and senior. Anderson is a two-time honoree, moving up from the second team last year. Aaron Howard earned first team honors as a sophomore and senior and second team honors as a junior. Pember is a three-time selection, earning first team honors as a senior and sophomore and second team as a junior.

In his third trip to the state tournament Aure, a junior, defeated the top-seeded wrestler, Cashtyn Botting of Hortonville, in his weight class in the championship match to become the second member of his family to win a state title. His brother, Kellan Aure, won the 138-pound championship in 2023.

Aiden Aure also exacted a measure of revenge at this year's state tournament. In the semi-final match, Aure bested Nathan Henderson of Holmen who had beaten Aure in the sectional final match two weeks earlier.

The story "All-Big Rivers Conference Teams" 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

Menomonie Collegians

Stout’s Mary Berg Earns All-WIAC Honorable Mention Honors

By Layne Pitt, MNN Contributor

MENOMONIE - UW-Stout sophomore guard Mary Berg was an All-Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) honorable mention pick for the 2025-26 season.

Berg, a 2024 Menomonie High School graduate, blossomed into one of the Blue Devils’ most reliable and dynamic contributors this season. After carving out a key reserve role as a freshman — coming off the bench in all 31 games and averaging 20.1 minutes during the team’s magical run — Berg stepped confidently into the spotlight during her second season. She ran the offense for long stretches, started 24 games and logged a team-heavy 32.4 minutes per contest.

Her impact showed up all over the stat sheet. Berg ranked second on the team in scoring at 9.3 points per game. Berg also emerged as the Blue Devils’ most dangerous threat from beyond the arc, knocking down 45 of 126 3-point attempts (35.7 percent, fourth in the WIAC). Berg averaged 1.9 3-pointers per contest, third in the league.

Berg twice scored a career-high 17 points this season - against UW-Whitewater, Jan. 17, and against UW-La Crosse, Feb. 11, where she hit 5 of 10 shots from beyond the arc.

Defensively, she set the tone by leading the team with 42 steals, consistently turning pressure into points. Berg proved automatic at the free-throw line, converting 31 of 35 attempts for a sparkling 88.5 percent. From steady floor leader to clutch performer, Berg elevated her game.

Freshman Addy Verhagen was named as the WIAC’s newcomer of the year and to the first team. Verhagen, from Sheboygan, was the Blue Devils’ leading scorer, averaging 11.8 points per game. Verhagen is the third Blue Devils to earn the newcomer award, which debuted for the 2019-20 season. The Blue Devils finished the season at 13-12 overall.

Swimming and Diving

At Binghamton State University in upstate New York, Menomonie’s Dylan Norby placed fourth and eighth in the diving competitions at the American East Conference Swimming and Diving Championship.

Norby was fourth in 3-meter diving with 370.10 points and eighth in 1-meter diving with 226.45 points.

Norby has qualified for the NCAA Zone Standard in the three-meter event, which is scheduled for March 9-11 in Annapolis, Md.

The Binghamton men placed second as a team. SUNY-Binghamton is located in Binghamton, NY and is an NCAA Division I program.

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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