The WIAA spring sports seasons are finally into full swing. Numerous teams have established themselves as favorites to not only win conference championships but make serious runs in the postseason tournaments.
With hopefully the cold weather and snow behind us, here’s a quick look at some of the early-season teams that appear to be on their way to successful runs. And I know some schools and athletes are going to surprise all of us as the spring campaigns wind down.
In the Classic 8 Conference baseball season, Arrowhead, Waukesha North and Muskego are off to good starts, as is Oconomowoc. The race for the championship could very easily go down to the final games of the season.
Pewaukee is off to another brilliant start, heading into this week with a perfect 10-0 mark. And Monday, it stopped talented Thomas More to move to 11-0. The PHS pitching staff has been outstanding. In the Woodland Conference, New Berlin Eisenhower is also playing well and will offer the stiffest competition for the Pirates.
In the Greater Metro, Menomonee Falls looks like the favorite. Several teams will battle it out for position behind the Falls.
In softball, Muskego came into this week with a perfect 8-0 record. The Warriors have strong pitching and plenty of offense, and will be a tough beat in the Classic 8.
Arrowhead lost to Muskego earlier this season, 2-0. AHS senior shortstop and UW recruit Jackie Showalter came into the week hitting .516 and she belted her ninth homer Monday, giving her 50 for her career. That is believed to tie the state record of 50 set by Westosha Central’s Kayla Konwent several seasons ago. Oconomowoc won’t go down in any game without a fight.
In the Greater Metro, Menomonee Falls is clearly the team to beat. The Phoenix came into this week with a 7-1 record. Hamilton and Brookfield Central appear to be the next-best county teams in that conference.
New Berlin Eisenhower is the heavy favorite to win the Woodland Conference crown. The Lions came into this week undefeated at 8-0.
Waukesha County teams are always good in girls soccer and this spring is no different.
After last week’s play, Kettle Moraine was the best team in the county with an undefeated 6-0 mark. However, the Lasers will have to dodge all kinds of land mines in the Classic 8 with the likes of Muskego, Arrowhead and Oconomowoc.
In the Greater Metro, Hamilton and Brookfield East appear to be the favorites to win the league title.
New Berlin Eisenhower rates the favorite’s role in the Woodland and Pewaukee is expected to offer the stiffest challenge to the Lions.
Golf is about to enter its busiest five weeks of the season. In the Classic 8 Conference, some new kids on the block, Waukesha North and Oconomowoc, look like the teams to beat. Arrowhead and Kettle Moraine have dominated that league for years but right now it’s North and Oconomowoc that have established themselves as the two top teams.
In track and field, Arrowhead recently swept the boys and girls Classic 8 Conference Relays. The Warhawks are the team to beat in both divisions.
County teams also are playing lacrosse this spring and this is the first year that the WIAA is sanctioning the sport. The state tournament will be held later this spring in Sun Prairie. County boys teams playing lacrosse this year are Brookfield Central/ East, Arrowhead, Catholic Memorial, the Hamilton coop, the Mukwonago co-op, Oconomowoc/Pewaukee and Waukesha North/ South/West.
County girls teams playing lacrosse this spring are the Hamilton co-op, Arrowhead, Brookfield Central/ East, Kettle Moraine, the Mukwonago co-op, Muskego, Oconomowoc/Pewaukee and Waukesha North/South/West.
Now, let’s get some good weather and see how the conference seasons and state tournaments play out.
