Bonduel named top school after several strong showings across year

Area high school sports teams had another successful showing during the 2022-23 school year, with several memorable moments and accomplishments along the way.

Bonduel turned in several great seasons across several sports, helping the Bears earn the NEW Media Inc. School of the Year honor.

The school’s success began back in the fall season.

The girls cross-country team convincingly won a Central Wisconsin Conference title. The Bears then qualified for state as a team after winning a sectional title.

A team of Ashlyn Kurey, Mariah Wondra, Teagan Engel, Kendra Troxel, Joselyn Bohm, Hailey Berg and Cierra Schnell placed seventh at the state meet.

Ben O’Brien was the top boys cross-country runner from Bonduel, also making it to state.

Bonduel’s girls golf team placed third at its regional meet to qualify for sectionals. Sarah Garside led the Bears throughout the season and made the all-conference second team in the Bay Conference.

“We are in a nice run with some pretty good athletes coming through right now,” said Bonduel girls golf and boys basketball coach Duke Copp, of Bonduel’s overall athletic success. “What also contributes to their success is they are really good kids who like to play and also have a fun time doing it. Credit to the kids.”

Bonduel’s football team placed third in the Packerland Conference with a 5-2 record. All four of the team’s overall losses came to teams that were listed in the final state rankings.

The Bears outscored their final four regular season opponents 137-6 and then earned a road playoff win over Crivitz. The team earned all-conference recognition at 15 spots.

Bonduel’s volleyball team went 22-8 during the fall season. The Bears advanced to a regional title match before being ousted in five sets by eventual state-qualifiers Wittenberg-Birnamwood.

Four Bears earned all-conference recognition for their play on the volleyball court.

Bonduel’s basketball and wrestling teams enjoyed productive winter seasons.

The girls basketball team won a CWC-East title with a 13-1 mark and ended the season with a 22-5 overall record.

Bonduel won a regional title before falling by two points in a sectional semifinal to eventual state-qualifying Mishicot. None of the team’s four all-conference players were seniors.

“We have had a great group of athletes come through Bonduel that are willing to work hard year-round on all the sports,” said Bonduel girls basketball coach Jerry Reinke, on the school’s overall athletic success. “They find time to get in the weight room and also hone their skills, even when that particular sport is not in season.

“We have been blessed with unselfish kids who put their teammates’ successes ahead of their own. Our parents and the community have been supportive of the sports programs, and our youth coaches do a great job of getting the athletes ready for high school competition. I also think the fact we have several coaches that have led our programs for many years has been very beneficial to our continued success — not only during competition, but also in the classroom.”

Bonduel’s boys basketball team earned 19 wins this past winter, finishing tied for second in the CWC-East after a four-game winning streak to end the regular season.

The Bears won a regional playoff game and had two all-conference players, with neither being seniors. In fact, by the time the season ended, its entire varsity roster was without a senior player.

Bonduel’s wrestling team came in third at the CWC Tournament, with Jaxon and Tyson Bogacz taking first in their weight classes. Those two, plus Colin Fischer, Kaitlyn Kroening, Hailey Berg and Maddy Sokolski, made it to the state tournament in Madison.

Sokolski stole the show at state with a dominant showing on her way to a state title. Tyson Bogacz and Hailey Berg each placed fourth, while Kroening came in sixth.

Bonduel enjoyed more success in the spring season.

The boys golf team dominated in CWC action, comfortably winning the conference title. Reed Luepke, Jake Dreyer, Colin Margelofsky and Jaxon Bogacz all finished inside the top 10 in the conference as individual golfers.

Bonduel went on to place second at regionals to qualify for sectionals as a team. The Bears missed out on a spot at state by two shots.

Bonduel’s softball team won a share of the CWC-East title with an 11-3 record. The Bears went 18-6 overall and won a regional title before falling in a sectional semifinal to eventual state champion Iola-Scandinavia.

Five Bears made an all-conference list, led by Hailee Thompson being named the Co-Player of the Year in the conference.

Bonduel’s baseball team finished fourth in the CWC-East standings with a 9-5 mark. The Bears won 14 games overall, including a playoff contest.

None of the team’s five all-conference players were seniors.

Bonduel’s track and field teams each enjoyed success this spring, with three individuals and a relay team ending the season competing at state.

Ryan Westrich led the boys team at the CWC-Large Meet with a pair of top-three finishes. He placed eighth at state in the shot put. Senior Karter Schroeder took ninth in the high jump at state.

The girls team was powered by its 4x800 relay team, which won a conference title. The quartet of Troxel, Schnell, Kurey and Wondra capped the year competing at state. Wondra, who was second in the conference in the 3,200, also made it to state in that event.

“We are fortunate to have good kids, many of which are multiple sport athletes,” said Bonduel football coach James Westrich, of the school’s year of success. “They work hard are very coachable, and respect their teammates and coaches.

“Many of our student-athletes put in extra time improving their skills and strength. We also have organized and dedicated coaching staffs, along with great community and administrative support.”

Four Bonduel teams — girls cross-country, football, girls basketball and softball — were named Teams of the Year in All-Region Review season recaps during the 2022-23 school year.

sports@newmedia-wi.com