WIAC presents conference-wide 2021 fall preseason previews

MADISON (August 28, 2021) - The Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) presented the 2021 conference-wide previews last week for the sports of football, women's soccer and volleyball.

Football
MADISON, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, winner of 12 of the last 15 titles, is the favorite to secure the 2021 Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) football championship, according to a preseason poll conducted by the league's head coaches and sports information directors.
 
The 2020 season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic for all eight WIAC teams.
 
The Warhawks, ranked second nationally in a preseason poll by Lindy's Sports and fourth by both D3football.com and College Football America, have claimed a league-best 37 conference titles. UW-Whitewater brings back nine starters on offense and three starters on defense from the 2019 campaign. The defensive unit will be led by defensive lineman Mackenzie Balanganayi, who was chosen the 2019 WIAC Defensive Player of the Year.
 
UW-Oshkosh, which shared the 2019 title with UW-Whitewater, has captured 11 titles in program archives and is slotted for second in the WIAC standings. The Titans are ranked ninth by both D3football.com and Lindy's Sports, and 16th by College Football America. Quarterback Kobe Berghammer was selected the 2019 WIAC Newcomer of the Year.
 
UW-La Crosse is ranked 27th by College Football America. The Eagles are pegged for fourth in this year's WIAC race behind UW-Platteville.

The remaining order in the conference predictions features: UW-Stout; UW-Stevens Point; UW-Eau Claire; and UW-River Falls.

The WIAC recently announced that it will participate in the inaugural Culver's Isthmus Bowl. The event will be held on Nov. 20, 2021, at the newly constructed, award-winning Verona Area High School Wildcat Stadium. The bowl game will feature one team from the WIAC and College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin – the highest-placing team in each conference's standings that isn't selected for the NCAA Division III Championship.
 
The 2021 season is set to begin Sept. 2 with UW-Platteville hosting East Texas Baptist University. The remaining seven WIAC teams will start their non-conference schedule Sept. 4. The conference slate will commence Oct. 2.
 
2021 Preseason Predictions--Voted on by WIAC Head Coaches and Sports Information Directors
 

	2019 Record
1. UW-Whitewater	13-2 overall, 6-1 WIAC
2. UW-Oshkosh	8-3, 6-1
3. UW-Platteville	7-3, 4-3
4. UW-La Crosse	7-3, 5-2
5. UW-Stout	4-6, 3-4
6. UW-Stevens Point	3-7, 2-5
7. UW-Eau Claire	3-7, 1-6
8. UW-River Falls	2-8, 1-6

  
Team Capsules
 
UW-Eau Claire
Head Coach:  Wesley Beschorner; 2nd season at UWEC; 3-7
Letterwinners Returning/Lost on Offense:  35/12
Letterwinners Returning/Lost on Defense:  32/16
Letterwinners Returning/Lost at Kicker:  1/1
Starters Returning/Lost on Offense:  7/4
Starters Returning/Lost on Defense:  6/5
Starters Returning/Lost at Kicker:  1/1

Returning All-WIAC:  Austin Belot, Sr., RB (2019-Second); Victor Martinelli, Sr., LB (2017-Honorable, 2018-Honorable, 2019-First); Drew Shrader, Sr., OL (2019-Second)
 
Notable Returning Offensive Players:  Darius Jones, Sr., WR; Jonathan Malueg, Jr., QB; Seth Mitchell, Jr., OL; Joe Swanson, Sr., TE
 
Notable Returning Defensive Players:  Alex Mashek, Sr., LB; Trevor Nelson, Sr., DL; Carmello Rosado, Sr., DB
 
Notable Returning Special Teams Players:  Cole Dunbar, So., LS
 
 
UW-La Crosse
Head Coach:  Matt Janus; 1st season at UWL; 0-0
Letterwinners Returning/Lost on Offense:  31/25
Letterwinners Returning/Lost on Defense:  23/26
Letterwinners Returning/Lost at Kicker:  2/1
Starters Returning/Lost on Offense:  5/6
Starters Returning/Lost on Defense:  2/9
Starters Returning/Lost at Kicker:  2/0

Returning All-WIAC:  Connor Berry, Sr., OL (2018-Second); Alex Bongers, Sr., OL (2019-Honorable); Rusty Murphy, Sr., LB (2018-Honorable, 2019-First); Sean Parker, Jr., P (2017-Honorable, 2018-Second, 2019-Honorable); Jake Simuncak, Sr., WR (2018-Second, 2019-Second); Cameron Sorenson, Jr., WR (2019-Honorable); Joey Stutzman, Jr., RB (2019-Second)
 
Notable Returning Offensive Players:  Ryan Beirne, Sr., WR; Mike Bertoia, Jr., OL; Will Josten, Jr., TE
 
Notable Returning Defensive Players:  Max Brower, Sr., DB; Josh Dorschner, Jr., DL; Trevar Helland, Sr., DB; AJ Spychala, Sr., LB
 
Notable Returning Special Teams Players:  Ryan Beirne, Sr., PK
 
 
UW-Oshkosh
Head Coach:  Pat Cerroni; 14th season at UWO; 103-42
Letterwinners Returning/Lost on Offense:  16/12
Letterwinners Returning/Lost on Defense:  21/13
Letterwinners Returning/Lost at Kicker:  1/2
Starters Returning/Lost on Offense:  8/3
Starters Returning/Lost on Defense:  6/5
Starters Returning/Lost at Kicker:  2/0

Returning All-WIAC:  Kobe Berghammer, So., QB (2019-Newcomer of the Year); Kollyn Beyer, Sr., DB (2019-Second); Jaydon Haag, Jr., PK (2019-First/Special Teams Player of the Year); Brandon Hughes, Sr., DE (2019-Honorable); Tory Jandrin, Jr., LB (2019-Honorable); Justin Kasuboski, Sr., TE (2019-First); Brandon Kolgen, Jr., DE (2019-Second); Trenton LaCombe, Sr., DL (2019-Second); Nick Noethe, Sr., LB (2019-First); Mike Olsen, Sr., C (2019-First)
 
Notable Returning Offensive Players:  Joe Blitstein, Sr., OL; Mitchell Gerend, Sr., WR; Peter MacCudden, So., RB; Hunter Schultz, Sr., OL
 
Notable Returning Defensive Players:  Brody Milz, So., LB; Jared Saad, So., DB; Kyle Scharenbroch, Jr., DB; Tyler Staerkel, Jr., LB
 
Notable Returning Special Teams Players:  Alec Elkin, So, RS; Tony Steger, So., RS
 
 
UW-Platteville
Head Coach:  Mike Emendorfer; 22nd season at UWP; 108-104
Letterwinners Returning/Lost on Offense:  12/16
Letterwinners Returning/Lost on Defense:  16/17
Letterwinners Returning/Lost at Kicker:  3/0
Starters Returning/Lost on Offense:  7/4
Starters Returning/Lost on Defense:  2/9
Starters Returning/Lost at Kicker:  3/0

Returning All-WIAC:  Donald Allender, Sr., WR (2019-Second); Carter Brehm, Sr., OL (2019-Second); Hunter Grams, Sr., PK (2019-Second); Colin Schuetz, Sr., QB (2019-First); Andrew Schweigert, Jr., K (2019-Second)
 
Notable Returning Offensive Players:  Brett Burant, Sr., OL; Brandt Stare, Jr., WR
 
Notable Returning Defensive Players:  Logan Ketelhut, Sr., DL; Aiden Tyk, Jr., DB
 
Notable Returning Special Teams Players:  Jared Scheberl, Jr., PK
 
 
UW-River Falls
Head Coach:  Matt Walker; 13th season (10th at UWRF); 23-67 (overall) / 23-67 (UWRF)
Letterwinners Returning/Lost on Offense:  19/12
Letterwinners Returning/Lost on Defense:  18/12
Letterwinners Returning/Lost at Kicker:  2/0
Starters Returning/Lost on Offense:  5/6
Starters Returning/Lost on Defense:  5/6
Starters Returning/Lost at Kicker:  2/0

Returning All-WIAC:  Andy Metcalf, Sr., LB (2019-Honorable); Alex Traxler, Sr., WR (2019-Honorable)
 
Notable Returning Offensive Players:  Ben Beise, Sr., TE; Luke Fugate, Sr., RB; Kole Hinrichsen, Sr., QB; Jager Reissman, So., WR
 
Notable Returning Defensive Players:  Dominique Turner, Sr., DB; Drew Hahn, Jr., DL; Cal Rosen, So., DB; Ben Ertz, Sr., LB
 
Notable Returning Special Teams Players:  Bobby Patterson, SR., P/K
 
 
UW-Stevens Point
Head Coach:  Greg Breitbach; 8th season (3rd at UWSP); 17-58 (overall) / 7-13 (UWSP)
Letterwinners Returning/Lost on Offense:  11/6
Letterwinners Returning/Lost on Defense:  14/8
Letterwinners Returning/Lost at Kicker:  2/0
Starters Returning/Lost on Offense:  4/7
Starters Returning/Lost on Defense:  3/8
Starters Returning/Lost at Kicker:  2/0

Returning All-WIAC:  Berkley Corvino, Sr., DL (2019-HM); Kameron Kryzanski, Sr., LB (2019-Second); Victor Ponterio, Sr., K (2018-Second)
 
Notable Returning Offensive Players:  Devin Baldridge, Sr., TE; Joe Hare, Sr., WR; Max Herro, Sr., QB; Jahi Stigall, Sr., RB
 
Notable Returning Defensive Players:  Michael Stephenson, Sr., LB; Gavin Tachick, Jr., DB; Tyler Van Ess, Sr., DB; Reese Wiggins, Sr., DB
 
Notable Returning Special Teams Players:  None
 
 
UW-Stout
Head Coach:  Clayt Birmingham; 11th season at UWST; 40-59
Letterwinners Returning/Lost on Offense:  12/17
Letterwinners Returning/Lost on Defense:  19/18
Letterwinners Returning/Lost at Kicker:  0/1
Starters Returning/Lost on Offense:  5/6
Starters Returning/Lost on Defense:  3/8
Starters Returning/Lost at Kicker:  0/1

Returning All-WIAC:  Sean Borgerding, Jr., QB (2018-Honorable, 2019-Honorable); Rayshawn Graham, Sr., RB (2017-Second, 2018-Honorable); Levy Hamer, Jr., WR (2018-Second/WR, 2018-Honorable/All-Purp., 2019-Second); Tyler Seymour, Sr., WR (2018-Second)
 
Notable Returning Offensive Players:  Jesus Ambriz, So., OL; Parker Fossum, Jr., WR; Josh Nitek, Jr., RB; Justin Schlangen, Jr., OL
 
Notable Returning Defensive Players:  Canon Griner, So., DB; Scott Gustafson, Jr., DL; Haydon Miller, Sr., LB; Mason Priebe, Jr., DB
 
Notable Returning Special Teams Players:  None
 
 
UW-Whitewater
Head Coach:  Kevin Bullis; 6th season at UWW; 56-9
Letterwinners Returning/Lost on Offense:  27/28
Letterwinners Returning/Lost on Defense:  19/32
Letterwinners Returning/Lost at Kicker:  1/2
Starters Returning/Lost on Offense:  9/2
Starters Returning/Lost on Defense:  3/8
Starters Returning/Lost at Kicker:  0/2

Returning All-WIAC:  Mackenzie Balanganayi, Sr., DL (2019-First/Defensive Player of the Year); Kyle Gannon, Sr., OL (2018-Second, 2019-Second); Derek Kumerow, Sr., WR (2019-Honorable); Mark McGrath, Sr., DB (2019-First); Alex Peete, Sr., RB (2018-First, 2019-First); Ryan Wisniewski, Sr., WR/Ret. Spec. (2018-Second, 2019-First/WR, 2019-Honorable/All-Purp.); Jared Zausch, Sr., TE (2019-Honorable)
 
Notable Returning Offensive Players:  Tyler Holte, Jr., WR; Ethan Kee, Sr., OL; Douglas Kosch, Sr., OL; Max Meylor, Sr., QB
 
Notable Returning Defensive Players:  Egon Hein, So., DB; Niko Lemke, So., DL; Ryan Liszka, Jr., LB; Tommy Matoska, Sr., DB
 
Notable Returning Special Teams Players:  Sam DeLany, So., Ret. Spec.

Soccer
MADISON, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, the defending conference champion, has been tabbed to win the 2021 Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) women's soccer championship, according to a preseason poll conducted by the league's head coaches and sports information directors.
 
The 2020 season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic for all eight WIAC teams.
 
The Warhawks, who also claimed the WIAC tournament crown during the 2019 campaign, have secured seven regular-season championships and five tournament titles in program history. UW-Whitewater welcomes back eight starters, including midfielder Anna Brodjian, who claimed WIAC Offensive Player of the Year honors in 2019. Also returning is midfielder Anna Boyd, who is a three-time All-WIAC first team honoree.
 
UW-Eau Claire has won three regular-season championships in program history with the most recent in 2007 and is picked to finish second in the league race.
 
UW-La Crosse owns four regular-season titles, including three of the last five, and is slotted for third in the conference standings. In 2019, defender Katie Feller was recognized as the WIAC Defensive Player of the Year, while midfielder Sydney Halstead secured Newcomer of the Year accolades.
 
The remaining order in the conference predictions features: UW-Stevens Point; UW-Oshkosh; UW-River Falls; UW-Stout; and UW-Platteville.
 
In 2019, the conference had a pair of teams (UW-Stevens Point and UW-Whitewater) receive bids into the NCAA Division III Championship for the second time in three seasons.
 
WIAC teams will begin their non-conference schedules on Sept. 1, while the conference slate will commence on Sept. 29. The top-six teams in the league standings will qualify for the WIAC Championship (presented by Culver's). The event will be held Nov. 2, 4, and 6, with all matches hosted by the higher-seeded team. The winner of the tournament will receive an automatic NCAA bid.
 
2021 Preseason Predictions--Voted on by WIAC Head Coaches and Sports Information Directors
 

	2019 Record
1. UW-Whitewater	14-6-3 overall, 5-1-1 WIAC
2. UW-Eau Claire	14-6, 5-2
3. UW-La Crosse	12-7-3, 4-2-1
4. UW-Stevens Point	11-5-3, 5-2
5. UW-Oshkosh	8-10-1, 3-4
6. UW-River Falls	10-10-1, 2-4-1
7. UW-Stout	5-13, 1-6
8. UW-Platteville	2-15-2, 1-5-1

 
 
Team Capsules
 
UW-Eau Claire
Head Coach:  Sean Yengo; 24th season at UWEC; 270-157-43
Letterwinners Returning/Lost:  12/1
Starters Returning/Lost:  10/1
Returning All-WIAC:  Kiki Kussow, Jr., D (2019-First); Emma Stange, Sr., M (2019-First)
 
Notable Returning Players:  Megan Hansen, Jr., F; Anna Kautzman, Sr., M; Anna Sveiven, Sr., GK; Lauren Talbot, Sr., D
 
 
UW-La Crosse
Head Coach:  Jason Murphy; 11th season (7th at UWL); 122-65-19 (overall) / 81-32-16 (UWL)
Letterwinners Returning/Lost:  20/7
Starters Returning/Lost:  7/4
Returning All-WIAC:  Sophie Amundson, Sr., M (2019-First); Katie Feller, Sr., D (2019-First/Defensive Player of the Year); Sydney Halstead, So., M (2019-First/Newcomer of the Year); Quinn Shannon, Sr., GK (2019-First)
 
Notable Returning Players:  Ainsley Allen, So., F; Camryn Hart, So., M; Natalie Schisel, So., F; Julia Smith, So., D
 
 
UW-Oshkosh
Head Coach:  Erin Coppernoll; 21st season (17th at UWO); 191-167-35 (overall) / 167-122-32 (UWO)
Letterwinners Returning/Lost:  14/13
Starters Returning/Lost:  5/6
Returning All-WIAC:  Mallory Knight, Sr., F (2018-First, 2019-First)
 
Notable Returning Players:  Mackenzie Bennett, Jr., D; Maddie Hill, Jr., M; Rylie Kaufmann, So., F; Maddie Young, So., D
 
 
UW-Platteville
Head Coach:  Sam Koenig; 1st season at UWP; 0-0
Letterwinners Returning/Lost:  5/8
Starters Returning/Lost:  2/3
Returning All-WIAC:  Amber Lueder, Sr., F (2018-First)
 
Notable Returning Players:  Leah Kubasta, Sr., F
 
 
UW-River Falls
Head Coach:  Sean McKuras; 19th season at UWRF; 163-159-29
Letterwinners Returning/Lost:  8/14
Starters Returning/Lost:  2/9
Returning All-WIAC:  None
 
Notable Returning Players:  Alexis Peterson, So., M; Kelly Patras, Sr., D; Moya Murray, Jr., D; Alayna Westerman, Jr., M
 
 
UW-Stevens Point
Head Coach:  Dawn Crow; 8th season (6th season at UWSP); 50-67-13 (overall) / 41-43-9 (UWSP)
Letterwinners Returning/Lost:  10/13
Starters Returning/Lost:  7/4
Returning All-WIAC:  Kati Frierdich, Jr., F (2019-First)
 
Notable Returning Players:  Jacqueline Aleman, Sr., F; Bridgit Kauzlaric, Sr., M; Sophia Reddan, Sr., D
 
 
UW-Stout
Head Coach:  Ryan Raufus; 10th season at UWST; 60-85-19
Letterwinners Returning/Lost:  9/10
Starters Returning/Lost:  6/5
Returning All-WIAC:  None
 
Notable Returning Players:  Caylee Boone, Sr. D; Marissa Steele, Sr., M; Lexie Wescott, Sr., D; Rachel Younker, Jr., M
 
 
UW-Whitewater
Head Coach:  Ryan Quamme; 9th season at UWW; 131-37-13
Letterwinners Returning/Lost:  14/12
Starters Returning/Lost:  8/3
Returning All-WIAC:  Carley Albrecht, Sr., D (2019-First); Anna Boyd, Sr., M (2017-First, 2018-First, 2019-First); Anna Brodjian, Sr., M (2019/Offensive Player of the Year); Savannah Curtis, Jr., F (2019-First); Katy Kusswurm, Sr., D (2019-First)
 
Notable Returning Players:  Elizabeth Klein, So., M; Megan Kurtz, So., D; Olivia May, So., F; Carli Nehls, Jr., M
 

Volleyball
MADISON, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, the defending conference champion, is pegged to capture the 2021 Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) women's volleyball championship, according to a preseason poll conducted by the league's head coaches and sports information directors.
 
The 2020 season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic for all eight WIAC teams.
 
The Warhawks have claimed a league-best 17 regular-season titles and 16 tournament crowns. UW-Whitewater returns four starters, including libero Morgan Jensen, who was an All-WIAC first team and all-defensive team selection in 2019.
 
UW-Eau Claire owns six regular-season championships in programs archives with the most recent in 2018 and is slotted for second in the conference standings.
 
UW-Stevens Point secured the WIAC tournament title in 2019 – the third in program history – and has won five regular-season championships. The Pointers are pegged for third in the WIAC race.
 
The remaining order in the conference predictions features: UW-Oshkosh; UW-La Crosse; UW-River Falls; UW-Stout; and UW-Platteville.
 
WIAC teams will begin their non-conference schedules on Sept. 1, while the conference slate will commence on Sept. 15. The top-six teams in the league standings will qualify for the WIAC Championship (presented by Culver's). The event will be held Nov. 2, 4, and 6, with all matches hosted by the higher-seeded team. The winner of the tournament will receive an automatic NCAA bid.
 
2021 Preseason Predictions--Voted on by WIAC Head Coaches and Sports Information Directors
 

	2019 Record
1. UW-Whitewater	22-10 overall, 6-1 WIAC
2. UW-Eau Claire	20-10, 5-2
3. UW-Stevens Point	28-9, 5-2
4. UW-Oshkosh	21-10, 4-3
5. UW-La Crosse	16-14, 2-5
6. UW-River Falls	22-13, 3-4
7. UW-Sout	19-11, 1-6
8. UW-Platteville	16-14, 2-5

 
Team Capsules
 
UW-Eau Claire
Head Coach:  Kim Wudi; 14th season at UWEC; 307-143
Letterwinners Returning/Lost:  14/4
Starters Returning/Lost:  6/1
Returning All-WIAC:  Kendra Baierl, Sr., MH (2019-First); Arianna Barrett, Jr., OH (2018-First, 2019-First); Makenzie Bachmann, Sr., OH (2018-Honorable, 2019-Honorable); Taylor Scalia, Sr., L (2019-Defensive)
 
Notable Returning Players:  Sheridan Dettmann, So., DS/L; Sarah Kuchcik, So., OH; Abby Volk, Jr., MH
 
 
UW-La Crosse
Head Coach:  Amber Dunn; 6th season (4th at UWL); 87-67 (overall) / 54-34 (UWL)
Letterwinners Returning/Lost:  13/5
Starters Returning/Lost:  5/2
Returning All-WIAC:  Emma Lawrence, Sr., OH (2018-First, 2019-First)
 
Notable Returning Players:  Brianne Korducki, Jr., OH; Liz Lansink, Sr., MB: Sophie Quelle, Sr., DS/L; Anna Rossner, Jr., MB
 
 
UW-Oshkosh
Head Coach:  Jon Ellmann; 4th season at UWO; 58-40
Letterwinners Returning/Lost:  8/10
Starters Returning/Lost:  3/4
Returning All-WIAC:  None
 
Notable Returning Players:  Becky Brezen, Jr., DS; Emma Kiekhofer, Jr., S; Kate Nottoli, So., MB; Carissa Sundholm, So., OH
 
 
UW-Platteville
Head Coach:  Samantha Birkicht; 4th season at UWP; 40-51
Letterwinners Returning/Lost:  6/11
Starters Returning/Lost:  4/3
Returning All-WIAC:  Kaite Asche, Sr., MB/OH (2019-Honorable); Olivia Kudronowicz, Sr., OH (2019-First)
 
Notable Returning Players:  Sam Rossetti, Jr., S; Lita Solbrig, Sr., MB; Hailey Youngren, Sr., OH
 
 
UW-River Falls
Head Coach:  Patti Ford; 29th season at UWRF; 610-396
Letterwinners Returning/Lost:  9/14
Starters Returning/Lost:  2/5
Returning All-WIAC:  Katie Koerper, Sr., OH (2019-First)
 
Notable Returning Players:  Sarah Langlois, Jr., MB; Haley Cuba, Jr., S
 
 
UW-Stevens Point
Head Coach:  Lyndsay Kooi; 3rd season at UWSP; 46-25
Letterwinners Returning/Lost:  9/10
Starters Returning/Lost:  2/5
Returning All-WIAC:  None
 
Notable Returning Players:  Emma Peterson, Sr., DS/L; Kelsie Belfiori, Jr., DS/L; Megan Lau, Sr., OH/RS
 
 
UW-Stout
Head Coach:  Mandy Trautmann; 3rd season at UWST; 35-24
Letterwinners Returning/Lost:  4/9
Starters Returning/Lost:  1/6
Returning All-WIAC:  Lexie Nelson, Sr., S/OH (2018-Honorable)
 
Notable Returning Players:  Emili Cain, Sr., MH/RS; Grace Maurer, Sr., OH; Staci Meyer, Jr., S
 
 
UW-Whitewater
Head Coach:  Stacy Boudreau; 19th season (16th at UWW); 504-158 (overall) / 434-121 (UWW)
Letterwinners Returning/Lost:  10/8
Starters Returning/Lost:  4/3
Returning All-WIAC:  Morgan Jensen, So., L (2019-First, 2019-Defensive); Erin McNeil, Jr., OH (2018-First)
 
Notable Returning Players:  Emma Aske, Sr., OH; KellyAnn Sotiros, Sr., S; Morgan Wardall, Sr., MH; Hailey Mackenthun, Sr., DS