It’s freezing outside finally, and I don’t like it.
Winter is officially here, as the final fall state tournaments, boys volleyball and swimming, wrapped up last weekend.
Westosha Central was ousted in the first round in boys volleyball, Burlington fans.
With the first basketball games tipping off Tuesday night, there is no gap between seasons.
But before we get full throttle with hoops, gymnastics, wrestling and more swimming the next four months, let’s take a second to reflect on the fall season.
Burlington had stellar teams in volleyball, tennis and cross country, Waterford’s football run was impressive and Union Grove golf, tennis and volleyball had banner seasons.
But out of all these athletes, teams and coaches, only one can be dubbed the male athlete, female athlete, coach and team of the fall.
Let’s dive right in to this past season’s recipients:
Male Athlete of the Fall
Jake Bauer, Waterford
This guy has been written about so much in the Waterford Post, he may have to take an ad soon.
The 5-foot-9 senior running back carried the Wolverines on his back all the way to the Division 2 state semifinals.
After a 1-2 start, Waterford fired off eight straight wins, and Bauer ran all over the competition.
Bauer ran for 1,180 yards, second best in the Southern Lakes Conference, racking up five straight 100-yard games and six overall.
In the playoff opener, Bauer rushed for 160 yards, and he contributed the game-winning touchdowns with less than a minute to play in a Level 2 victory over South Milwaukee.
A team guy and solid kid off the field, Bauer was always quick to credit his teammates first even when he had a big game. He said the senior leadership on the squad was impeccable, and he admired the underclassmen for buying in and helping turn things around after a rough start to the season.
Bauer is a first team all-Southern Lakes Conference running back and the best football player in the area (Burlington, Catholic Central, Waterford, Union Grove).
What sets him apart, though, is his will to win and his team-first attitude. Bauer’s 14-yard run on third and long, a play that clinched the victory at Burlington, says everything about him as a player.
Female Athlete of the Fall
Ali Rueter, Burlington
Before you rip my head off for not picking sophomore hitter Quinn Spieker, a first team all-SLC pick, consider a few things here.
Both players are great, and the Burlington girls volleyball future is very bright.
If I could give this to two players, it would be Rueter and Spieker.
But it’s the versatility of Rueter, a sophomore, that sets her apart from the rest of the area girls.
The outside hitter/setter had to step up and attack more this year with key injuries to hitters Tay Lewis and Phoebe Hozeska.
Not only did she do her part at the net, with several games with double-digit kills, Rueter racked up assists as well.
That is a rare feat at this level of volleyball. You simply don’t see many athletes as one of the leaders in kills and assists on any given night. Not to mention digs and aces. Rueter is a stat stuffer.
In the sectional final loss to Westosha Central, Rueter led the Demons with 24 assists, many of which went to Spieker. But Rueter also tallied 11 kills and nine digs and led the team with two aces.
There isn’t much Rueter can’t do on the court, and with Rueter, Spieker, Lewis, Leah Hofer, Emma Fettig, Robyn Robers and many more back next year, don’t be surprised if Burlington isn’t back at state in 2014.
Team of the Fall
Union Grove girls volleyball
Though Burlington was better, beating Union Grove twice, the Broncos made huge strides for the program in 2013.
For the first time in school history, the Grove was ranked in the Wisconsin Volleyball Coaches Association Division 1 state poll (10th). Also, the girls advanced to their first ever Division 1 sectional final.
They still took a back seat to Burlington and Westosha Central in the Southern Lakes Conference, but the Lady Broncos are very good and will only get better.
Junior Savannah Kolhagen was a first team all-SLC selection at outside hitter, and sophomore Kylie Wilks is a do-it-all type of talent. Wilks joined Kolhagen on the first team.
Central will lose quite a few seniors, so expect the Grove and Burlington to battle for the conference crown next year.
Coach of the Fall
Rose Dolatowski, Burlington girls tennis
After more than 25 years of coaching tennis in Burlington, Dolatowski’s bunch made history this fall.
The Lady Demons made team state for the first time, with a balanced, deep lineup of girls with standout athleticism and mental acumen.
Lacey Londre advanced to individual state in singles, and the doubles teams of Olivia Lueck and Alli Zeman and Lydia Crabtree and Sierra Koenen joined Londre at individual state.
Dolatowski does an excellent job of giving her girls positive motivation. She encourages the girls to stay focused, and Dolatowski makes them believe they can overcome any obstacle.
Active in the offseason getting girls on the court at Four Lakes Athletic Club and helping to initiate community involvement at the Burlington High School facilities, Dolatowski truly loves tennis.
Her passion for the sport makes everyone around her that much better, whether it be coaches or players.
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