w w w . m u h s . e d u | 15
Hockey Returns to state The 2012 MUHS Hockey team came into the year with one simple goal, “Play 30,” in other words, make it to the state finals. Sadly, the team came two games short of fulfilling the expectation, losing to eventual state runner-up Wausau West 4-1 in the quarterfinals. “While it was true that we failed to play 30 games, we had a very successful season in terms of our record (22-6) and coming together as a team when it really mattered” said alternate captain James Lueken ’13. “We still reached a few other great milestones: we won the Admiral Cup (for the second year in a row) and The Showdown in Titletown [defeating eventual state champion Green Bay Notre Dame],” added two-year starting goaltender Mike “Roz” Roznik ’13. Early in the season, none of the accolades listed above looked possible after the Hilltoppers sputtered to a 3-3 start. Roznik credited the team’s incredible turnaround to the upperclassmen. “The experience of the players who had already been to state helped the new players relax,” he said. “They helped everyone mellow out and focus on the task at hand.” After the early-season struggles, the team finished with a 19-5 record. MUHS then blew through its first two sectional opponents with a combined score of 15-0 before an incredible come-from-behind win against Kettle Moraine (3-2) booked the Hilltoppers their second consecutive trip to Madison. Although the team failed to win a state championship, both Roznik and Lueken still have great memories of this historic season. ”We were able to fight through adversity and find our identity as a team,” says Lueken. Roznik says the “seniors were great guys to be around,” Unfortunately MUHS Hockey will lose team captain Aaron Miller ’12 and leading goal scorer Joe Llaurado ’12. Despite the losses, Lueken still feels the team can bounce back. “Although over half the team [11 seniors] will graduate, I believe that we have a strong core of talented guys still in the program that we will be able to build success with.”
MUHS received the National Strength and Conditioning Association’s Strength of America Award, an honor that recognizes excellence in conditioning programs. Mike Duehring is the director of the Marquette High Performance and Fitness program. MUHS was one of 14 schools nationwide to receive the award and, with Muskego High, one of only two Wisconsin high schools to receive this distinction. Gabe Grahek ’13 placed fifth in his weight class at the WIAA state wrestling tournament. He also placed first at both the Wisconsin Junior State Freestyle and Wisconsin Junior State Greco–Roman tournaments. He placed eighth at the 2012 USA Folkstyle Junior Nationals in Cedar Falls, Iowa. His current overall record is 126–16. The MUHS hockey team won its sectional and qualified for the state tournament. Joe Llaurado ’12 and Mike Roznik ’13 were named to the Wisconsin Hockey Coaches Association’s All-State First Team. Griff Jeszka ’13 received honorable mention from the association. Llaurado also was named the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel’s Player of the Year and finalist for the association’s State Player of the Year. The varsity ski team took fifth place at state. Will Blommer ’13 had an individual finish of third place at state. The varsity golf team placed first in conference and third at the WIAA state tournament. Keegan English ’12 was named to the Golf Coaches Association of Wisconsin’s All-State Second Team and James Christian ’13 was named to the association’s All-State Third Team. Joe McAsey ’12 ran a time of 9:19.73 in the 3200m run to earn a fourth-place finish at the WIAA State Track and Field meet and break a Marquette High record previously held by Jake Erschen ’10. Lorenzo Flores ’14, Jack Ordman ’13, Taylor Shively ’12 and Matt Misiewicz ’12 are members of the 4 x 400 relay team that placed second at the WIAA State Track and Field meet with a time of 3:21.44. Damon Niquet ’13, Matt Lynch ’13, CJ Armbrust ’13 and Connor Muth ’12 were all named to the Wisconsin High School Tennis Coaches Association’s All-State First Team. Greg Raster ’13 and Austin Budiono ’14 were named to the association’s All-State Second Team. Niquet was also named the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel’s Player of the Year. The tennis team finished with a record of 21-2. The lacrosse team was a state tournament qualifier. Head lacrosse coach Rich Pruszynski was selected to co-coach the 2012 Champion All-American Showcase, which took place in Orlando, Fla., in July. Pruszynski helped coach the top 96 players from across the country who were selected to play. Jack Fitzgibbons ’12 was selected to the Wisconsin Lacrosse Federation All-State Team and named a U.S. Lacrosse 2012 Boys All-American. Nick Tjarksen ’13 was selected to play in the Champion All-American Showcase, which is played as part of the ESPNHS Games and features the nation’s elite high school players.
Hilltopper Highlights sports
By Noah Simmons ’13