High School Sports Stars Shine in Chippewa Herald’s Weekly Spotlight

The Chippewa Herald has launched a weekly initiative to honor the achievements of five standout high school athletes, highlighting their notable performances even if they do not always reflect the best statistics. Each week, readers are invited to vote for the “Supernova,” recognizing the athlete whose performance stood out the most. Here are the featured athletes for the week of September 17, 2023.

Henry Fish Leads Chippewa Falls Cross Country Team

Chippewa Falls junior Henry Fish was a key contributor at the Mustang Relays held in Menomonie, finishing 23rd out of more than 110 runners. Fish clocked a time of 17 minutes, 49.7 seconds, just shy of his personal best of 17:49.5 set at the Eau Claire North Invitational on August 30. His latest performance also marked an improvement from his previous race at last year’s Division 1 sectionals, where he placed 42nd with a time of 17:58.5. The Cardinals will return to Menomonie for sectionals on October 25, where Fish will aim to continue his strong season.

Desian Matthews Shines in Football for McDonell

Senior Desian Matthews showcased his versatility on Thursday, leading the McDonell football team to a commanding 39-0 victory over Owen-Withee. Matthews excelled on both offense and defense, rushing for 166 yards on just eight carries, including a remarkable 64-yard touchdown run in the second quarter. Defensively, he recorded 16 tackles. This season, Matthews has accumulated 210 rushing yards and three touchdowns, while also ranking second on the team with a total of 27 tackles. Coach Mark Maloney praised Matthews, stating, “Desian played an awesome, awesome game.”

Seth Rogge Triumphs at Home Invitational

Bloomer senior Seth Rogge captured his first victory of the season at the home invitational last Tuesday, finishing the Three Lakes Ski Trail course in 16:47—more than 24 seconds ahead of his closest competitor. His performance also helped the Blackhawks secure a second-place finish as a team. Coach Carla Favilla noted that Rogge has returned in top form, aiming to build on a strong junior season that included a Division 2 sectional championship and a fifth-place finish at the state championships. “He’s positioned not just to participate, but to place,” Favilla remarked.

Freshman John Smit Impresses in Early Cross Country Races

Making a strong debut in his first fall season, John Smit, a freshman from Stanley-Boyd, finished sixth at Thursday’s home invitational with a time of 18:10. This result marked his best performance of the season so far. Earlier, Smit also placed sixth at the Colby/Abbotsford invitational on September 6, leading his team to a third-place finish. His coach, Nick Mahr, highlighted Smit’s background in running, noting that he has learned to excel in a competitive pack after dominating in middle school. “John is a very good freshman runner,” Mahr said.

Beau Steinke Leads Cadott Cross Country Team

Cadott junior Beau Steinke set the pace at the Loyal/Greenwood meet on Saturday, finishing first with a time of 17:46. His strong performance contributed to the Hornets’ success, as they secured four of the top five positions in the race. Just two days prior, Steinke also finished second at the Stanley-Boyd meet with a time of 17:00. Cadott is currently ranked 16th in the Wisconsin Cross Country Coaches Association Division 3 state boys poll, marking the first time in nearly two decades that the program has achieved such recognition, according to head coach Dan Yeager. “Beau shows up and gives his best each day,” Yeager stated.

Congratulations are also in order for Bloomer’s Orin Buresh, who won last week’s popular vote with 36.5% of the total. Readers are encouraged to participate in this week’s voting for the Supernova, selecting the athlete they believe delivered the most outstanding performance.

The Chippewa Herald continues to celebrate the achievements of local high school athletes, fostering a sense of community pride and sportsmanship.