WIAA salutes this school year’s 32 Scholar-Athlete Award recipients

The Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association has selected the 16 senior boys and 16 senior girls to receive the prestigious, statewide 2025 Scholar-Athlete Award, presented by the We Energies Foundation and the Wisconsin Public Service Foundation.

To determine the top 32 award recipients, four boys and four girls were selected based on both athletic and academic achievement from each of the four WIAA divisions. This year, 806 seniors were nominated for the award by 415 high schools throughout the state. More than 1,245 Scholar-Athlete recipients have been recognized since the program began in 1984.

“Each of these outstanding student-athletes has excelled in academics and athletics,” WIAA Executive Director Stephanie Hauser said. “Twenty of this year’s 32 Scholar-Athlete finalists have maintained a perfect 4.0 GPA. Together they hold an impressive cumulative GPA of 3.96. Collectively, they’ve already earned 306 varsity letters, an average of 9.56 per athlete, with spring sports still underway. Their dedication both in the classroom and in competition is inspiring.”

The 2025 WIAA Scholar-Athlete recipients will be recognized at an awards ceremony on Sunday, May 4 at SentryWorld in Stevens Point. The keynote speaker will be Mike “Jocko” Jacques, an award-winning, Emmynominated journalist and Wisconsin native.

Of interest this year, both Arrowhead and West Salem High Schools produced two WIAA Scholar-Athletes. Jacquelyn Cox and John Kubisch represent Arrowhead, and Kyle Hehli and Megan Johnson are from West Salem.

Additionally, four individuals received the first Scholar-Athlete Award in their school’s history, including Isaac Scheer of Columbus Catholic High School, Molly Duel of Laconia High School, Ben Krauklis of Lakeside Lutheran High School and Kate Schmoll of West De Pere High School.

A live stream of the awards program will be available on the websites of the State Television Network stations, including WXOW-TV, WQOW-TV, WAOW-TV, WKOWTV, WVTV and WCWF at approximately 1:20 p.m. on May 4. A delayed telecast of the ceremony will be aired on a future date. More information is available on the WIAA’s website, wiaawi.org. Division 3 boys Below is a list that includes scholar-athlete’s name, hometown and the high school they attend.

Blake Thiry, Prairie du Chien, Prairie du Chien High School Jacob Thornton, La Crosse, Aquinas High School Jack Tubbs, Stratford, Stratford High School Jack Schmeling, Holmen, Luther High School Division 1 boys John Kubisch, Hartland, Arrowhead High School Ryan Lang, Sheboygan, Sheboygan North High School Paolo Pagnucci, Superior, Superior High School Ray Pember, Menomonie, Menomonie High School Division 3 girls Division 1 girls Molly Duel, Eldorado, Laconia High School Reese Grimm, Arpin, Pittsville High School Lexi Kuffel, Rice Lake, Cameron High School Ellen Robinson, Mineral Point, Mineral Point High School Mackenzie Babcock, Cottage Grove, Monona Grove High School Jacquelyn Cox, Hartland, Arrowhead High School Ella Opie, Pewaukee, Pewaukee High School Kate Schmoll, De Pere, West De Pere High School Division 4 boys Division 2 boys Jesse DeBauch, Coleman, Gillett High School Oliver Post, Potosi, Potosi High School Isaac Scheer, Marshfield, Columbus Catholic High School Jared Schultz, Gordon, Northwood High School Layne Aurit, Dodgeville, Dodgeville High School Jack Hefty, Delavan, Whitewater High School Kyle Hehli, West Salem, West Salem High School Ben Krauklis, Lake Mills, Lakeside Lutheran High School Division 4 girls Division 2 girls Kamdan Johnson, Florence, Florence High School Sarah Shaw, Port Edwards, Assumption High School Emily Sorensen, Harvard, Faith Christian High School Kendall Weiler, Owen, Owen-Withee High School Megan Johnson, La Crosse, West Salem High School

For more information on the Scholar-Athlete Award and biographies of the recipients, access the Scholar-Athlete homepage on the WIAA website.

2025 WIAA Scholar Athletes

Hailie Krueger, New London, New London High School Ellie Schiszik, Elk Mound, Elk Mound High School Addison Schliewe, Sheboygan Falls, Sheboygan Falls High School