WBCA Scholarship Winners (2007-2010)

2010 WBCA Scholarship Winners

Donnie Hissa (Northwestern)                 

• Having recently played in the WBCA All Star Game, Donnie has had numerous athletic honors, including All State in basketball and football.  Donnie’s 0.80 E.R.A. as a senior combined with 171 strikeouts in 108 innings his junior and senior year are very impressive.  In the classroom, Donnie was #1 in his class and was recognized as a WIAA Scholar Athlete.  Donnie will continue to play baseball at Notre Dame, while pursuing a degree in the business field.

Tanner Linsmeyer (Cameron)

• Tanner was #1 in his class.  Coach Cory Martens writes, “he has a work ethic that others around him can be inspired by . . . Tanner is the type of person that younger student/athletes can look up to.”   His efforts were rewarded, both on and off the field.  He finished his varsity career with a .455 batting average and eleven wins on the mound.  Tanner will be seeking a degree in Pre-Veterinary Medicine at UW-Madison this Fall.

Nick Meyer (Medford)

• In his scholarship application letter, Nick writes “I have learned to face every challenge with a desire to succeed.”  That quickly becomes evident as one reads his resume of a 4.0 plus G.P.A. with a heavy load of AP classes; team captain in football, basketball, and baseball; volunteering in seven annual community events for three or more years each; and working at his father’s business.  Nick’s next challenge will be seeking a B.S. degree in Engineering Physics at UW-Madison.

Max Poeske (Menominee Falls)

• Max was truly a scholar-athlete while in high school.  Max earned eleven varsity letters in four sports, while maintaining a 4.0 G.P.A.  He was recognized as a WIAA Scholar Athlete his senior year, one of only four division one male athletes in the state to gain such recognition.  Coach Pat Hansen writes, “Coaches continuously advise students to leave high school a better place then when they came, and Max has certainly done that.  His legacy at the high school will be remembered for a long time.”   Max will be studying Biomedical Engineering at M.S.O.E. next year.

Josh Slaney (Barneveld)

• Coach Lance Schmitz writes that “Josh is a committed individual no matter what the task at hand may be.”  Commitment seems to be a sound assertion as Josh was class president, volunteered many hours in his community, and excelled in the classroom and on the baseball field.  He was twice chosen All Conference and was team MVP both seasons.  Josh will be majoring in Agricultural Engineering at Iowa State University.

Sean Zak (Sturgeon Bay)

• Coach Matt Propson says of Sean, “through hard work and dedication to his academics, he separated himself as one of the best.”  A four-year varsity starter and two-time All-Packerland infielder, Sean was a team leader by example both on and off the baseball field.  Among his many classroom accolades, he jumped right into community service in inner city Milwaukee and as part of a clean-up/rebuilding mission to New Orleans, following Hurricane Katrina.  Sean will be studying Journalism at UW-Madison in the Fall.

2009 WBCA Scholarship Winners

Ryan Berns (Oak Creek)                 

• As a two-year team captain in baseball, Ryan has enjoyed the opportunity to lead his team to state in 2008 (with hopes of repeating in 2009).  Coach Scott Holler calls Ryan the ultimate team player – “He is the most vocal member of our team during practices and games, constantly encouraging his teammates in a positive way.”  That outlook and energy is an extension of his classroom efforts, as he has earned a 4.06 G.P.A. and will continue his schooling at either Notre Dame or UW-Madison.

Tyler Dierke (Hudson)

• While taking six AP classes, Tyler was able to earn marks that are the equivalent of a cumulative G.P.A. over 4.0 in the classroom.  He has high expectations for himself academically.  This is consistent with his efforts in baseball as well.  According to Coach Ryan Huppert, “Tyler is unquestionably one of the hardest and most driven players in our program . . . he constantly strives to improve each day.”  Tyler will be taking classes and playing baseball at Kenyon College (Ohio) this fall.

Kevin Drunasky (Middleton)

• Kevin earned Big Eight All-Conference honors while helping his team win conference titles during his junior and senior years.  While naming Kevin team captain, Coach Tom Schmitt writes, “I can honestly say, I would love to see my own two boys follow the path this young man is taking in life.”  Kevin will begin his college studies at the UW-Madison as he earns a degree in Engineering.

Jack Jorgenson (Milwaukee Lutheran)

• Jack earned a 3.98 G.P.A. while taking six AP and Honors classes, volunteering well over 100 hours of time in his community, and earning the distinguished Eagle Scout.  On the baseball field, he was voted team MVP in 2009, after leading the conference in hitting.  Coach Bob Heinkel writes that “in my 35 years of coaching, Jack Jorgenson is the top standout of all my previous student-athletes.”  A great compliment to a young man who will soon be playing ball and studying engineering at Butler University.

Charlie Markson (Whitefish Bay)

• Coach Jay Wojcinski writes that “Charlie has a desire to help make his entire team better, and (he) is the ultimate team player.”  Such a statement is supported in Charlie being named team captain both his junior and senior years.  He was chosen 1st team All North Shore his sophomore and junior years, after hitting .400 both seasons.  Charlie will continue to play baseball while pursuing a degree in business at Notre Dame.

Mike Parman (Wausau East)

• Being selected as a 2009 WBCA scholarship winner completes quite the senior year for Mike.  In addition to being chosen to play in the WBCA All Star game, he was voted the player of the year in the Wisconsin Valley Conference.  He led the conference in several categories, including batting average and slugging percentage, all while not striking out the entire conference season.  More significantly, Mike was number one in his class and plans to attend UW-Madison to pursue  a major in Chemical Engineering.  Coach Steve Heinrich writes, “I have no doubt that whatever path he walks, he will be an outstanding success.”

2008 WBCA Scholarship Winners

Michael Bogard (Brookfield Central)                 

• Michael has been a four year varsity starter, earning all-conference recognition each year so far.  During his high school career, he logged over 250 hours of volunteer service!  Michael held many leadership positions within his school.  Described by Coach Mike Bigler as a “kid who will do whatever it takes,” Michael will be attending Grinnel College this fall.

Brennan Clark (Boscobel)

• Coach Russ Atkinson describes Brennan as “a leader by example” and “a solid role model to others.”  Brennan captained the Boscobel baseball team as both a junior and senior, also earning all-conference recognition both years.  This fall, he will attend UW-LaCrosse to work toward a degree in Business Administration/Finance.

Adam Cordova (Merrill)

• With a 4.0 G.P.A., Adam was #1 in his class.  He earned 1st Team all-conference honors his Junior and Senior years at Merrill.  Adam volunteered many hours with youth camps and clinics, as well as with Big Brothers/Big Sisters.  In the opinion of coach Brian Artac, “Adam is one of the finest young men I have been associated with over the last thirty years.”   He plans on majoring in exercise science at UW-LaCrosse.

Nick Lingvay (Kenosha Tremper)

• Nick earned a 3.98 G.P.A. throughout high school and placed in the top 2 % of his class.  On the baseball field, Nick was chosen as the 2008 Southern Conference player of the year and will continue to play at UW-Milwaukee this fall, while pursuing a degree in Engineering.  Coach John Matera says that “Nick has developed into an effective leader who always projects a positive attitude.”

Tyler Manley (Arcadia)

• Tyler completed high school with a 3.96 G.P.A., good for 3rd in his class.  Coach Paul Anderson calls Tyler “the most outstanding student athlete that I have had the pleasure of coaching.”  Heading into his final season of summer baseball, he has been a 1st team all-conference player three times.  In the fall, he will begin his quest to become a medical doctor. 

Kyle Zimmerman (Kettle Moraine Lutheran)

• After being a four year varsity letter winner in baseball, Kyle will continue to play at UW-Platteville while pursuing a degree in Computer Science.  Kyle volunteered extensively with his church, including helping with the construction of a home through the Habitat For Humanity Project.  Kyle was a captain in three sports.  Coached by Darrell Washburn, Kyle “leads by example and has done the difficult things because he knows they are the right things.” 

2007 WBCA Scholarship Winners

Ben Braun (Seymour)

• Ben was #1 in his class.  He earned a total of 8 varsity letters in baseball, basketball, and football, serving as team captain in football and baseball his senior year.  Ben was also the president of the National Honor Society at Seymour High School and will be working towards a degree in medicine at college.

Alex Burian (Eau Claire North)

• Alex was #1 in his class.  In addition to being on the academic all-state team, Alex was selected 2nd team all state infielder and team captain of the 2007 Huskies team that reached the semi-finals at state.  He plans to pursue a degree in Business or Law.

Aaron Hanson (Merrill)

• Aaron was #1 in his class.  He earned all-conference honors his Junior and Senior years at Merrill.  He plans on majoring in Biology at UW-Madison.

Bryan Stoppenbach (Burlington Catholic Central)

• Bryan completed a very successful 3-year run in baseball, having thrown 2 no-hitters, twice been named player of the year in the Midwest Classic Conference, and being a member of the Central team that won state in 2005.  In 2007, he was academic all-state and 2nd team all-state in the field.  Bryan is very active in his community, was president of the school’s National Honor Society, and will pursue a degree in medicine.

Kevin Thomas (Oshkosh West)

• Kevin was a 3-year varsity starter in baseball at Oshkosh West and played instrumental roles in 3 state championship teams (twice in basketball and once in legion baseball).  Also a member of the academic all-state team in 2007, Kevin plans on majoring in Business at UW-Stevens Point.

Cody Winiarski (Union Grove)

Drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies this spring, Cody is a two-time all-conference pitcher and the 2007 player of the year in the Lakeshore Conference.  Though honored to have been drafted, Cody plans attending MATC to begin working towards a degree in Chemical Engineering.

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