(WIAC) – University of Wisconsin-La Crosse’s Noah Leisgang has been named the recipient of the 2026 Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Men’s Wrestling Max Sparger Scholar-Athlete Award.
A graduate student from Ashwaubenon, Wis. (Ashwaubenon), Leisgang is pursuing a master’s degree in physical education adventure/outdoor pursuit and sustains a 4.00 grade point average. He earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary/middle education and maintained a 3.63 grade point average. Leisgang is a three-time member of the National Wrestling Coaches Association Scholar All-America Team and a two-time member of the WIAC Scholastic Honor Roll. He has secured a spot on UW-La Crosse’s Dean’s List numerous semesters.
Leisgang is a two-time All-American at 165 pounds, finishing second at the 2024 NCAA Division III Championship after placing third at the 2023 championship. He claimed NCAA Division III Upper Midwest Regional titles in 2023 and 2024. Leisgang is a three-time WIAC champion, winning the 174-pound crown this year after claiming the 165-pound title in 2023 and 2024. A team captain during the 2024 campaign, he owns an 82-4 career record and helped UW-La Crosse win conference titles from 2021-24.
Leisgang has volunteered with DeSoto and La Crosse Boys and Girls Club, UW-La Crosse Veterans Day Breakfast, Oktoberfest and as a wrestling official.
UW-Eau Claire’s Preston Carlisle (Sr., Red Wing, Minn./Cannon Falls) and UW-Whitewater’s Lucio Morgan (Sr., Deerfield, Ill./Deerfield) were also nominated for this year’s scholar-athlete award.
The WIAC Scholar-Athlete Award is named after Max Sparger, who served as commissioner of the Wisconsin State University Conference for 22 years from 1971-93. He oversaw the transition of the conference from NAIA to full NCAA membership. Sparger arrived at UW-Stout in 1959 and served the institution in a variety of capacities, including as an assistant football and basketball coach, head wrestling coach and head football coach. He served as UW-Stout’s athletics director from 1969-71 and was inducted into the WIAC Hall of Fame in 2012.
In order to be nominated for the scholar-athlete award, a student-athlete must have a minimum 3.50 grade point average. In addition, he must be in his last year of competition, or on schedule to graduate this academic year, and have competed for a minimum of two years. The award is based on academic achievements, athletics accomplishments and involvement in other campus activities, organizations and community service projects.
WIAC Kwik Trip athletes of the week
MEN’S BASKETBALL
Collin Madson, Junior (Mukwonago, Wis./Mukwonago), Guard of UW-Whitewater
Madson averaged 25.5 points on 66.7 percent shooting from the field in the Warhawks’ back-to-back wins during the week. He scored 27 against UW-Platteville on Feb. 11, shooting 10-for-12 from the floor. The following game against UW-Eau Claire on Feb. 14, Madson had a 24-point, 10 rebounds double-double. He scored seven of the Warhawks’ last 10 points to pull away from the Blugolds late.
Also nominated:
UW-Eau Claire, Andre Renta, Senior, Hudson, Wis. (Hudson)
UW-La Crosse, Sam Grieger, Junior, Guard, Randolph, Wis. (Randolph)
UW-Oshkosh, Aiden Hawkinson, Freshman, Guard, Waupun, Wis. (Waupun)
UW-Platteville, Max Love, Senior, Forward, St. Charles, Ill. (St. Charles North)
UW-River Falls, Reggie Postel, Sophomore, Guard, Polk City, Iowa (North Polk)
UW-Stevens Point, Seth Miron, Junior, Guard/Forward, Appleton, Wis. (Kimberly)
UW-Stout, AJ Uttech, Junior, Guard, Fall River, Wis. (Columbus)
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
Zoey Buchan, Senior (Johnston, Iowa/Johnston), Guard of UW-River Falls
Buchan had a strong week for the Falcons, shooting over 60 percent from the field and from beyond the arc to lead UW-River Falls to wins over UW-Stevens Point and No. 17-ranked UW-Platteville. She averaged 23.0 points per game and made 13-of-14 three throws along with 11 rebounds and five assists. At UW-Stevens Point on Feb. 11, she shot 9-of-13 from the field with 26 points and followed up with 20 points to upset the Pioneers on Feb. 14, during a thrilling overtime victory.
Also nominated:
UW-Eau Claire, Reanna Hutchinson, Senior, Guard, Eau Claire, Wis. (Eau Claire North)
UW-La Crosse, Molly Janke, Sophomore, Guard, Ellsworth, Wis. (Ellsworth)
UW-Oshkosh, Paige Seckar, Sophomore, Forward, Oshkosh, Wis. (Oshkosh West)
UW-Platteville, Ashley Weir, Senior, Guard, Grafton, Wis. (Grafton)
UW-Stevens Point, Maija Rice, Senior, Guard, L´Anse, Mich. (L´Anse)
UW-Stout, Julia Rybacki, Sophomore, Guard, Somerset, Wis. (Somerset)
UW-Whitewater, Mia Gillis, Junior, Forward, Mundelein, Ill. (Carmel Catholic)
WOMEN’S GYMNASTICS
Specialist
Meghan Dahlin, Senior (Holly, Mich./Holly), of UW-Eau Claire
In back-to-back weeks, Dahlin tied her career high on the balance beam with a 9.800 during the Blugolds’ WIAC dual against Simpson College (Iowa) on Feb. 15. Dahlin, who has now hit the second highest beam score in program history twice this year and three times in her career, took first in the event as the Blugolds captured the highest team score in school history with 190.925 points.
Also nominated:
Gustavus Adolphus College, Megan Gille, Sophomore, Stoughton, Wis. (Stoughton)
Simpson College, Bella Dix, Senior, Naperville, Ill. (Neuqua Valley)
UW-La Crosse, Lily Millington, Senior, Bozeman, Mont. (Bozeman)
UW-Oshkosh, Ome Ellis, Freshman, Oak Park, Mich. (Royal Oak)
UW-Stout, Julia Rhoades, Freshman, Vestavia, Ala. (Vestavia Hills)
UW-Whitewater, Juliette Rider, Freshman, San Antonio, Texas (Acellus Academy)
Winona State University, Gabby Kraft, Sophomore, Eden Prairie, Minn. (Eden Prairie)
Multi-Event
Paige Magel, Junior (Cary, Ill./Prairie Ridge), of UW-Whitewater
Magel posted the best all-around total in Division III this season to lead the Warhawks to a dual win over UW-Stout on Feb. 14. Her 38.800 in the all-around is tied for the third highest in program history. Magel scored a 9.775 – the second-highest uneven bars score in Division III this season – to win the event. She added two more second-place finishes with a 9.700 on the balance beam and a 9.750 on the floor. On the vault, Magel finished fourth with a 9.575. Magel’s all-around performance led UW-Whitewater to the eighth-best team total in program history – 192.925.
Also nominated:
Gustavus Adolphus College, Cara Wong, Sophomore, Sacramento, Calif. (Sacramento West Campus)
Simpson College, Kaelyn Tally, Senior, Grants Pass, Ore. (Rogue CC)
UW-Eau Claire, Cadence Cordova, Junior, Boise, Idaho (Renaissance)
UW-La Crosse, Paige Breckwoldt, Junior, Huntersville, N.C. (Hopewell)
UW-Oshkosh, Reanna McGibboney, Senior, Chester Springs, Pa. (Downington East)
UW-Stout, Jamie Beatty, Sophomore, Prior Lake, Minn. (Lakeville South)
Winona State University, Frankie Jo MacAskill, Freshman, Denver, Colo. (Mountain Range)
MEN’S ICE HOCKEY
Keenan Ingram, Freshman (Calgary, Alberta/Bowness), Forward of UW-River Falls
Ingram had a strong weekend at Beloit College (Wis.) with hat-tricks in both games, leading UW-River Falls to a weekend sweep over the Buccaneers as the Falcons secured the No. 3 seed for the WIAC Tournament. The WIAC’s leading scorer tallied three power play goals with a total of nine points off six goals and three assists.
Also nominated:
UW-Stout, Sebastian Monaco, Freshman, Goalie, Caledon, Ontario
UW-Superior, Jan Skorpik, Senior, Goalie, Brandýs nad Labem, Czechia (OA Prague)
WOMEN’S ICE HOCKEY
Megan Goodreau, Senior (Lino Lakes, Minn./Centennial), Forward of UW-River Falls
Goodreau and the No. 1-ranked Falcons went 3-0 on the week as she totaled 10 points on six goals and four assists. Against Saint Mary’s University (Minn.) on Feb. 10, she tied a UW-River Falls single-game record with four goals and added six points on the weekend sweep over UW-Stevens Point with two goals and four assists. The WIAC scoring leader had 14 shots on goal through three games with a power play goal, a shorthanded goal, and the game-winner against Saint Mary’s.
Also nominated:
UW-Eau Claire, Kenzie Keller, Junior, Mankato, Minn. (Mankato East)
MEN’S INDOOR TRACK & FIELD
Track
Cael Schoemann, Senior (Hartford, Wis./Hartford), of UW-La Crosse
Schoemann broke his own program record with a time of 1:49.51 to finish second overall at the Blue Demon Alumni Classic hosted by DePaul University (Ill.). He was the only non-NCAA Division I athlete to finish in the top 25 in the 800-meter run. His time is the fastest this season in NCAA Division III.
Also nominated:
UW-Eau Claire, Tyler Botz, Sophomore, Eagan, Minn. (Eagan)
UW-Oshkosh, Cameron Cullen, Senior, Kewaunee, Wis. (Kewaunee)
UW-River Falls – 4×200-Meter Relay – Ben Johnson (Freshman, Baldwin, Wis./Baldwin-Woodville); Isaiah Juneski (Freshman, Osceola, Wis./Osceola); TJ Hanson (Freshman, Shell Lake, Wis./Shell Lake); Theodore Hovde (Freshman, Colfax, Wis./Colfax)
UW-Stevens Point, Logan Murphy, Junior, Sheboygan Falls, Wis. (Sheboygan Falls)
UW-Whitewater, Dan Anderson, Senior, Eau Claire, Wis. (Chippewa Falls McDonell)
Field
Gavin Fritsch, Senior (Little Chute, Wis./Little Chute), of UW-Oshkosh
Fritsch won the weight throw at the UW-Whitewater Midwest Elite Invitational on Feb. 14, with a best distance of 68-0 1/2 (20.74m). His mark broke Pete Delzer’s 13-year-old program record, leads NCAA Division III this season and sits ninth in Division III history.
Also nominated:
UW-Eau Claire, Leo Orlikowski, Sophomore, La Crosse, Wis. (La Crosse Central)
UW-Whitewater, Aiden Neduzak, Junior, Nekoosa, Wis. (Nekoosa)
WOMEN’S INDOOR TRACK & FIELD
Track
Amelia Lehman, Senior (Oshkosh, Wis./Oshkosh Valley Christian), of UW-Oshkosh
Lehman set UW-Oshkosh’s mile run record at the NCAA Division I Boston University David Hemery Valentine Invitational on Feb. 14, at a Division III-leading 4:41.03 finish. Her time bested Christy Cazzola’s previous program record by more than two seconds and sits behind the all-time Division III record by half a second.
Also nominated:
UW-Eau Claire, Molly Heidorn, Junior, Colfax, Wis. (Colfax)
UW-La Crosse, Anna Plautz, Junior, Stevens Point, Wis. (SPASH)
UW-Platteville, Izzy Peterson, Senior, Lexington, Ky. (Roosevelt)
UW-River Falls, Brianna Strehlau, Sophomore, River Falls, Wis. (River Falls)
UW-Stevens Point, Brooklyn Hoff, Sophomore, Menomonie, Wis. (Menomonie)
UW-Whitewater, Sophie Beightol, Freshman, Belgium, Wis. (Cedar Grove-Belgium)
Field
Madison Habberstad, Junior (Rochester, Minn./Rochester Century), of UW-La Crosse
Habberstad won the pole vault (13-5 1/4) (4.10m) at the UW-Whitewater Midwest ELITE Invitational on Feb. 14. She broke her own school record of 13-2 1/2 set at the UW-La Crosse Mark Guthrie Invitational on Feb. 7. It marked the third straight meet Habberstad set the record. She ranks second on the NCAA Division III Honor Roll and second in the WIAC.
Also nominated:
UW-Eau Claire, Kristin Behnke, Freshman, Appleton, Wis. (Kimberly)
UW-La Crosse, Madison Habberstad, Junior, Rochester, Minn. (Rochester Century)
UW-Platteville, Hailey Campbell, Junior, Wisconsin Dells, Wis. (Reedsburg)
UW-River Falls, Ali Clifford, Junior, Hayward, Wis. (Hayward)
UW-Stevens Point, Madeline Zirbel, Senior, De Pere, Wis. (De Pere)
UW-Whitewater, Cherish Smith, Freshman, Beloit, Wis. (Beloit Turner)
WOMEN’S LACROSSE
Offense
Samantha Hayek, Senior, (Scandia, Minn./Forest Lake), Attack of UW-River Falls
Hayek led the Falcon offense during the 2026 opener against Sewanee (Tenn.), totaling five points with four goals and an assist. She scored in the third quarter to tie the game at 10-10, but the Falcons eventually fell 15-10. Hayek also tallied three groundballs and was 2-for-2 on free position shots.
Also nominated:
No other individuals were nominated.
Defense
No individuals were nominated.
SOFTBALL
Position
Rayni Bresnahan, Junior (Shakopee, Minn./Shakopee), Infield of UW-Stout
Bresnahan was 3-for-5 with 2 RBI and a stolen base (.600 batting average, .667 on-base percentage) during the week. She had the game tying RBI single in the top of the sixth to force extra innings (8-3 win in 9 innings) over Carleton College (Minn.).
Also nominated:
UW-River Falls, Addison Eaton, Freshman, Outfield, Minnetrista, Minn. (Westonka)
Pitcher
Sarah Wilkins, Junior (Red Deer, Alberta/St. Joseph), Pitcher of UW-Stout
Wilkins pitched 10.2 innings with 0 earned runs in UW-Stout’s opening two games of the season. She struck out 17 with just three walks. Wilkins pitched 4.2 innings in relief at Carleton College (Minn.), allowing 0 hits and striking out 11, including striking out the side looking in the bottom of the 9th to pick up the win. At the dish, she went 2-for-7, with an on-base percentage of .333. She had a double, 2 RBI, drew a walk and had a stolen base with a run scored.
Also nominated:
UW-River Falls, Brooklyn VanGruensven, Junior, Pitcher, Suamico, Wis. (Bay Port)
MEN’S TENNIS
East Division – Singles
Alberto Thomas, Senior (Saint-Louis, France), of The College of New Jersey
Thomas went 2-0 in his debut at No. 1 singles for the Lions, posting a 6-2, 6-3 victory over the top player from UC Santa Cruz before staving off a match point to claim a thrilling 3-6, 7-6 (4), 10-6 victory over Jesse Faro of Drew University (N.J.) on Feb. 14.
Also nominated:
No other individuals were nominated.
East Division – Doubles
Harrison Maitland-Carter, Senior (Toronto, Ontario/Saddlebrook Prep.-Fla.) & Asa Wong, Senior (Johns Creek, Ga./William & Reed Academy), of The College of New Jersey
Maitland-Carter and Wong went 3-0 with a trio of victories at No. 1 doubles during the week. The Lions’ top pairing posted a 6-2 win against UC Santa Cruz on Feb. 13, before registering matching 6-1 decisions against Drew University (N.J.) and Dickinson College (Pa.) on Feb. 14.
Also nominated:
No other individuals were nominated.
West Division – Singles
Keith Moeller, Sophomore (Dallas, Texas/DKM-I University Prep), of UW-Whitewater
Moeller was the decisive point for the Warhawks in their 4-3 win over Carthage on Feb. 13. He won his first set 6-3, but fell in the second 4-6 to force a third full set. Moeller found himself down early in the tiebreaker, but stormed back, fending off match point on four separate occasions. He clinched the match for the Warhawks, winning three straight rallies to close out the tiebreaker with a 9-7 victory.
Also nominated:
UW-Eau Claire, Pablo Rincon, Junior, Bogotá, Colombia
UW-La Crosse, Tyler Schneider, Sophomore, Whitefish Bay, Wis. (Whitefish Bay)
West Division – Doubles
Gavin Kelleher, Sophomore (Brooklyn, Minn./Champlin Park) & Charles Morgan, Sophomore (Naperville, Ill./Naperville Central)
Kelleher and Morgan went 2-0 as a pair for the Warhawks over the weekend. On Feb. 13, they were able to pick up a tiebreaker win over Carthage College (Wis.) to earn the doubles point for the Warhawks. On Feb. 15th, Kelleher and Morgan picked up a 6-2 win over the No. 2 doubles team from NCAA Division I Northern Illinois.
Also nominated:
UW-Eau Claire, Pablo Rincon, Junior, Bogotá, Colombia & Danylo Ripeckyj
UW-La Crosse, Kyle Hehli, Freshman, West Salem, Wis. (West Salem) & Aiden Meixl, Freshman, Appleton, Wis. (Kimberly)
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