(WIAC) – The Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) has announced its women’s basketball awards for the 2026 season, based on voting by the conference coaches.
University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh’s Paige Seckar received Player of the Year recognition, while UW-Stout’s Addy Verhagen was tabbed the Newcomer of the Year. UW-Oshkosh’s Brad Fischer collected Coach of the Year accolades.
Seckar was the WIAC Newcomer of the Year in 2025, and is the fifth Titan to claim the Player of the Year award, joining Wendy Wangerin (1996), Holly Spoo (1998), Taylor Schmidt (2017) and Leah Porath (2020 and 2021). This season, she leads the conference with 35 blocked shots, while ranking fourth with 7.2 rebounds per contest, fifth with 13.6 points per game and .750 free throw percentage, and tied for sixth with 44 steals. Seckar has reached double figures in scoring in 22-of-27 contests, including a season-high 24 points at UW-Eau Claire on Feb. 11, and has recorded six double-doubles.
Repeat selections on the first team from a season ago include UW-Oshkosh’s Sammi Beyer and UW-River Falls’ Zoey Buchan. UW-Platteville’s Ella Mackiewicz received first team distinction in 2024 and was the Newcomer of the Year in 2023.
Verhagen is the third Blue Devil to receive the newcomer honor, joining Anna Mutch (2021) and Raegan Sorensen (2021). Verhagen leads the WIAC with 102 assists, while ranking sixth with a .744 free throw percentage and eighth with 11.8 points per contest. A newcomer is defined as a student-athlete who used her first season of participation in women’s basketball this season. Transfers are not eligible unless they didn’t participate in women’s basketball at their previous institution.
Fischer secured the coaching award for the third straight season and sixth time in his career. He is the first coach in the WIAC history to receive the honor three consecutive years. Fischer has directed UW-Oshkosh to a 24-3 record and its third straight outright regular-season championship. The Titans have secured a spot in the NCAA tournament for the 21st time in program history.
UW-Oshkosh’s Sarah Hardwick earned a spot on the all-defensive team for the third consecutive year.
An All-Sportsmanship Team was announced for individuals that displayed exemplary sportsmanship throughout the season. It included one member from each team as selected by that team.
2026 All-WIAC Women’s Basketball Team
Name, School, Year, Position, Hometown (High School)
Sammi Beyer, Oshkosh, Junior, Guard, Appleton, Wis. (Appleton East)
Zoey Buchan, River Falls, Senior, Guard, Johnston, Iowa (Johnston)
Mia Gillis, Whitewater, Junior, Forward, Mundelein, Ill. (Carmel Catholic)
Sarah Hardwick, Oshkosh, Senior, Forward, Green Bay, Wis. (Green Bay Notre Dame Academy)
Molly Janke, La Crosse, Sophomore, Guard, Ellsworth, Wis. (Ellsworth)
Ella Mackiewicz, Platteville, Senior, Guard, Shawnee, Kan. (Shawnee Mission Northwest)
Malia Nelson, La Crosse, Senior, Guard, Dover, Minn. (Dover-Eyota)
Maija Rice, Stevens Point, Senior, Guard, L’Anse, Mich (L’Anse)
Paige Seckar, Oshkosh, Sophomore, Forward, Oshkosh, Wis. (Oshkosh West)
Addy Verhagen, Stout, Freshman, Guard, Sheboygan, Wis. (Sheboygan Lutheran)
Honorable Mention
Emily Anderson, River Falls, Freshman, Forward, Sherburn, Minn. (Martin County West)
Mary Berg, Stout, Sophomore, Guard, Menomonie, Wis. (Menomonie)
Reanna Hutchinson, Eau Claire, Senior, Guard, Eau Claire, Wis. (Eau Claire North)
Grace Knupp, La Crosse, Junior, Guard, Woodbury, Minn. (East Ridge)
Bri McCurdy, Whitewater, Junior, Guard, St. Croix Falls, Wis. (St. Croix Falls)
Camryn Nies, Whitewater, Junior, Guard, Platteville, Wis. (Platteville)
Kyla Overskei, Eau Claire, Senior, Guard, Maple Grove, Minn. (Maple Grove)
Avery Poole, Oshkosh, Sophomore, Guard, Cottage Grove, Wis. (Monona Grove)
Madalyn Reichmann, Platteville, Senior, Guard, Wauzeka, Wis. (Wauzeka-Steuben)
Karissa Smith, Stevens Point, Junior, Guard, Freedom, Wis. (Appleton North)
Ashley Weir, Platteville, Senior, Guard, Grafton, Wis. (Grafton)
All-Defensive Team
Sarah Hardwick, Oshkosh, Senior, Forward, Green Bay, Wis. (Green Bay Notre Dame Academy)
Ella Mackiewicz, Platteville, Senior, Guard, Shawnee, Kan. (Shawnee Mission Northwest)
Delaney Nyenhuis, Eau Claire, Sophomore, Forward, Fitchburg, Wis. (Oregon)
Avery Poole, Oshkosh, Sophomore, Guard, Cottage Grove, Wis. (Monona Grove)
Renee Rittmeyer, Whitewater, Senior, Guard, Winnebago, Ill. (Winnebago)
All-Sportsmanship Team
Karleigh Creasey, River Falls, Senior, Guard, Normal, Ill. (Normal)
Ella Jordan, La Crosse, Senior, Guard, West Salem, Wis. (West Salem)
Paige Keller, Eau Claire, Senior, Guard, Crystal Lake, Ill. (Crystal Lake Central)
Ava Loftus, Stevens Point, Senior, Guard, Stoughton, Wis. (Stoughton)
Logan Lowry, Whitewater, Senior, Forward, Appleton, Wis. (Appleton East)
Lizzie Poller, Platteville, Junior, Guard, Platteville, Wis. (Platteville)
Mahra Wieman, Oshkosh, Senior, Forward, Sparta, Wis. (Reedsburg)
Rosella Wille, Stout, Senior, Forward, Cannon Falls, Minn. (Farmington)
Player of the Year: Paige Seckar – Oshkosh
Newcomer of the Year: Addy Verhagen – Stout
Coach of the Year: Brad Fischer – Oshkosh
Judy Kruckman Scholar Athlete: Kyla Overskei – Eau Claire
WIAC Kwik Trip Athletes of the Week
BASEBALL
Position
Caleb Parker, Junior (Minooka, Ill./Minooka), Infield of UW-Platteville
Parker had a strong week to help the Pioneers open the season with a 3-1 record. Across the four games, he batted .412 with a 1.239 OPS. In the doubleheader against Elmhurst College (Ill.) on Feb. 27, Parker went 5-for-10 with three doubles and a home run and he added two more hits and two more runs scored on Feb. 28 in games against Beloit College (Wis.) and Wisconsin Lutheran College. Parker’s 13 total bases led the team and he reached base two more times via walk.
Also nominated:
UW-Eau Claire, John DiGregorio, Freshman, Designated Hitter, Westfield, N.J. (Gill St. Bernard’s)
UW-Stevens Point, Tino Ramirez, Senior, Infield, Muskego, Wis. (Muskego)
Pitcher
Sam Callow, Freshman (Kenosha, Wis./Kenosha Indian Trail), of UW-Platteville
Callow made his collegiate debut on Feb. 28, and threw six shutout innings in a 10-0 win over Wisconsin Lutheran College. He struck out seven and allowed six hits and walked only one.
Also nominated:
UW-Eau Claire, Cooper Senne, Sophomore, Pitcher, Tolar, Texas (Fort Worth Eaton)
UW-Stevens Point, Josh Steger, Sophomore, Pitcher, Lomira, Wis. (Lomira)
WOMEN’S GYMNASTICS
Specialist
Linnea Vasali, Senior (York, Pa./Central York), of UW-Eau Claire
Vasali made her mark in the UW-Eau Claire record book during the week, tying the program’s second highest individual beam score with a 9.800 performance. Vasali took first on the beam in a triangular against UW-La Crosse and Winona State University (Minn.) amongst 18 competitors on the beam.
Also nominated:
Gustavus Adolphus College, Megan Gille, Sophomore, Stoughton, Wis. (Stoughton)
Simpson College, Emma Charles, Junior, Omaha, Neb. (Omaha Virtual)
UW-La Crosse, Paige Breckwoldt, Junior, Huntersville, N.C. (Hopewell)
UW-Oshkosh, Jay Ratkowski, Junior, Franklin, Wis. (Franklin)
UW-Stout, Julia Rhoades, Freshman, Vestavia Hills, Ala. (Vestavia Hills)
UW-Whitewater, Sofia Spadafora, Sophomore, Windsor, Ont. (Saint Thomas of Villanova)
Winona State University, Addison Ward, Freshman, Ore Medonte, Ont. (Valley)
Multi-Event
Elaine Copeland, Junior (Arlington, Texas/University Prep), of UW-Whitewater
Copeland won a pair of events to lead the Warhawks’ to a team score of 194.025 – the second-highest in program history on Feb. 28 against Hamline University (Minn.). Copeland claimed gold with a career high 9.825 on the uneven bars – ranked fourth in the UW-Whitewater record book on the apparatus. She added a second top finish with a 9.775 on the floor exercise. The Warhawks recorded top 10 team totals in the program record book on the bars and floor led by Copeland’s performance.
Also nominated:
Gustavus Adolphus College, Cara Wong, Sophomore, Sacramento, Calif. (Sacramento West Campus)
Simpson College, Izzy Brown, Senior, Omaha, Neb. (Omaha Millard West)
UW-La Crosse, Claire Robbins, Junior, Grimes, Iowa (Dallas Center-Grimes)
UW-Oshkosh, Reanna McGibboney, Senior, Chester Springs, Pa. (Downington East)
UW-Stout, Kendra Henige, Junior, McHenry, Il. (McHenry)
Winona State University, Gabby Kraft, Sophomore, Eden Prairie, Minn. (Eden Prairie)
WOMEN’S LACROSSE
Offense
Emma Collins, Sophomore (Andover, Minn./Andover), Attack of Hamline University
Collins had nine goals and three assists for 12 points in the two wins for the Pipers against North Central College (Ill.) and Illinois Tech during the. She also accumulated 19 total shots, 14 of which were on goal.
Also nominated:
Colorado College, Charlotte Iler, Junior, Attack, Simsbury, Conn. (Deerfield Academy)
UW-La Crosse, Ava Schiltz, Senior, Midfielder, Prior Lake, Minn. (Prior Lake)
UW-River Falls, Avery Watzke, Junior, Attack, Hutchinson, Minn. (Hutchinson)
UW-Stout, Mai Nou Vang, Senior, Midfielder, Green Bay, Wis. (Green Bay Preble)
Defense
Julia Hayek, Junior (Scandia, Minn./Forest Lake), Defense of UW-River Falls
Hayek anchored a Falcon defense that limited Cornell College (Iowa) to just two goals on five total shots in a 16-2 victory on Feb. 27. She recorded a team-high seven ground balls and added three caused turnovers. Hayek played a key role in UW-River Falls forcing 41 turnovers, while committing just 19 of its own.
Also nominated:
Colorado College, Grace Bean, Senior, Attack, Boston, Mass. (Williston Northampton)
UW-La Crosse, Stefania Rossi, Junior, Goalie, Elk Grove Village, Ill. (Conant)
UW-Stout, Emilia Bullock, Sophomore, Goalie, Delafield, Wis. (Kettle Moraine)
SOFTBALL
Position
Olivia Ullman, Sophomore (Denmark, Wis./Denmark), Thirdbase/Outfield of UW-Oshkosh
Ullman went 8-for-12 (.667) at the plate in the Titans’ four wins to open the season on Feb. 28-March 1, adding an on-base percentage of .733 and a slugging percentage of .833. She recorded a triple, seven runs, two RBI, drew three walks and swiped four bags. Ullman went 3-for-3 with three runs, a walk, an RBI and a stolen base against the College of St. Scholastica (Minn.) in UW-Oshkosh’s season-opening 12-0 victory. She collected two hits each against UW-Superior and Wisconsin Lutheran College on March 1 with a triple, three runs and two stolen bases against the Yellowjackets and an RBI against the Warriors.
Also nominated:
UW-Eau Claire, Molly Marquardt, Junior, Thirdbase/Catcher, Manhattan, Ill. (Lincoln-Way West)
UW-La Crosse, Amber Gonzalez, Sophomore, Outfield, Mosinee, Wis. (Mosinee)
UW-Platteville, Allison Peters, Junior, Secondbase, Peshtigo, Wis. (Peshtigo)
UW-River Falls, Addison Eaton, Freshman, Catcher/Outfield, Minnetrista, Minn. (Westonka)
UW-Stout, Stephanie Kuhn, Junior, Outfield, Apple Valley, Minn. (Eastview)
Pitcher
Kiran Sanford, Freshman (Two Rivers, Wis./Mishicot), Pitcher of UW-Oshkosh
Sanford pitched a pair of wins in her first two collegiate starts during the week, totaling 8.2 innings with 14 strikeouts, while allowing just one unearned run on five hits and 10 total baserunners. She went 4.2 innings against Loras College (Iowa) on Feb. 28, and fanned nine against two hits, a walk and no runs allowed before tossing four innings against UW-Superior on March 1, with five more strikeouts. She allowed three hits and a walk against the Warriors.
Also nominated:
UW-La Crosse, Bree Holmes, Freshman, Pitcher, Savage, Minn. (Prior Lake)
UW-Platteville, Carlie Jo Brownlee, Senior, Pitcher, Muscoda, Wis. (Riverdale)
UW-Stout, Sarah Wilkins, Junior, Pitcher, Red Deer, Alberta (St. Joseph)
MEN’S TENNIS
West Division – Singles
Theo Billson, Junior (Linfield, England/BHASVIC), of UW-Whitewater
Billson went 2-0 at the No. 1 singles in two duals during the week. On Feb. 27, he defeated Philipp Wottgen from North Central College (Ill.) in straight sets (6-3, 6-4). The next day against Coe College (Iowa), Billson defeated Anthony Schulte (6-4, 3-6, 6-3).
Also nominated:
UW-La Crosse, Kyle Hehli, Freshman, West Salem, Wis. (West Salem)
UW-Stevens Point, Jacob Stinski, Freshman, Oshkosh, Wis. (West)
West Division – Doubles
Theo Billson, Junior (Linfield, England/BHASVIC) & Carter Michaels, Freshman, Inver Grove Heights, Minn. (Eagan), of UW-Whitewater
Billson and Michaels went 2-0 as a pair over the Warhawks’ two duals during the week. They opened up the dual against North Central College (Ill.) with a 6-1 victory at the No. 1 doubles flight. The following day against Coe College (Iowa), the pair fended off the Kohawks’ top pair to win 7-5.
Also nominated:
UW-La Crosse, Jack Hehli, Senior, West Salem, Wis. (West Salem) & Tyler Schneider, Sophomore, Whitefish Bay, Wis. (Whitefish Bay)
UW-Stevens Point, Ayden Knuth, Sophomore, Manitowoc, Wis. (Manitowoc Lincoln) & Augie Nelson, Freshman, Sleepy Hollow, Ill. (Jacobs)
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