Winter Team Sports Awards

The winter season for University School of Milwaukee athletics—highlighted by a 2nd place state finish by the girls’ ski team and a showing at state by the school's inaugural gymnastics team (a co-op with Shorewood High School)—has officially come to an end. Many thanks to all who participated and the many volunteers who made these events possible. Check out our season recap video here. 

Congratulations to the following Wildcats for their outstanding contributions:

Boys Basketball
Most Improved Player: Donovan Ford ’26
Most Valuable Player: Brock Miller ’25
Sportsmanship: Trevor Dunning ’25
Head Coach: Andy Fitzgerald
Assistant Coaches: Brennan Checkalski, Donovan Freeman, Antoine Ray, Harman Singh, Walter Taylor ’17 
Record: 19-6
Conference record: 12-4
Conference finish: 2nd
Captains: Hayden Baum ’25, Brock Miller ’25, Will Reese ’25
Academic All-State: Ezran Anastas ’25, Kristian Bartl ’27, Hayden Baum ’25, Gabe Ciralsky ’25, Trevor Dunning '25, Ethan Feldner ’25, Will Merluzzi-Hitler ’26, Nolan Nikolic ’25, Karthik Ramanujam ’25, Will Reese ’25
All Conference: Brock Miller ’25 (1st Team), Kristian Bartl ’27 (2nd Team)
All Conference Honorable Mention: Jordan Farrington-Coleman ’27

Girls Basketball
Most Valuable Player: Juliana Hernandez ’26
Most Improved Player: Maggie Hartjes ’28
Sportsmanship: Aneesha Jayasuriya ’26 
Head Coach: Rich Medina
Assistant Coaches: Brittany Smith, David Wilder
Record: 2-21
Conference Record: 2-14
Captains: Juliana Hernandez ’26, Eliana Igwike ’26, Aneesha Jayasuriya ’26
All Conference Honorable Mention: Maggie Hartjes ’28, Eliana Igwike ’26, Aneesha Jayasuriya ’26

Girls Gymnastics
Most Improved Player: Nina Harris ’26
Most Valuable Player: Josie Merluzzi-Hitler '26 and Gabi Ortiz Fleet ’26
Sportsmanship: Poppy Fetherston ’27
Head Coach: Kristin Fraser
Assistant Coaches: Gene Kelber, Justin Precord, and Izzie Tasse
Conference Rank: 4th
Captains: Josie Merluzzi-Hitler ’26
Third Team All Conference: Gabi Ortiz Fleet ’26 - Bars, Josie Merluzzi-Hitler ’26 - Bars
2025 State Qualifiers
2025 Individual State Qualifiers: Gabi Ortiz Fleet ’26 and Josie Merluzzi-Hitler ’26

Boys Hockey
Most Improved Player: Cyrus Laterman ’26
Most Valuable Player: Everett Waltersdorf ’27 
Lane MacDonald ’84 Sportsmanship: Wyatt Cox ’25
Head Coach: Corbin McGuire 
Assistant Coaches: Byan Botcher, Erik Cooper, Ramsey Radakovich, Justin Thundercloud, Ryan Widmar 
Record: 16-10
Playoff Record: 2-1
Captains: Wyatt Cox ’25, Tyler Cook ’26, Mateo Nunag ’25
2025 Paul Meyer Tournament Champions
2025 Northland Pines Tournament Champions

Girls Hockey
Most Improved Player: Eloise Newman ’28
Most Valuable Player: Leia Schaefer ’25
Sportsmanship: Reese Caufield 
Hobey Baker Award: Leia Schaefer ’25
Head Coach: Sarah Pearson
Assistant Coaches: Ryan Caufield, Rob Haswell, Shauna Jacobs
Record: 8-15-1
Conference Record: 2-5
Playoff Record: 0-1
Captains: Reese Caufield, Leah Twente, Leia Schaefer ’25
All Conference Honorable Mention: Reese Caufield, London Chase, Caroline Olson, Leia Schaefer ’25, 
Academic All-State: Leia Schaefer ’25, Leah Twente

Varsity Ski 
Most Improved Player: Marcus Hoyt ’26 and Simrin Patel ’27 
Most Valuable Player: Mia Darr ’25 and Hans Weissgerber IV ’28
Joe Lubar ’08 Sportsmanship: Nikhil Lazzaro ’26 and Sophia Torinus ’25 
Head Coach: Cassie Hoppe ’12
Assistant Coaches: Mark Daniels, Christian Flores, Lucy Daniels ’22
Captains: Mia Darr ’25, Marlies Westveer ’26, Sophia Torinus ’25, Nikhil Lazzaro ’26
Conference Finish: 8/22 Girls, 22/22 Boys
2025 WIARA Ski State Championship Qualifiers (Girls’ Team) 
2nd Team All Conference: Mia Darr ’25, Marlies Westveer ’26
All Conference Honorable Mention: Marina Wigdale ’25

Boys Swimming and Diving
Head Coach: Amanda Hoppe
Assistant Coach: Ali Forier
Record: 3-2-1
Captain: Alex Frick ’25
Most Improved Player: Marshaun Taylor 
Most Valuable Player: Alex Frick ’25
Bob Van Lieshout Sportsmanship: Alex Frick ’25