Locker Room: Spring/Summer 2016-17

Celebrating Signing Day at USM

National Signing Day, the day when high school seniors around the country announce their college athletic commitments, is an exciting milestone. It caps years of practice, competitions, struggles, and triumphs. Nine University School of Milwaukee seniors were joined by their parents, coaches, teammates, friends, and the USM community at a special ceremony in Mellowes Hall on February 1 to announce their commitments to playing intercollegiate athletics.

“University School has a long-standing tradition of supporting student athletes, and this year is no exception,” said Director of Athletics Luke Houdek. “Our students tend to be recruited by academically rigorous universities, and I’m confident that USM prepared them athletically scholastically, and socially for college. We wish them the best of luck.”

Congratulations to the following students for their achievements (pictured below, back row, from left): Walter Taylor, basketball, Benedictine University; Michael Balistreri, football, University of Wisconsin-Madison; Nathan Sampson, soccer, Emory University; Anne Havlik, track and field, University of Chicago; Kailee Nicholas, volleyball, Baldwin Wallace University; (front row, from left) David Collison, track and field, Williams College; Ellie Barney, hockey, Middlebury College; Jordan Mutschler, soccer, Univesity of St. Andrews; and Abby Dillon, volleyball, Macalester College.

Conference Accolades

Sylvester Culter, the boy’s basketball head coach, was named the Midwest Classic Conference Coach of the Year in March. Cutler was nominated by Patrick Clarey, Brookfield Academy’s head varsity basketball coach, and unanimously selected by the other coaches in the conference. In addition, Walter Taylor ’17 was named the Midwest Classic Conference Player of the Year. The Wildcats won their first conference title since 2001 with the help of a six-man senior class that led the team to an impressive season.

Culter has served as the head coach for the past three years, is the assistant director of enrollment management, and has worked at USM since 2008. “It was very humbling to have the respect of my peer coaches,” Cutler said. “I’m very happy with the award. And for Walter to be recognized as conference player of the year, it really speaks to who is the conference’s most valuable player. Walter is a player who makes everyone around him better, and other coaches recognized that as well.”

“I am honored that I was even considered for the award,” said Taylor. “It was a big surprise at the banquet when Coach Cutler told everyone. Without my teammates and the great coaching staff, I would not have received the award and I’m blessed for all of it.”

Two Girls Lacrosse Players Honored

Grace Berrien ’18 was named a 2017 Academic All-American, and Alex Ventress ’17 was named a 2017 All-American, by the Wisconsin chapter of US Lacrosse.

USM Athletes Competing at State Championships

Ben Hayes ’18 claimed state championships in the 200-yard individual medley and 100-yard breaststroke at the WIAA Division 2 state meet in February. He finished the 100-yard breaststroke event in 57.94 seconds, the ninth-fastest finish of all time for the WIAA. “I have been working harder than ever and this, coupled with growing a few inches and putting on some muscle, allowed me to cut a few seconds off my best times,” said Hayes.

Matthew Cooper ’19 and Addison Elliott ’20 competed in the WIAA Division 2 State Doubles Championship Tournament in June at the Nielsen Tennis Stadium in Madison, making it to the second round. They lost to junior Peter Lamberton and senior Joe Rudd of The Praire School, 7-5, 6-3.

Brandon Staudt ’18 represented the USM golf team as an individual qualifier in the WIAA Division 2 State Boy’s Golf Championship, tying for eighth place. He ended the first day in 16th place but moved up eight spots by the second day. His score of 73 was the second-best total carded by any of the 52 individual golfers on the last day.

Davis Collison ’17 competed at the WIAA Division 2 State Track and Field Tournament in June. She had the best finish for the Wildcats in the tournament, placing third in the 400-meter dash with a time of 57.94 seconds. This serves as a new personal record for Collison, as well as a new School record. She also finished seventh in the 200-meter dash with a time of 26.32 seconds.