2017 Fall Rural Mutual WIAA Sportsmanship Award Winners

Congratulations to the following teams who have been selected as Sportsmanship Award winners for the 2017 Fall State Championships!

Did you know that Rural Mutual Insurance has been a sponsor of the WIAA Sportsmanship Award since it was started in 1965?

“We believe there’s something more important than just winning or losing a tournament. We believe that the team, school and fans who show support with class are the true champions,” said Mike Lubahn, Rural Mutual Marketing Director.

The Sportsmanship Award recognizes the entire community for their conduct and appreciation for good sportsmanship – not just the athletes and coaches – but their fans and community and how they present themselves at state tournament events. The selection includes input from contest officials, tournament management, police & security personnel, crowd control & ushers and WIAA Staff members. Here are this year’s winners and honorable mentions:

Football: Lodi Blue Devils

Congratulations to Lodi Blue Devils! This is the first time the Blue Devils Football team has won this honor, and the fifth time in school history between all sports.

Honorable Mentions: Bangor, Black Hawk, and Lake Country Lutheran

Girls Volleyball: Benton Zephyrs

Congratulations to the Benton Girls Volleyball team for winning their first sportsmanship award as well as their first trip to the State tournament in the program’s history.

Honorable Mentions: Catholic Memorial, Kimberly, Lake Country Lutheran, Lakeside Lutheran, Merrill, Newman Catholic, Regis, Stratford and Waunakee.

Boys Soccer: Madison West Regents

Madison West is the recipient of the Sportsmanship Award in boys soccer, which marks the first time the Regents have received the award in any sport. Congratulations Regents! They made their 15th appearance in the boys soccer State Tournament this season. Madison West possesses the most State team championships of any school in the membership with 90.

Honorable Mentions: Amery, McDonell Central Catholic/Regis, New Richmond and Sturgeon Bay

Girls Tennis: Amery Warriors

With their first appearance to the State Tournament, Amery is the recipient of the Sportsmanship Award. This is the second sportsmanship award for the Amery School District. Congratulations on a great season!

Boys Volleyball: Racine Horlick Rebels

Congratulations to the Racine Horlick Rebels! It is the first time in school history the Rebels have been selected for the award in any sport and their eighth appearance in the State Tournament.