Stevens Point, WI—Sixteen senior girls and 16 senior boys from Superior to Williams Bay have been
selected as finalists to receive the prestigious 2025 Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic
Association’s (WIAA) Statewide Scholar Athlete Award, presented by We Energies Foundation
and Wisconsin Public Service Foundation. More than 1,245 Scholar Athlete finalists have been
recognized since the program began in 1984. This year, more than 806 seniors from 415 high
schools across the state were nominated for the award.
To determine the top 32 finalists, four boys and four girls were selected (based on both athletic
and academic achievement) from each of the four WIAA divisions. “Each of these outstanding
student athletes has excelled in academics and athletics,” said Stephanie Hauser, Executive
Director of the WIAA. “Twenty of this year’s 32 Scholar Athlete finalists have maintained a
perfect 4.0 GPA, and together they hold an impressive cumulative GPA of 3.96. Collectively,
they’ve already earned 306 varsity letters—an average of 9.56 per athlete—with spring sports still
underway. Their dedication both in the classroom and in competition is inspiring.”
The 2025 WIAA Scholar Athlete Finalists will be recognized at an awards ceremony on Sunday,
May 4 at SentryWorld in Stevens Point. The keynote speaker will be Mike “Jocko” Jacques, an
award-winning, Emmy-nominated journalist and Wisconsin native.
Of interest this year, both Arrowhead and West Salem High Schools produced two WIAA Scholar
Athletes – Jacquelyn Cox and John Kubisch from Arrowhead and Kyle Hehli and Megan
Johnson from West Salem. Additionally, four individuals received the first Scholar Athlete finalist
award in their school’s history: Isaac Scheer of Columbus Catholic High School; Molly Duel of
Laconia High School; Ben Krauklis of Lakeside Lutheran High School; and Kate Schmoll of West
De Pere High School.
A live stream of the awards program will be available on the websites of the State Television
Network stations, including WXOW-TV, WQOW-TV, WAOW-TV, WKOW-TV, WVTV and WCWF at
1:30 p.m. on May 4. A delayed telecast of the ceremony will be aired on a future date. More
information is available on the WIAA’s website, including:
• Boys bios
• Girls bios
2025 WIAA Scholar Athlete Finalists
This list includes Scholar Athlete’s name, hometown and the high school they attend.
DIVISION 1 – BOYS
John Kubisch, Hartland, Arrowhead High School
Ryan Lang, Sheboygan, Sheboygan North High School
Paolo Pagnucci, Superior, Superior High School
Ray Pember, Menomonie, Menomonie High School
DIVISION 1 – GIRLS
Mackenzie Babcock, Cottage Grove, Monona Grove High School
Jacquelyn Cox, Hartland, Arrowhead High School
Ella Opie, Pewaukee, Pewaukee High School
Kate Schmoll, De Pere, West De Pere High School
DIVISION 2 – BOYS
Layne Aurit, Dodgeville, Dodgeville High School
Jack Hefty, Delavan, Whitewater High School
Kyle Hehli, West Salem, West Salem High School
Ben Krauklis, Lake Mills, Lakeside Lutheran High School
DIVISION 2 – GIRLS
Megan Johnson, La Crosse, West Salem High School
Hailie Krueger, New London, New London High School
Ellie Schiszik, Elk Mound, Elk Mound High School
Addison Schliewe, Sheboygan Falls, Sheboygan Falls High School
DIVISION 3 – BOYS
Blake Thiry, Prairie du Chien, Prairie du Chien High School
Jacob Thornton, La Crosse, Aquinas High School
Jack Tubbs, Stratford, Stratford High School
Jack Schmeling, Holmen, Luther High School
DIVISION 3 – GIRLS
Molly Duel, Eldorado, Laconia High School
Reese Grimm, Arpin, Pittsville High School
Lexi Kuffel, Rice Lake, Cameron High School
Ellen Robinson, Mineral Point, Mineral Point High School
DIVISION 4 – BOYS
Jesse DeBauch, Coleman, Gillett High School
Oliver Post, Potosi, Potosi High School
Isaac Scheer, Marshfield, Columbus Catholic High School
Jared Schultz, Gordon, Northwood High School
DIVISION 4 – GIRLS
Kamdan Johnson, Florence, Florence High School
Sarah Shaw, Port Edwards, Assumption High School
Emily Sorensen, Harvard, Faith Christian High School
Kendall Weiler, Owen, Owen-Withee High School
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