November 22, 2021 at 8:55 a.m.
Hodag collegiate signing day
Francis a Flame: Malia makes Liberty University choice official
Hodag collegiate signing day
"Just to have it done and be official makes me feel excited to get out there in the fall, start training with the team and all of that," Francis said.
The moment comes on the heels of Francis becoming the most decorated swimmer in Rhinelander High School history, winning her seventh and eighth individual WIAA state championships earlier this month - setting a Division 2 state record in the 100-yard backstroke in the process.
"Liberty is very lucky to have her," Rhinelander coach Jenny Heck said. "Malia's been great not just in the water, of course with all of her accomplishments, but as a person. She's a great teammate. She's a great sister to her family and she's done so much for our program to try to make all of us better. Thank you for all of your dedication, since you were a very little girl and all of your accomplishments all along. Thank you for bringing us on the journey."
Francis has done plenty outside of the high school circuit - including competing at this past summer's U.S. Olympic Trials - but said the last three years with the RHS program have been key in her development.
"The opportunity I've been given to swim for the high school has been great," she said. "I think it's definitely taught me a lot about team culture that you don't necessarily get in club swimming. You get it, but it's different. I think high school swimming is a lot more similar to college swimming. That's been a big plus."
In heading to Liberty, Malia Francis is following in the footsteps of her older sister, Kiah, who recently graduated from Liberty. Kiah Francis served as a team captain during the 2020-21 season for the Flames.
"Kiah helped me so much in the decision-making process," Malia said.
"She never overstepped in trying to push me one direction or the other, but she always gave me the right advice and helped me narrow down my list," Malia added. "It's a really long process and it's really tough. There are so many great schools, but she really helped my put my priorities straight, what I wanted and helped me find the right place."
In a prepared statement during last Tuesday's signing ceremony at RHS, Malia Francis thanked her parents and her siblings for their support over the years, as well as her high school and club coaches and the YMCA, where she did much of her swimming as a child.
Liberty has won the Coastal Collegiate Swim Association title each of the last three years and has had five NCAA championship qualifiers over the last five seasons. Francis said she is currently undecided in terms of a major.
Smith to Superior, Part II: Jacksen Smith to become a Yellowjacket
The last time a Smith from Rhinelander went to UW-Superior to play men's basketball, the move worked out well for the Yellowjackets.
Jake Smith, a class of 2007 RHS grad, ended his career as Superior's all-time leading scorer.
Jacksen Smith is the latest Hodag to head north, signing his letter of intent last week to play for the Yellowjackets. The two Smiths aren't related, but their families have a connection through basketball and Jacksen Smith said that Jake Smith was part of the reason he decided to take his talents to Superior.
"He's not my real family, but he made it feel like he was," Jacksen said. "We've known them for a while and it was awesome to be able to have him in on the whole process."
Jacksen Smith said a family culture and atmosphere is eventually what led him to the NCAA D-III program. He noted that head coach Greg Polkowski first recruited him during a camp last summer and even took in a couple of Hodag football games, where Smith was the quarterback, leading up to Smith's verbal commitment to the program back in October.
"Their culture is a big family thing, so I just felt like I was at home," he said.
Smith averaged 10.8 points and 3.4 assists for the Hodags last season as he received honorable mention in the Great Northern Conference. He said having his college plans already finalized will help going into his senior basketball season at RHS.
"Our team has big goals. I have some goals individually and I just thought it would be a lot better to get it out of the way and focus on the team. It's a huge relief," he said.
"I'm looking forward to watching him play this year and help lead us, but then the following year watching him take his game to the next level," RHS boys' basketball coach Derek Lemmens said. "He's going to continue to be spectacular, whatever he does, because he's going to continue to work. He loves what he does and he's going to continue to represent us in a positive way."
Smith said he plans to major in business at Superior. He thanked a myriad of people for helping him get to this point, including family members, youth coaches, AAU coaches, the RHS boys' basketball coaching staff and his teammates. But Smith saved the biggest thanks for his dad, Shaun.
"None of this would even be possible if it wasn't for him - from two-ball dribbling in the basement to literally wanting to rip each others throats out - it wouldn't be possible. You are constantly making sure you're the best person I can be, so thank you," he said.
Schneider becomes a Pointer
When Joe Schneider suffered a knee injury this past August, he at least had some comfort knowing that his athletic future was still pretty secure.
Schneider was late in the recruiting process when the injury wiped out his senior football season. But, shortly thereafter, Schneider made the decision to commit to UW-Stevens Point and its D-III baseball program.
Schneider said some words of encouragement from UWSP baseball coach Nat Richter helped ease his mind, even though he had to postpone a visit to the Stevens Point campus due to the injury.
"He said, 'as soon you're ready to walk around, you can come over here.' He wasn't really concerned at all, so that was nice," Schneider said.
Schneider was Rhinelander's No. 2 pitching option last spring, going 2-5 with a 3.38 ERA with 43 strikeouts over 38 2/3 innings. Two strong pitching efforts in the postseason helped catch Richter's eye, and Schneider said playing on a travel team coached by Richter last summer helped in the recruiting process.
Rhinelander has several ties to the UW-Stevens Point program. Class of 2018 graduate Bradley Comer was an All-WIAC first-team selection for the Pointers last spring, hitting .372 with 11 home runs and 46 RBIs. RHS baseball coach Joe Waksmonski is also an alumnus of the UWSP baseball program, and was Richter's teammate at Point from 2002-2004.
"Joe will have no problem making the jump to college baseball," Waksmonski said in a written statement, unable to attend last Tuesday's ceremony. "He has one of the best work ethics we've ever had in our program. Joe's not afraid to put in the extra time and effort to make himself a better baseball player."
Schneider, who has recovered from the knee injury, said there is a sense of relief going into his senior baseball season, with his future secured.
"Now I don't have to think about it at all. I just get four more years of baseball, and that's all I care about," he said. "I'm just hoping to throw more strikes this year. That's my key. In the past, I've focused too much on throwing as hard as I can, but throwing strikes, not giving up free base runners is what I'm going to focus on this year and, hopefully, bring that to the next level."
UWSP went 32-11 this past spring, falling to UW-Whitewater in the WIAC championship game.
Schneider thanked his family and his coached in the Rhinelander program, as well as UWSP for the opportunity. Schneider said he plan to major in elementary education at Stevens Point.
Jeremy Mayo may be reached at [email protected].
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