Sports Digest

Welch earns $1K IMCA Stock payday at Eagle River

Shawano’s Travis Welch made his first ever appearance at Eagle River Speedway a profitable one as Welch sweated out several caution periods and went on to win the $1,000 IMCA Stock Car feature at Eagle River Speedway last Tuesday.

Welch started on the pole position of the 20-lap contest but surrendered the lead to fellow front row starter Josh Mroczkowski. A yellow flew after that opening circuit and when racing resumed Welch stormed past Mroczkowski on the restart to take command. The contest was slowed on four different occasions as cars tangled with one another on the third-mile, clay oval. Throughout all of the restarts, Welch kept his composure and felt pressure from Mroczkowski and two-time track champion Rod Snellenberger and Junior Karcz when a yellow flew setting up a four-lap dash to the finish.

The win was Welch’s second career IMCA stock car feature win. Mroczkowski took second at the line, followed by Snellenberger, Karcz and Wausau’s Mitch Stankowski. 

“I really like this place,” Welch exclaimed in victory lane. “We’ll be back sometime for sure.”

Sugar Camp’s Jason Eisel earned the hard charger award by passing seven cars from his 15th starting position to an eighth-place finish.

Ontonagon, Michigan’s Dave Dishaw led every lap en route to victory in the B-Mod feature while Twin Lakes, Michigan’s Jesse Aho pulled off the same fete in the Late Model division. Hometown driver Wyler Haynes scored his first ever street stock feature win. Pittsville’s Hoyt Cournoyer cruised to victory in the 600 Micro Sprint feature.

A pair of Eagle River drivers scored feature wins in the 300 Micro Sprint features. Mason Meier scored the Pro division win while Parker Ewert picked up his first career win in the Semi-Pro class.

The Pro feature had a wild finish as Marshfield’s Madisyn Dieringer slammed into the front stretch wall coming to the checkers. Her racer wound up on its side. The machine suffered damage and Dieringer emerged from the wreck shaken but otherwise unhurt.

There will be two nights of racing next week at Eagle River Speedway. On Tuesday, July 2 the track will host the Mark (White) Zdroik Memorial race and the speedway will also be in action Saturday, July 6 for the 2nd annual Open Wheels and Wings night. MSA sprint cars will be on hand with B mods, 300 and 600 Micro Sprints and the Milwaukee Stock Car Association Vintage Modifieds. Fireworks displays will take place after both nights of racing. The first green flag flies at 7 p.m.

Schultz to join WIAA in Assistant Director role

The Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association has announced the hiring of Chad Schultz as an assistant director on the executive staff. He will assume his role at the organization’s headquarters in Stevens Point on July 15, 2024.

“I am excited and humbled for this opportunity to join the association, one that has such a rich and storied history,” Schultz said.  “I am anxiously waiting to get to work and start serving the membership.  Interscholastic athletics play such a pivotal role in the educational experience for our state's students, and I am excited to help make a positive impact and work to continue to improve the overall experience.”  

Schultz’s responsibilities will include the administration, coordination of duties and tournament planning for the sports assigned, as well as other administrative duties, including licensed officials oversight.

“Chad brings a wide variety of athletics and officiating experiences to our WIAA team,” Executive Director Stephanie Hauser said. “The addition of his expertise, talent and broad perspective will enrich the quality of services our staff is able to provide for our membership.”

Schultz has been employed at the University of Wisconsin-Madison since 2013. Most recently, he has held the position of Associate Director of Facility Services since 2021. In his role, he was responsible for the maintenance and enhancement of all UW Recreation & Wellbeing facilities, totaling over 600,000 square feet and over 60 acres of outdoor recreational space. He was also responsible for the operating and capital project budgets of more than $6 million annually.

He has managed UW’s Recreation & Wellbeing work order and asset management systems and implemented continual improvements to workflow efficiency and effectiveness. In addition, Schultz served on the core planning team for the design, construction and opening of the Bakke Recreation & Wellbeing Center in 2023. 

Additional efforts as associate director included coordinating Recreation & Wellness with Facilities Planning & Management to address improvement and maintenance projects as well as equipment needs. In his position, he oversaw the hiring, supervision and coordination of job assignments for nearly 80 employees.

Prior to his most recent role, Schultz served as the Assistant Director of Instructional and Inclusive Programs from 2016-21, directing non-credit instructional programs and activities for students and other members of the UW community.

In addition to his professional experience, Schultz has served on many administrative committees, participated and presented at many sports-related conferences and leadership programs, and has officiated and directed many extramural tournaments throughout the country. He also possesses numerous sports certifications and has belonged to a number of service associations, including having served as a WIAA-licensed official in baseball, basketball, football, soccer, softball and volleyball.

Nordic ski team in search of head coach

Northwoods Nordic Ski Club (NNSC), the supporting organization for the Hodag high school and middle school Nordic ski teams is looking for a head coach to lead the programs, the club announced in an email and a Facebook post Thursday.

“Rhinelander’s rich Nordic tradition, high-caliber trails, and committed volunteer base give you the tools and support you need to develop a thriving team of young athletes,” the club stated an email “NNSC offers financial support for program development and material needs along with volunteers (including a wax technician) to help ensure the coach’s focus upon on-snow activities. NNSC will also help to train an interested and enthusiastic candidate.”

The club previously stated that last year’s coach, Andrew Seaman, announced his resignation prior to the club’s annual meeting back in April.

A list of qualifications, responsibilities and other details can be found on the club’s Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/NorthwoodsNordicSkiClub.

Applicants are encouraged to email a letter of interest outlining your qualifications, questions, and expectations to [email protected]. For more information, contact Northwoods Nordic Ski Club president Brian Hegge at 715-482-2898.