Sports Digest

Whitford named WIAA interim assistant director

The Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association has named Tim Whitford as interim assistant director on the executive staff beginning Monday, Feb. 10 following the retirement of Tom Shafranski Feb. 7. Whitford will serve in the position until Shafranski’s successor joins the staff this summer.

During his 22-year tenure, Shafranski has served as the administrator for several sports of football, golf, gymnastics, hockey, lacrosse, swimming & diving, and tennis. His other administrative duties included the direction of the prestigious WIAA Scholar-Athlete program and serving as the staff liaison with the Sports Advisory Committee and the Wisconsin Athletic Directors Association.

Whitford will inherit the administrative responsibilities most recently managed by Shafranski, including the sports of 11-player football, boys’ and girls’ golf, boys’ and girls’ hockey, boys’ and girls’ lacrosse. Other administrative duties will include the oversight of the WIAA Scholar-Athlete program and staff liaison with the Wisconsin Athletic Directors Association.

Whitford spent his entire 34-year educational career in the Winneconne Community School District before retiring in June 2024. He served the first 22 years of his career as a physical education and health educator before becoming the school’s athletic director in 2012. Whitford was named the District 4 Athletics Director of the Year by the Wisconsin Athletic Directors Association last fall.

Northland Pines co-op drops close one to Beaver Dam

The Northland Pines girls’ hockey co-op nearly pulled off an upset Saturday, falling to Beaver Dam 4-3 at the Langlade County Multi Purpose Building in Antigo. 

The Eagles led 3-2 midway through the final period but the Golden Beavers (17-6-0) scored twice in the span of 56 seconds to retake control of the game. 

The Eagles co-op includes a handful of skaters from Rhinelander High School, including sophomore Reese Retallick who assisted on the Eagles’ first goal midway through the second period, which trimmed Beaver Dam’s lead to 2-1. Lilly Beitler scored that goal. Ruby Kasper and Ally Fuller had the Eagles’ goals in the third period. 

Northland Pines (4-18-0) will face Wisconsin Valley Union in Wisconsin Rapids tonight and close out the regular season against the Badger (Baraboo co-op) Lightning in Eagle River on Friday.