Sports Digest

RHS HOSA Club to stage benefit for ailing child at Jan. 27 basketball game vs. Wausau East

The Rhinelander High School Health Occupations Students Of America (HOSA) chapter is hosting a pop-up event during the RHS JV and varsity boys’ basketball games against Wausau East Tuesday, Jan. 27 to benefit an area child battling a rare lung disease. 

“Aspen is just 3 years old and has already been through more than most people face in a lifetime,” the RHS HOSA Club stated in a flyer promoting the event. “She’s endured multiple hospital stays, time on a ventilator, countless procedures and endless tests — all in an effort to figure out what’s making her sick. Most of her illnesses involve severe respiratory issues, yet through it all, she’s kept a beautiful smile.”

The flyer states that last July, Aspen was diagnosed with chronic eosinophilic pneumonia as well as adrenal insufficiency.

The HOSA Club will be hold a number of fundraisers throughout the event to support Aspen’s family, including a miracle minute, a chuck-a-duck contest and raffle baskets. 

For more information on the event, contact RHS HOSA advisor Sadie Adams at 715-365-9500, ext. 8112 or email [email protected].

Youth tennis lessons for students in Grades 6-8 to be held in February in Hodag Dome

The School District of Rhinelander Community Education Program will offer youth tennis lessons in February for students in grades 6-8. All sessions will be held at the Hodag Dome.

“This program introduces young players to the fundamentals of tennis in a fun, active, and encouraging environment,” the district stated in a press release. “Participants will learn basic strokes, footwork, and court awareness through age-appropriate games and drills designed to build coordination, confidence, and a love for the sport. The lessons also emphasize teamwork, sportsmanship, and active play. No prior experience is required — just bring your energy and enthusiasm.”

Lessons will be conducted 3:45 to 5 p.m. Monday, Feb. 9, Thursday, Feb. 12, Monday, Feb. 16 and Thursday, Feb. 19.  Rhinelander High School tennis coach Matt Nichols will serve as the instructor for the program. 

Registration is $40 per student, and ore-registration is required by Feb. 4. Space is limited. To register, visit the “Community” section of the School District of Rhinelander website. For questions, contact Mike Cheslock at 715-365-9745.

WIAA task force holds hearing for realignment plans 

The Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association Conference Realignment Task Force convened Thursday, Jan. 15 to hear appeals for requests that were denied in December and for plans that were modified from their original proposals.

The plans of the current conference realignment process will be implemented in 2027-28. Football-only conference realignment consideration occurs on an alternate-year rotation. 

After deliberation, a modified Lakeside Lutheran proposal and the Appleton West proposal were advanced for possible approval by the Board of Control at its meeting on March 10, 2026.

The Lakeshore Lutheran proposal would maintain the current structure of the Rock Valley Conference and move Portage from the Badger Conference to the Capitol Conference. The Appleton West plan, upon Board approval, would move Appleton West from the Fox Valley Association to the Bay Conference.

The appeal of the plan originally submitted by Viroqua, which was denied in December, will receive further consideration at the Task Force meeting scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026. The proposal moves Viroqua from the Coulee Conference to the Southwest Conference. Schools in those two conferences impacted by the plan may appeal to the Task Force at the Feb. 19 meeting.

Based on the feedback and appeals at last Thursday’s meeting, the Task Force amended a four-conference, Milwaukee-area plan impacting the Classic 8, Greater Metro, Southeast and Milwaukee City Conference Conferences.

The Board of Control will vote on all the recommendations of the Task Force at its meeting Tuesday, March 10. The board’s options are to approve, reject or remand the realignment recommendations back to the Task Force. If remanded, the Task Force will reconvene to make appropriate changes to the plan before presenting it to the Board of Control again in April. If rejected, the conferences will remain in their current configuration.