Lancaster has had a very rich and impressive history when it comes to high school athletics.
There have been a number of successful teams that have made the entire state take notice of the small southwest Wisconsin town, and there have been some very gifted athletes who have gone on to become the best in the state.
In fact, there have actually been so many great athletes over the years that it’s easy to dismiss some of them.
That brings me to this little project that I have been working on for the past couple of months.
I’ll have to admit though, I was more than a little hesitant to tackle what I call a “no-win” project, but against my better judgment, I did it anyway.
Taking into consideration the best athletes ever to play at Lancaster over the years, I have constructed All-Time teams for nearly every team sport, boys and girls, played at LHS.
I didn’t feel it was necessary to include such sports at track and field or cross country, since the record holders in those sports pretty much speak for themselves.
I suppose this is as good a time as any to warn you that this is simply my opinion based on what I have found within our archived newspapers and what I have learned after picking the brains of more knowledgeable people from the area.
These lists are merely a conversation item geared to drum up some debate amongst those who have followed Lancaster athletics through the year.
I have been the sports editor here at the Grant County Herald Independent for 14 years now, which by no means makes me an expert in Lancaster athletics.
That’s why I recruited the help of long-time Lancaster residents and sports enthusiasts like football coach and athletic director John Hoch, Emmett Terwilliger, Darren Miles, John Paulin, former assistant football coach Terry Noble, wrestling and former golf coach Brad Sturmer, and local sports writer Jason Nihles and for HI sports editor and current Morris Newspapers publisher John Ingebritsen.
If I missed anyone whom you think deserves a spot on any of the All-Time teams, it certainly wasn’t personal.
But because I am always willing to learn all I can about our local sports history, feel free to contact me (email) with your thoughts or suggestions.
Remember, this is just for fun, and certainly open to debate.
Football
Since football certainly is king in Lancaster, at least since the Arrows made four consecutive trips to the WIAA state championship game from 1999-2002 (winning three Division 4 titles in that span), what better sport to start out with than this one.
Over the years, the Lancaster football program has developed into one of the best in the entire state, and you certainly cannot have great football teams without great players, which Lancaster has had perhaps more than its fair share.
With six state championships in the past 18 years, my All-Time football team consists mostly of players from those years (1993-to-present).
The list is also heavy in recent athletes because no one can deny that in the past 20 years, the football program at Lancaster has been taken to a new level with the implementation of the platoon system and the number of coaches on staff.
My All-Time Football team consists of the school’s top three rushers, the top passer and 10 all-state players, not to mention a two-time college All-American.
You’ll notice that I did select six offensive linemen and five defensive backs, but with the wealth of talent at those positions over the years, it was nearly impossible not to.
Take a look at what truly is an impressive All-Time Lancaster Football Team.
Offense
QB – Nate Rolland (6’1”, 180) Class of 2002 – is the school’s career record holder for touchdown passes (39), passing yards (2,710) and completions (133). Rolland is also the single season passing leader with 1,497 yards and 22 TDs in 2000. He is the school’s all-time career leader in total offensive yards with 4,237 (2,710 passing, 1,527 rushing) and he went on to play at Luther College from 2002 to 2005.
HB – Jon Schmitz (5’8”, 170) Class of 2002 – finished his career as the top halfback at Lancaster with a career total of 2,844 yards and 42 rushing TDs. As a senior had a rushing average of 16.5 yards per carry, and for his career finished with an average of 13.7 yard per carry. As a senior in 2001 he rushed for 1,629 yards and 21 TDs, and also caught eight passes for 184 yards and three more TDs. Schmitz was also a first-team All-State selection by the WFCA in 2001 and played in the 2002 WFCA All-Star Game.
HB – Brad Vesperman (5’11”, 155) Class of 1995 – is Lancaster’s fifth leading rusher in school history with 2,182 yards and 30 TDs. As a senior he rushed for 1,317 yards and 14 TDs on only 113 carries for an average of 11.7 yards per carry and was named the SWAL I MVP in 1994.
FB – Tyler Landon (6’2”, 205) Class of 2008 – finished his career as Lancaster’s all-time leading rusher with 3,994 yards and is second in school history with 57 rushing touchdowns. As a junior in 2006 he rushed for 1,845 yards and 28 touchdowns. As a senior in 2007 he rushed for 1,624 yards and 21 TDs. He went on to play one year of football at UW-La Crosse in 2008.
WR – Adam Noble (6’2”, 170) Class of 2001 – is Lancaster’s all-time leading receiver with 88 receptions for 1,841 yards and 26 touchdowns. In 2000 he hauled in 43 passes for 1,032 yards and 14 TDs, which are both single-season records at Lancaster. Noble was a first-team All-State selection by the WFCA in 2000 and played in the 2001 WFCA All-Star Game. He went on to play college ball at Bemidji State from 2001-2004 where he became that program’s all-time leader in touchdown catches.
WR – John Foley (6’1”, 180) Class of 1994 – is Lancaster’s second leading receiver in school history with 80 career receptions for 1,296 yards and eight TDs. In 1993 he had 48 receptions for 829 yards and seven TDs for the WIAA Division 4 state championship team, the first of six Arrow champions.
C – Steve Smith (Class of 2002) – was a three-year starter for Coach Hoch and the anchor of the offensive lines in 2001 and 2002, for teams that both won state titles. Smith was a first-team all-conference selection following his senior season.
OL – Todd Vesperman (6’7”, 235) Class of 1994 – was a two-time, first-team all-conference selection at guard, who eventually earned preferred walk-on status at UW in 1994. He was a three-year starter on offense and a two-way starter for the 1993 state champs. He also selected to play in the 1994 Shrine Bowl, the predecessor to the WFCA All-Star game.
OL – Bryan Peake (6’3”, 295) Class of 2009 – was a first-team All-State selection by the WFCA in 2008, his third year as a starter for the Arrows. The creator of the “Big Bear Shuffle” was a starter on the offensive line for the 2006 D5 state champs and he also played in the 2009 WFCA All-Star Game.
OL – J.J. White (6’3”, 245) Class of 2002 – was a three-year starter on the offense line as well, playing all along the offensive front, but mostly played guard. He paved the way for running backs such as Jon Schmitz and Andy Hoch, as well as quarterback Nate Rolland. White started on two state championship teams and one state runner-up squad. He was a first-team All-State selection by the WFCA in 2001 and resurrected his playing career at UW-Platteville in 2007 and 2008.
OL –Jeff Montgomery (6’2”, 240) Class of 2007 – was a first-team all-conference selection as a junior and senior, and was a first-team All-State pick by the WFCA in 2006 and a participant in the 2007 WFCA all-star game. One of the strongest players in Lancaster history, Montgomery was a starter up front for back-to-back state championship teams.
OL – Nick Kolb (6’6”, 280) Class of 2003 – started at guard on three consecutive state championship teams. Kolb was a first-team All-State selection by the WFCA in 2002 and a 2003 all-star game selection. He went on to play at UW-La Crosse from 2003 to 2005.
Defense
DE – Dave Schreiner (6’2”, 190) Class of 1938 – played linebacker for the 1937 Southwest Conference champs (I was unable to track down any stats from his high school years), but we all know about his exploits at UW, where he was a two-time (1941, 1942) All-American defensive end and named the Big 10 Player of the Year in 1942. Schreiner e was drafted by the NFL’s Detroit Lions, but never had a chance to play professional football. He was killed in combat duty during World War II.
DE – Todd Vesperman (6’7”, 235) Class of 1943 – cracks the all-time list on both offense and defense, along with another Vesperman, his cousin Brad. Is the school’s 20th leading tackler with 172 total stops and feared by opponents, for his imposing size. There’s a reason the Badgers head coach Barry Alvarez asked him to walk on at Wisconsin.
DT – Pat Pennekamp (6’3”, 235) Class of 1997 – is currently 14th in the school’s record book with 184 career tackles and tied for seventh with eight career sacks. Pennekamp was twice named first-team all-conference and played in the 1997 Shrine Bowl.
NT – Brad Moore (5’10”, 170) Class of 2003 – was lighting quick off the ball and a constant pest in the opposing backfield despite his diminutive stature for defensive lineman. Moore is the school’s career leader in sacks with 25, and set the single-season sack record with 15 his senior year for the 2002 state champs. Moore also started at nose tackle for the 2001 D4 state championship team.
OLB – John Ragatz (6’1”, 195) Class of 1999 – I want my linebackers to play with a lot of intensity, and that’s John Ragatz. Ragatz is currently the school’s third leading tackler with 326 total stops and is second in school history with 12 career sacks. His best season was as a junior when he recorded 156 total tackles, 54 of which were solos, for the 1997 D4 state semifinalists.
OLB – Matt White (6’2”, 200) Class of 2001 – was one of the most efficient linebackers in school history finishing his stellar career as the school’s second leading tackler with 339 total stops. White was a two-time first-team all-league selection and recorded a linebacker-best 154 solo stops in his career.
MLB – Jason Wagner (6’2”, 245) Class of 1998 – who is most likely the biggest middle linebacker in school history is also the all-time leading tackler with 351 total stops. As a senior had a whopping 211 tackles, 71 solo and 140 assisted. He was named honorable mention All-State and played in the 1999 Shrine Bowl. He went on to play offensive line at UW-Stevens Point from 1998 to 2001.
CB – Brad Vesperman (5’11”, 155) Class of 1994 – had 169 career tackles, 93 solos, and five interceptions. He was named the SWAL I conference MVP in 1994 and was the first Arrow to earn first-team All-State honors when he was selected by the AP that year. Vesperman played at Mankato State in 1995 and was named the conference’s Newcomer of the Year.
CB – John Driscoll (6’3”, 185) Class of 2007 – is second only to Zach Hampton in career interceptions with 13. During his senior year Driscoll hauled in six interceptions and caught his only three passes on offense, two for fourth-down touchdowns in Lancaster’s 17-14 state championship win over Somerset. Driscoll was a first-team All-State defensive back by the WFCA in 2006.
CB – Zach Hampton (5’11”, 170) Class of 2002 – is the school’s career leader in interceptions with 17 and has the most solo tackles in school history with 185. As a senior had seven picks, two of which he returned for scores. He was a four-year starter, a three-time state finalist and two-time state champion. He was a first-team All-State selection by both the WFCA and AP in 2001. Hampton walked on and eventually earned a scholarship at UW and playing defensive back and returning punts for the Badgers from 2002 to 2006.
S – Doug Larsen (6’0”, 185) Class of 2003 – was named the SWAL I Player of the Year following his senior year after leading the Arrows to a fourth straight conference title and third consecutive state title. Larsen is third in school history with 10 career interceptions. He was a first-team All-State selection by the WFCA in 2002, a 2003 All-Star Game selection and played collegiately at UW-La Crosse from 2003 to 2007.
S – Paul Schildgen (6’1”, 185) Class of 2006 – couldn’t be left off the team when you consider his accomplishments. He was a three-year starting safety for the Arrows, finishing his career with 175 tackles and third in school history with 133 solo tackles for his career. Schildgen was named the SWC Defensive Player of the Year in 2005, and was a first-team All-State selection by the WFCA and AP that same year.
Special Teams
KR – Adam Hampton (5’11”, 170) Class of 2007 – in three years as a return man had a total of 31 kick returns for 969 yards and program record six TDs. He had a career return average of 31.3 yards. Hampton was such a feared returner that in his senior year he only had eight kicks come his way, two of which he returned for touchdowns, and had a return average of 33.6 yards.
PR – Eric Schmitz (5’8”, 150) Class of 1997 – had 21 punt returns for 387 yards and two TDs as a senior in 1996 for an average of 18.4 yards per return. Schmitz is second in career punt return yards only to Zach Hampton, whose career average was 5.5 yards less than that of Schmitz 19.5 per return.
PK – Pete Hoffman (5’9”, 160) Class of 1997 – is 13th on the all-time scoring list with 164 total points. In his four-year varsity career he made 6-of-8 in career field goal attempts and 104-of-127 extra-point attempts. Hoffman twice earned first-team all-conference honors as a kicker and even kicked an extra point in the 1993 state championship game.
P – Josh Clauer (5’10”, 175) Class of 1992 – is the school’s career leader when is comes to average yards per punt with 36.1 yards per kick. Had 85 total punts in three years for 3,065 yards and a long of 60 yards.
LS – J.J. White (6’3”, 245) Class of 2002 – took a lot of pride in being a good long snapper and went on to play the position at UW-Platteville. He was the LHS varsity long snapper all four years.
Boys Basketball
Just because there aren’t any boys’ state basketball trophies in the trophy cases at LHS, doesn’t mean there hasn’t been a wealth of talent in the sport throughout the years.
In fact, Lancaster has had a lot of talented individuals who have been named the conference MVP during their time with the Flying Arrows, and some even went on to have success at the college level.
Though I’ve never been a big fan of all-conference lists that include a second-team or an honorable mention squad, I did make room for five bench players that were just beaten out for a starting spot on my All-Time Lancaster Boys’ Basketball Team.
G - Mike Walker (6’0”) Class of 1976 – was named the Southern Eight Player of the Year in 1976. He led the league in scoring as a senior with an average of 21.5 points per game, had 104 rebounds, 83 steals and 81 assists in 19 games.
G – Lloyd Smith (5’11”) Class of 1963 – was a three-year varsity starter at Lancaster from 1961 to 1963 In those three years, the Flying Arrows accumulated a total record of 47-14. As a sophomore he led Lancaster in scoring with 12.8 points per game. He was a junior star on the 1962 conference championship team where he averaged 16.4 points per game. Smith then led the league in scoring in 1963 with an average of 23.7 points per game. He went on to play at Beloit College where he was an all-league selection.
F – Emmett Terwilliger Jr. (6’2”) Class of 1962 – led Lancaster to the school’s first ever conference championship in 1962 and a record of 21-2. As a senior he averaged 19.9 points per game and after high school was recruited by Wisconsin, Marquette and Michigan to play basketball. He accepted a basketball scholarship at UW, where he played for two seasons before transferring to Carleton College located in Northfield Minnesota. At Carleton he led the men’s basketball team to a conference title in 1966. He also played on the Carleton golf team in 1965 and 1966. He was inducted into the Carleton College Hall of Fame in 1993.
PF – Scott Houtakker (6’4”) Class of 1988 – this was awfully close for me between Scott and Jim Hatch, but I ultimately decided on Houtakker as my starting power forward. He led Lancaster to only its second conference championship in school history. He was named the SWAL I MVP in Lancaster’s magical 1987-88 season after leading the Arrows to a 23-1 record and averaged 18.4 points and 9.8 rebounds per game his senior year. He played college ball at UW-Whitewater.
C – Marc Houtakker (6’7”) Class of 1992 – was a four-year starter at Lancaster and a four-time first-team all-SWAL selection. As a 6’5” freshman Houtakker averaged 15.3 points and 11.2 rebounds per game. As a sophomore he averaged 18 points and more than 12 rebounds per game. As a junior, he averaged 22.2 points and 13.3 rebounds per game and as a senior averaged 24.4 points and 12.3 rebounds per game. Houtakker scored a four-year total of 1,562 points at Lancaster and pulled down 948 total rebounds. He played college ball at Assumption College in Worcester, Mass. before transferring to UW-Parkside.
Bench
PG - Kirk Peschel (5’10”) Class of 1988 – Was the motor behind the 1988 conference championship team, averaging 11.1 points and 5.5 assists per game. He also was a defensive pest, totaling 82 steals in 24 games leading the Flying Arrows to the Class B sectional semifinals and a record of 23-1.
G – Mark Bush (6’1”) Class of 1973 – led Lancaster to a Class A regional title in 1973. He was a first-team all-conference pick his senior season where he averaged more than 18 points per game.
G – Dick Bark (6’0”) Class of 1959 – was a two-time first-team all-conference selection and led Lancaster in scoring during the 1958 and 1959 seasons. As a junior Bark averaged more than 16 points per game, and as a senior averaged 19.8 points per game.
SF – John Foley (6’0”) Class of 1994 - was a two-time first-team all-conference selection and was known for his impressive leaping ability and thunderous breakaway dunks. As a senior he averaged 18.9 points per game and shot 57% from the floor. He also was a threat on defense, finishing the year with a team-high 43 steals in 21 games. As a junior he averaged 13.3 points and 7.6 rebounds per game.
C – Jim Hatch (6’3”) Class of 1951 – led the led the Southwest Wisconsin League and set a new conference record by scoring 233 points in 14 league games during his junior year, giving him a league average of 16.6 points per game. As a senior he finished with an overall scoring average of 21.1 points per game, scoring 411 points in 22 games. He accepted a scholarship and later played football for the University of Iowa.
C – Tom Driscoll (6’6”) Class of 1999 – was a two-time first-team all-conference selection and an honorable mention all-state selection as a senior. During his junior season he averaged 19.1 points per game, and as a senior averaged 19.3. His senior year he also averaged 9.1 rebounds and 2.7 blocks per game.
Girls Basketball
For as many talented boys’ basketball players who have played for the Arrows, there are just as many impressive girls who have worn the blue and gold over the years.
In fact, more girls’ basketball players have gone on to play college ball than boys, and quite a few have done very well for themselves on the next level.
Like the boys’ list, I have designated a few players to the bench of my All-Time Lancaster Girls’ Basketball Team, but if you could put these nine girls together on the same team there wouldn’t be enough room at the school for all the trophies they would accumulate.
G – Brianna Klaas (5’8”) Class of 2006 – was a four-year starter at Lancaster and three-time first-team all-conference selection. Was named the SWC Player of the Year following her senior season in 2006 after averaging 12.0 points, 3.5 rebounds a total of 68 assists and 48 steals. As a junior she averaged 9.7 points, nearly five rebounds and 2.7 assists per game, and as a sophomore chipped in 13.4 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game. During her freshman season she averaged 6.7 points and 2.6 rebounds per game. Played college ball at UW-Platteville.
G – Angie Sheehan (5’6”) Class of 1994 – was a three-year starter at Lancaster and a two-time first-team all-conference selection. As a senior averaged 15.9 points, 4.9 rebounds and 3.4 steals per game. That year she also made 142-of-179 (79%) free throw attempts. As a junior she averaged 7.9 points, 3.9 rebounds, 2.0 steals and 1.4 assists per game, as well as shooting 40% from 3-point range.
F - Jodi Eissens (5’11”) Class of 1977 – while stats for Eissens could not be found, she did accumulate some very impressive honors during her time at Lancaster. She was a two-time first-team all-conference selection. As a junior led Lancaster to a Class B state title. Was named to the WIAA Class B All-Tournament Team. Played college ball at UW-Oshkosh, where she led the team in scoring as a junior and senior.
F – Sheila Evans (6’0”) Class of 1987 - was named the Southern Eight MVP following her senior year. Went to the University of Dayton in Ohio on a basketball scholarship. Left Lancaster as the school’s all-time leading scorer with 1,228 points.
C – Mary Lynn Driscoll (6’0”) Class of 2006 – was a first-team all-conference selection for three seasons. As a starter during her sophomore year she averaged 9.3 points and 5.8 rebounds per game, while as a junior averaged 15.8 points and 7.3 rebounds per game. Her senior year she averaged 17.6 points per game and 8.3 rebounds.
Bench
G – Madison Wagner (5’8”) Class of 2011 – Was a four-year starter at Lancaster. As a freshman she averaged 4.8 points and 2.4 rebounds per game. During her sophomore season she averaged a team-high 9.0 points per game and earned second-team all-conference honors. As a junior she again led the team with a scoring average of 9.8 points per game and was named to the all-conference first team. Was a first-team all-conference selection as a senior, where she averaged 12.6 points, 3.0 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game. Also had a team-high 45 total steals. Accepted a basketball scholarship from Ashford University.
F - Deb Ropers (5’9”) Class of 1995 – Was named the SWAL I MVP following her senior year, despite her team going winless (0-12) in conference action. Unfortunately, no stats from her senior year were found. As a junior, she was a first-team all-conference selection after averaging 9.8 points and 5.7 rebounds per game. Her sophomore season she earned honorable-mention honors after averaging 8.2 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2.0 steals per game.
F - Katie Knapp (5’10”) Class of 2001 – Was a three-year starter at Lancaster. Was a first-team all-conference selection as a junior and senior. She averaged a team-high 10.9 points and 6.7 rebounds per game as a junior, and as a senior averaged 12.1 points, 6.2 rebounds and 1.8 steals per game. As a sophomore she averaged 7.7 points and 5.9 rebounds per game.
C - Donna Freese (6’1”) Class of 1980 - Was named to the first-team all-conference list as a junior during the 1979 state championship season, and as a senior. She was a great shot blocker and rebounder, but was never the team’s leading scorer. Had a state-best 24 rebounds in the team’s state championship game as a junior. During her senior year she pulled down 92 offensive and 141 defensive rebounds for an average of 11.7 rebounds per game. Also had a whopping 169 blocked shots during her senior season.
C - Darcia Davies (6’0”) Class of 1977 – Unfortunately can’t find any stats from her playing years. Was a two-time first-team all-conference selection, and was a key contributor to Lancaster 1976 state tournament team. Went on to play college ball at UW-La Crosse.
Softball
Similar to that of football, the All-Time Softball Team is made up of relatively recent players due to the program’s success in the past decade.
One of the hardest parts to picking this team was deciding on just one pitcher, as there have been many great ones throughout the years.
One who did not make the team, but is worth mentioning is Kari Moore, who was a four-year starter, a four-year first-team all-conference selection and the conference MVP.
From those players who did make the list, opponents would be facing a pitcher in Katie Schroeder, who in her senior season gave up just three earned runs in 14 conference game.
And talk about an explosive line up. The batting averages from their best seasons would look like this: CF - Emily Kjos (.590); RF - Brittany Caley (.571); C - Emily Muller (.466); 3B - Katie Landon (.456); 1B - Dee Foley (.412); LF - Ashley Henry (.375); SS - Teresa Logemann (.376); 2B - Abby Noble (.347); and P - Katie Schroeder (.333).
Any coach would love to lead this All-Time Softball Team.
P – Katie Schroeder (Class of 2007) – Schroeder was a four-year starter at Lancaster and a four-time first-team all-conference selection. As a freshman had a conference record of 5-4 and an ERA of 0.65, while striking out 54 batters and walking eight. As a sophomore had an overall record of 18-2 with eight shutouts. That year she struck out 183 batters and walked 39. As a junior was named the SWC Player of the Year after she accumulated a record of 24-1 and an ERA of 0.71. That year she struck out 212 batters and walked 21, while also batting .333. As a senior was again named the SWC Player of the Year with a perfect 14-0 conference record and ERA of 0.23. In league play that year she struck out 132 batters and walked just 13. As a senior she only gave up three earned runs in 14 conference games.
C – Emily Muller (Class of 2008) – Was a four-year starter at catcher for the Arrows and a four-time first-team all-conference selection. As a freshman led the team with a batting average of .380. As a sophomore batted .341 with 25 RBIs and 29 runs scored. As a junior batted .368 and scored a team-high 15 runs. As a senior was named the SWC Player of the Year and a first-team All-State selection after batting .466, scoring 21 runs and 27 RBIs. Went on to play softball at UW-Oshkosh.
1B – Dee Foley (Class of 1999) Was a first-team all-conference selection as a senior and also earned honorable-mention all-state honors that year. During her senior season she batted .412 and had an on-base percentage of .585.
2B – Abby Noble (Class of 2008) As a sophomore earned first-team all-conference honors as an outfielder. She batted .270 that year with 20 runs scored and 10 RBIs. As a junior was named to the all-conference first team with a batting average of .347 and a team-high 15 runs. As a senior was a first-team all-conference selection with a batting average of .316, scoring 20 runs and bringing in 22 RBIs.
3B – Katie Landon (Class of 2011) Was a valuable member on the 2009 and 2010 state qualifying teams and was a member of four regional championship teams. Was a four-year starter and a four-year first-team all-conference selection. As a freshman batted .338, scored 13 runs and had 16 RBIs. As a sophomore batted .430, scored 28 runs and had 28 RBIs. As a junior batted .456, scored 25 runs and had a team-high 32 RBIs. During her senior season she batted .420, scored 27 runs and had 36 RBIs.
SS – Teresa Logemann (Class of 2007) Was a four-year starter at Lancaster and a four-time first-team all-conference selection. As a freshman had a fielding percentage of .924. As a sophomore batted .315 with 23 hits in 73 at bats. As a junior led Lancaster with a .376 batting average and 28 RBIs. As a senior batted .282 and belted in a team-high 14 RBIs.
LF – Ashley Henry (Class of 2009) Was a first-team all-conference selection as a senior after batting .361 with 13 runs and 21 RBIs. Missed all of her junior season with an injury. As a sophomore started in centerfield, where she earned first-team all-conference honors after batting .375 and having an on-base percentage of .444.
CF – Emily Kjos (Class of 2011) Was a valuable member on the 2009 and 2010 state qualifying teams and was a member of four regional championship teams. Was a four-year starter at Lancaster and a four-time first-team all-conference selection. As a freshman batted .400, scored 22 runs and had 16 RBIs. As a sophomore batted .375, scored 26 runs and had 31 RBIs. As a junior batted .476, scored a team-high 45 runs and had 22 RBIs. During her senior season she batted a team-high .590, scored 37 runs and had 40 RBIs.
RF – Brittany Caley (Class of 2009) – Before pitching for the Flying Arrows in 2008 and 2009, Caley was a first-team all-conference player in right field as a freshman and sophomore. She wound up being a four-time first-team all-conference selection. As a freshman she started in right field and finished the year with a batting average of .339 and an on-base percentage of .519. As a sophomore she had a team-high batting average of .425 and an on-base percentage of .521. As a junior, led the team with a .571 batting average, scoring 37 runs and bringing in 26 RBIs. Was named the SWC Player of the Year following her senior season, in which she batted .417, scoring 40 runs and 20 RBIs. In two years as a starting pitcher she struck out 302 batters and walked 33.
Baseball
This was without a doubt the toughest team to pick for me, based on my own personal lack of local knowledge and because of the lack of stats at my disposal for players prior to the mid 80’s. Still, I’ve done my best to put together an All-Time Baseball Team, but be warned, this is not my forte.
Over the years, Lancaster has had four teams advance to the WIAA state tournament, those being in 1972, 1976, 1978 and 1989.
While I’m sure there were a number of great players from those great teams, stats during that time just don’t exist. I did manage to find uncover a number of all-conference picks from those teams, but I don’t have any stats to back them up.
With that said, you’ll find that half of the All-Time Baseball Team consists of players from the past nine years, where stats certainly don’t lie.
P – Terry Noble (Class of 1972) Led the Flying Arrows to the WIAA State Tournament for the first time in school history. Noble had a record of 10-2 that year, giving up 22 earned runs in 73.2 innings. He had 128 strikeouts to 45 walks.
C – Jeff Farrey (Class of 1976) Earned all-conference honors following his senior season in which he batted .301 as a member of the 1976 state team.
1B – Brian Houtakker (Class of 1990) Was a first-team all-conference selection during Lancaster’s state run in 1989 when he batted .479 with 22 RBIs. On the mound that year he had a record of 4-3 and an ERA of 1.24. During his sophomore season he batted .357 and earned second-team all-conference honors, and as a senior was named the SWAL MVP with a batting average of .407 and 24 RBIs.
2B – Scott Puls (Class of 2005) As a senior earned first-team all-conference honors after batting .429 and scoring 30 runs. As a junior he also earned first-team all-conference honors with a .355 batting average.
3B – Mike Walker (Class of 1976) Was a key member of Lancaster’s 1976 state qualifying team that went 21-7 overall. He led the team that year with a batting average of .423, pounding out 33 hits in 78 at bats and reaching base 53 times. He also led the team in stolen bases (15) and runs scored (30), while earning all-conference honors.
SS – Brian Dressler (Class of 2007) Was a four-year starter at Lancaster and played second base and shortstop when he wasn’t on the mound. As a freshman he batted .333 in 2004, and during his sophomore season was the team’s second-leading batter with an average of .448. As a junior he earned second-team all-conference honors with a batting average of .377 and an on-base percentage of .517. He also led the team in RBIs as a junior with 17. As a senior he earned first-team all-conference with a batting average of .444 and an on-base percentage of .539.
LF – Jon Logemann (Class of 2005) Though Logemann played mostly centerfield in high school, I’m moving him to left field to play on the All-Time team. As a junior, He earned first-team all-conference honors with a batting average of .414 and a team-high 23 runs. As a senior he played in just three games due to injury, but in that time had eight hits in 12 at bats for a gaudy .667 average. Who knows what this kid could have done had he not gotten injured.
CF – Brad Moore (Class of 2003) Was a two-time first-team all-conference selection for the Arrows. As a junior had a batting average of .328, and as a senior batted .512, while scoring 23 runs and pounding in 21 RBIs. Led Lancaster to a sectional final appearance in 2003.
RF – Dave Thole (Class of 1978) As a sophomore on the 1976 state team, he batted .354 and led the team with 20 RBIs, while earning first-team all-conference honors. As a senior he earned second-team all-conference honors after he led the 1978 state tournament team in five offensive categories. That year he had a batting average of .351 with 27 hits in 77 at bats. He also had a team-high 17 RBIs and reached base 48 times.
DH – Doug Larsen (Class of 2003) As a sophomore earned all-conference honors after batting .429 with 18 RBIs. As a junior also earned all-conference honors and batted .318. As a senior he was again an all-conference selection after batting .474.
Volleyball
There are no state volleyball trophies in the cabinet at Lancaster High School, but there have certainly been a number of great players for the Flying Arrows throughout the years.
Lancaster has been to the state volleyball tournament three times, taking third in 1974 and 1975, while placing second in the Class B field in 1976.
My All-Time Volleyball team consists of two players from those state tournament teams, as well as two Division 1 college recruits.
Get these six ladies together for a volleyball match, and I doubt anyone would have much luck winning a game against them.
S – Abby Noble (5’9”) Class of 2007 – Was a three-year starter and a two-time first-team all-conference selection. Was injured and did not play her freshman season, which she more than likely would have started. As a sophomore was the team’s top setter with 141 assists in conference games, to go along with 15 ace serves and 43 digs. As a junior she accounted for 259 of her team’s 296 total assists. Also had 12 ace serves on the year. As a senior averaged 7.9 assists per game and again earned first-team all-conference honors.
MH – Darcia Davies (6’0”) Class of 1976 - Was a member of all-three state qualifying teams from Lancaster (’74, ’75, ’76) and a captain of the 1976 squad that finished second in Class B competition. As a junior she earned second-team all-conference honors, and as a senior was a first-team selection.
OH – Maigan Larsen (5’10”) Class of 2007 – Was a four-year starter and a three-time first-team all-conference selection. Led Lancaster her senior season with an average of 5.6 kills per game and was second with 3.1 digs. As a junior led Lancaster with 183 total kills. During her freshman and sophomore season she totaled 338 assists as the team’s starting setter. Accepted a D1 college volleyball scholarship at Kent State University.
MH – Megan Starrett (5’11”) Class of 2005) – Was a three-year starter and a two-time first-team all-conference selection. Led Lancaster as a sophomore with 140 total kills. As a junior earned first-team all-conference honors after compiling 261 spike kills, 34 tip kills and 51 block kills. As a senior Starrett was again a first-team all-conference selection with a team-high 101 spike kills and 13 block kills in conference action.
OH – Jodi Eissens (5’11”) Class of 1976 - Like Davies, Eissens was a member of all-three state qualifying teams from Lancaster (’74, ’75, ’76) and was a captain of the 1976 squad that finished second. Was a two-time first-team all-conference selection in 1975 and 1976.
Libero – Hanah Corell (5’5”) Class of 2007 – Was a three-year starter at Lancaster and was moved up to varsity for the postseason tournament as a freshman. As a sophomore she led Lancaster with 48 digs in 10 conference matches. During her junior season she accumulated a team-high 59 digs in 10 conference matches. As a senior was named to the all-conference first team with 4.3 digs per game and was voted the team’s top defensive player in 2007. Accepted a Division 1 volleyball scholarship to the University of Connecticut where she played two seasons as a defensive specialist.
Men’s Golf
Unlike the other sports on these All-Time lists, my criteria for the All-Time Men’s and Women’s golf teams, wasn’t based so much as to what these golfers had accomplished in high school, but what they have done over a longer period of time.
With that being said, what better measuring stick to use than the annual Lancaster City Golf Tournament, where the area’s best golfers have competed against each other for city bragging rights.
Here are the All-Time Men’s and Women’s Golf Teams, along with a few alternates that I felt deserve some mention.
Dave Farrey – Was a two-time individual state qualifier in high school, where he placed 12th at state as a junior in 1983 with a two-day score of 164. As a senior he did not place at state with a score of 180. Has also won the most Lancaster City Championships with 14, and owns the course record on the front nine with a 29.
Emmett Terwilliger Jr. – Was a member of Lancaster’s 1959 and 1960 state qualifying teams. As a sophomore he shot a team-best 168 at the 1959 state meet, and as a junior shot a 172. Played college golf at UW and at Carleton College. He has also won 11 Lancaster City Championships throughout the years.
Don Funk – Has won six Lancaster City Championships throughout the years.
Jim Ihm – Was a member of Lancaster’s 1978 state qualifying team, where he shot a 164 as a sophomore. Also won two Lancaster City Championships, but has had the most success in Dubuque, where he has won a number of city tournaments as well.
Bob Hoffman – Has won five Lancaster City Championships throughout the years.
Alternates
Greg Smith – Was a member of Lancaster’s 1959 and 1960 state qualifying teams, where as a junior shot a 178 at the 1959 state meet, and as a senior shot a team-best 162 in 1960. Has also won three Lancaster City Championships.
Dick Becker – Has won three Lancaster City Championships throughout the years.
Women’s Golf
Lori Wetzil – Was a three-time state qualifier. As a senior in 1981, Wetzel placed second at the WIAA State Meet after losing a two-hole playoff for the individual state title. As a junior in 1980 she placed fourth at the state meet. In 1983 she won the Wisconsin Amateur Stroke Play championship, and in 1984 won the Wisconsin Women’s State Amateur Golf Association title. Went on to play college golf at Northern Illinois University. Won the Lancaster City Tournament in 1985.
Sarah Williams – Was a senior member of the 1984 state qualifying team that placed eighth in Stevens Point, and led the team to a sectional team title by winning medalist honors that year. Was also a junior member of the 1983 state qualifying team that placed seventh in Stevens Points. Has won six City Championships.
Dawn Snider – Has won eight straight City Championships from 1999 to 2006.
Amy Knox – Has won five Lancaster City Championships.
Joan Haberlie – Has won five Lancaster City Championships.
Alternates
Debbie Ihm - As a junior earned medalist honors at the sectional meet and went on to a top-10 finish at the WIAA State Meet. Was a senior on the 1983 state qualifying team, she shot a team-best 193, along with teammate Sarah Case (Williams).
Joanne Ihm - Was the first girl at Lancaster ever to qualify for the WIAA State Meet as a junior in 1979. Advanced to state again in 1980 as a senior where she placed 11th.
Margee Neis – Has won three Lancaster City Championships
Wrestling
If opposing schools took just one look at my All-Time Wrestling Team, there is no doubt they would turn around, board the bus and head back home.
This team consists of 15 state qualifiers, seven of which are state champions, and a combined career record of 1,642-336-2.
One could certainly argue that with all this success and talent throughout the years, Lancaster has a deeper tradition in wrestling than it does in football.
103 – Jase Langkamp (Class of 2007) Was a three-time state qualifier where he placed fifth as a sophomore, third as a junior and fifth as a senior. Finished with a high school career record of 162-26.
112 – Rick Yoose (Class of 1999) Was a state qualifier in 1999 as a senior where he placed fourth in the 112-pound weight class and had a record of 33-5. Concluded his career at Lancaster with a record of 86-32.
119 – Dan Yoose (Class of 1998) Was a three-time state qualifier where he placed sixth as a sophomore and was a state runner-up as a junior and senior. Had a career record of 131-25.
126 - Jim Wolf (Class of 1989) Finished second at state in the 126-pound weight class as a junior, and won the 135-pound state title as a senior. Had a record of 33-4 as a senior, and a career record of 92-12-1.
130 – Greg Landon (Class of 1991) Was a three-time state qualifier at Lancaster. Finished second at state in the 125-pound class as a sophomore where he went 28-8 on the year. Won a Class B state title at 130 pounds as a junior and finished the year with a record of 26-3. His senior year also ended in Madison, where he placed fourth in the Division 2 140-pound weight class after being hurt in the semifinals. He concluded his senior season with a record of 37-1, and had a career record at Lancaster of 115-22.
135 – Craig McKelvey (Class of 2007) Was a two-time state qualifier where he placed fifth as a junior and third as a senior. Finished his high school career with a record of 146-39.
140 – Jon Friar (Class of 2007) Was a two-time state qualifier where he placed third as a senior. Concluded his high school career with a record of 155-33.
145 – Ben Baker (Class of 1993) – Was a two-time state qualifier and in 1993 won a state title. As a junior had a record of 32-3, but injured his shoulder in the first 30 seconds of his first match at the state tournament and did not place. Won a division 2 state title at 152 pounds in 1993 with a record of 26-0. He concluded his high school career with a record of 101-15-1. Besides his high school accomplishments, He also has won national freestyle championships and national Greco-style championships as well.
152 – Phil Wolf (Class of 1990) Was a two-time state qualifier, and a Class B 152-pound state champion as a senior with a record of 35-5. He and Greg Landon teamed up to win the Class B team title in 1990. He concluded his career at Lancaster with a record of 108-32, and went on to become an All-American at UW-Platteville and is a member of the school’s Hall of Fame.
160 - Zach Hampton (Class of 2002) Was a three-time state qualifier where he placed fifth as a sophomore, second as a junior and won a state title as a senior with a record of 39-1. Finished his career at Lancaster with a high school record of 148-18. Brad Moore (Class of 2003) does deserve some mention here, but my nod for the 160-pound spot goes to Hampton. Moore was a two-time state qualifier and a D2 state champion in 2003. And, as a senior he had a record of 47-1 and finished his high school career at Lancaster with a record of 142-23.
171 – Mike Hoskins (Class of 1994) As a senior was named the SWAL I Most Valuable Wrestler, and placed fifth at state with a record of 38-1. Was a four-time sectional qualifier, a two-time state place winner, and finished his career with a record of 119-23. Went on to wrestle at Lawrence University.
185 – Tony Udelhofen (Class of 1976) Became the first wrestler from Lancaster to win a state title after he won the 185-pound state title in 1976 when there were no classes or divisions. He concluded his senior season with a record of 31-1.
189 – Tyler Landon (Class of 2008) Was a three-time state qualifier. Won a D3 state title as a senior with a perfect record of 43-0. Concluded his high school career with a record of 147-32.
245 – Jerry Vesperman (Class of 1992) This is sort of a made-up weight class, but if it were to exist, Vesperman would have dominated. He was a two-time state qualifier where he wrestled at heavyweight both years, weighing 242 pounds as a junior and 222 pounds as a senior. As a junior he went 27-11 and as a senior was 35-3. Finished his high school career with a record of 65-14.
Hwt. - Jeff Steffens (Class of 1980) Was a three-time state qualifier. Won a Class B heavyweight state title in 1980, and concluded his high school career with a record of 73-8.
