The week's top performances from high school athletes around Marshfield, Stevens Point, Wausau and Wisconsin Rapids are in, covering Nov. 2-7. Girls swimming led the list, with several local swimmers posting top finishes at the WIAA Division 1 sectional in Hudson.
In the pool, Wausau West's Erin Leon won the 200-yard individual medley and took third in the 100-yard freestyle, while teammate Alyssa Leon won the 100-yard backstroke and placed third in the 100-yard butterfly. Grace Aune, also of Wausau West, was fifth in the 100-yard freestyle.
Stevens Point's Kate Keehan won both the 50-yard and 100-yard freestyle events, and teammate Jenna Barber placed third in the 200-yard individual medley. D.C. Everest's Ila Burger finished fifth in both the 200-yard and 500-yard freestyle, and freshman Quinlyn Pagel was third in the 50-yard freestyle.
On the football field, Amherst's Ayden Nerdahl rushed 33 times for 267 yards and four touchdowns to help the Falcons reach the state qualifying game, and he also led the defense with 12 tackles, a tackle for loss and a sack. Owen-Withee's Talon Mueller ran 19 times for 71 yards in a semifinal loss to Gilman and added seven tackles.
In volleyball, Marathon's Madelyn Jansen had eight kills and 11 digs, leading her team in both, in a Division 3 state semifinal against Watertown Lutheran, while teammate Katelyn Love added five kills and nine digs. Columbus Catholic's Cardyn Blenker led both teams with 13 digs in a Division 4 state semifinal, Abby Kibbel had 10 kills and Xoey Bluth had seven kills and 10 digs.
