NCHS Football Already Gearing Up for 2011

By Adam Rutz

Newman Catholic football made school history last fall when they advanced to Level 3 in the playoffs before losing to Randolph. Though they will lose 13 players from last year’s squad, their high-powered offense will be back, as Senior Brad Knoblock plans on leading the Cardinals to more success. “We have a lot of guys who have been working hard in the weight room since the day after we lost to Randolph last year and I think we can do big things,” said Knoblock, who had 1100+ rushing yards last season and 13 touchdowns as a running back.  He will be moving to quarterback for his final season as a Newman Catholic Cardinal.

​A lot of playing similarities are drawn between Knoblock and former Cardinal Anthony Fisher (class of 2009). Fisher, who won the Brockmeyer Award in 2008 (top football player in Wausau), switched positions to quarterback his senior year and also led the Cardinals to their first ever playoff appearance that year. Knoblock has all the tools to be a very successful quarterback next season because with his strong arm and speed on the ground, he will be a force to be reckoned with when the Marawood Conference season rolls around.

Knoblock, the 5'10, 180 pound senior, may not be the ideal size for a quarterback, but he definitely makes up for it in athletic ability. The four sport athlete has been a standout since his arrival at Newman Catholic in 2008.

Knoblock isn't the only offensive weapon the Cardinals plan on using. They will also have seniors John Runnoe and Issak Tauer who will both be key runners in the backfield, along with underclassmen talent in receivers with juniors Nick Janke and Matt Heeg, and sophomore star power in Marcus Gabriel.

With a Paul Michlig led coaching staff, there is no reason the Cardinals shouldn't live up to the hype as they have become a city-wide powerhouse in the past three years. All of the fans of NCHS football can agree that Michlig has been the key to all the success as he led them to the playoffs in his previous three seasons. Michlig is known for his spread offense and utilizes it perfectly; the results are obvious considering all the success it has brought. Stay tuned to the NCHS Red Hat for more news on the Cardinals next fall!

Class of 2012 Pumped Up for Senior Year

By Erin Gassner

It is springtime, and you know what that means! Its graduation time! With all the hubbub over caps and gowns, graduation parties, and finals, the seniors are overjoyed about being done with high school, and they have no problem with expressing their joy. In fact, some underclassmen have been complaining because of the seniors expressing their jubilation so strongly.

The senior class has almost 60 students. The class includes presidential candidate favorite Nick Cornell, musical maestros Marshall Delonay and Maggie Ward, artistically amazing Makayla Heisler,and many other intelligent and talented students.

Will the incoming seniors, the class of 2012, be able to fill their shoes? Most definitely! The current junior class is a close-knit one, a mix of future teachers, doctors, dentists, and other fantastic careers. Every junior is very intelligent and talented and excited about becoming seniors.

When asked about how she felt about being the “top dog”, Maria Legenza said, “I’m so excited! I can’t wait to get ready for the next chapter of my life. I think it will be a positive experience because we are all such great friends!”

Morgan Lukes said, “I’m looking forward to next year and I’m excited for it because we are going to be seniors, the big shots, the upperclassmen. It’s going to be a lot of fun because now all the underclassmen, including new incoming freshmen, are going to be looking up to us. We are going to be the ones that will have to set the example for everyone else. It should most definitely be a year to look forward to.”

Daley Rupar can relate. “I’m ready to be the macho one on campus!”

Julie Klehr simply stated, “It’s about time.”

Cardinals Class of 2011 Athletes Leave Many Memories At NCHS

By Adam Rutz

It started in the fall, when the Newman Catholic football team did something that no other team in school history had done: win a playoff game. They didn't just win one though; they beat Suring and Rio to move to level three in the postseason before being defeated by Randolph. To many, the football team was the highlight of the fall season, however fall was also highlighted by the boys soccer team making it to the state tournament.

Winter came, and the girls basketball team was the defending Division 4 state champions. UWGB recruit Taylor Thomas led them to back to the Kohl Center once again as she capped off her Newman Catholic hoops career with another gold ball to go in the school trophy case. Another highlight to the winter sports season was the Mosinee hockey team, including two Newman Catholic players, making it to the sectional final game before losing to eventual state champion Wausau West Warriors 9-2. Though Nick Bush was the only active Newman student on the roster, he also finished a remarkable four year varsity career including a state appearance as a freshman.

Now, sadly, the NCHS athletics group is losing a big class of very hard-working, talented athletes, but luckily it is not over yet. NCHS has superb boys and girls track and field, baseball, and softball teams who all have great opportunities to do big things this postseason. Track and field won regionals this past Monday in Marathon, and they now move on to Rosholt where they begin Sectional events Thursday. Baseball and softball are entering the playoffs in their respective divisions and with both teams loaded with talent, they should be able to go far.

Make sure you make it out to watch the seniors compete in some of their final days as Newman Cardinals.

Cardinal Capturers Strike Newman Catholic!

The Cardinal stands watch during a pep rally

By Hannah Reeves

A tragedy has befallen the Newman Catholic High School teachers, staff, and students.  Our beloved Cardinal has been kidnapped and taken hostage.  This sounds like the work of a senior prank. 

A few seniors have decided to finish their year off by capturing the Newman Catholic Cardinal.  The Cardinal was brought to recognizable spots around Wausau and pictures were taken of where our Cardinal traveled.  With those pictures, hostage notes have been printed and placed around the Newman Catholic High School hallways, indicating the places of where the Cardinal might be.  Along with a different picture on each sheet of paper, five demands have been issued to the Newman teachers, staff, and students:

1)      Fill the empty cases we receive at graduation with our diplomas - and in doing so, fill our likewise empty heart with never ending happiness.

2)      Unlock the safe, and remove “the precious contents” then transfer all funds into our offshore Swiss bank account.  The account number is 3687685764636432453269696954365953745252.

3)      Divulge the true identity of the man under the alias of “Dr. Michael Matthew Switalski.”

4)      In order to ensure the blessings and happiness for our posterity, we demand that all future students will be granted full access to the rooftop pool.

5)     In order to satisfy the previous demand, it will be necessary for you to install a pool on the roof.

If the seniors do not receive these demands by 7:00 pm on Friday, May 27, our beloved Cardinal will find itself acquainted with Mr. John Deere WC12 wood Chipper.  It is now up to our Newman Catholic family to get this Cardinal back to its respected spot in front of Newman Catholic High School’s front office.

** Do not worry all you Newman Catholic Cardinal fans; Mr. Theiss has approved this senior prank operation and the Cardinal will be returned unharmed.

Seniors' Parting Words

By Makayla Heisler

Throughout high school we make friends that leave imprints on us for a life time. These people are our classmates and peers, and they help shape us into who we are today. This year, like every year before that, the senior class will graduate and move on past high school. Almost all of them will leave behind friends they have made throughout their high school career.

Seniors, having been at school the longest, can give other students very valuable advice on how to enjoy, or just make it through high school. This year’s senior class has a variety of students, all of whom have different personalities and have had different experiences while in high school.  Many of the seniors will miss the underclassmen they have become close to over the past few years. Seniors in the graduating class offer underclassmen and future students excellent advice from their experiences:

“Focus on your classes and build up your resumes for college and scholarship applications, because the only thing high school grades matter for in the grand scheme of life is getting you into college and getting you money to pay for college.”  - Nicole Cornell

“People tell you high school goes fast, and I personally never believed them. But seriously, I blinked and I was a senior. High school is hard, but it can also be a lot of fun. Cherish the good stuff, and the rest of it will all work itself out.” – Maggie Ward

“Follow your heart and enjoy every minute because it goes by fast!” – Andrew Wilke

“Procrastinating is a terrible thing and should be avoided at all costs.” – Brooklyn Kemp

“Don’t be afraid to be yourself.” – Hannah Baumann

“Live like you were dying and just have courage and confidence because life is too short to let any situation pass by.” – Marshall De Lonay

“Don’t ever be scared of standing up for what you believe in. In 10 years, you aren't going to remember the people you were afraid would make fun of you, but you will remember what you fought for.” – Maggie Ward

Publications Staff Says Goodbye

By Hannah Reeves

The publications staff has worked hard this year, from producing an amazing yearbook to writing articles so parents and friends have current updates about what is going on around Newman Catholic High School. The staff has really come together and gone from simple classmates to a team.

The majority of students that make up the publications staff are seniors. During first semester the whole staff was composed of seniors, and in second semester two juniors joined the staff. After a year of hard work, the seniors had their final day of class on Monday, May 24.

The year has been full of ups and downs from almost not finishing the first deadline of the yearbook to having a successful year with a completely digital Red Hat. Of course having to work hard first hour can be a difficulty, but the class managed to pull it off.

The seniors, having worked on the majority of the yearbook, and most of them being in the class for a whole year, are now passing the torch to the Newman Catholic underclassmen. Senior Makayla Heisler states, “I have been in publications for two years, and I can honestly say that this year was the hardest working staff I have experienced. They have all worked well together, and have offered their creativity and I can see that in their articles and in every page in this year’s yearbook.”

We would like to say thank you to all the senior publication staff members,, and good luck in the future.

Newman Catholic Baseball Preps for Postseason

The Newman Catholic baseball team was a force in the Marawood South conference last season, and things this year have been even better. Entering last Monday, the squad was 10-2 overall and ranked 10th in the state of Wisconsin in Division 4. However, the Cardinals couldn't manage to get past Assumption; they lost in extra innings 4-3.

Following the Card's loss, they were able to funnel all the negativety they experienced the previous 48 hours.  After the loss, they were seeded #2 in regionals, even though they had a better record than the team higher than them.  On Tuesday, they were able to go out and beat Pittsville 7-3 on Senior Night.  Newman Catholic ace Luke Prososki pitched a complete game gem as the Cardinals were able to get a key victory against a Pittsville team who was ranked in the top ten in Division 3. Prososki's performance triggered the other pitchers to continue the success later in the week.

MATC Milwaukee recruit Adam Rutz followed up the Pittsville victory by throwing a complete game, one-run outing on the road at Auburndale. Rutz struck out 12, only allowing four hits and two walks, and was aided by a home run from junior Brad Knoblock. Seniors Justin Heeg and Nick Bush also combined for four hits and six RBIs.

Friday rolled around, and Newman Catholic traveled to Assumption for at redemption against the team that beat them on Monday. Sophomore Nick Janke couldn't have given a bigger clutch performance on the mound as he threw a complete game, while Newman Catholic won 11-1 in 6 innings, because of the ten run rule. Janke only threw 40 pitches through four innings and was able to keep his pitch count under 80 by the end of the game, as he used his defense to retire batters.

The Cardinals take on Rib Lake tonight in the Marawood North-South Crossover game at 4:45 at Wausau's Athletic Park. This is the team’s final game before entering playoffs next Tuesday. Admission is free tonight and they hope all can make it to cheer them on and send them off for the playoffs next week as they hope to make a big run this postseason.

Senior Athletic Awards

By Marshall De Lonay

Newman Catholic High School had one of the last awards ceremonies for seniors on Wednesday, May 22.  The ceremony was in honor of all the seniors who took part in athletics during their high school career.  The night was filled with great joys, but also sadness as all the athletes came to the realization that they were done with their seasons.

The night started off with a speaker who is no stranger to the athletes of Newman Catholic: Dale Ryman.  Ryman is the sports director at WSAW News Channel 7 and he has been in touch with many of the athletes at Newman Catholic.  From interviews to covering the state tournament appearances, he touched on just about every aspect of the athletic department through the years.  His most memorable quote of the presentation was, “You may think the shadow of doubt is covering you, but it’s just an angel whose wings are blocking the sun.”

Once he was done speaking, the awards presentation began.  Many of the seniors were recognized for their hard work and dedication to athletics.  Different awards were given out for various achievements, but the awards were not what made the night great.  Rather it was the comradery of the athletes sharing in the joy of their accomplishments. 

The night ended with a slideshow of the seniors in various aspects of their time at Newman Catholic.  Mrs. Mabry put the slideshow together and it was a labor of love for her as she was gathering pictures for four years of all the current senior class.

While the seniors now move on to different parts of the country and move into different parts of their lives, they will not be forgotten.  We wish them all the happiness and joy in the world, and if they decide to continue with sports we pray they stay safe and successful.

Congratulations to the athletes of the class of 2011.

Graduation Week: Moving On

By Jonathon Kraft

As the year winds down, so do the seniors. The 2011 graduates have a lot to look forward to in the coming week. Monday is their last day of school, and they were presented with a spirit day to celebrate their departure. The seniors’ finals fall on Tuesday and Wednesday, May 23 and 24.  As students prepare for this final test of their knowledge, senior Terese Dlobik says “studying for finals is tough, but the end product will pay off.”

           

Dlobik, along with her classmates, will embark on the first step to graduation with the Baccalaureate mass. The mass will honor the graduating seniors. Many seniors are looking forward to this, which marks the end of finals and the beginning of their graduation activities.

           

Many seniors are also looking forward to the graduation ceremony. Senior Bailey Dillon can't wait to get home and get that graduation gown hung in the closet at the end. The feeling may be mutual throughout the class, but they all look forward to ending a chapter in their lives and beginning a new process of higher learning.

           

Even though they will all be leaving the Newman Catholic School doors for the final time, the thoughts and memories of teachers and friends will stay with them throughout the years.

The Final Farewell

By Marshall De Lonay

The Baccalaureate Mass is known as the farewell address to the graduating class.  This year’s graduating class at Newman Catholic High School will be participating in this grand tradition as usual.

The Mass is a celebration that honors the graduating seniors; it is also a ceremony of worship and thanksgiving for those who have made it past a major milestone in their lives.  The graduating seniors at Newman Catholic are more than ready to be leaving and moving into the future, but this is their last hoorah. 

The Mass will be held at St. Michael’s Parish on Wednesday, May 25, 2011.  The service will begin at 7:00 pm and all the families of the seniors will be in attendance.  It will be a night of joy, but also sadness as the parents are letting go of their children and the seniors are moving forward into a new phase of their lives. 

The music will be uplifting and the performers are more than ready to make this a memorable experience.  There will be solos performed by a variety of seniors and also some underclassmen. 

The night will be a joyous one as the seniors move on to another stage of their lives. They will not be forgotten for they have given all of us a brief look into what our Tfuture will be.

Goodbye Seniors and Good Luck!