Nekoosa athletes sign letters of intent
By City Times staff
NEKOOSA – On Jan. 31, Nekoosa High School held an assembly where three senior athletes signed their letters of intent to take their skills to the collegiate level.
Leading off the assembly was Nekoosa School District’s Superintendent Terry Whitmore, who stated, “The district is proud to have played a very important part in guiding you to become outstanding athletes and scholars. So on behalf of the district, take advantage of this, remember this moment, remember where your roots are, right here in Nekoosa.”
Jade Hildebrand was introduced by golf coach, Jen Jackson, who spoke of Hildebrand’s accomplishments as a Nekoosa golfer.
Jade started golfing at age three. She was a part of the Nekoosa Co-Ed team that won the South Central conference title in 2018. She was the first female golfer from Nekoosa to advance to the regional level.
Jade will continue her golf career at Viterbo College in La Crosse. Jade says she chose Viterbo because she was familiar with the campus and has friends there.
Nekoosa wrestler Blaze Thurber was introduced by his dad and wrestling coach, Scott Thurber. Some of Blaze’s accomplishments include 141 career wins in wrestling, making him second in Nekoosa school history. He finished third at the WIAA Wrestling State Championships in 2019. He also participates in soccer and track and field.
Thurber will continue his academic and athletic career at UW- Stevens Point. Blaze chose the school because he would be close to home and his sister attends UWSP and is a part of the women’s wrestling team.
Emma Seipel is a three-time state qualifier in the long jump for Nekoosa’s track & field team. Emma was introduced by Coach Mike Schoenfeld.
Emma has many accomplishments as a member of the track and field team, including conference, regional, and sectional wins in the long jump and triple jump as well as in the 100-yard dash and pole vault.
Emma will continue her academics and athletic career at Dubuque University. Seipel said she was approached by the coach and went on a tour of the university, meeting some of the track team, and “fell in love with the campus.”