Milwaukee High School Sports Awards Recognize Outstanding Athletes and Coaches

The 2025-26 Milwaukee High School Sports Awards, sponsored by Piggly Wiggly, took place on Monday at the Brookfield Conference Center, celebrating the achievements of over 300 local athletes. The event honored the top performers in various sports, along with the winners for the boys and girls athletes of the year, coaches of the year, teams of the year, and the Courage Award.

The Boys Team of the Year award went to the Wisconsin Lutheran basketball team, marking their second consecutive win in this category. The Vikings achieved an impressive feat by securing their third straight WIAA state championship and finishing the season with a flawless 34-0 record for the second time in three years. Under Coach Ryan Walz, the team dominated their regular season matches, defeating in-state rivals by at least 15 points, and also triumphed at the Beach Ball Classic in South Carolina. Their remarkable 88-2 record over the past three seasons stands as a historic achievement in WIAA boys basketball.

On the girls' side, Sussex Hamilton volleyball was named Girls Team of the Year after clinching their second WIAA Division One state title. The Chargers pulled off a stunning upset against the three-time defending champions, Divine Savior Holy Angels, winning in straight sets. Coach Traci Buhr has guided the program to significant success, including four state tournament appearances since 2020. Star setter Brooke Baldwin also earned the title of girls volleyball player of the year for her pivotal role in the team's success this season.

In individual honors, Kellen Wolbert from Oconomowoc High School received the Boys Athlete of the Year award after winning four state titles in four different divisions during his wrestling career. This marks his second recognition of the night, having previously been named boys wrestler of the year. Meanwhile, Payton Haugen from Brookfield East High School was honored as Girls Athlete of the Year for her record-breaking performance in the state golf championships, where she won with a score of 132, surpassing the previous tournament record.

Torre Johnson Jr. of Milwaukee Juneau earned Boys Coach of the Year after leading his team to a historic 28-1 season and their first-ever state title in any sport. Jenny Hines from Whitefish Bay High School was named Girls Coach of the Year for guiding both the girls and boys swim programs to state championships this year. The Courage Award was presented to Gianni Quintero from Marquette University High School, who, despite being diagnosed with transverse myelitis and facing significant challenges, has become a decorated athlete in wheelchair sports.

The event also recognized Ruth Ann Ahnen from Arrowhead High School with a Lifetime Achievement Award for her exceptional contributions to the Warhawks swimming program and her philanthropic efforts in the community. Ahnen's legacy extends beyond the pool, as she has been instrumental in fundraising and support initiatives that have made a lasting impact.