Post Messenger Recorder -

Every now and then, one has the opportunity to watch a group of kids perform at a high level and maintain excellent academic standing. When you are watching, you seldom realize what a treat it is to do so and for so many of them in the same grade.

Such was the case for the Belleville High School Class of 2011. Why is this class so unique so as to be highlighted here? Simple: They have come to exemplify the “STUDENT/Athlete” even into their college life.

Belleville’s 2011 graduating class totaled 69 kids. What is remarkable about this group is that 12 of these “kids,” an astounding 18 percent, went on to compete in a collegiate sport or compete beyond the high school level. More importantly, each of them went on to an institution of higher education. It comes without saying that ALL the parents are very proud of their daughters or sons accomplishments, as is the Village of Belleville.

Rather than interview each of them, I took the easy way out. They took the time out of their schedules to respond to a questionnaire I sent asking about their past accomplishments, collegiate experiences, where their future will lead them, and more.

What is so common for the group is the continued pursuit of academic and athletic excellence developed at a very young age. They continue to be recognized in the classroom as well as on the field of play.

While you only have snippets of the information they shared through the questionnaire, what came across is that each is still passionate about their sport, but more so, about their life’s experiences. As Father Time does his work, all have very fond memories of their times growing up in Belleville.

What the future brings…who knows. If the success they have so far achieved is an indicator, their futures looks bright.

Some have decided to settle into non-player roles, including coaching, while others continue to compete, a trait common among all of these young adults.

I present to you: Ashley Brusveen, Jon Fox, Dennis Haak, Roy Hehn, Hannah Kernen, Michael Nolden, Jessica Putland, Quinn Rear, Alex Schauff, Katie Viney, Brad Wire and Donovan Woods. It is a pleasure to share with you some of their responses to this questionnaire.

Ashley Brusveen

Ashley attended UW-Milwaukee and graduated on the Dean’s List with a degree in Psychology with a certificate in Childhood and Adolescent Development

In high school, Ashley participated in Volleyball, Basketball and Track and Field; in college she competed in Track and Field.

Ashley’s fondest memories in high school were the bonding experiences with friends on and off the track or court. What she misses most are the relationships with all of her teammates, including bus rides to all the road games. Seeing all the top notch colleges athletes and meeting people from all over are some of her fondest college memories.

Ashley currently works full-time. One piece of advice she has for kids who are looking to go onto college is, “I would absolutely take the opportunity to do a college sport. I was weary when I signed my letter of intent to Milwaukee, but I am so glad that I did. Looking back at the past four years, they were definitely some of the best years of my life.”

Jon Fox

Jon attended UW-Oshkosh and Fox Valley Technical College, earning a degree in Natural Resources Technology. In high school Jon participated in both Basketball and Soccer. At the college level, he focused only on Soccer.

Winning the Capital Conference Junior and Senior years with the Sugar River Raiders soccer team is one of Jon’s fondest high school memories. He was a decorated high school athlete.

Jon shares that courses are definitely more challenging in college and there’s a lot more individual responsibility to attend lectures and keep up on studying. The biggest challenge was balancing academics while spending 4+ hours a day lifting and practicing for sports. When comparing participation, he shares that, “High school sports allowed me to play with my best friends every single day, which was a lot of fun. College was a lot more physically demanding, which brought out a different form of satisfaction and reward as you progress.” Now Jon constantly plays soccer in several leagues while training with the Oshkosh team in the off-season to participate.

For kids who are considering participating in college, Jon says, “First, be ready for a drastic change in physicality of college sports. Freshman year is definitely a wake-up call to get stronger and faster to compete. But most importantly, don’t put aside academics for your sport. The first couple years are easy to get lost in your sport and it’s easy to lose sight of the primary goal of college: to get a good education and set yourself up for a successful future. Cherish every day you get to play.”

Jon currently works for a private forestry consulting business in Wautoma, Wisconsin. Next year he’ll be going back to school while he works to finish a bachelor’s degree in Forest Management.

Dennis Haak

Dennis attended UW-Stevens Point and graduated with Bachelors of Science - Biology major, Chemistry minor. In high school he participated in Cross Country, Basketball, and Track and Field, competing in state meets in both Cross Country and Track and Field. Likewise, in college he continued participating in Cross Country, and indoor and outdoor Track and Field. In fact, like some of the other athletes in the 2011 class, he earned many awards, including Freshman Athlete of the Year (University), Outstanding Freshman (Cross Country), Most Improved (Cross Country), Captain Award in Cross Country and Track, eight time WIAC Conference medalist, four time National Qualifier, two time All-Academic and two time All-American.

Of his high school experience, Dennis shares that he misses, “having a smaller school with a terrific fan base. People who I would barely talk to would know all about me through the paper or other methods. It was great knowing that you have people looking out for you.”

Dennis currently works at PPD in Middleton as an Assistant Scientist and still runs for fun. “I hope to continue my education in the future to narrow down my career path. I have strongly considered coaching somewhere in the near future on the side of all of my current endeavors.”

Roy Hehn

After high school, Roy attended Madison College where he received an Associate Degree in Recreational Management.

Also a multi-sport athlete like many of his classmates, Roy participated in basketball and baseball.

Following high school Roy participates in Home Talent Baseball for the Hollandale Rockies, along with Michael Nolden and Alex Schauff.

What Roy misses most is the competition aspect of sports and how close you become with your teammates by competing with them. He does, however, recognize the talent differences saying, “the talent level greatly increases when playing for the next level. Your athleticism alone most likely won’t make you successful but the way you prepare for competition is greatly beneficial.”

For you young athletes, Roy says, “If you love sports and competition, continue to pursue playing sports. Sports will help you learn hard work and commitment at a greater level.”

Currently Roy is a full-time employee for the Village of Belleville Public Works.

Hannah Kernen

Hannah attended the UW-Green Bay, earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Biology, with emphasis of Health Science.

Many remember Hannah as an outstanding soccer player, but she also participated in and was very successful in basketball. It is in soccer where Hannah continues her success. She has received many honors, including 2nd Team All Horizon League – 2014; 1st Team All-Tournament – 2014; Horizon Player of the Week – 2014; 1st Team All Horizon League – 2013 and was selected Team Captain-2012-2014.

Hannah’s fondest high school memories include seeing the gym completely packed with the best Belleville Wildcat fans during basketball season and seeing those yellow towels being whipped around. “I will always have a memory of the relationships I made with my teammates during both soccer and basketball. There is something about small town relationships you form with your teammates that lasts a lifetime.”

Like her former high school classmates, she too acknowledged the academic rigors of being a college athlete. According to Hannah, “Academics become more challenging, especially when having to balance it with a sport. You learn time management very quickly.”

With college now complete, Hannah continues to play soccer. Hanna is a professional soccer player in Sweden. She is in her offseason at the moment and is back home in Belleville. The season starts back up in April, so until then she is continuing to train and she is working as a Teacher at La Petite.

She leaves the following advice to the young soccer players: “Play sports as long as you can. You will regret not even giving it a shot. It won’t always be easy, but it’s worth it. You grow not only in your sport, but also as an individual.”

Michael Nolden

Mike attended Upper Iowa University but transferred to Beloit College in 2013, where he will complete his degree requirements for a Bachelor’s in Media Studies.

While a high school athlete, Mike competed in Football, Wrestling and Baseball, earning conference honors as well as making it to the state wrestling meet in 2011. In college he continues to play football and, like Roy Hehn and Alex Schauff, plays Home Talent Baseball for the Hollandale Rockies.

He recalls vividly getting the opportunity to wrestle at the Kohl Center for the state tournament during his senior year, and now misses the opportunity of wrestling while also playing baseball.

When asked to compare high school and college football, he is quick to point out that, “College football is much faster than high school. It took a little bit of time to make the adjustment.”

While he misses the close-knit, small community, being in college and playing on college teams does have its advantages. He shares, “Celebrating with teammates and coaches. My second year at Beloit we won our homecoming game in overtime on a game winning field goal, and I will never forget celebrating both on the field and in the locker room after that game.”

Mike continues to pursue his degree and has one more year before graduating in December 2016.

Continued next week!