Katelyn Valenta from Grafton girls soccer won the Piggly Wiggly athlete of the week poll, receiving 9,928 votes. She contributed significantly to her team's 3-0-0 start by scoring six goals and providing two assists in the week.
Key points
Katelyn Valenta won the athlete of the week poll
She scored six goals and had two assists
Grafton girls soccer started the season 3-0-0
Valenta received 9,928 votes out of 16,027
Katelyn ValentaGrafton girls soccerPiggly Wiggly athlete of the week poll
Katelyn Valenta of Grafton girls soccer was the winner of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Piggly Wiggly high school athlete of the week poll from April 6 to April 11.
The Black Hawks started the 2026 season with a 3-0-0 opening week and Valenta was a key component in that hot start. The junior scored six goals and racked up two assists for the week, including a hat trick in a Grafton victory over Ozaukee.
Valenta received 9,928 of 16,027 total votes cast.
Athlete of the week logo for Milwaukee.
Athlete of the week logo for Milwaukee.
Bitsy Palicka of Sussex Hamilton softball was the runner-up in the poll. Palicka and the top-ranked Chargers stormed out of the gate with a 5-0 start and Palicka was massive in a 4-0 week for the Chargers. The sophomore registered eight hits in four games with 11 runs batted in at the plate and also recorded a pair of victories inside the circle against Arrowhead (2-0) and Middleton (13-0) with 22 total strikeouts.
Other nominees included Samantha Davis of Whitnall softball, Luke Breitzman and Matthew Nolan of Greendale baseball and Alex Newcomer of Homestead boys track and field.
You can make a nomination for a future player of the week by sending an email with statistics and context on an athlete’s performance to mwhitlow@gannett.com and zbellman@gannett.com. Do not send votes to these addresses.
Catholic Memorial's Lauren Schmidt (3) elevates for a header during the game against Heritage Christian on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at Catholic Memorial Sullivan Campus in Waukesha, Wisconsin. Catholic Memorial won the game, 8-0.
Q&A
How many votes did Katelyn Valenta receive in the athlete of the week poll?
Katelyn Valenta received 9,928 votes out of a total of 16,027 in the poll.
What were Katelyn Valenta's statistics during the week she won the poll?
During that week, Valenta scored six goals and had two assists, including a hat trick against Ozaukee.
What is the significance of the Piggly Wiggly athlete of the week poll?
The Piggly Wiggly athlete of the week poll recognizes outstanding high school athletes based on public voting.
What was Grafton girls soccer's record at the start of the 2026 season?
Grafton girls soccer started the 2026 season with a record of 3-0-0.
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Heritage Christian's Lucy Engl (18) lines up a kick against Catholic Memorial during the game on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at Catholic Memorial Sullivan Campus in Waukesha, Wisconsin. Catholic Memorial won the game, 8-0.
Catholic Memorial's Grace Keller (11) traps a pass during the game against Heritage Christian on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at Catholic Memorial Sullivan Campus in Waukesha, Wisconsin. Catholic Memorial won the game, 8-0.
Catholic Memorial's Sophia Stemo (10) controls possession during the game against Heritage Christian on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at Catholic Memorial Sullivan Campus in Waukesha, Wisconsin. Catholic Memorial won the game, 8-0.
Heritage Christian's Nadia Balderas (1) sends the ball downfield against Catholic Memorial during the game on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at Catholic Memorial Sullivan Campus in Waukesha, Wisconsin. Catholic Memorial won the game, 8-0.
Catholic Memorial's Emma Reilly (9) takes a shot against Heritage Christian during the game on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at Catholic Memorial Sullivan Campus in Waukesha, Wisconsin. Catholic Memorial won the game, 8-0.
Catholic Memorial's Margaret Sisk (17) takes a shot against Heritage Christian during the game on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at Catholic Memorial Sullivan Campus in Waukesha, Wisconsin. Catholic Memorial won the game, 8-0.
Heritage Christian's Hailey Keckeisen (6) sends the ball downfield against Catholic Memorial during the game on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at Catholic Memorial Sullivan Campus in Waukesha, Wisconsin. Catholic Memorial won the game, 8-0.
Catholic Memorial's Emma Reilly (9) traps a pass during the game against Heritage Christian on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at Catholic Memorial Sullivan Campus in Waukesha, Wisconsin. Catholic Memorial won the game, 8-0.
Catholic Memorial's Ella Pollak (24) makes a pass against Heritage Christian during the game on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at Catholic Memorial Sullivan Campus in Waukesha, Wisconsin. Catholic Memorial won the game, 8-0.
Catholic Memorial's Grace Keller (11) inbounds the ball during the game against Heritage Christian on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at Catholic Memorial Sullivan Campus in Waukesha, Wisconsin. Catholic Memorial won the game, 8-0.
Catholic Memorial's Lauren Schmidt (3) controls possession during the game against Heritage Christian on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at Catholic Memorial Sullivan Campus in Waukesha, Wisconsin. Catholic Memorial won the game, 8-0.
Catholic Memorial's Lily Schleifer (20) works to control possession during the game against Heritage Christian on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at Catholic Memorial Sullivan Campus in Waukesha, Wisconsin. Catholic Memorial won the game, 8-0.
Heritage Christian's Gabriella Aguirre (14) battles Catholic Memorial's Lydia Stemo (6) during the game on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at Catholic Memorial Sullivan Campus in Waukesha, Wisconsin. Catholic Memorial won the game, 8-0.
1 / 14
Catholic Memorial girls soccer defeats Fox Valley Lutheran, 8-0
Catholic Memorial's Lauren Schmidt (3) elevates for a header during the game against Heritage Christian on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at Catholic Memorial Sullivan Campus in Waukesha, Wisconsin. Catholic Memorial won the game, 8-0.
1 / 14
Catholic Memorial girls soccer defeats Fox Valley Lutheran, 8-0
Catholic Memorial's Lauren Schmidt (3) elevates for a header during the game against Heritage Christian on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at Catholic Memorial Sullivan Campus in Waukesha, Wisconsin. Catholic Memorial won the game, 8-0.
2 / 14
Catholic Memorial girls soccer defeats Fox Valley Lutheran, 8-0
Heritage Christian's Lucy Engl (18) lines up a kick against Catholic Memorial during the game on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at Catholic Memorial Sullivan Campus in Waukesha, Wisconsin. Catholic Memorial won the game, 8-0.
3 / 14
Catholic Memorial girls soccer defeats Fox Valley Lutheran, 8-0
Catholic Memorial's Grace Keller (11) traps a pass during the game against Heritage Christian on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at Catholic Memorial Sullivan Campus in Waukesha, Wisconsin. Catholic Memorial won the game, 8-0.
4 / 14
Catholic Memorial girls soccer defeats Fox Valley Lutheran, 8-0
Catholic Memorial's Sophia Stemo (10) controls possession during the game against Heritage Christian on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at Catholic Memorial Sullivan Campus in Waukesha, Wisconsin. Catholic Memorial won the game, 8-0.
5 / 14
Catholic Memorial girls soccer defeats Fox Valley Lutheran, 8-0
Heritage Christian's Nadia Balderas (1) sends the ball downfield against Catholic Memorial during the game on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at Catholic Memorial Sullivan Campus in Waukesha, Wisconsin. Catholic Memorial won the game, 8-0.
6 / 14
Catholic Memorial girls soccer defeats Fox Valley Lutheran, 8-0
Catholic Memorial's Emma Reilly (9) takes a shot against Heritage Christian during the game on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at Catholic Memorial Sullivan Campus in Waukesha, Wisconsin. Catholic Memorial won the game, 8-0.
7 / 14
Catholic Memorial girls soccer defeats Fox Valley Lutheran, 8-0
Catholic Memorial's Margaret Sisk (17) takes a shot against Heritage Christian during the game on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at Catholic Memorial Sullivan Campus in Waukesha, Wisconsin. Catholic Memorial won the game, 8-0.
8 / 14
Catholic Memorial girls soccer defeats Fox Valley Lutheran, 8-0
Heritage Christian's Hailey Keckeisen (6) sends the ball downfield against Catholic Memorial during the game on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at Catholic Memorial Sullivan Campus in Waukesha, Wisconsin. Catholic Memorial won the game, 8-0.
9 / 14
Catholic Memorial girls soccer defeats Fox Valley Lutheran, 8-0
Catholic Memorial's Emma Reilly (9) traps a pass during the game against Heritage Christian on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at Catholic Memorial Sullivan Campus in Waukesha, Wisconsin. Catholic Memorial won the game, 8-0.
10 / 14
Catholic Memorial girls soccer defeats Fox Valley Lutheran, 8-0
Catholic Memorial's Ella Pollak (24) makes a pass against Heritage Christian during the game on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at Catholic Memorial Sullivan Campus in Waukesha, Wisconsin. Catholic Memorial won the game, 8-0.
11 / 14
Catholic Memorial girls soccer defeats Fox Valley Lutheran, 8-0
Catholic Memorial's Grace Keller (11) inbounds the ball during the game against Heritage Christian on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at Catholic Memorial Sullivan Campus in Waukesha, Wisconsin. Catholic Memorial won the game, 8-0.
12 / 14
Catholic Memorial girls soccer defeats Fox Valley Lutheran, 8-0
Catholic Memorial's Lauren Schmidt (3) controls possession during the game against Heritage Christian on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at Catholic Memorial Sullivan Campus in Waukesha, Wisconsin. Catholic Memorial won the game, 8-0.
13 / 14
Catholic Memorial girls soccer defeats Fox Valley Lutheran, 8-0
Catholic Memorial's Lily Schleifer (20) works to control possession during the game against Heritage Christian on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at Catholic Memorial Sullivan Campus in Waukesha, Wisconsin. Catholic Memorial won the game, 8-0.
14 / 14
Catholic Memorial girls soccer defeats Fox Valley Lutheran, 8-0
Heritage Christian's Gabriella Aguirre (14) battles Catholic Memorial's Lydia Stemo (6) during the game on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at Catholic Memorial Sullivan Campus in Waukesha, Wisconsin. Catholic Memorial won the game, 8-0.
