Vote for the Piggly Wiggly high school athlete of the week until April 18 at 3 p.m. You can vote once per hour per device and nominations for future athletes can be submitted via email.
Who was the Milwaukee area's top prep athlete last week? You tell us.
You can vote for the Piggly Wiggly Milwaukee Journal Sentinel high school athlete of the week until 3 p.m. April 18. You don't have to be a subscriber to vote. Votes are limited to one per hour per device.
You can make a nomination for a future player of the week by sending an email with statistics and context on their performance to mwhitlow@gannett.com and zbellman@gannett.com. Do not send votes to these addresses.
Here are the nominees. If the poll does not display, refresh your browser.
Athlete of the week logo for Milwaukee.
Athlete of the week logo for Milwaukee.
Luke Breitzman and Matthew Nolan, Greendale baseball
The freshmen duo pitched a combined no-hitter in a 3-0 win over Pius XI Catholic on April 8, with Nolan striking out eight while walking three over the first four innings, and Breitzman striking out eight in three perfect innings.
Samantha Davis, Whitnall softball
In a 3-1 week for the Falcons that included wins over Lake Mills, Merrill and Rhinelander, Davis had a monster week. She tallied 10 total hits across four games, including two triples and a 3-run home run. She hit .667 on the week with a slugging percentage of 1.133.
Alex Newcomer, Homestead boys track and field
The senior pole vaulter dominated the Homestead Indoor Finale event April 9 against the likes of North Shore Conference foes Slinger and West Bend West. Newcomer won the event with a top vault of 14 feet, clearing the field by almost 4.5 feet in his victory.
Bitsy Palicka, Sussex Hamilton softball
The area's top program has 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.
Katelyn Valenta, Grafton girls soccer
The Black Hawks started the season with a 3-0-0 opening week and Valenta was a key component in the hot start. The junior scored six goals and racked up two assists on the week, including a hat trick in a Grafton victory over Ozaukee.
Hartford's Josie Wiman (5) delivers a pitch during the game against Slinger on Thursday, April 9, 2026, in Hartford, Wisconsin. Hartford won the game, 19-9, in 6 innings.
Slinger's (11) hits a line drive to short during the game at Hartford Union High School on Thursday, April 9, 2026, in Hartford, Wisconsin. Hartford won the game, 19-9, in 6 innings.
Hartford's Savanna Voss (4) steals second as Slinger shortstop KJ Burkel (1) tries for the tag during the game on Thursday, April 9, 2026, in Hartford, Wisconsin. Hartford won the game, 19-9, in 6 innings.
Slinger's Caleigh Courtier (6) connects for an RBI double during the game at Hartford Union High School on Thursday, April 9, 2026, in Hartford, Wisconsin. Hartford won the game, 19-9, in 6 innings.
Slinger's Brooklyn Elliott (2) races for third during the game at Hartford Union High School on Thursday, April 9, 2026, in Hartford, Wisconsin. Hartford won the game, 19-9, in 6 innings.
Hartford's Marin Bonney (9) scoops up a low pitch during the game against Slinger on Thursday, April 9, 2026, in Hartford, Wisconsin. Hartford won the game, 19-9, in 6 innings.
Slinger softball head coach Tanya Farhat follows the action during the game at Hartford Union High School on Thursday, April 9, 2026, in Hartford, Wisconsin. Hartford won the game, 19-9, in 6 innings.
Slinger's Brooklyn Elliott (2) steals second base as Hartford shortstop Lauren Voss (11) tries for the tag during the game on Thursday, April 9, 2026, in Hartford, Wisconsin. Hartford won the game, 19-9, in 6 innings.
Slinger's Elise Wiedmeyer (34) hits home run during the game at Hartford Union High School on Thursday, April 9, 2026, in Hartford, Wisconsin. Hartford won the game, 19-9, in 6 innings.
Slinger's Elise Wiedmeyer (34) celebrates a home run during the game at Hartford Union High School on Thursday, April 9, 2026, in Hartford, Wisconsin. Hartford won the game, 19-9, in 6 innings.
Hartford right fielder Sofie Kalinowski (12) grabs one on the bounce during the game against Slinger on Thursday, April 9, 2026, in Hartford, Wisconsin. Hartford won the game, 19-9, in 6 innings.
Slinger's Caleigh Courtier (6) scores during the game at Hartford Union High School on Thursday, April 9, 2026, in Hartford, Wisconsin. Hartford won the game, 19-9, in 6 innings.
Slinger second baseman Caleigh Courtier (6) tags out Hartford's Alivia Fischer (14) but can't make the double during the game at Hartford Union High School on Thursday, April 9, 2026, in Hartford, Wisconsin. Hartford won the game, 19-9, in 6 innings.
Slinger third baseman Pierson Leonard (25) guns down a runner at first during the game at Hartford Union High School on Thursday, April 9, 2026, in Hartford, Wisconsin. Hartford won the game, 19-9, in 6 innings.
Slinger's Pierson Leonard (25) fouls one back during the game at Hartford Union High School on Thursday, April 9, 2026, in Hartford, Wisconsin. Hartford won the game, 19-9, in 6 innings.
1 / 25
Hartford softball defeats Slinger, 19-9, in 6 innings on April 9
Hartford's Josie Wiman (5) delivers a pitch during the game against Slinger on Thursday, April 9, 2026, in Hartford, Wisconsin. Hartford won the game, 19-9, in 6 innings.
1 / 25
Hartford softball defeats Slinger, 19-9, in 6 innings on April 9
Hartford's Josie Wiman (5) delivers a pitch during the game against Slinger on Thursday, April 9, 2026, in Hartford, Wisconsin. Hartford won the game, 19-9, in 6 innings.
3 / 25
Hartford softball defeats Slinger, 19-9, in 6 innings on April 9
Slinger's (11) hits a line drive to short during the game at Hartford Union High School on Thursday, April 9, 2026, in Hartford, Wisconsin. Hartford won the game, 19-9, in 6 innings.
7 / 25
Hartford softball defeats Slinger, 19-9, in 6 innings on April 9
Hartford's Savanna Voss (4) steals second as Slinger shortstop KJ Burkel (1) tries for the tag during the game on Thursday, April 9, 2026, in Hartford, Wisconsin. Hartford won the game, 19-9, in 6 innings.
9 / 25
Hartford softball defeats Slinger, 19-9, in 6 innings on April 9
Slinger's Caleigh Courtier (6) connects for an RBI double during the game at Hartford Union High School on Thursday, April 9, 2026, in Hartford, Wisconsin. Hartford won the game, 19-9, in 6 innings.
11 / 25
Hartford softball defeats Slinger, 19-9, in 6 innings on April 9
Slinger's Brooklyn Elliott (2) races for third during the game at Hartford Union High School on Thursday, April 9, 2026, in Hartford, Wisconsin. Hartford won the game, 19-9, in 6 innings.
12 / 25
Hartford softball defeats Slinger, 19-9, in 6 innings on April 9
Hartford's Marin Bonney (9) scoops up a low pitch during the game against Slinger on Thursday, April 9, 2026, in Hartford, Wisconsin. Hartford won the game, 19-9, in 6 innings.
13 / 25
Hartford softball defeats Slinger, 19-9, in 6 innings on April 9
Slinger softball head coach Tanya Farhat follows the action during the game at Hartford Union High School on Thursday, April 9, 2026, in Hartford, Wisconsin. Hartford won the game, 19-9, in 6 innings.
14 / 25
Hartford softball defeats Slinger, 19-9, in 6 innings on April 9
Slinger's Brooklyn Elliott (2) steals second base as Hartford shortstop Lauren Voss (11) tries for the tag during the game on Thursday, April 9, 2026, in Hartford, Wisconsin. Hartford won the game, 19-9, in 6 innings.
15 / 25
Hartford softball defeats Slinger, 19-9, in 6 innings on April 9
Slinger's Elise Wiedmeyer (34) hits home run during the game at Hartford Union High School on Thursday, April 9, 2026, in Hartford, Wisconsin. Hartford won the game, 19-9, in 6 innings.
16 / 25
Hartford softball defeats Slinger, 19-9, in 6 innings on April 9
Slinger's Elise Wiedmeyer (34) celebrates a home run during the game at Hartford Union High School on Thursday, April 9, 2026, in Hartford, Wisconsin. Hartford won the game, 19-9, in 6 innings.
19 / 25
Hartford softball defeats Slinger, 19-9, in 6 innings on April 9
Hartford right fielder Sofie Kalinowski (12) grabs one on the bounce during the game against Slinger on Thursday, April 9, 2026, in Hartford, Wisconsin. Hartford won the game, 19-9, in 6 innings.
20 / 25
Hartford softball defeats Slinger, 19-9, in 6 innings on April 9
Slinger's Caleigh Courtier (6) scores during the game at Hartford Union High School on Thursday, April 9, 2026, in Hartford, Wisconsin. Hartford won the game, 19-9, in 6 innings.
21 / 25
Hartford softball defeats Slinger, 19-9, in 6 innings on April 9
Slinger second baseman Caleigh Courtier (6) tags out Hartford's Alivia Fischer (14) but can't make the double during the game at Hartford Union High School on Thursday, April 9, 2026, in Hartford, Wisconsin. Hartford won the game, 19-9, in 6 innings.
22 / 25
Hartford softball defeats Slinger, 19-9, in 6 innings on April 9
Slinger third baseman Pierson Leonard (25) guns down a runner at first during the game at Hartford Union High School on Thursday, April 9, 2026, in Hartford, Wisconsin. Hartford won the game, 19-9, in 6 innings.
23 / 25
Hartford softball defeats Slinger, 19-9, in 6 innings on April 9
Slinger's Pierson Leonard (25) fouls one back during the game at Hartford Union High School on Thursday, April 9, 2026, in Hartford, Wisconsin. Hartford won the game, 19-9, in 6 innings.
How can I vote for the Piggly Wiggly high school athlete of the week?
You can vote online until April 18 at 3 p.m., with one vote allowed per hour per device.
What is the deadline for voting in the athlete of the week poll?
The deadline for voting is April 18 at 3 p.m.
Can I nominate a player for future athlete of the week awards?
Yes, you can nominate a player by emailing their statistics and context to the provided email addresses.
Do I need to be a subscriber to vote for the athlete of the week?
No, you do not need to be a subscriber to vote.
Related Articles
Sports
LIV Golf is still going, but its days seem numbered and probably always were
LIV Golf's future appears uncertain as reports suggest Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund may withdraw funding after investing $5 billion. Despite assurances for the 2026 season, the tour faces challenges from low ratings and strong competition from the PGA Tour.
ESPN News··1 min read
MLB·Recap
Angels' Mike Trout hits another HR to join Aaron Judge in rare Yankee Stadium history
Mike Trout's 446-foot HR joins him with Aaron Judge in Yankee Stadium lore.
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
MLB·Feature
Tigers projected to take a gamble on the upside of a 6'3" prep bat
Detroit Tigers projected to take a risk on a 6'3" prep bat in the MLB draft.