NEW GLARUS — A town of 2,100, New Glarus is known for its Swiss Heritage. In July 1845, Nicolas Duerst and Fridolin Streiff emigrated from Glarus in Switzerland and purchased the land that would one day bear the name of the homeland.
Nearly 164 years later, New Glarus sophomore Nathan Streiff received his state championship medal at center court of the Kohl Center in Madison.
Over the years, the tight-knit residents of New Glarus have looked out for each other, and many have never moved out of America’s Little Switzerland.
“All these kids on this team all went to grade school here. They’ve all come up through our school system. And not only that, but they are all second-, third-, fourth-generation families here,” Sysko said. “Martinsons and Streiffs and Fellers and Kreklows and Schuetts — their dad’s all played in this program at one point or another. Gary Buetler is an assistant coach, Rudi Feller — they are all from this town. There’s that hometown connection, and that’s pretty amazing.”
All these kids on this team all went to grade school here. They’ve all come up through our school system. And not only that, but they are all second-, third-, fourth-generation families here.New Glarus coach Travis Sysko
Sophomore Mason Martinson spent the last two years honing his skills on the court alongside his senior brother Jared Martinson.
“It’s pretty cool and an awesome moment I’ll remember and cherish forever. To be able to win in all of the seniors’ last game, it’s a great group to be with, it’s awesome,” Mason said. “I can take the opportunities I had this year and build on it, and grow, and learn from Jaden on how to be a leader.”
Kreklow and Feller are first cousins, and have had siblings, cousins, uncles, aunts and parents all play for the Glarner Knights in the past. Rudi Feller, Zach’s father, is an assistant coach, and Zach said winning the gold ball was about more than basketball.
“We did it for them (family). I did it for my dad. Jaden did it for his brother that came through. The whole school, actually,” Zach Feller said. “Jaden’s basically my brother. We worked so hard for this and for it to finally pay off, it’s amazing.”
Sysko, too, was joined by the family connection during the tournament at the Kohl Center. Fourth-grader Tucker Sysko, Travis’ 10-year-old son, was the team manager all season.
“The fact that I get to do it with my son makes it that much more special. To have Tucker along and looking up to these guys to be influenced by them as role models, I’m pretty lucky to have that,” Sysko said. The coach also admitted that watching Badger games with the “W” at mid-court won’t be the same anymore. “I’ll remember this every time I’ll walk into that building. These are memories that will last a lifetime and I’m going to enjoy them, that’s for sure.”
