MONROE — The Monroe Athletic Department filled two spring sports coaching vacancies with the hiring of Samantha Rudi as the girls soccer coach and Jeff Newcomer as the baseball coach.
Rudi returns to lead the Cheesemakers after a few seasons away. Rudi led the Cheesemakers for two seasons (2020 and 2021) before stepping away for personal reasons. According to Wissports.net, Monroe was 1-9 in 2021.
“I am very excited to have Coach Rudi back to lead the girls Cheesemaker soccer program,” Monroe Athletic Director Newcomer said. “We had several qualified applicants, but Coach Rudi stood out. The atmosphere that Coach creates with her passion for the game and her leadership attributes is exactly what our student-athletes need and expect. Coach Rudi led the program in 2020 and 2021 and did an amazing job, we are lucky to have her back.”
“I’ve played soccer for as long as I can remember, in clubs when I was little, and for my high school’s varsity team during my high school years,” Rudi said. “We had a great soccer program, and we made it to state all four years I was in high school, winning the state championship three of those years. I had the opportunity to play soccer in a couple different college programs. Since college, I’ve played on all different competitive levels of teams throughout the Madison and Milwaukee areas. I am excited to return as the head coach and to build off what previous coaches have started.”
Newcomer, who also serves as the high school activities director, will be the next coach to lead the Cheesemaker baseball program. Newcomer will replace Eric Losenegger, who resigned earlier this year after six years as the head coach and nine years as the assistant coach before that. In those six years, Losenegger compiled a 22-79 record.
Newcomer, a 1999 graduate of MHS, played for the Cheesemakers and also collegiately at UW-Whitewater. He has played at a high level and has coached all age groups.
“I have no doubt in Jeff’s ability,” Monroe principal Jeriamy Jackson said. “His leadership, commitment to the student-first mentality, and his strong commitment to the school and community make him an outstanding fit. It is very evident that Coach Newcomer is passionate about baseball. His passion and knowledge of the game, ability to organize, lead and develop stood out to everyone on the committee” as he was the unanimous pick.
“I am extremely excited and grateful for this opportunity to be the next coach of Cheesemaker baseball,” Newcomer said. “The baseball program has maintained a standard of excellence, consistently producing excellent young men. My vision is simple, to inspire our student-athletes to reach new heights both on and off the diamond. Together, we will build a legacy of excellence, teamwork, family and grit that will make our community proud. I cannot wait to get started and see what we will achieve together.”
