Four win state wrestling championships
Seniors Aidan Gruenfelder (D3, 120 pounds) of Pecatonica, Owen Seffrood (D2, 150 pounds, Darlington-Black Hawk, Blake Endres (D2, 126 pounds) of Sugar River and Wes Egan (D3, 215 pounds) of Parkview-Albany all brought home individual WIAA state championships. Gruenenfelder also eclipsed the 200-win mark for his career. Endres and Seffrood also surpassed the 150-wins total for their careers during the season as well.
Space Stallions grounded
The Albany-Monticello Space Stallions were knocked out of the WIAA Division 5 girls basketball playoffs in a March sectional final, shuttering hopes that the defending state champion co-op would return to state.
Darlington Girls CC wins state
Running the course at the end of the season for the 19th time in program history, this year’s Darlington Redbird’s girls cross country squad captured just its second championship trophy, the other coming in 2016.
Pickleball comes to Northeast Park
A popular and growing recreational activity has come to Monroe with the addition of eight pickleball courts with lights at Northeast Park. A grand opening was held on Wednesday, July 2 with a ribbon cutting ceremony followed by the first night of pickleball league play. Many donors contributed between $250,000 to $300,000 for the construction of the pickleball courts with court sponsors, bench sponsors, and more. Colony Brands Foundation contributed over $100,000 for the naming rights.
Redbirds win first state football championship in 30 years
The Darlington Redbirds reached the summit of the mountain once again. After a 30 year wait, and zero wins over their last seven games at Camp Randall, the Redbirds are state champions in football. Darlington had a convincing 42-18 win over Edgar in the WIAA Division 6 state title game on Nov. 20.
The Redbirds were playing in their 14th state championship in program history, one shy of Edgar for the most all-time in state history. Darlington, which has made the postseason in 36 of the last 37 years, including 19 straight, won titles in 1987, 1990, 1991 and 1995. The ‘Birds made it to state seven times in an 8-year run in the 1990s. DHS then made four straight appearances from 2013-2016 and another in 2023 — all ending with losses.
Pecatonica volleyball falls one win short of state
The St. Ambrose Academy Guardians turned back the third-seeded Pecatonica Vikings attempt to reach the WIAA Division 5 State Volleyball Tournament by beating the Vikings in four sets.
“What a ride,” Vikings coach Melissa Schlimgen said. “I couldn’t be prouder of the seniors.”
Golembiewski tabbed as WFCA announces 2026 Hall of Fame Class
Former Monroe football coach Toby Golembiewski will be a part of the 47th enshrinement into the Wisconsin Football Coaches Hall of Fame. The induction of 12 new members to the Hall of Fame will take place on Saturday, April 18, 2026, in Madison at the Marriott West.
Golembiewski died June 16, 2024 after a courageous battle with colon cancer. He was 56 years old. He coached the Monroe Cheesemakers for eight years and compiled a record of 63-24, winning a Division 3 state championship with an undefeated season in 2022. Prior to that, he coached at Orangeville for 16 years. Golembiewski had a career record of 130-112
Golembiewski joins his father, Jerry, in the WFCA Hall of Fame, and becomes the fourth Monroe head coach to enter the WFCA Hall of Fame.
New, long-awaited McKellar Park Swim Pond opens in Blanchardville
An excited group of families, children, onlookers, and members of the nonprofit that brought the McKellar Park Swim Pond to life gathered Aug. 1 to celebrate the six-year journey to opening the facility in the lower park. The grand opening — complete with ribbon cutting — was the culmination of more than a half decade of planning, challenges, fundraising and collaboration to provide a space for the community to enjoy summer recreation.
The new swim pond is similar to a pool in that the water receives cleaning and treatment but in a different way than pools — that is, without chemicals. It has inflatable structures in the center in Pecatonica School District green and gold and is 10 feet deep at its far end. It has a gradual entry like former swimmers of the pool remember, which starts with a sandy beach on the edge of the water, which is dyed blue.
