STEVENS POINT_– The Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association, in cooperation with Rural Mutual Insurance Company, has selected the team Sportsmanship Award winners for the 2021 Winter State Tournaments._ Making accommodations for the uniqueness of the 2021 winter team championships with different venues for a number of the divisions, a winner was selected for each division or venue instead of the traditional one per tournament.

River Falls was the gymnastics recipient of the Sportsmanship Award for the Division 2 championships held in Onalaska in February. The Wildcats win the award on the heels of earning girls’ volleyball recipient of the Sportsmanship Award in Division 1 in the fall. It’s the 10th time River Falls received the award for their sportsmanship. They have also won the award in gymnastics in 2012, 2013 and 2017; girls’ hockey in 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2014; volleyball in 2020; and in wrestling in 1998. The Wildcats finished fourth in the Division 2 team competition. Medford and Mount Horeb received honorable mention for the award.

The two recipients in boys’ basketball are Kimberly and Lake Mills. The Papermakers earned the honor for the state tournament games held at the Menominee Nation Arena in Oshkosh, which hosted Divisions 1 and 3. Kimberly finished runner-up in Division 1, falling to Wauwatosa East 62-44 in the championship game. It’s the second time the Papermakers have been bestowed the award. The first came for their sportsmanship at the baseball state tournament in 2008. The schools receiving honorable mention are DeForest, Wrightstown, St. Croix Central and River Falls. The L-Cats are the recipients of the Sportsmanship Award for tournament games held at the La Crosse Center, which included Divisions 2, 4 and 5.

River Falls had their title hopes dashed with a 56-48 loss at the hands of eventual champion Wauwatosa East in the semifinals of Division 1. The Wildcats were led by graduating seniors Chris Chapin, Cole Frisch, Victor Bye and standouts Liam Dougherty, JT Dougherty and Zac Johnson.

In the winter of 2021, to accommodate the restructuring of the state tournaments in midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, the WIAA/Rural Insurance Sportsmanship Award is presented to one school program and community – or communities in the case of cooperative programs – in each division or venue of state team tournaments that demonstrates outstanding sportsmanship. Award winners are determined by the conduct and sportsmanship displayed by athletes, coaches, cheer and support groups, mascots, bands and spectators. Additional consideration is given for the effort of school administrators and chaperones to ensure support for their teams are positive and that the highest ideals of sportsmanship are demonstrated._ Award winners receive a trophy and banner in recognition of the honor. Schools receiving honorable mention are acknowledged with a certificate of recognition. The selection process includes contributions and evaluations from contest officials, tournament management, police and security personnel, crowd control and ushers, WIAA staff members, and area hotels and restaurants on occasion.