Top 5 Whitnall High School Sports Stories of 2010

In 2010, Whitnall had the state's top-passing quarterback, a state champion diver and the state's most prolific powerlifting team. That is quite an impressive haul for one high school, but that's not all the Falcons accomplished this year. Before looking ahead at 2011, let's look back at the teams and athletes that claimed 2010's headlines.

1. Stave Leads State in Passing, Heads to Madison

Quarterback Joel Stave loaded up on the accolades and statistics over his two-year career as the Whitnall football team's starter. Now add the top Whitnall sports story of 2010 to his list.

After leading the state in regular-season passing with more than 2,600 yards, Stave announced his intention to begin his college career playing for the University of Wisconsin.

"It's really nice to not to have to worry about (the recruiting process) anymore, Stave said. "And I'm really happy with where I'm going."

The 6-foot, 6-inch Stave enjoyed a senior year which included 22 passing touchdowns and seven rushing scores. Those numbers earned him a second consecutive first-team all-conference nod, the Woodland Conference Black Division Offensive Player of the Year award and first-team all-state honors.

Stave threw for 416 yards and four touchdowns in a 52-7 September win over Thomas More. During a late-season loss to Brown Deer, Stave nearly went for 400 yards again, throwing for 394 yards and five touchdowns on 41 attempts.

2. Powerlifting Team Does it Again

Emerging as one of the most successful programs in the Whitnall athletic department, the Falcons powerlifting team won a second consecutive state championship in 2010. Adding to the record-breaking year was an individual national championship for Nathan Marshall and an individual invitation for Alex Dellis to the World Bench Press Championships.

For a team that just four years ago consisted of only one athlete, the 2010 version boasted four individual state champions, five new state records, 19 state qualifiers and a team runner-up finish at the national championships.

3. Another Stave Makes the List

Sophomore Rachel Stave, Joel's younger sister, who was the runner-up in the D2 state diving meet as a freshman, finished second to no one this time around.

Stave capped an undefeated season with the sixth-best diving effort in state history in November. It was the school's fourth state diving championship and wrapped up a solid season for the swimming/diving team.

Despite finishing third as a team at the sectional, the Falcons had seven individuals qualify for the state meet in Madison, led by seniors Emma Smith and Samantha Wesel, who both made a fourth-consecutive appearance at the meet.

Joining them were sophomores Stave, Lauren Zurowski and Sarah Arteaga along with juniors Laura Sullivan and Danika Johnson.

4. Pelkofer Joins 1,000-Point Club

Will Pelkofer added his name to a short list in school history by scoring his 1,000th career point in a game in February. He finished with 1,166 points, becoming at least the second player in school history to reach the plateau, joining his cousin Jarrod Pelkofer, who compiled 1,464 points.

Pelkofer parlayed his career success into a spot on the Carroll College men's basketball team, where he is a teammate of Greenfield's Alec Molter and coached by former Greenfield head coach Dave Buchanan.

5. Steffen, Erickson Lead Falcons to Cross Country Crown

Seniors Dana Steffen and Mary Erickson finished first and fourth, respectively, help Whitnall earn its first girls cross country championship since 2002. 

Steffen became the first individual female Whitnall champion since 2005 with a season-best time of 15 minutes, 5 seconds.

That best time didn't last too long. At the Brookfield Central Sectional one week later, Steffen qualified for state with a school-record-tying 14:54, earning her second berth in the state meet. Erickson ran a 15:08 at the sectional to earn her first state-meet appearance.

Just missing the cut: boys track team wins Woodland Conference Outdoor Meet