As we near the end of the 2007-08 sports season, it is important to look back on the year and see what the Pioneers have accomplished. We have had national champions in track and field and also cross-country and saw the return of a dominant men’s basketball teams here at UW-Platteville. To look forward to next season, things can only go up for all of Pioneer athletics.

In the fall, the mens soccer team looks primed for a big season as they aim to use the leadership of high scoring senior forward Ben Terpening along with contributions from fellow senior Eric Christensen and sophomore Brian Gottschlich to offset the loss of graduating senior defensemen Tom Pruska and Devin Wallace. The Pioneers’ high powered offense will once again be called on to play well against top competition in and out of conference and look to improve on last season’s 12-6-1.

The women’s soccer team is also looking to improve in the fall after a rebuilding campaign where they finished 3-13-5. But there is hope for the future with returners Jackie Baumgart, Sarah Miller and Kim Schneckloth. The team should also welcome some new recruits who will make an instant impact on the program. UW-P hopes to contend with WIAC powers UW-Stevens Point and UW-Eau Claire to contend for the conference championship.

Another team that is looking to build on last season will be the Pioneer volleyball team. Last season they experienced a rollercoaster ride of a season which saw them give a high ranked UW-Oshkosh team all they wanted in the NCAA tournament but also saw them struggle at times to finish the season with a 24-13 record. Hitters Lisa Bell and Rachel Chapman will once again lead the team with contributions from back row players Rochelle Ripp and Katie Deegan. The team graduates honorable mention all-American setter Kelly Laschinger but the team knows that they are capable of contending with some of the top teams in the WIAC and also the country.

The men’s and womens’s cross country teams may have one of the hardest jobs of any UW-P team. On the men’s side, they have to try and replace four-time All-American and 2007 national champion Tyler Sigl. On the women’s side improving on a 12th place national finish will be a challenge as well. Tony Kilburg, Pat Klein and Aaron Whalen lead the charge for the men’s team while Eileen McGuine, Emma Dreis and Alli Tank will pace the women’s team.

There is almost nowhere to go but up for Pioneer football in 2008. The 2007 season ended with the Pioneers owning a 2-8 record and in last place in the WIAC. The team is optimistic for this season with competition among several players at both the quarterback and wide receiver position. On the other side of the ball, senior defensive end David Akey and linebackers Brandon Willger and Joe Tinucci maintain a strong front seven while the defensive backfield is full of experienced players who are all willing to contribute. Special teams will be anchored by returning kicker Tony Smidl. Overall playing in the WIAC is always a challenge with defending national champion UW-Whitwater and traditional conference powers Eau Claire and Stevens Point on the schedule, but UW-P is ready to contend once again.

The fall of 2008 will once again bring a new season of Pioneer athletics. With the end of the school year brings the time where players will once again spend their summer preparing for another great year of UW-P athletics. It is their devotion during the summer and the hard work that will eventually lead to many successful fall sports seasons.