Portage County Gazette

As we celebrate 20 years, we take a look at some of the stories that have graced the pages of our publication.

Five years ago:

Aug. 8, 2014

The top-ranked Plover Black Sox American Legion Baseball team won the AAA State Tournament at Veterans Memorial Park in Plover. Cal Giese allowed five hits in a complete-game victory, as the Black Sox won 13-1 over Marshfield in seven innings in the State Championship Game. Plover outscored its opponents by a 63-15 margin to win its second State Title in program history and advance to the National Regional.

10 years ago:

Aug. 7, 2009

The 12U Point Girls Fastpitch softball team finished 4-3 at the National ASA Class B National Championship in Bowling Green, Ky. Team members included Janelle Nelson, Hannah O’Brien, Sami Kay Shafranski, Brianna Flugaur, Reagan Duffin, Gabby Strojny, Gabbie Migas, Kendra Cisewski, Atlanta Gassman, Emily Raczek and Haley Williams. The team was guided by managers Frank O’Brien and Kurt Strojny, and assistant managers Justin Gassman and Jim Migas.

Entering John Miech’s 22nd year as the head coach, the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point football team was ranked No. 7 in the nation in the D3football.com Preseason Poll. The Pointers ended the 2008 season ranked 14th in the nation after they won a share of the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Title and reached the NCAA Division III Playoffs.

Derek Cruz, 12, of Stevens Point, won a Gold Medal at the State Games of America in Colorado Springs, Colo., by placing first in his age bracket in the 5K run. Just over four years later, Cruz helped the Stevens Point Area Senior High School (SPASH) boys cross country team win the WIAA Division 1 State Title during his junior year in 2013.

20 years ago:

Aug. 6, 1999

A total of 17 basketball teams won Championship Plaques at the fourth annual CenterPoint Marketplace 3-on-3 Tournament in downtown Stevens Point. Team VanderVelden, comprised of Brant Bailey, Boomer Olatunji, Brock VanderVelden and Graham Diemer, won the Male Top Dawg Division, while Casey Taggatz, Nick Bennett, Josh Hall and Ross Adamczyk from the 1998-99 SPASH boys basketball team won the Male 17-18 Division.

A pair of teams with players from the SPASH girls basketball team faced off in the Championship Game of the Female 15-16 Division. “The Final Four,” which featured Janel McCarville, Abbey Peterson, Michele Rosicky and Carla Zarecki, won 16-8 in the Championship Game over “The Final 4,” which consisted of Nicole Gotta, Ashley Konopacki, Kara Kujawa and Susie Wolosek. McCarville and Peterson each had five points, and Rosicky added four to lead “The Final Four” to the Tournament Championship.