The Fastpitch Chronicle

The Fastpitch Chronicle has named a Coach of the Year in all four WIAA Divisions of Play and includes Co-Head Coaches in one division. The combined record for the four teams is 80-23. Three of the teams being coached by these coaches advanced to the state tournament while the fourth played in the sectional final.

In Division 4 the Fastpitch Chronicle Coach of the Year is Bill Davis of Juda/Albany. Davis, in his seventh year as Head Coach saw his Panthers finish 18-5 and lose in an extra inning at the state tournament to Division 4 defending champion Oakfield. The Panthers won the Six Rivers East title with a 14-1 record and beat three top notch teams in the tournament run to Goodman Diamond.

In Division 3 the Fastpitch Chronicle Coach of the Year is Steve Kaiser of Cuba City. Kasier led the Cubans to one of the best seasons in program history with a 22-3 record, a conference championship, regional title and that sectional final berth. The Cubans nipped Luther of Onalaska in the sectional semi-final 2-0. Kaiser is a longtime men’s fastpitch player. Steve is one of the most knowledgeable fastpitch people I know.

In Division 2 the Fastpitch Chronicle Coach of the Year is Tom Hagstrom of Waupun. Under his tutelage the Warriors made their first trip to the state tournament this season where they beat Beloit Turner and were beaten in the finale by LaCrosse Logan. Along the way the went 23-5 and won the conference title with a record of 14-0. Hagstrom organizes and oversees an excellent program and a top notch invitational tournament each May.

In Division 1 the Fastpitch Chronicle Coach of the Year are actually Co-Head Coaches and are sister and brother. Lori Grundahl just completed her 19th year at DeForest while her brother Jerry Schwenn just completed his sixth year. The sister/brother team led the Norskies to an 18-10 record which saw them go 17-4 over the last 21 games of the season. There certainly ought to be points awarded for that level of improvement over the course of a season. The pair led the Norskies to an 11-1 Badger North Conference record and a conference championship.

Congratulations to all five of these coaches. They will receive a Fastpitch Chronicle Coach of the Year certificate.