Sussex sports year in review: 2010
The 2010 calendar year in Sussex was
characterized by some fine showings on the
track, with a state title and silver medal by
the girls sprint relay contingent, as well as
some powerful showings in the distance
department. A look at some of the best stories
in 2010:
Early birds get the gold
Hamilton shows it can sprint as well as any program in the state. The 4x200 girls relay of Ellen Buckley, Jess Rupnow, Brooke Patterson and Danielle Barbian wins the state title in 1:40.86, topping rival Bradley Tech in the title run.
Though Tech wins the 4x100, the team of Toney Lock, Patterson, Barbian and Ashley Holicek finishes in second. The win is the first girls track title at Hamilton since 2004. Barbian adds a fourth in the individual 100.
Long wait
For the first time since 1991, the girls basketball program enjoys a winning season, with a 14-10 record that featured a first-round victory over Arrowhead under first-year coach Dan Carey.
Diamond decision
Hamilton elects not to renew the contract of veteran baseball coach Ron Kozlowski and hires former Muskego coach Mike Schramek to take his place. The Chargers finished 20-12 in Kozlowski's final season.
March of Marcus
Distance standout Marcus Paulson caps his incredible career at Sussex Hamilton with a second place in the 3,200 meters a few months after winning the state cross-country title last fall. He also takes third place in 1,600 meters. Hamilton speedster Chris Harrell also shows well at the state meet in sprint events.
Twin terrors
Twin brothers Aaron and Cameron Clinton-Earl light it up for the Hamilton football team, both earning a variety of postseason accolades after the Chargers qualify for the WIAA playoffs. Aaron emerges as one of the area's leading rushers, and Cameron continues as one of the area's most feared defensive ends.
The Raiders riddle
The Hamilton boys basketball team tops Wauwatosa East for the first time in program history after 24 straight losses since the dawn of Greater Metro play. The team shoots 56 percent in a 58-41 victory and ultimately reaches the second round of the playoffs before falling to Germantown.
Matt on the mat
The Hamilton wrestling team advances 12 entrants to the sectional, and Matt Blackwell reaches the year-end state meet in Madison.
Dish doctor
Catcher Dean Haase of Lannon is named the top player in the Land O'Lakes baseball league's Western Division. Though the Stonemen were kept out of the playoffs, Sussex earned a berth before falling to the Brookfield Blue Sox in the opening round.
The deep end
Diver Nathan Cox of Menomonee Falls takes second for the Falls/Germantown/Hamilton boys swimming and diving meet at the WIAA Division 1 state meet. Both the boys and girls swim teams take 12th place.
Going clubbing
Hamilton student Josh Kirchner wins a national title with his club volleyball team, the U16 West Allis Lightning, in Austin, Texas in July. The feat is especially impressive given that Kirchner doesn't play during the fall varsity season, as Hamilton does not sponsor a boys team.