Storm girls hockey takes the state title | The Weekly Wausonian
Storm girls hockey takes the state title | The Weekly Wausonian
Wausau news for March 7, 2024
The Central Wisconsin Storm fell behind in the second period, a place they hadn’t found themselves much the entire season.
That changed quickly with a goal from Tristan Wicklund, who scored twice in the game and four times last weekend as the Storm defeated DePere 4-3 Saturday to earn the state title, the team’s fifth in its nearly 16-year existence.
Ava Whitmore scored the second goal for the Storm in the third, giving Central Wisconsin a 2-1 lead it would never relinquish again en route to the 4-3 win over DePere. That came despite more shots on goal by DePere — the Storm was bolster by Claire Calmes, who made 28 saves in the net to help the Storm to its state title.
Wausonian readers this last week read our story on an ethic complaint was filed against A Community for All, accusing it of operating as a dark money political organization. Read it here:
And, a recent visit to the new Chocolate Cafe reveals a downtown that’s starting to thrive again, in contrast to how things looked last summer:
What else in Wausau?
Trail connection: The River District Development Foundation is funding the roughly $92,000 to develop a master plan for a trail that would run from Wausau to Merrill. The trail is part of a larger state plan to eventually have a trail that goes from Illinois up to Superior. It would actually make use of a WPS cooridor once intended for an electric trolley that never came to fruition.
Women’s college softball coming to Wausau next year: A women’s summer college softball team is still slated to play at Athletic Park in 2025 - though concerns over PFAS in the artificial turf the organization would need to install remains. Woodchucks owner Mark Macdonald says the artificial turf is the only way to have both baseball and softball share the same field, and that the PFAS levels are very minimal.
Overdose charges: A 41-year-old Merrill man is facing reckless homicide charges in the overdose death of 42-year-old Wausau woman Leanna Wells in 2023. Brandon Clark faces party to the crime of reckless homicide and manufacturing/delivering heroin. Clark is currently being held on a $20,000 cash bond.
UPDATE: Corrected the year Wells died in the above paragraph.
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Entertainment
Friday, March 8: The Monk Botanical Gardens is still relatively new, but that’s easy to forget because it’s already become such an important Wausau institution. This night hike the gardens is hosting is a great excuse to get out and see the gardens from a different perspective, and make use of the garden’s new permanent light fixtures. 5-8 pm. Free for Monk patrons, $6 for the public. Check out the event page for more.
Fri.-Sat. March 8-9: For some of you, the Bull Falls Blues Fest at The Rothschild Pavilion can’t come soon enough. Luckily for them, Blues Cafe is this weekend. Check out some of the hottest blues acts playing today. I once saw Becky Barksdale there, who played guitar on tour with Michael Jackson, including his Super Bowl appearance. They get some real talent. On tap for the weekend is: Friday — Kyle Refro (6:30 pm); Big Mouth and the Power Tool Horns (8:30 pm); Saturday — Stefan Geisinger Band (1:30 pm); Chris O’Leary Band (3 pm); Joyann Parker Band (5 pm); Cash Box Kings (7 pm); Dylan Salfer Band (9 pm). See the event page for more info.
Sunday, March 10: You’ve probably heard of Cirque du Soleil, with all those amazing acrobatics and spectacular stunts. Well, Cirque Mechanics at the Grand Theater is similar, but with a… well, as the name would suggest, an emphasis on mechanics. The performers still pull off all those awesome stunts, but they’re often performed using mechanical apparatus as part of the show. The show is meant to celebrate American ingenuity, tell an impressive tale while keeping you hooked with their various stunts. 6:30 pm. Starts at $35. Check out the event page for more details and tickets.
UPDATE: Added locations for Blue Cafe and Cirque Mechanics.
Looking for kids/family events? Check out the family-oriented listing from The Wausonian’s partner Wausau Mama, who puts together a weekly listing of children/family activities.
Sports
Boys basketball: Wausau East has been on a streak in the Division 2 WIAA playoffs. The Lumberjacks beat Merrill 60-52 and Rice Lake 55-53 to continue advancing in the tournament. Wausau East will take on River Falls today (Thursday) in Eau Claire and, if the Lumberjacks win, will play for the sectional championship in Neillsville.
Division 1: D.C. Everest lost to SPASH 59-44 Saturday, and West lost earlier in the tournament, eliminating Wausau area teams from the Division 1 WIAA playoffs. SPASH and Marshfield each play on Thursday, and if both win could face off Saturday.
Semi-pro hockey: The Wausau Cyclones kick off their playoff run Friday against the Wisconsin Woodsmen. The Cyclones are 8-0 against the Woodsmen in regular season play and are expected to advance past the team. The Cyclones play the Woodsmen at home Friday and head to Tomah on Saturday. Find out more details here.
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