Novitski Sets Sights On Record Weekend

SHAWANO, WI- Shawano is about to make more history in their recently successful wrestling program. On Saturday, Freshman Piper Novitski will become the first female wrestler in Shawano to wrestle in a WIAA State Tournament.

“This week I am working as hard as I ever had before.”

The WIAA has opened up the opportunity for girls wrestling to be officially a winter sport and started with an open State Tournament that will be wrestled Saturday at the La Crosse Center. For Novitski, her season this year was at a state qualifying level, making her a contender for placing.

“If they would have had a qualifier tournament, she would have qualified,” said Coach Mike Homan. She brings toughness and a certain attitude that we like and that served her so well.”

Novitski enters the State tournament ranked 2nd at the 126-pound weight class with a 12-1 record against girls this year. Her only loss in girl’s competition was to 2nd ranked Brooke Schuenemann of Plymouth in the Wrightstown Tournament finals. Schuenemann is seeded 2nd at the 120-pound weight class and is one of the favorites.

“I know that sometimes they want it more, but I am working on myself to make sure I want it more than them,” Novitski said.

Novitski has faced strong competition this year, defeating four girls that are wrestling in the same 126-pound weight class this weekend and two who are wrestling at 132. Coach Homan says that makes her a name to watch this weekend.

“When she steps out on the mat, she is ready to go and even though she is a Freshman, she is coming after you.”

Along with her girl’s record, Novitski is also 3-3 on the season against boys.

“I have been wrestling since I was in second grade and I was told that maybe by the time I got in high school there would be a girls division and now there is.”

As far as expectations for the weekend, Novitski says she is going out there to do the best that she can.

“I expect myself to work as hard as I can and place as best as I can,” Novitski said. “I think she is going to do well, I am excited for her and we are looking forward to getting after it,” said Homan. “It is important for her and we are going to be happy with her and where she is going to place based on her wrestling ability.”

For Homan, he sees it as a new bar that will be set for the program which has grown since he took over. “She wrestles hard and we are excited for the doors that she is kind of going to open up for other females that might want to wrestle next year and in the future.”

Shawano has seen their numbers grow in recent years and are on the verge of winning a fourth straight Bay Conference Championship. Having more girls in the programs is something that Novitiski hopes to see as she continues in her High School career.

“I am hoping we get more next year and by the time I am a Senior, we have a full girls team,” she said. “She is going to be the first girl to ever wrestle in a state competition for us as a Hawk,” said Homan. “I have a daughter myself and it is very encouraging to see,” said Homan.