West High School - Westward Ho Yearbook (Madison, WI)

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Manager Ilerh Hen- ning is giving the squad a pep talk before a game. Left to right are T. Ripp. R. Zimmer, I. Berger, li. Piper, T. Hleckwenn, li. Manslield, W. Lucas, I. larillnc, and I. Zim- mt-rman. Through Th, Hoop When Coach Iones looked over basketball prospects last fall, the future was not bright. There were only two reserves left from the '45 state titlists, Iohn Berger and lim Zimmerman. Since other schools were far better off, the Reg-ents' two-year domination of Big Eight basketball seemed destined to end. lt did end, but not without a swan song. To open the season, the team surprised by defeating Wizconsin Rapids, 41-39, as Iohn Berger scored l9 points. The Rapids team later went to the state semi- linals. The middle ol the season brought double victories :ver both Beloit and Horlick. Also, the inability of the Regents to hold a lead was shown by losses to Fast, 40-39, and Central, 4l-39. In both games, West had a go-otl lead but couldnt hold it. The season came to a grand climax on Feb. 22 when Ianesville bit the dust, 45-43, despite a desperate last minute rally. This Regent eruption before fifty re- tained service lettermen and 1,500 fans forced lanes- ville to talie a tie for the Big Eight crown with Racine Park. 'lhe regional at Stoughton opened with an easy 49-33 Regent victory over Stoughton. The next game was the greatest triumph of the Regent season. The team smashed the state title hopes of the state's top rated team, Monroe, by the convincing score of 59-45. X tense moment in the -lll-3U game with East. left tu right: T. Ripp, li. Withers, I. Berger. A. ll 0 IQ li e I' y. T. Vltall. I. Zimmerman. and T. lileckwcnn. 16 WEST HIGH SCHOOL

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Left is George Barker, manager. Center picture is game at llreese Stevens Held. At right is Coach Willis jones. Regents On The Gridiron With nine returning lettermen, four of them regu- lars on the 1945 championship team, prospects looked rosy for the Regents to continue the successes of the 1944 and 1945 elevens. The promising nucleus of emblem winners included Bill Piper, Russ Gessler, Harry Gilbert, Al Lackner, Bob johnson, Dick Oscaij, Dave Hanson, Bob Mansfield, and Norm Nordeen. West faced its schedule with high hopes, rated among the conference favorites. I ln the opening game of the season, the Regents lost, 2-0, to Fond du Lac. A week later, Racine Park's fourth quarter rally dropped the Maize and Blue, 12-6, in the Big Eight conference opener for both teams. ln the city series opener with Central, West un- covered a new offensive star in Don Annen and won, 12-7. Heartened by this victory and accompanied by three hundred Regent rooters, the team journeyed to Beloit but succumbed to the blazing speed of the Purple's Bill Demos, 24-13. Next the Ionesmen swamped Ianesville, 41-26, in a Homecoming fray which featured strong offensive play. The team followed up the triumph over the Bluebirds with a 12-0 win over Racine Horlick, which was gained by a two-touchdown fourth quarter Regent rally. 6,700 fans jammed Breese Stevens Field to see the East-West clash, which was to decide the city cham- Ken Paine encourages us at a football pep meeting. Class prexy, Don Innes, is sitting at right. WEST HIGH SCHOOL pionship. The Purgolders were favored to nip the hot and cold Regent eleven, but the Maize and Blue rose to the occasion. Theibattle ended in a 6-6 tie. West's tying score came on a sensational pass-lateral play, Gessler to Bleckwenn to Mansfield. With star fullback Bob Iohnson on the sidelines, the Regents closed their season with a bitterly fought 12-7 loss to Kenosha. Although finishing fifth in the Big Eight, the team was not without its individual stars. Guard Bill Piper was named to the all-state squad. Bob Iohnson, Harry Gilbert, and Piper were chosen for the Shrine all-city team. In the final analysis, although the 1946 West grid- ders were handicapped by injuries and bad breaks, they still managed to end the season with a record of three wins, four losses, and one tie, and a tie for the city series crown. l 15

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Action With The Cindermen Coach Les Dukes first call for track candidates was answered by over fifty boys. Among these were nine returning lettermen: Bill Piper, Bob Coyier, Gil Co- luccy, Glenn VVeeks, Ted Bleckwenn, Beckley Roberts, Malcolm Mossman, Al Lackner, and state quarter- mile champ, Bob Mansfield. After working out for six weeks, the team journeyed to the Wisconsin Rapids indoor meet. The Regents took this meet by a wide margin, showing strength and balance in all departments. Sixteen of the nine- teen Westians shared in the scoring. New prospects showing promise at this meet included Walker Reid, Ralph Lee, Don Iones, Iim Iardine, lack Walker, Wayne Hierlmeier, Herb Henning, Charles Sorenson, and Harry Stuhldreher. Tom Ripp, ace junior high half-miler, reported late after recovering from an operation. On April 20, Natalie Biart reigned as queen over the West Relays. Her court consisted of Sally Shehan and lane Lewis. On April 23, the team went to Free- port for a triangular meet with Beloit and Freeport. On May 4, the Regents participated in the Rockford Relays. Then, on May 11, they traveled to Kenosha for the Big Eight meet. Those Westians who placed third or better in the sectional meet on May 18 competed in the state meet at Madison on May 25. The season was concluded with the city meet at Breese Stevens Field on the night of Wednesday, May 29. Top picture: Returning lettermen of the track team: back row, A. Lackncr, B. Roberts, B. Piper, G. Weeks. Front row. B. Coyier, B. Mansfield, T. Bleckwenn, G. Coluccy, M. Mossman :mtl Coach Les Duke. Second picture: Runners practicing on the track field: left to right, Frank Schmitt, Wayne Hierlmcier, Chuck Sorenson, Glen Weeks, and Tom Koltes. 1946 TRACK SQUAD WEST HIGH SCHOOL : -11