Bio: Sonnentag, Lynn (WISTAC Hall of Fame – 2017)

Transcriber: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Sonnentag, Sendelbach

----Source: THORP COURIER (Thorp, Clark County, Wis.) 08 Mar 2017

On Saturday, February 4, 2017, Lynn Sonnentag and seven of her peers from across the state were inducted into the Wisconsin Tack Coaches Association (WISTA) Hall of Fame. "I'm just very honored that they thought that much of my job," Sonnentag said in an interview.

Track has been an integral part of Lynn's life for close to 40 years. As a student, she took part in the sprints, hurdles, and took part in several relay races in both high school and as a collegiate at UW-Oshkosh. After school, she actually found her first coaching job right here in Thorp (Clark Co., Wis.), where she coached for two years before transferring to Arcadia, where she coached for the next 31 years.

In her 33 years of coaching, Lynn achieved three Coulee Conference Girl's Meet Championships consecutively in 2003-2005, and 2007-2009. Lynn also won five WIAA State Meet Championships in 1998 and 2003 (where the Arcadia Girls won all four of their relay events), 4004, 2008, and 2009. She also coached the WIAA State Meet Record Setter, Margo Sendelbach, who set the Pole Vault record in 2004 at 10' 3", as well as coaching 12 individual and 14 relay WIAA State Meet Champions. And last but not least, she was awarded the WISTCA District III Girls' Coach of the Year Award six times, in 1996, 1998, 2003-2006, and 2009.

When she wasn't busy at award ceremonies or championship events, she also coached 22 years of volleyball, two in Thorp and 20 in Arcadia, as well as two years of coaching gymnastics in Arcadia. She also spent 26 years serving as a volunteer at the WIAA State Track Meet, and served as the WISTCA District III Gender Representative from 1972-1976. To top it all off, she was once nominated for National Coach of the Year.

Beyond her insurmountable pile of trophies, plaques, and awards, she is also a loving wife and mother to her husband, Rich Sonnentag, her son Ryan, daughter-in-law, Hilary, and her twin grandsons, Connor and Alec.

Many people work hard their whole lives and never accomplish any of the achievements Lynn has compiled. She is a shining example of what athletes need in a role model. Congratulations Lynn, you deserve it!