School: Owen-Withee H.S. - Boy's Basketball team (1983)

Contact: Kathleen E. Englebretson

Email: kathy@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Runice, Nyre, Zukowski, Gehrke, Woik, Heggemeier, Hatlestad, Pitt, Matkovich, Luedke, Spannan, Halida

----Source: Marshfield News-Herald (18 November 1983)

OWEN - Owen-Withee was a middle of the pack team a year ago, finishing with an 11-9 records, which meant it won one game before being bumped from the WIAA tournament. That was under veteran coach Jerry Runice, who has since departed for the more rarefied air of school administration in another locale.

That leaves former Runice aid Bill Nyre (five years with the JV's) as the new Blackhawk head coach.

Checking Owen-Withee's 10-man varsity squad that included five seniors could be deceiving. Only two of them are lettermen.

They are Dave Zukowski, a veteran of two seasons, and Gary Gehrke, who lettered as a sophomore, and is junior now. At 8-1, Gehrke ties Denis Woik as the tallest players on the squad. The other varsity are Paul Heggemeier, Woik, Kent Hatlestad, Dean Pitt, Tracy Matkovich, Darin Luedke, Chuck Spannan and Roger Halida.

About his players, Nyre had this to say:

David Zukowski - an excellent leader, shooter and fine ball-handler...starter last year, defensively sound...smart player.

Gary Gehrke - aggressive, rebounder, moves well inside, at 180 pounds is the most physical player on the team...will play center.

Denis Woik - good shooter, dedicated ballplayer...on a team with no real height must improve his rebounding.

Paul Heggemeier - good passer, intelligent player...for his size is a good rebounder.

Tracy Matkovich - another good ball=handler, good attitude, is an unselfish player.

Kent Hatlestad - good leaper, is inexperienced and must learn about defense.