LWLHS Athletics Hall of Honor

Purpose of the Hall of Honor:

At Living Word we seek to honor our Lord through sport. We strive toward establishing standards of excellence in our practice habits, physical and mental preparations, and competitive spirit. Timber Wolf athletics exist to augment the academic and spiritual development at Living Word by positively contributing to the school-wide goal of developing the total person in Jesus Christ. The Living Word Lutheran Athletic Hall of Fame serves to recognize and celebrate the accomplishments of individuals and teams that exemplify these habits, preparation and service of our Lord through Living Word athletics.

Who can be nominated?

Individual Athletes
Teams
Coaches
T-Wolf T.O.U.G.H. servant leader

How much time must elapse before one is eligible for induction?

Athletes/Teams are eligible after 5 years of graduation
Coaches are eligible after the completion of their tenure
T-Wolf T.O.U.G.H. servant leaders are eligible at any time

The Hall of Honor Induction Ceremony is held at the annual LWLHS Golf Outing. The HoH Class of 2022 will be inducted on Saturday, August 13, 2022 at Kettle Hills Golf Course.

Have further questions?
Contact Tim Zbytniewski at tzbytniewski@lwlhs.com or 262-677-9353.

Hall of Honor Nomination Form

Past Nominees

Class of 2021

David Rutkowski (LW Class of 2011)

When David Rutkowski joined the Living Word Cross Country and Track and Field Teams, both of them were near their infancy. However, this did not stop David from setting himself apart from the rest of the pack. During his time at Living Word, David would set three school records for the 5000 meter run in cross country, in track and field he would set records in the 800 meter and 1600 meter runs. He currently is fourth overall in school history for cross country (17:00.3), and he is second in the 800 (2:02.80) and the 1600 (4:32.40). David would also set the pace for both of these teams as he would become the first two qualify for the state cross country meet as an individual, he did this twice (junior and senior season). David would also qualify for the State Track and Field meet in the 800 meter and 1600 meter runs his senior season. All of these feats would not go unnoticed by colleges, he received a scholarship to run at Valparaiso University in Indiana. This made him the first Timberwolf ever to receive a division one scholarship for athletics. During his senior season at Valparaiso he would lead the Crusaders in five of six races, finishing 20th overall in their conference meet. David received a PhD in Mechanical Engineering from UW-Madison in 2019; he also received his Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering from UW-Madison. At Valparaiso, he received his Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering in 2015. Currently, he is a Senior R&D Engineer making products for MRI machines.

Karina Klotz (LW Class of 2013)

Karina Klotz, Living Word class of 2013, was a vital part of the first two regional championships won by the Living Word volleyball team. Her tenure with the Living Word volleyball team would help to set herself apart from the rest as she was named the player of the year for the Midwest Classic Conference her senior year. Karina’s ability to set the ball to the exact spot it needed to be allowed her to set up teammates for success. Many of her teammates are still high in the school rankings for kills. Karina holds the record for the most career assists with 1165 total assists during her time at Living Word. She still sits number two for most aces all time (284) and third for most kills all time (467). She would also prove to be a stud softball player earning all conference and all area honors for her work on the diamond. Karina’s hard work, understanding of the game, and selfless attitude helped those two teams win regional championships and created a winning culture that would help spur Living Word to its first ever state qualification in 2014. Karina would continue to play volleyball at Concordia University-Wisconsin where she ranks third all time with 2,121 assists in her career. Karina went on to receive her Bachelor’s in Biomedical Sciences and Master’s in Physician Assistant studies at Concordia University Wisconsin. She had her residency at the University of Kentucky Children’s Hospital in their neonatal ICU, and now she is currently a Physician Assistant in the NICU at Aurora in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

2011 Football Team

The 2011 football team set the bar for all football teams to follow. They had humble beginnings as freshmen and sophomores, but the seniors on this team would figure it out in their junior years (2010) when they were the first football team to ever qualify for the WIAA playoffs. They would be bumped in the first round, but they came back the following year better than ever. Posting an 8-1 record in the regular season, they would win the conference outright this season. 11 of their players would receive all conference honors, 4 were honorable mention, 1 was the defensive player of the year, and their coach would also be named coach of the year for leading the group. The team completed a goal of playing 10, but that was not good enough as they would win in the first round and play an 11th game. This team is still the standard for football teams as many individuals hold records in the school record books, but no team since them has reached the same level of grandeur. Many of these players were able to watch siblings play in the years to come and some would even come back to coach. The bar is set, let’s see who is next.

Class of 2020

Dave Kraase

Dave Kraase, Living Word class of 2005, was a vital part of the early success in both the football and basketball programs. Dave was the first member of the 1,000 point club and is currently the number three overall scorer in Living Word basketball history. He still ranks top five in 3 pointers made and attempted, free throws made and tried, and overall free throw percentage. On the defensive side of the ball, Kraase is still number one in career steals and steals per game. Without Dave’s presence on the court, the basketball program may not have gotten off the ground. The same can be said about his time with the football program where he was one of the original players for Dave Miskimen and would be a senior during the inaugural varsity season for the Living Word football program. He can still be found in the football record books for most tackles in a game, career points scored, career interceptions, and more. Dave Kraase would come back after graduating and help coach the team. Following his graduation from Living Word, Dave Kraase went on to serve and is still serving today in the armed forces. We thank him for his service to the country and his athletic contributions to Living Word.

Jessica Schaub (Tock)

“She was ahead of her time,” was how Dr. Stelmachowicz, head coach of the girl's basketball team during Jessica’s time at Living Word, described Jessica’s playing ability on the court. Jessica Schaub (Tock), class of 2005, was a cornerstone of Living Word Athletics during their infancy. She was a three-sport athlete lettering in volleyball, basketball, and soccer. Unfortunately for both Jessica and Dave Living Word was not a part of a conference yet, if they had been, they would have most likely racked up the all-conference honors and possibly players of the year. During her time as a basketball player, Jessica racked up over 1200+ points and was the first member of the 1000 point club in the Girl’s Basketball Program and is the number two overall scorer in the program’s history. Jessica also is still in the top three in many statistical categories, such as rebounds, steals, points in one game, and many more. In both volleyball and soccer, she was able to bring stability through her athletic prowess. Without her involvement in these sports early on, they may not have gotten off to the strong start needed to begin a program. We thank her for those contributions to the athletics program and the school in its early years. The Hall of Honor committee thought it only right for her to be part of the second-ever class inducted into the Hall of Honor. Since graduating from Living Word, Jessica went on to become a nurse. She currently works in the surgery division of Aurora Medical Center in Hartford, WI.

Chad & Wendy Graff

Chad and Wendy have been proud parents and fans of Living Word for the past 12 years. Since 2008 they have watched their four children (Spencer, Stacey, Jake, and Zach) graduate from Living Word. These four were involved in eight different Living Word Athletic programs (football, field hockey, basketball, dance, wrestling, baseball, soccer, and track & field). When the Graffs came to Living Word, they saw needs for the different athletic and academic programs around the school. They not only saw the need; they then acted on those needs and delivered results. Within their twelve years at Living Word, they have helped with the completion of the baseball field’s backstop and dugouts, the football field’s press box, the outdoor concession stand/storage, the thrower platforms, and even building the student center. Through their time, talents, and treasures, they have helped literally reshape the earth and buildings around Living Word. By doing this, they brought many sports programs to life through new and improved facilities! We are so thankful for their contributions, their continued support, and their example of what it means to be a TOUGH servant at Living Word. Timberwolf athletics and academics would not be the same without their tireless effort and support.

Class of 2019

Becca Gosselin

Becca Gosselin, Living Word class of 2012, was a driving force that put Living Word cross country on the map in her 3 year span with the T-Wolves. As Living Word’s 5k, 1600m, & 3200m record holder Becca was a 6-time state qualifier in both cross country and track. She helped lead the T-Wolf cross country team to back-to-back conference (2011 & 2012) and sectional (2011 & 2012) championships, including a 5th place team finish at the state meet in 2011. Becca went on to run for NCAA division 1 Bradley University while earning her degree in nursing. Becca now serves as Living Word’s head cross country coach in addition to her RN position at Aurora St Luke’s.

Erik Borresen

Erik Borresen, Living Word class of 2007, was an integral part of the early success of the Timberwolf basketball program. A member of the 1,000 point club, Erik was a 2x West Bend Daily News All-County Team, 2x Midwest Classic Conference First Team Selection and a Wisconsin Baseball Coaches Association All-Star selection his senior year. Erik holds school records in rebounds and blocks, is the 2nd all-time scorer. Borresen’s personal achievements helped drive the T-Wolves to the school’s first appearance in the regional championship along with a then school-record, 15 wins in 2006-07. Erik attended Lawrence University where he earned all-conference and team captain honors on two conference championship winning teams. Erik is now the athletic director at Carmen Schools of Science and Technology.

2007-2008 Girls Basketball Team

The 2007-2008 Girls Basketball team put together a memorable season earning many firsts for the school in the early years of T-Wolf athletics. Most notably the team won a school record 17 games in route to the school’s first ever conference championship in any sport. The deep roster knocked off Lake Country Lutheran three times throughout the course of the regular season and post-season play while experiencing winning streaks of 7 and 8 games. The T-Wolves were honored as a Preps Plus team of the week in addition to earning the school’s first #1 seed heading into WIAA regional competition. Living Word is proud of the young Christian women serving their families and communities in roles such as teachers, chefs, managers, social workers, doctors, and therapists.

Mike Senkbeil

Proud parent of two Living Word alum (Ryan & Josh), Mike Senkbeil is a longtime supporter of Christian education and specifically Living Word Lutheran. His commitment as a T-Wolf T.O.U.G.H. servant leader is second-to-none as he spends many sleepless nights pondering opportunities to advance the mission of T-Wolf athletics (and in turn Living Word Lutheran). Under Mike’s leadership and support countless projects have been completed throughout campus to better serve Living Word athletes. In addition, Mike serves as Living Word Lutheran’s foundation board president. Mike and wife, Lisa, continue as avid supporters of Christian education through their time and talents at both St Johns in West Bend and Living Word Lutheran.