Beasts roaring in Waukesha

Sure, the 2011 version of the Milwaukee Brewers had the nickname of the beast. It fit them quite well as the team won its first division title in 29 years and won a playoff series for the first time since 1982.

But while those beasts were laid to rest one round earlier than their ultimate goal, there are still another pack of beasts to watch out for.

They all reside in Waukesha and they might have just been released.

They all have a tradition of excellence, all have championship aspirations and all want to be the best.

One has already accomplished this.

Beast No. 1: Her name is Emily Joers, who won the WIAA Division 1 state girls golf tournament a couple weeks ago. Her name is not a novelty to anyone who follows Wisconsin high school golf, and while it wasn't necessarily a surprise to anyone that the Waukesha West junior won the meet, it shows her ability to rise to the occasion on the biggest stage and live up to the hype.

Her title continued an impressive three-year run for Joers, who won the title as a freshman and was second in 2010.

Beast No. 2: Another team that has lived up to its billing all year is the Waukesha West football team. After capturing the state title last year, they had the targets on their backs from Day 1, but they delivered every week.

They had an unblemished record in the always challenging Classic 8 in winning the outright title. But when a team wins state, winning conference and making the playoffs are just the stepping stones to something much bigger.

While they will surely get everyone's best shot the rest of the way in the playoffs, the Wolverines want more and if senior running back Joe Schobert has his way, West should get back to Camp Randall and have another crowning achievement.

Beasts No. 3: Although the Waukesha West boys soccer team bowed out in its sectional final match last weekend, the Wolverines put together a dominating season (21-3-3), were undefeated in Classic 8 conference games and earned the No. 1 seed in its sectional. Nonetheless, the city will still be represented at the Uihlein Soccer Park in Milwaukee this week as Catholic Memorial earned yet another state berth in the Division 2 field. The Crusaders are at state for the sixth consecutive year and are aiming to repeat as state champions. Standing in its way? None other than Fox Valley Lutheran, whom the Crusaders defeated in double overtime in last year's final, but were edged by them in the 2009 title match.

Beasts No. 4: The cross country teams at all four Waukesha schools. The Waukesha South boys and Waukesha West girls country teams will send their entire squads to the state meet this weekend in Wisconsin Rapids. Each team is loaded up and down its lineup and has a chance to leave its mark at the year's final meet. As do some individuals who qualified for state such as Waukesha North senior Sami Donovan, who finished second at sectionals in the girls run and South junior Brad Woodford and North junior Jacob Jodat, who finished second and fifth, respectively, at sectionals.

Beasts No. 5: Not to be forgotten are the volleyball teams from the area. Catholic Memorial is a goldmine when it comes to this sport. The Memorial girls are the No. 1-ranked team in the state in Division 2 and were not tested in conference play. As a result, they are in line to reach the state final for the fourth straight year and are the favorites to capture their third consecutive crown.

Like the girls, the boys team is also the reigning state champion and have found itself right back near the top. They are ranked second in the state behind only Marquette, a team the Crusaders defeated in last year's state final.

Memorial also boasts the best player in the state in senior Trevor Novotny, who has also been recognized for his talents at the national level. The Waukesha West boys and girls teams are no slouches either. While the girls finished 3-4 in conference play, they have been a pleasant surprise in the postseason and are two wins away from a state appearance. The boys team is ranked in the top five in state and could make some noise as well in the playoffs.

Beast No. 6: When you get off land, the Waukesha South/Mukwonago girls swimming and diving team has been just as formidable. They are ranked second in the most recent state coaches poll and have one of the best in senior Kayla Skenandore. She won the state title in the 100-yard butterfly last year. Now, she's going for the state record in the fly which makes this girl and team even scarier for opponents.

As you can see, it's an embarrassment of riches at these schools.

It might not be fair to have this much talent in one city. Some cities wait years and decades to have just a fraction of the success that has occurred in just one season for Waukesha.

But in Waukesha, expectations are higher. The bar has been set by past success and as hard as it might have been, the athletes this fall are raising it to a whole new level. Dedication, much of it during the offseason, an unwillingness to fail and a killer instinct are all factors in this remarkable trend. And when it happens once, it's bound to happen again.

And let's just remember that it's only the fall season. There's still the winter and spring seasons for these students to leave a lasting impression on the rest of the state.

Sure, the talent was there, but that doesn't always mean championships will follow. And although the potential might be there, it's not always easy to live up to that.

The athletes, though, from Waukesha have, which means everyone should be on the lookout for them.

After all, the beasts in Waukesha are roaring loud and clear.