JWP Hall of Fame banquet honors individuals, teams

The Janesville Waldorf Pemberton (JWP) school district held its eighth annual Athletic Hall of Fame ceremony at the Purple Goose ballroom in Janesville on Saturday, Oct. 4. Mike Niemczyk and Lance Nelson were the masters of ceremony. There were eight individual inductees for 2025 along with three teams. Those being acknowledged were in one of three categories, athlete, coach or contributor. In addition to exceptional accomplishments in sports and activities, another requirement for being inducted to the hall of fame is to show good moral character. 

 

Summaries provided here do not necessarily list all individual or team accomplishments.

Mike Cummins, athlete, a 1991 graduate of JWP, earned nine varsity letters in football, basketball and baseball. He was also a basketball captain during his senior year. He played basketball for Bethany; also attended Mankato State College; and coached various levels at JWP, Waterville and Mahtomedi. His favorite memory is a 60-yard punt for a touchdown his senior year. Mike and his wife Ann have three children, Aubree, Carsten and Kennadee.

 

Travis Gunsolus, athlete, a 2001 graduate of JWP, played football and wrestled at JWP. He took third at state as an individual in 2001 and wrestled at 125 lbs. on the 1998 second place state team. Travis and his wife Kristin have two children, Colin and Lucas.

 

Trent Gunsolus, athlete, a 1999 graduate of JWP. He participated in football, wrestling and baseball and was an eight-time letter winner, as well as a five-time all-conference recipient in wrestling and two-time all-state wrestler placing fourth and first in his state appearances. He attended Itasca Junior college and coached JH wrestling at JWP for five years. He has two daughters Paige and Brielle. With emotion in his voice, said Gunsolus, “Travis and me being inducted the same year, that’s pretty awesome.”

 

Tim Johnson, athlete, a 1990 graduate of JWP took part in track for four years and in football and basketball for three years. Tim still holds the JWP pole vault record. He coached pole vault at UW-Stout in 1996 and continues to coach at JWP. Said Johnson, “I want to thank my dad, it makes it easier when you have a parent in track and field.”

 

Josh Melchior, athlete, was a 1991 grad of JWP earning 11 varsity letters, four in football, four in wrestling and three in basketball. He held the single season rushing record in football for 25 years. Josh and his wife Lisa have two children, Tayna and Ty. Said Melchior, “In the 90s, Janesville pretty much dominated in sports. I’d like to think we’re responsible for every win then and since.”

 

Greg Strauss, athlete, was a 1971 grad and participant in football, basketball, baseball and track. Strauss set a conference record in the long jump and a school record of 22 seconds in the 220. He was all-state track in 1970 and 71. Said Strauss, “I was supposed to write a speech for this, but just like when I was younger, I didn’t.” Greg and his wife Cindy have six children, 20 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

 

Dr. David Pope, contributor, started teaching in the science department in Janesville in 1960. In ‘64, he started a medical practice and in ‘69 he opened his medical practice. By 2005 he had performed a few thousand pre-participation physicals. He also attended many athletic events as emergency help, and remembers treating at least two broken arms, a shoulder separation, a heart murmur and a dislocated knee cap. Said Dr. Pope, “I’m blessed I get to enter this with my best friend, Bob Hendricks, my wife Annette, daughter Amy and Tammy.” His brother once tried out for the Chicago Cubs but due to a hunting accident and loss of one eye that didn’t pan out.

 

A posthumous award was presented for Bob Hendricks, contributor. Originally from Watertown, where he was all conference in football, on the student council, FFA president and received State Vocal Music Awards. He graduated from St. Cloud State and earned a masters from Mankato State University before moving to Janesville and being the announcer for many years during sporting events. His son Kirk spoke on Mr. Hendricks’ behalf, “In the 60s we played at Lakeview Park, which was long before the other park was built. It was really wet over there. That wasn’t the only problem; people selling tickets, weren’t able to watch any of the game. My dad wanted to start announcing so everyone got to hear what was happening. The first effort to announce was by parking a big yellow bus near the field and announcing from the roof.” Mr. Hendricks was married to Linda, he has two children, Kirk and Kristin.

 

Also inducted into the JWP Hall of Fame was the 2000 JWP Golf Team consisting of Sean Mulcahey, Levi Mulcahey, Sean Finley, Brian Finley, Reid Olson and Evan Holmes. Coached by Mike Muedeking.

 

The 1996-’97 JWP Boys’ Basketball Team, Travis Anderson, Josh Berndt, Tim Burke, Brent Fury, Chris Gardner, Travis Hinze, Dave Jewison, Dan Jorgenson, Tim Sheehand, Justin Stanke, Clint Westphal, Ben Wheelock, Jared Ziemke, Josh Ziemke and Jake Zimmerman. Manager John Schultz and Jacob Hoehn, coached by Dave Tonolli. The team lost a tough first-round draw at the state tournament to Caledonia by 5 points, finishing with a 25-2 record.

 

The 1996-’97 JWP Wrestling Team which included Jeff Adams, Bob Beelow, Ben Blegen, Dave Carleton, Aaron Duenes, Mike Fasnacht, Dana Gostomczik, Trent Gunsolus, Andy Krause, Joe Johnson, Jake Kaiser, Jason Lueders, Karl Mettler, George Phillips, Adam Roesler, Mike Schuch and Joe Weimar. Coaches Mike Niemczyk, Gary VonHoltum, Bruce Manthe, Tim Oelke and Willie Eustice. Gopher Conference and Section Champions and qualified for the state tournament for a second year in a row and placed sixth in the state tournament to end that season with a 19-4 record.