By Dan Truttschel
Correspondent
The final results from last week’s WIAA Division 2 sectional didn’t go in the Big Foot-Williams Bay’s two entries way.
But even though both junior Meredith and freshman Clare Heckert fell short of a state berth, they still managed to put together a solid fall campaign.
Meredith Heckert, who fought through a shoulder injury most of the season, and her younger sister, Clare, both lost in their first-round matches to see their season come to an end.
In her opening-round match, Meredith Heckert fell to eventual third-place finisher Rachel Anderson, Racine St. Catherine’s, 2-6, 2-6, to close out the year at 12-7 overall.
Even with the injury, Meredith Heckert still managed a fourth-place finish in the Rock Valley Conference.
“I would have loved to see her compete all year with a healthy arm,” Big Foot coach Dan Dowden said. “I think the outcome would have been even better.
“Meredith’s opponent at sectionals was a girl very much like Meredith. I think if they play 10 times, they’d probably split the series. Rachel played very well against Meredith, and (she) was not able to overcome her on the court.”
Clare Heckert lost 4-6, 6-4, 3-6 to Shorewood freshman Margaret Bugnacki to finish at 14-3 – with two of those coming to one of the state’s top players at No. 2, St. Joseph’s Olivia Czerwonka.
Dowden, in his first year as the head coach, said he felt the season was a successful one.
“I thought we had a pretty good season with an inexperienced coach,” he said. “All the girls throughout the program participated hard and seemed to enjoy the year.
“Sadly, we lose 11 seniors. I would love to have them for another year to see where we can go. I will just have to rely on a strong (group of underclassmen) to carry us through next year.”
