'Pushed me to persevere': Inside the support system fueling high school athletes

nmcnair
Aug 10, 2026
Aug 10, 2026 Updated Aug 19, 2026

080526-StampfliPortrait-0007.JPGWIS0004094229.JPG — Madison West tennis player Sam Stampfli poses for a portrait Wednesday at Madison West High School.
OWEN ZILIAK, STATE JOURNAL

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The sounds of volleyballs being served or spiked are absent from the beginning of McFarland girls volleyball practices.

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McFarland’s Piper Willenbucher — **Willenbucher**
NILE MCNAIR, STATE JOURNAL

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080526-StampfliPortrait-0001.JPGWIS0004094223.JPG — Madison West tennis player Sam Stampfli, center, is flanked by teammate Alex Blonien, left, and friend Nevin Lipari for a portrait Wednesday at Madison West High School.
OWEN ZILIAK, STATE JOURNAL

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Cara Link, Stoughton — **Link**
NILE MCNAIR, STATE JOURNAL

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080526-StampfliPortrait-0004.JPGWIS0004094226.JPG — Madison West tennis player Sam Stampfli bounces a tennis ball with his racket for a portrait Wednesday at Madison West High School.
OWEN ZILIAK, STATE JOURNAL

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Baraboo’s Brody Bjorklund — **Bjorklund**
NILE MCNAIR, LEE SPORTS WISCONSIN

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