The 2019-20 Northern Indigenous All State Teams (NIAST)
recognize outstanding Native American varsity high school athletes. Several Ho-Chunk sportspersons made the Wisconsin
list.
Females named were:
Olivia Curley, grade 12, from
Wittenberg-Birnamwood for basketball;
Kanani Blackdeer, grade 12, from Black
River Falls for softball;
Allison Giroux, grade 10 from Black River Falls for
swimming; and
Jenna Quackenbush, grade 12 from Black River Falls for golf.
Males included:
Elliot Bird, grade 11, from Black River Falls
for football;
Joseph Pecore, grade 11, from Stevens Point for football;
Bryson
Funmaker, grade 12, from Wisconsin Dells for basketball;
Joseph White Eagle, Jr.,
grade 12, from Baraboo for basketball;
Cameron Logan, grade 12, from Baraboo
for hockey and Lacrosse; and
Alexander Thundercloud, grade 12, from Milwaukee
for hockey and track and field.
“Varsity head coaches nominate their own athletes who they
determine to be worthy to be on the team.
All State team members are also named by others,” stated Dan Ninham, one
of the directors of NIAST. “Future
programming will include off-season training and competition.”