As we head into the final stretch of the school year, I felt it was a good moment to check in on Whitefish Bay High School alumni playing D1 sports. A remarkable group of Blue Duke alumni are competing at the highest level of college athletics this year. Creating a list wasn’t the easiest task, so please let me know if I missed anyone competing at the D1 level.
Here’s a look at where they are and how they’ve performed:
FOOTBALL
Joe Brunner — Offensive Line, Indiana Hoosiers (WFB Class of 2022) After four seasons at Wisconsin, including two years as a starting left guard with 24 consecutive starts, Brunner entered the transfer portal and joined Indiana for the 2026 season, his final year of eligibility. He earned All-Big Ten Honorable Mention honors following the 2025 campaign with the Badgers and is expected to start at left guard for a Hoosiers program coming off a national championship.
Caleb Bowers — Long Snapper, Florida State Seminoles (WFB Class of 2022) Bowers arrived at Florida State for 2026 after a four-year career at North Dakota State, where he appeared in 44 consecutive games. In his final season with the Bison in 2025, he was named a Stats Perform FCS All-American and earned First Team All-Missouri Valley Football Conference honors, all while being part of the NDSU program that won the 2024 FCS National Championship.
Grover Bortolotti — Running Back, Wisconsin Badgers (WFB Class of 2021) In his final season in 2025, Bortolotti played in all 12 games primarily on special teams, recording six tackles. The Whitefish Bay native finished his five-year career at Wisconsin before transitioning directly into coaching. He was hired as assistant running backs coach at Michigan State in March 2026.
Harrison Bortolotti — Running Back, Wisconsin Badgers (WFB Class of 2025) Bortolotti joined Wisconsin as a preferred walk-on in fall 2025. He played in five games as a true freshman, primarily on special teams.
Nick Bakken — Offensive Line, Washington State Cougars (WFB Class of 2024) Bakken transferred to Washington State from South Dakota State ahead of the 2025 season. He appeared in one game for the Cougars before an injury ended his year early.
BASEBALL
Jack Counsell — Infielder, Northwestern Wildcats (WFB Class of 2023) The son of Cubs manager Craig Counsell transferred from Michigan to Northwestern ahead of 2025. He started 18 games, playing mostly second base and DH while hitting .250 for the season.
Tyler Andrews — Pitcher, UW–Milwaukee Panthers (WFB Class of 2024) Andrews is in his sophomore season with the Panthers of the Horizon League and pitched in 10.2 innings this year.
Michael Lippe — Outfielder, Minnesota Gophers (WFB Class of 2022) After three seasons at Louisville, Lippe transferred to Minnesota for his senior year in 2026. He has been an active contributor, starting 28 games with a batting average of .221.
SOCCER
Lucia Englund — Defender, Iowa Hawkeyes (WFB Class of 2023) Englund transferred this off season to Iowa following an outstanding junior season at Butler in fall 2025. She earned All-Big East Second Team honors. She started all 16 matches and was named Big East Defensive Player of the Week after scoring the game-winning goal and adding an assist in a 3-1 win over Providence. She also earned the CSC Academic All-District recognition.
Sofia Englund — Forward/Midfielder, St. Thomas Tommies (WFB Class of 2023) Englund appeared in 14 matches with 13 starts in 2025 and earned the CSC Academic All-District recognition.
Ella Luna — Midfielder, Creighton Bluejays (WFB Class of 2023) After a season at Ole Miss, Luna transferred to Creighton for the 2024 season. She scored the opening goal of Creighton’s year against Oklahoma on August 14 and appeared in three matches for the Bluejays.
Breon Jarvis — Defender, UW–Milwaukee Panthers (WFB Class of 2024) Jarvis finished his sophomore season with the UWM men’s soccer program making eight starts and appearing in 18 of the team’s 19 games. He was named to the Horizon League Academic Honor Roll.
Will Smith — Defender, Wisconsin Badgers (WFB Class of 2022) Smith served as a team captain for the Badgers in his junior season in fall 2025, starting nine of 12 games.
SWIMMING & DIVING
Casey Stephens — Miami (Ohio) RedHawks (WFB class of 2023) Stephens fought through injuries this year and earned CSC Academic All-District and Academic All-MAC team honors. In 2025, she won the MAC Championship in the 1,650-yard freestyle (16:45.72) and received First Team All-MAC honors.
TRACK & FIELD
Lola Kolawole — Virginia Cavaliers (WFB Class of 2023) In outdoor 2026, Kolawole recorded a personal best in the 200m (24.38) to finish 3rd at the Virginia Grand Prix. She also won the 200m at the Virginia Challenge. Last year, Kolawole earned All-ACC Academic Team honors.
Paige Haglund — Marquette Golden Eagles (WFB Class of 2025) Haglund joined Marquette’s cross country and track program as a freshman in 2025-26. She competed in five events this year and ran a personal best in the 400m (1:04.7) at the Tierney Classic. She also ran a personal best mile (5:20.54) at the Red Hawk Invite.
What do you think, Bay Neighbor?