Historic coaching retirement to notable milestones, the Wisconsin Rapids area had it all this past week

Tony Biolo retires from Wisconsin Rapids Football.
Wisconsin Rapids Football coach, Tony Biolo, announced his retirement from the role of head football coach on Tuesday, February 4.

He will remain as the Powerlifting coach and Boys Track and Field coach through the end of 2026.

Biolo took over the program in 2003 and ranks second in length of tenure in program history with 22 years and victories with 100.

Under Biolo, Rapids made the playoffs ten times and advanced to the State Championship game twice, earning second both times.

Biolo was inducted to the Wisconsin Football Coaches Hall of Fame in 2021, and to the State Powerlifting Hall of Fame in 2017.

Riverkings sweep Blue Ox

Over January 31 and February 1, the Wisconsin Rapids Riverkings moved its winning streak to six and have won 14 of its last 15 games as they took both games of a weekend series with the Minnesota Blue Ox with wins of 5-3 and 4-1, sweeping the regular season series with wins of 6-3 and 3-0 in December.

Rapids will finish the road portion of the regular season over February 7 and 8 at Battle Creek, Michigan.

The Riverkings swept the Kernels in a two-game set in December in Wisconsin Rapids.

Schlaefer hits 1,000 points

Assumption junior, JT Schlaefer, became just the 10^th Royals athlete to break 1,000 career points as he reached the feat on Tuesday, February 5 at Auburndale in a 69-51 loss.

Schlaefer sits with 1,007 career points with over a year of eligibility left.

The all-time mark sits at 1,403 set by Ryan Klein.

Raiders, Papermakers finish undefeated.

The Wisconsin Rapids and Nekoosa/Assumption/Port Edwards Wrestling teams completed their conference seasons undefeated.

Rapids demolished Marshfield 60-16 for the honor on Jan. 30, while N/A/PE rallied past Mauston/Necedah, 40-36 on Feb. 3.

Links

You can find more local sports reporting on Michael Kommer’s website. You’ll also be able to tune in to broadcasting of high school sports on WFHR and WIRI. The call-in sports talk show Playmakers airs every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 5 to 6 PM on 97.5FM / 1320AM.