The bleachers were full Monday afternoon in the Stanley-Boyd High School gymnasium when Macie LaGrander and Carson Hodowanic signed to play college sports.
LaGrander signed for track and field at UW–Eau Claire. Hodowanic signed for football at UW–La Crosse. So why La Crosse for Hodowanic?
“I really like the coaching staff,” he said, also noting energy and the fact that players “want to win.”
LaGrander shared similar reasons for choosing Eau Claire.
“I really like the campus and the vibe of it,” the future Blugold said. Also noted were the fact it was close to home and that she liked the coach.
The signing ceremony Monday afternoon was opened with a welcome by Stanley-Boyd Athletic Director Jeremy Hanson. Football coaches Brody Mahr and Jeff Trunkel spoke in support of Hodowanic
“I coached Carson for four years,” Trunkel shared of Hodowanic, saying they had worked on the moves a defensive back needs to play well. Hodowanic had switched from being a defensive back to play offense his senior year. “I am excited to see him play for La Crosse,” Trunkel said.
Mahr shared similar thoughts.
“Today is a very special day for Carson,” he said, saying Hodowanic was competitive, intelligent, and had charisma.
“I told the coach at La Crosse he’s going to become friends with all 100 players on the team,” Mahr said. Hodowanic’s football accomplishments include a 54-yard rushing touchdown for Stanley-Boyd against Durand-Arkansaw in 2024, with an average of 16.5 yards per carry the same season and a 34.8-inch vertical jump. Mahr also shared that Carson had made Academic All-State and had an outgoing personality. Also active in track and field, Hodowanic finished 11.64 in the 100-meter dash and 23.31 in the 200-meter dash, emphasizing speed. Hodowanic was also a part of the Oriole boys 4x100 relay team that broke the previous school record with 43.28 seconds.
Assistant track and field coach Braxton Thompson spoke in support of LaGrander.
“At one of her first meets, she jumps 13 feet,” Thompson said of LaGrander’s freshman year. “But by today’s standards, she would be upset.” Thompson shared that LaGrander had since jumped 16-8 and made it to state, also being named All-State.
Thompson shared that LaGrander had an outgoing personality and liked to laugh, with other accomplishments including 7.9 seconds in the 55-meter dash and being part of the 4x200-meter relay team that set a school record at the home meet, running 1:51.99 last month.
Volleyball coach Karley Wiensch shared comment later via email, being called away by a classroom issue at the last minute.
“Macie is a great overall person,” Wiensch said. “She is kind and caring to others around her! Macie puts in the effort in her sports and is dedicated to making the teams she plays for better. Over the years she has put in a lot of effort and commitment into both Track and Volleyball. I am proud of the athlete she has become. She will do great things in her future!”