Riedel named to WIAC All-Time Tennis Team

Madison - Former University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and Wauwatosa East standout Angie Riedel was named to the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Women's Tennis All-Time Team that will be recognized in conjunction with the conference's upcoming Centennial Celebration.

Riedel played from 2003-07 and she was joined by another La Crosse player, Jill Jacobson (1985-88), on the 12-player all-time team.

All-time teams are being selected in those men's and women's sports that have been classified as "championship" sports at some point during the conference's 100-year history. Additional teams will be released on a weekly basis throughout much of the 2011-12 academic year.

Title contenders

Riedel compiled a 94-18 career singles record, winning league crowns at No. 1 singles in 2004, 2005 and 2006. She was 86-25 in doubles and captured conference titles at No. 1 doubles in 2005 and 2006.

Jacobson won a pair of conference titles while at UW-L, winning the No. 3 singles crown in 1986 and the No. 1 title in 1988. She also won a pair of doubles championships, capturing the No. 2 title in 1987 and No. 1 title in 1988.

Riedel, who is studying in Germany, found out she made the team through email.

"An old college friend emailed me the article," she said. "I was a bit confused at first thinking it was an old press release, but then very excited. I wanted to call my parents right away, but the seven-hour time difference between Germany and Wisconsin was a problem."

The memories quickly flooded back to her since she couldn't share the news immediately.

"So instead, nostalgia set in," she said. "I browsed through my old tennis photos from UWL. I thought about my teammates, many of whom are still best friends, my coaches, the practices, the matches; all of our adventures on and off the court.

"The article reminded me of my success in college, but it particularly evoked wonderful memories of the people who helped in that success; my teammates and coaches."

Early beginnings

Riedel's tennis beginnings go back to 1990.

"The first time I attempted tennis was at the Longfellow Middle School backboards," she recalled. "I was five years old. My mom took lessons through the Wauwatosa recreation department and I tagged along hoping to hit the ball against the backboard more than two times in a row.

"But I was competitive and continued practicing until I got 10, 20, 30 in a row."

Although she loved tennis, she was involved in several activities growing up.

"Tennis always played a role in my life but throughout elementary, middle, and high school, my parents let me participate in any and all activities," Riedel said, "soccer, tennis, basketball, volleyball, swimming, softball, viola, choir, school clubs and musicals."

Her well-rounded approach helped her to choose what to do after high school.

"By the time I was searching for universities, I ultimately chose to concentrate on tennis because I knew I wanted to continue playing," she said, "but these other activities helped build the character of the athlete that I was at UWL.

"I learned not only the physical intensities like coordination, footwork, finesse, stamina and endurance, but also the power of teamwork, and the importance of organizational skills and time management."

Riedel is living in Freiburg, Germany, attending the University of Freiburg and working on her Master of Arts degree in cultural studies focusing on Western society.

"As much as I love tennis, I also enjoy university, classes and discussions," she said. "For me, learning new things is vital as well as exiting. After I finish my studies, I hope to work in education or I could have my own travel show and bring the world's most amazing places right to a TV screen. But that's my dream job. I'll see what I can do."

Tennis is still part of her life.

"I love to play tennis and simply being on the tennis court makes me happy," Riedel said. "I still enjoy the competition, but I really enjoy meeting new players along the way."

Tournament bound

This spring she has the opportunity to play tournaments benefiting the American Cancer Society in Paris, France and Wimbledon, England. They are "Ultimate Ringer" Doubles Events and people from all over the world, especially those who played tennis in college, participate in the tournaments.

For each $100,000 the tournament group raises in 2012, the American Cancer Society allows them to select and direct their donations to an unfunded cancer research project.

"Honestly, what could be better than traveling to fabulous cities, playing tennis and raising money for a great cause?" Riedel said. "It's my idea of a perfect time."

UW-Whitewater's Wendy Seymour of Wauwatosa, a Pius XI graduate, also made the team.

She won the 1988 WIAC flight two singles title, then moved up to No. 1 and captured the league championship in both 1990 and 1991. In '88 she also played on the flight two doubles winning team, and the next three years (1989-1991) she teamed up to win the No. 1 doubles crown, ending her career with five flight one championships.

Seymour holds the Whitewater record for wins at No. 1 in a season, notching 28 wins in two different seasons, and is No. 2 on the school's list for wins at one singles, as well as No. 1 for most wins at any flight.

ELECTION PROCESS

WIAC Commissioner Gary Karner said that this has been an extremely difficult process given the 100-year span and incomparable success the conference has experienced in most of its sports. He noted that in some sports, even achieving All-American status didn't necessarily guarantee an athlete a spot on the team. He also acknowledged that the conference felt it important to recognize student-athletes and coaches who have contributed to the success of the most accomplished Division III conference in NCAA history.

The student-athlete representation on each team has relied heavily on input provided by the sports information director from each of the nine WIAC campuses.

All-Time Team members will receive certificates from the conference and it is hoped that most, if not all, of the recipients will be in attendance or represented at the WIAC Centennial Banquet to be held at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison on Aug 4.