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Bug Tussel Triple Threat Athlete of the Week: Ethan Cole, Winnebago Lutheran

05/26/2022, 1:15pm CDT
By Mark Miller

The Bug Tussel Wireless Triple Threat Athlete of the Week is an honor given on WisSports.net to the top senior boys and girls three-sport athletes in the state. Players are recognized each week on WSN, with the a boys and girls winner of the Pat Richter Award at the end of the season to the best three-sport athlete of the year.

The goal and mission of Bug Tussel Wireless is to level the playing field for rural residents despite where they may live. Whether you work from home, your office is downtown or you are manning the family farm, they believe residents should be connected without having to compromise speed, price, quality, service or the environment.

Name: Ethan Cole

High School: Winnebago Lutheran

Grade: Senior

Football Honors: Three-year letter winner for the Vikings and  coach Kevin Loehr ... Unanimous first-team all-Wisconsin Flyway Conference punter three years in a row ...  Unanimous first-team all-conference running back and second-team middle linebacker as a senior ...  Honorable mention all-conference safety as a junior ...  Named all-region punter the last two years ... Honorable mention all-state punter ... Academic All-State selection. 

Basketball Honors: Three-time varsity letter winner for coach Marty Nell and the Vikings ... Second-team all-Wisconsin Flyway Conference as a sophomore, and unanimous first-team selection as a junior and senior ... Flyway Player of the Year as a senior ... All-region team pick the past two years ... Academic All-State honors and honorable mention all-state ... Set nine school records, including all-time leading scorer (1,419 points) and rebounder ... Averaged 24 points per game, 14 rebounds per game, and 4 assists per game as senior ... Selected to play in the WBCA All-Star game.

Baseball Honors: Four-year letter winner for coach Mike Seibel and the Vikings ... Unanimous first-team all-conference as a junior and senior ... All-region team choice as a junior and honorable mention all-state pick as a junior ... Inducted into the WLA Hall of Fame for all three sports and awarded the scholar athlete award ...  Nominee for the Northeast Wisconsin Athlete of the Year for both baseball and basketball. 

Favorite Sport: "My favorite sport is baseball. It has always been my passion. It is the toughest sport to play. It really tests you mentally. Baseball has always been my escape from the stresses of life. It brings me joy. Nothing is better than playing baseball on a hot summer day with your buddies." 

Best Part of High School Sports: "Being on a team with your best friends. Yes, sports are fun just by themselves, but being able to compete with those you are closest to makes it so much better. Plus, you become good friends with others you would never think of being friends with."

Best Advice from a High School Coach: "The best advice from one of my coaches is that success doesn't define you, you define success."

Most Memorable Moment in High School Sports: "I have had lots of memorable moments, but if I had to choose one, it would be making it to sectionals for baseball my freshman year. That year, we had a great group of guys that molded together so well. I'm hoping we can make it back there this year as well."

Best Part of Playing Three Sports: "The best part of playing three sports is that there is never a dull moment and that each sport is a different type of challenge. All three sports give a different type of feeling. All three sports are different, I love that."

Toughest Part of Playing Three Sports: "The toughest part of playing three sports is being able to balance the three and homework. There was lots of late nights and early mornings. It teaches you to work hard. Also, going from one sport to the next is hard. It takes awhile to knock of the old rust and get back in the groove of it."

Favorite Opponent: "My favorite opponent is Saint Mary's Springs. It is always a good battle whenever we play. Plus, they are our cross town rivals."

Favorite Professional Teams: Seattle Mariners, Minnesota Vikings, Milwaukee Bucks

Favorite Professional Athlete: "My favorite professional athlete is Justin Jefferson of the Minnesota Vikings."

Favorite College Teams: Wisconsin Badgers

Cumulative GPA: 3.98

Toughest Individual You’ve Competed Against: "The toughest individual that I have competed against is Owen Washburn of Webster in baseball."

Biggest Challenge of COVID-19: "The biggest challenge of COVID-19 was that my sophomore year of baseball was canceled. We were loaded with talent and could've done something special that year. I still think back to what could have happened."
  
Most Admired High School Teammate: "My most admired high school teammate is Jacob Theisen. He has always been there for me, through good times and bad times." 

College Plans: "I plan on playing baseball and studying sports management at Augustana University in Sioux Falls, South Dakota." 

Activities Outside of High School Sports: "I was a member of the Winnebago Lutheran Student Council. I also played for Rhino Baseball out of Appleton for the past three summers. Rhino Baseball has done so much for me. I wouldn't be where I am today, without the help of the coaches."

I Find it Relaxing to: "I find it relaxing to go on long runs. It really lets you clear your mind and it gives you a good workout. I also enjoy playing MLB The Show."

Favorite TV show: SportsCenter on ESPN

Favorite Movie: Draft Day

Favorite Musical Artists: Michael Jackson, Juice Wrld

Favorite Subject: Math

Favorite Restaurant: Red Robin

Favorite Website: ESPN

Other Family Members: Jeff, father; Paula, mother; Ryan, Benji, Evan, Jackson, brothers; Abby, Emily, sisters.

Tag(s): Football  Triple Threat AOTW  News  News Archive  BBB News  Mark Miller