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Wisconsin Sports Network and WisSports.net are proud to announce Marquette's Erik Schmidt as the 2024 recipient of the Kevin Stemke Award as the most outstanding senior kicker or punter in Wisconsin, part of the WSN Senior Football Awards.

Erik Schmidt is one of the best in the entire country, ranked as a five-star kicker and punter by Kohl’s Kicking. In fact, Kohl’s has him as the number one punter in America and the number eight kicker.

He was a WFCA Honorable Mention All-State pick at both spots last year. This season he has made nine-of-12 field goals and all 57 extra point attempts, averaging 45.5 yards per punt. Schmidt connected on a 55-yard field goal in Level 2 of the playoffs.

He finished his career with 38 made field goals, setting a new state record.

Schmidt was a WFCA All-State choice at both kicker and punter this season. He has given a commitment to Wisconsin.

Finalists for the award were Schmidt, Gavin Davis of Holmen, Tate Eccles of McFarland, Brandon Schaefer of West De Pere, and Baylen Woodman of Janesville Craig.

Past winners of the award include Menomonee Falls' Kyle French (2009), Arrowhead's Drew Meyer (2010), Sun Prairie's Lucas Otto (2011), Lodi's Donnie Manke (2012), both Casey Bednarski of Oconomowoc & Colin Downing of Whitefish Bay (2013), Saint Mary's Springs' Zach Hintze (2014), Lodi's Garrett Wegner (2015), Monona Grove's Collin Larsh (2016), Sun Prairie's Alex Oakley (2017), Kettle Moraine's Blake Wilcox (2018), Neenah's Jack Van Dyke (2019), Watertown's Branden Fischer (2020), DeForest's Tyler Ebel (2021), Appleton North's Caden Popp (2022), and Homestead's Sean West (2023).

The award is named after Kevin Stemke, a Green Bay Preble graduate who would go on to play for the Wisconsin Badgers. At UW, Stemke quickly made an impression, setting the record for punting average as just a freshman. After a senior season that saw him average 44.5 yards per punt, Stemke was presented with the Ray Guy Award as the nation’s top punter. Kevin also holds UW records for highest punting average in a career (43.5) and total punting yards (10,660).

The voting panel for the WSN Senior Football Awards consisted of:  Travis Wilson, WSN General Manager and Head Football Writer;  Norbert Durst, WSN Content Manager; Dennis Semrau, ESPN Madison; Bob Brainerd, Thursday Night Throwdown broadcaster; Jimmie Kaska, Civic Media; Dan Barwick, WSN Contributor; Colton Wilson, WSN Content Producer; Fan Vote

Travis Wilson serves as the WisSports.net General Manager, Football Editor, and contributing writer for other parts of the site. Wilson was selected as part of the Sports 40 Under 40 list by Coach & AD Magazine and the National High School Athletic Coaches Association for 2019. The Wisconsin Football Coaches Association (WFCA) named Travis the 2015 recipient of the Dave McClain Distinguished Service Award. He currently serves on the WFCA Executive Board and is a member of the Executive Board of the Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association. A graduate of Richland Center High School and Mount Mercy College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Travis was a three-sport athlete in high school (football, baseball, basketball), inducted to the Richland Center High School Hall of Fame in 2023, and currently resides in Reedsburg. You can follow him on Twitter at @travisWSN.

For the latest and most up to date football news and recruiting information, follow Travis on Twitter @travisWSN. Email story ideas, recruiting info, etc. to Travis at travis(at)wissports.net.