Wisconsin High School Sports | Wisconsin Sports Network | WisSports.net

The 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 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 Triple Threat Athlete of the Week is presented by the U.S. Marine Corps. The award recognizes student athletes who embody the spirit of teamwork, perseverance, and discipline across multiple sports. The mission of Marine Corps Recruiting Station Milwaukee is to find qualified men and women in Wisconsin and the surrounding area interested in becoming a United States Marine. Marines maintain the legacy of the Marine Corps by winning our nations battles and returning to their communities as quality citizens whether they are active duty or reservist. The coveted title of Marine applies only to those who graduate from the Recruit Depots or Officer Candidate School. RS Milwaukee will provide any qualified man or woman the opportunity to attend the training required to become a Marine - Enlisted or Officer.

Interested in speaking with a Marine Corps recruiter? Go to: https://rmi.marines.com/request-information/RSmilwaukee

Name: Ben Krauklis

School: Lakeside Lutheran

Football Honors: Three-year varsity football letter-winner... as a sophomore was a reserve player for his team that made the playoffs... 53 rushes for 344 yards and 4 touchdowns, 10 catches for 114 yards as a junior... second team all-Badger Small defensive back and team captain as a senior... 64 carries for 334 yards and 6 touchdowns, 71 tackles and 4 interceptions this past season... has played many positions throughout my 3 years including, quarterback, running back, receiver, safety, and defensive back.

Basketball Honors: Two-year varsity performer... Averaged 3.0 points as a junior... named team captain, averaging 13.3 PPG while shooting 57% from the field, 3.0 assists, and 2.0 steals per game through eight games as a senior this season... helped Lakeside to a WIAA Division 3 State Runner-up finish as a junior... the team is 7-1 so far this season and ranked fifth in Division 3 in the WSN Coaches Poll.

Track & Field Honors: Four-year varsity letter winner... conference performer of the year, third leg in 4x200 relay that was fourth at state, first leg of 4x400 meter relay that finished third at state, and participated in the 200 meter dash in Division 2 at state as a sophomore... conference performer of the year, won a silver medal in the 100 meter dash, won silver in the 200 meter dash, and was third leg of 4x200 meter relay state champion in Division 2 as a junior... Krauklis has helped the Lakeside Lutheran boys track and field team to back-to-back Division 2 Team State Championships, including setting a new state record  with 81 team points in 2024... Krauklis holds the school records at Lakeside in the 100m, 200m, 4x100m relay, and 4x200m relay... first team all-conference in 4x200m, 2nd team 4x100 and 200m dash as a freshman... first team all-conference in 4x200, 4x400m, and 100m as a junior... first team all-conference in 100m, 200m, and 4x200m as a senior... participated in the Junior Olympics in the 100, 200, and 4x100m relay for my club team, Milwaukee Speed Academy... "In the 100m my PR is 10.77 and in the 200m it is 21.76 seconds."

Favorite Sport (and why): "My favorite sport is track. This isn’t because it’s the one I’ve had the most success in, although that’s what made me take it more seriously. The reason I love the sport is due to its competitive nature. It’s you lined up to a few other people, and whoever makes it to the end first wins. There’s not many other sports that have competition like that. I also love how it’s both a team sport and an individual sport. When you're on the track, it’s you versus everyone else, yet your goal is to score as many points as you can for your team. It’s very different from nearly every other high school sport. Lastly I love the sport for the memories you make at the meets and practices. Practices and 'games' aren’t nearly as regiment and to the point as sports like football and basketball. You have breaks between races, and rest time between sets. Spending those times talking to teammates and having fun while also pushing each other to be better is so fun."

Best Part of High School Sports (and why): "The memories you make and the friendships you form with the people around you through sports are ones you’ll have forever. This is easily the best part of high school sports. Some of the friendships I have formed through sports are priceless. I think that when I look back at high school sports in 20-30 years, that’ll be the main thing I remember about them."

Best Advice from a High School Coach: "Confidence in Christ. It was our team motto my sophomore year of track and we reused it junior year as well. It was really my old track coach Mr. Sievert who used it first, and it helps a lot. Knowing that I should put my trust in Him and it’s also a good  reminder that the most important battle was already won by Jesus on the cross."

Most Memorable Moment in High School Sports: "Winning the state championship in track the first time. Since it all came down to the final race, we were unsure of the outcome going into it, but when my teammate, Alex, anchored home the relay team I was a part of and knowing we won it all was my most memorable moment."

Best Part of Playing Three Sports: "You build a very diverse athletic ability, and experience the different team aspect each sport has to offer. Every sport I’ve been a part of has a different team atmosphere, and it’s great to experience all of them."

Most Difficult Part of Playing Three Sports: "Late nights of homework. Doing three sports you don’t get much of a break, and practices and games can go quite late. It’s tough to sit down, stay up late, and do your homework when all you want to do is eat and go to bed."

Favorite Opponent (and why): "My favorite opponent is Lake Mills. They’re our rivals from right across the street, and no matter the sport or team’s record, it’s almost always a good game. Every matchup is very competitive and every win is a memory."

Favorite Professional Team: Milwaukee Bucks. 

Favorite Professional Athlete: Kenny Bednareck

Favorite College Team: Wisconsin

Cumulative GPA: 4.095

Toughest Individual You’ve Competed Against (and why): "Joshua Onwunili. He’s the guy that beat me at state in the 100 and 200 last year. Love the guy, but he’s really fast." 

Most Admired High School Teammate (and why): "Alex Reinke. He was in the class above me and graduated last year, but he always pushed me to be the best I could be in both track and basketball. Our times on the track were right next to each other, and we pushed each other in practices and and even more in the meets. It was always competitive but no matter who won we were always happy for each other and that’s a great teammate to have. He was humble and was really someone in a grade above that I could look up to and try to learn form."

College Plans: "I’m unsure where I am going to college at the moment, but I know I will go and study exercise science to become a physical therapist. My top choices for college right now include UW-Lacrosse and Grand Valley State University."

Activities Outside of Sports: "I am a member of NHS, and a student council representative. I am also a part of the Lakeside varsity math team. I love to fish, lift, and play video games occasionally."

Favorite TV Show: Spongebob

Favorite Movie: Ready Player One

Favorite Musical Artist: Dylan Gossett

Favorite Subject: Math

Favorite Restaurant: Samba Brazilian Grill

Favorite Website/App: Snapchat

Other Family Members: Brandon (dad), Jennifer (mom), Abel (older brother), Luke (older brother), Selah (younger sister)