Franklin/Muskego Gymnast Grace Hibler Crowned Athlete of the Week
Franklin/Muskego senior Grace Hibler has been named the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Piggly Wiggly high school athlete of the week, recognized for her outstanding performance in gymnastics. The voting period ran from March 9-14, 2026, and Hibler secured a significant 59,678 of the 111,246 total votes cast.
Hibler’s Performance at State Gymnastics
Hibler’s achievement comes on the heels of a strong showing at the state gymnastics competition. She led Franklin/Muskego to a Division 1 runner-up finish in the team competition, achieving an all-around score of 36.3334. Individually, she placed 10th in the all-around with a score of 36.2667.
Competition and Other Nominees
Jakob Kotari Schmitz of the Brown Deer/Messmer/Shorewood boys wrestling co-op finished as the runner-up in the athlete of the week poll. His performance was key to his co-op’s first-round victory at the WIAA state team wrestling tournament, securing six crucial points with a pinfall win.
Other athletes nominated for the weekly award included Mackenzie Gruszynski of Hartford gymnastics, Kendall Chuckel of Arrowhead gymnastics, and Gabi Ortiz Fleet of the Shorewood/University School of Milwaukee gymnastics co-op.
Nominating Future Athletes
Coaches and fans can nominate athletes for future consideration by emailing statistics and performance context to [email protected] and [email protected]. Votes should not be sent to these addresses.
The Rise of Gymnastics in the Milwaukee Area
Grace Hibler’s success highlights the growing strength of gymnastics programs in the Milwaukee area. Her team’s runner-up finish at the state competition demonstrates a high level of competition and dedication among local athletes. The nomination of multiple gymnasts for the athlete of the week award further underscores this trend.
Early Season Promise
Prior to the state competition, Hibler was already identified as a gymnast to watch, qualifying for the all-around competition at the Hartford Sectional with a score of 35.85, highlighted by a 9.4 on the floor exercise.
FAQ
Q: How are athletes nominated for the Athlete of the Week award?
A: Athletes are nominated via email to [email protected] and [email protected] with supporting statistics and performance details.
Q: Where can I find more information about the WIAA state gymnastics championships?
A: Information and photos from the 2026 championships can be found on the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel website.
Q: Who was the runner-up for the Athlete of the Week award?
A: Jakob Kotari Schmitz of the Brown Deer/Messmer/Shorewood boys wrestling co-op was the runner-up.
Did you know? Franklin/Muskego’s gymnastics team achieved a Division 1 runner-up finish at the state competition.
Explore more high school sports coverage on the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel website and stay updated on local athletes’ achievements.