If they were to select an unsung hero for the University of Iowa men's tennis team this season, it would probably be Patrick Dwyer.

According to Hawkeyes coach Steve Houghton, Dwyer made a significant contribution to the tennis program even though he didn't play in a significant number of matches.

In fact, Dwyer, the former Case High School star who was one of the best prep tennis players ever in Racine, competed in just four matches for the Hawkeyes.

Dwyer, a junior, played two matches at No. 6 singles and played two matches with Greg Holm at No. 2 doubles.

While Dwyer didn't chalk up any victories, Stoughton said Dwyer nevertheless helped out by being an "assistant."

Under NCAA rules, a head coach can designate one of his players to be his assistant during matches and that player can perform many of the same duties as the coach.

"Even though he was in and out of the lineup this year, he still helped us," Stoughton said of Dwyer. "He was, in a way, a player-coach. He's very knowledgeable about the game and fired up in a positive way. He helped us a lot by doing that."

- UW-La Crosse's Sarah Schoenwaelder (St. Catherine's) recently wrapped up a successful season.

Schoenwaelder, a junior, compiled an 18-7 singles record, including an impressive 7-0 mark while playing Nos. 3 and 4 singles.

Schoenwaelder also fared well in doubles competition this season, finishing with a 19-8 record.

Softball

Stacy Bahr (Park) enjoyed a terrific season for UW-Whitewater.

Bahr, a junior, recorded a 10-3 record with a 2.61 earned-run average for the Warhawks, who advanced to the NCAA Division III tournament before losing 4-1 to Illinois Wesleyan in a regional game.

Bahr was outstanding in Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Association competition, compiling a 5-0 record with a 1.89 ERA.

- Freshman Katie Simonson (Waterford) made an instant contribution for Lawrence University.

The freshman center fielder batted .364 and scored a team-high 17 runs.

Her strong showing earned her a spot on the all-Midwest Conference second team.

Track and field

Marquette University senior Jessica Ehlen (Burlington) exhibited her talents at the Big East Conference Championships at Villanova, Pa.

Ehlen placed fifth in the discus at 154-11 and placed sixth in the hammer throw at 172-10.

Another former Racine County standout, Kayla Carter, competed in the Big East Championships.

Carter, a former Prairie School standout who is now a senior at Syracuse University, finished 15th in the triple jump at 10.92 meters.

- Akaila Cabell (Case) ran on two relays for the University of Wisconsin at the Big Ten Conference Outdoor Championships over the weekend at Columbus, Ohio.

Cabell, a sophomore, helped the Badgers place seventh in the 4x400 relay at 3:45.25. It was the seventh-fastest time in UW history.

Cabell also ran a leg on the Badgers' 4x100 relay that finished eighth at 50.80.

Baseball

Anthony Porcaro (Burlington) looked like a seasoned veteran during his freshman year for Marian University.

Porcaro batted .377 with a team-leading .473 on-base percentage in starting all 40 games for the Sabres.

Porcaro, who was the team's leadoff and designated hitter, also drew a team-high 27 walks.

"He was outstanding. Outstanding," Marian coach Jason Bartelt said. "Most of the year he was hitting over .400

"I couldn't have been more pleased with him."

Porcaro wasn't the only freshman from Racine County on the Sabres' roster who played well this season.

Former Case High School standout Jace Unrein played in 19 games, starting eight. He hit .420 as a first baseman and pitcher.

- Chris Barker (Racine Lutheran) was chosen to the all-Wisconsin Technical College Conference team.

Barker is batting a team-high .409 with a slugging percentage of .535 for Madison Area Technical College.

Barker's teammate, Cody Winiarski (Union Grove) is also having a banner season. Last week, he pitched seven scoreless innings as MATC beat Mandan, N.D., 6-0 to advance to the NJCAA regional title game. MATC then beat Williston State College 14-3.

Winiarski is 6-1 with a sterling 1.94 ERA.

- Concordia University Chicago outfielder Zach Bickel (Racine Lutheran) was honored for his stellar play last week.

Bickel batted .471 and drove in four runs to lead the Cougars to a 4-0 record.

Bickel helped the Cougars win the Northern Athletics Conference regular-season and conference tournaments and gain a berth in the NCAA Division III regional tournament, the first time in school history.

Golf

Freshman Jessica Spitzer (Burlington) was a member of the UW-Eau Claire team that finished sixth of 21 teams in the NCAA Division III Women's Golf Championship at Port St. Lucie, Fla.

It was the Blugolds' ninth straight NCAA tournament appearance.

Women's basketball

Krystal Ellis (St. Catherine's) was the co-recipient of the 2009 Ralph H. Metcalfe Senior Outstanding Athlete for Marquette University.

Ellis was a two-time Big East Conference first-team selection. She is Marquette's all-time leading scorer with 1,940 points.

Mike Van Sickle, a three-time all-Big East selection in golf, was also honored with the award.

Gymnastics

Ceilia Maccani (Case) was chosen the co-Most Improved Gymnast for Iowa State.

Maccani, a senior, was the Big 12 Conference co-champion on the uneven bars and her team-high score of 9.925 on the bars was the fourth-best in Iowa State history.