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Women's Tennis

(L-R) Athletics Director Darryl Sims, Mitchell Poppen, Kevin Mlodik, Tiffany Losinski, Vicki Drewa, Deb Vercauteren, Aaron Richartz, John Zupanc, Jennifer Petricek
(L-R) Athletics Director Darryl Sims, Mitchell Poppen, Kevin Mlodik, Tiffany Losinski, Vicki Drewa, Deb Vercauteren, Aaron Richartz, John Zupanc, Jennifer Petricek

Petricek Inducted Into Hall Of Fame

UW-Oshkosh welcomed its largest class ever at the Hall of Fame and Senior Awards Banquet on Sunday (May 5) in Reeve Memorial Union.

Eight inductees went into the Hall of Fame. Tiffany (Barden) Losinski, Vicki Drewa, Kevin Mlodik, Jennifer (Pekulik) Petricek, Mitchell Poppen, Aaron Richartz, Deb Vercauteren and John Zupanc joined the exclusive club, which now has 174 members.

The UW-Oshkosh Hall of Fame was established in 1974 to give tribute and deserved recognition to former athletes, coaches and friends of the university. It is also intended to enhance school tradition by honoring those people who have shown exceptional ability while on the UW-Oshkosh campus and since graduation.

There have been just three 20-win seasons in the history of UW-Oshkosh women's tennis. Jennifer (Pekulik) Petricek owns two of them.

Petricek, a graduate of Sheboygan Falls High School, is the Titans' all-time leader with 75 victories. She tallied at least 16 wins during each of her four years. Petricek then became the first UW-Oshkosh individual to qualify for the NCAA Division III Championship.

Petricek's 1997 freshman campaign remains the best in school history. She posted a 20-1 record en route to the WIAC title at No. 5 singles.

In her sophomore season, Petricek compiled a 16-3 singles mark while winning the second flight at the WIAC Championship. She also excelled in doubles play with Brittany Moser, as the duo went 15-1.

Ironically, Petricek teamed with both Debra Ashenbrenner (66) and Moser (56), who rank second and third in program history for singles wins.

Petricek and Ashenbrenner totaled an 11-1 record at No. 1 doubles during 1999. They went on to win the WIAC title – one of three Titan groups with a crown since 1980. Petricek added a 17-7 singles record in her junior campaign.

In her senior year, Petricek won 22 singles matches (22-6) for a school mark that still stands today. She also thrived with Ashenbrenner for a 19-9 doubles record.

Petricek was one of 32 women selected to compete at the 2001 NCAA Division III Championship. Following that season, she received UW-Oshkosh's John Taylor Scholar-Athlete and Phyllis Roney Coaches awards.

"It was a great honor to be the first individual to qualify for nationals and to represent our university at that elite competition," Petricek said. "It was the perfect way to end my career."

Petricek received WIAC Scholar-Athlete of the Year and was named a Scholar-Athlete All-American by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association during 2000. She then earned Academic All-American honors in 2001. 

Petricek currently teaches middle school English for the Racine Unified School District. She and her husband, Tim, have a son, Connor.

"Twelve years ago after my senior year, I was sitting at this banquet and couldn't imagine ever being one of the candidates," Petricek said. "I want to express my gratitude to my family, coach, teammates and friends. They've always inspired me to do my best as a player and as a person."

By Jon Feyen