Joe Stumpf, Zach Zierer, Griffen Welhouse and Nicholas Grady (Brian Bolwerk and Bryce Verkuilen pictured below) won gold at the 2023 Special Olympics Wisconsin state bowling tournament.

KAUKAUNA — Kaukauna’s state champion Special Olympics bowling team will be honored Wednesday evening with a fire, rescue and police department parade through town.

The parade begins at 7 p.m. Dec. 20, 2023 at the Kaukauna Fire Department and travels down Crooks Avenue to County Highway CE ending at Kaukauna High School.

Kaukauna sent six athletes to the 2023 Special Olympics Wisconsin state bowling tournament earlier this month, and all six returned home with gold medals.

Earning gold for Kaukauna were bowlers Brian Bolwerk, Bryce Verkuilen, Nicholas Grady, Joe Stumpf, Griffen Welhouse and Zach Zierer.

The tournament was held Dec. 2-3, 2023 at Dale’s Weston Lanes in Weston, just outside of Wausau.

Athletes who placed 1st, 2nd, or 3rd in Regional League Play competed at the State Competition.

Athletes competed in singles, doubles, team and unified events.

Brian Bolwerk won gold at the 2023 Special Olympics Wisconsin state bowling tournament.
Brian Bolwerk won gold at the 2023 Special Olympics Wisconsin state bowling tournament.
Bryce Verkuilen won gold at the 2023 Special Olympics Wisconsin state bowling tournament.
Bryce Verkuilen won gold at the 2023 Special Olympics Wisconsin state bowling tournament.
Nicholas Grady won gold at the 2023 Special Olympics Wisconsin state bowling tournament.
Nicholas Grady won gold at the 2023 Special Olympics Wisconsin state bowling tournament.
Joe Stumpf and Griffen Welhouse won gold at the 2023 Special Olympics Wisconsin state bowling tournament.
Joe Stumpf and Griffen Welhouse won gold at the 2023 Special Olympics Wisconsin state bowling tournament.
Zach Zierer won gold at the 2023 Special Olympics Wisconsin state bowling tournament.
Zach Zierer won gold at the 2023 Special Olympics Wisconsin state bowling tournament.


Paid partnership with StoneRidge Piggly Wiggly.




By Dan Plutchak

Dan Plutchak, born and raised in Kaukauna, is cofounder of Kaukauna Community News.