Class of 2006 - Tennis

When one wins 3 consecutive singles titles in the WIAA State Tennis Championships and is also the key anchor on 3 straight WIAA Team Tennis Championships, it’s fair to say that his legacy is set in stone forever. That is the case with Michael Dierberger. As a freshman in 2003, Dierberger put everyone on notice that he would be an unprecedented force over his four years of high school. That year, he delivered a 3rd Place finish in the State Singles Tournament. Incredibly, that would be the only time he didn’t finish with the gold in either individual or team play. As a singles player, Dierberger would claim Division I state titles in 2004, 2005, and 2006. During this incredible 4-year run, he would sport a spectacular 28-1 record in state tournament play. On the team side, Dierberger was equally stellar. Posting a 9-0 career record, he would claim state team titles each year from his sophomore through senior seasons, thus becoming a 6-time state champion overall. Ultimately, Dierberger finished with a high school career record of 120-4 and was named National High School Athlete of the Year (NHSCA) in 2006. Upon completion of his remarkable high school career, Dierberger would go on to play collegiately for 4 years at the University Wisconsin – Madison

Class of 2017 - Track & Field

In the sport of track, it’s all about the numbers. For David Dunlap, those numbers add up to some huge achievements: 3-time WIAA state champion, 6-Lme “top 4” state finisher, holder of 5 spots on the Nicolet Top Five Board, and record holder for 2 events in the North Shore Conference. In 2016, Dunlap would earn his first state Ltle in the 200 meters while also adding a 2nd place finish in the 100 meters and a 4th place finish in the 4 x 200 meters. The following year, as a senior, Dunlap would cement his legacy as one of the all-time Nicolet greats. He would add to his hardware collection by defending his state title in the 200 meters while adding a title in 4x100 meters. He would also place 3rd in the 100 meters. At the Lme of induction, Dunlap was on the Nicolet Top Five Board for 5 events: 1st in 4x100 meter relay, 1st in 4x200 meter relay, 2nd in 100 meters, 3rd in 200 meters, and 3rd in 4x200 meter relay. As of 2023, Dunlap also held down the top marks in the North Shore Conference for the 100-meter dash and the 4x100 meters, respectively. After his amazing run in high school, Dunlap would go on to a highly successful track career at the University of Northern Arizona as well as qualify for the Olympic trials.

Class of 2012 - Basketball

Brittney Fair is perhaps the most successful and decorated girls’ basketball player in school history. During her four Varsity seasons from 2008-2009 through 2011-2012, Brittney’s teams won an incredible 93% of their North Shore Conference games (52-4), won or shared the conference title all four years, and were 82-15 overall. The team also won the school’s first and only Division 1 State Basketball championship in 2011.

This tremendous team success came in large part due to Brittney’s excellence on the court. Brittney earned 2nd Team All North Shore Conference honors as a Freshman, and then was 1st Team All North Shore Conference as a Sophomore, Junior, and Senior. As a Senior, she averaged 20.9 points, 4.6 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 3.7 steals per game and was a unanimous choice for North Shore Conference MVP. She also made 2nd Team Associated Press All-State, 1st Team Milwaukee Journal Sentinel All Area, and was the only unanimous choice for the Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association Division 1 All-State Team. Brittney topped off her incredible final season by being named Wisconsin Miss Basketball runner-up.

Brittney remains the all-time leading scorer in school history with 1,252 points and played in a school record 97 games. She is also second all-time in both three-point field goals (137) and assists (318). In addition to her offensive prowess, Brittney was also known as one of the top defensive players in the North Shore Conference, setting a team record for steals (287) and often drawing the assignment of guarding the opposing team’s best scorer.

After graduation, Brittney earned a basketball scholarship to Division 2 UW-Parkside.

During her time at Nicolet, Brittney’s tremendous work ethic, unselfishness, and positive attitude earned her the respect and admiration of her teammates, coaches, classmates, and teachers.

Class of 1985 - Soccer

Nicolet High School’s soccer success started with the emergence of Bohdan Nedilsky, the best player in the program’s formative years. Bohdan earned four Varsity letters in Soccer, was named team MVP twice, and served as a team Captain as a Senior. He also earned First Team All-Conference honors during his Junior and Senior seasons, when he led the Knights to back-to-back Sectional Championships and consecutive trips to the State tournament. He capped off his amazing career by making the WIAA All-State team as a Senior.

As a high school player Bohdan’s skill set was unmatched, causing every opponent to try to come up with a strategy to contain him. Despite drawing so much defensive attention, he still led Nicolet as both a scorer and playmaker. As a leader, he demanded that everyone respected the game and was viewed by his teammates as an extension of the head coach on the field.

Bohdan’s lifelong relationship with soccer began at the age of seven, when he was coached by his father. He later spent several years at Chornomorska Sitch Sports School, where he formalized his technical and tactical training. This intensive training eventually paid off, as he was recognized by the United States Olympic Development Program, was named to the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association All-State team, and became one of Wisconsin’s top NCAA recruits, eventually being awarded a scholarship to Marquette University.

After graduation, Bohdan went on to play for four years at Marquette, where he was a team MVP and earned All Great Lakes Conference honors. He later went on to play professionally at Karpaty-Lviw, which won the Soviet Soccer Federation Championship in 1991. Bohdan also played on the Ukrainian American National team and won the Ukrainian Olympiad Gold Medal. In 1997, as coach of the Shorewood High School Boys soccer team, he was named the WIAA Coach of the Year, leading them to a perfect 27-0-0 record and a State Championship.

Bohdan was a pioneer of the soccer program at Nicolet and established a legacy of hard work and success at every level of competition.

Class of 1979 - Football, Basketball, Baseball

Mark Nighbor was one of Nicolet High School’s greatest multi-sport athletes of the 1970’s, earning seven Varsity letters in three major sports while playing under some of the most legendary coaches in school history. As a Senior, Mark was named Team Captain, Team MVP and made All-Conference in both football and basketball, one of only two athletes in school history as of 2023 to have earned such honors. Mark’s athletic achievements were even more remarkable when considering the tragic events of his early childhood.

At the age of 10, Mark and his three brothers lost their mother to cancer. Just two years later, when his father was unable to overcome his problems with alcohol, the four boys were placed in foster care. Fortunately, Mark’s adoptive parents, Tom and Sondra Sells, treated him just like one of their own children and provided him with a loving and stable environment during a truly difficult time in his life. When he entered high school, participating in sports became something of a sanctuary for Mark to help escape from the tragic realities of his early home life. Mark began to think of his high school teammates as family, and his coaches as mentors, who provided him with much needed discipline and guidance during his formative years.

Once he was able to fully concentrate on sports, Mark quickly rose to athletic greatness. On the football field, he earned three Varsity letters playing Tight End. He was also the team’s Punter and played Defensive End during his last two years. Though his teams were not very successful, Mark was singled out as the only underclassman to earn Honorable Mention All-Conference as both a Sophomore and Junior. In his Senior year, he was named First Team All-Conference and made Special Mention All-Area. Mark finished his football career with the most pass receptions (84) and yardage (1,154) in school and Braveland Conference history, remarkable numbers for a Tight End that still would be exceptional today.

In basketball, Mark earned two Varsity letters and was the only underclassman starter during his Junior season. As a Senior, he led the conference in field goal percentage (63%), averaged 14.8 points and 10.5 rebounds per game, and finished second in total rebounds (137). These accomplishments resulted in Mark earning Second Team All-Conference and Honorable Mention All-Area Team honors. Mark also played baseball, earning two Varsity letters during his Sophomore and Junior years. In 1979, Mark was named the winner of the prestigious Kukla Athletic Scholarship Award.

Mark’s perseverance under the most difficult of circumstances at such a young age is truly an inspiring story. A person of great humility and integrity, Mark believes that the confidence and mentorship he gained from participating in Nicolet’s athletic programs, along with the love and support he received from his adoptive family, were instrumental in making him into the successful, family-oriented man he is today.

1994-2021 - Distinguished Service

Renee Tazalla began her career at Nicolet High School in January 1995. During the earlier years of her tenure, she held several administrative assistant positions within the District and High School Offices as well as in Curriculum. She also became known as “Coach Taz” while leading the Girls Freshman Volleyball team for over 10 years.

Later, she moved into the Athletic Office to serve as the Athletic Secretary, a position she truly loved, until her retirement in 2021. Renee coordinated all facets of the athletic department operations, from scheduling officials and team transportation, coordinating with coaches about team rosters and athlete academic eligibility, and much more, all of which enabled the Nicolet High School Athletic department to run smoothly. You could always find a bowl of candy or treats on her desk in the athletic office, along with her famous cookies around the Holidays.

Renee’s favorite service to Nicolet was serving as the official scorekeeper for all home Volleyball and Basketball games. She spent countless hours behind the scorer’s table at Nicolet running a tight ship, keeping games moving, and allowing everyone to enjoy high school athletics. She knew the names of every student athlete that came through Nicolet and treated them all as her own. The scorer’s table at Nicolet has since been renamed in memory of Renee as a fitting tribute to her immeasurable contributions to Nicolet High School Athletics.