Sabatke of Merrill celebrates a win
TINA L. SCOTT AND ROSE SKIC
Dru Sabatke, a Senior at Merrill High School, joined her teammates and headed to State last Wednesday, March 2, 2022, as part of the Central Wisconsin Storm (CW Storm) Girls Hockey Team. The lone bluejay, #23 Sabatke played alongside other female hockey players in north and central Wisconsin as a member of the co-op team comprised of players from Wausau East, Wausau West, DC Everest, Marathon, and Mosinee, as well as Merrill, currently being hosted by the DC Everest School District and playing under DC Everest Co-op.
Sabatke, who said she is passionate about hockey, was excited for this opportunity for her team and had high hopes of winning the Championship, and those hopes became reality when the ladies created their own winter storm at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison and came away with the win and the WIAA Girls Hockey State Championship title.
The girls competed against the Metro Lynx (Middleton Co-op) at 6:15 p.m. on Thursday, March 3, 2022, and beat them 4-1 in the semi-final, with Merrill’s Sabatke making one of those goals, advancing them to the finals on Saturday.
In Saturday’s game at 12:10 p.m., the ladies took on the team from Onalaska and won the Championship 5-0 in a complete shutout. Sabatke assisted with one of those winning goals, as well. The girls worked together in true teamwork fashion to achieve and celebrate the win, earning Central Wisconsin Storm their fourth State title in the last 14 years. They previously won Championships in 2008, 2012, and 2017, as well.
Dru was named Co-MVP of the Tournament in Madison, elected by Wisconsin Prep Hockey coaches and media. This year she was also selected for WIAA Second Team All-State, All Independent First Team, and Wisconsin Prep Hockey Girls All-Tournament First Team. In addition, this year Dru was nominated for Wisconsin Prep Hockey Defensive Player of the Year and was a finalist for the Wisconsin Prep Hockey Molly Engstrom Award.
Skating since she was three years old and playing hockey since she was four, Dru first played for Merrill Youth Hockey from Mites to Pee Wees. Then she spent one year playing in Eagle River on the U14 Girls Team. She began playing for CW Storm as a Freshman and credits her Dad for encouraging her to play hockey.
Dru has always played defense and enjoys it. She will finish her high school career with her National Team, Wisconsin Selects. She will play in Oshkosh on March 11-13 for Central Districts and then move on to Nationals in West Chester, Penn., from March 31 to April 4.
CW Storm/DCE Co-op 2021-2022 record: 22-3 (win-loss)