Favorite Admiral
First Place:
Viktor Arvidsson
Arvidsson, 22, led the Admirals in scoring last season with 55 points (22 goals, 33 assists). In November, he was the AHL Player of the Month with 14 points in 11 games, including a team record of 10 straight wins. That helped earn him a promotion to Nashville in the NHL. (Frank Clines)
Runner Up:
Conor Allen
Honorable Mentions:
Jonathan Diaby
Juuse Saros
Favorite Brewcity Bruisers Team
First Place:
Maiden Milwaukee
brewcitybruisers.com/team-maiden-milwaukee
Despite placing second to the Rushin’ Rollettes in the 2015 championships, Maiden Milwaukee elbowed its way into first place in Brew City’s heart. Captained by Abra Cadaver and Karma Suture, the Maidens have made a strong showing for the past four years, and with some of 2015’s most coveted draft picks—Danger, Lena del Gato, Lu-Bird and Psycho-Logical—2016 may just be the year for the Maidens. (Tyler Friedman)
Runner Up:
Crazy Eights
Honorable Mentions:
Rushin’ Rollettes
Shevil Knevils
Favorite Brewer
First Place:
Jonathan Lucroy
Catcher is an essential position on the baseball field that many teams struggle to fill yearly through the revolving-door policy, and “Luuuc” must be considered in the top tier of those who squat behind the plate. Two questions for 2016: Can he avoid the freak injury, and should he go or should he stay now? (Art Kumbalek)
Runner Up:
Hank the Dog
Honorable Mentions:
Ryan Braun
Scooter Gennett
Favorite Buck
First Place:
Giannis Antetokounmpo
The recently turned 21-year-old from Greece (perhaps conservatively listed at 6’11”) now in his third professional season has been dubbed “The Alphabet” by Bucks play-by-play guru Ted Davis. And no matter how you arrange the letters, they spell “Potential Groundbreaking Greatness.” Yeah, that’s a lot of letters, but that’s a lot of talent. (Art Kumbalek)
Stay on top of the news of the day
Subscribe to our free, daily e-newsletter to get Milwaukee's latest local news, restaurants, music, arts and entertainment and events delivered right to your inbox every weekday, plus a bonus Week in Review email on Saturdays.
Runner Up:
Jabari Parker
Honorable Mentions:
John Henson
O.J. Mayo
Favorite Packer
First Place:
Aaron Rodgers
Rodgers, the reigning High Priest of Packerdom, is the perennial favorite here, with Clay Matthews as an honorable mention this year. Aaron and Matthews. Sounds familiar, ain’a? Of course—(Henry) Aaron and (Eddie) Mathews, 1957, and the Milwaukee Braves’ lone World Series championship. Here’s hoping our Green-and-Gold dynamic duo can claim more than one during their Packer partnership. (Art Kumbalek)
Runner Up:
Jordy Nelson
Honorable Mentions:
Clay Matthews
Eddie Lacy
Favorite Wave Player
First Place:
Pablo Da Silva
Pablo Da Silva, 35, is known for solid defense but also has five points (one goal and four assists) through the Wave’s first eight games of the Major Arena Soccer League season. He scored 16 points for Milwaukee last season and 18 in 2013-’14. He has also played internationally for his native Brazil. (Frank Clines)
Runner Up:
Jonathan Greenfield
Honorable Mentions:
Conner Brehm
Marcel Feenstra
Gym
First Place:
Wisconsin Athletic Club (WAC)
Multiple locations
Terrific amenities, friendly and well-trained staff, classes galore and seven convenient locations help the Wisconsin Athletic Club to stand out from its competitors. The WAC features a full catalogue of classes, including strength training, zumba, cycling and yoga, as well as organized intramural sports. The WAC is suitable for social gymgoers, serious fitness buffs and everyone in between. (Eric Engelbart)
Runner Up:
YMCA
Honorable Mentions:
Planet Fitness
Gold’s Gym
Paddlesports Store
First Place:
Laacke & Joys
19233 W. Bluemound Road
262-782-2960
Summer may seem far away right now, but before you know it the lakefront and Milwaukee’s rivers will be full of folks who just can’t stay off the water. While some prefer speed, others love a quiet cruise in kayaks, canoes or on paddleboards. While no longer located right on the Milwaukee River, Laacke & Joys is still well stocked with everything the water sports enthusiast needs. Rentals are available for those not ready to invest. (Susan Harpt Grimes)
Runner Up:
Recreational Equipment, Inc. (REI)
Honorable Mentions:
Milwaukee Kayak Company
Erehwon Mountain Outfitter
Public Park
First Place:
Lake Park
3233 E. Kenwood Blvd.
414-962-8809
Everything a park should be is here. Designed by New York Central Park architect Frederick Law Olmsted on a magnificent bluff above Lake Michigan, Lake Park runs from the Northpoint Water Tower to Kenwood Boulevard. Its 138.1 acres boast ravine trails, woods, sunny meadows, picnic spots, children’s playground, outdoor stage, golf course, an Indian mound and places to play bocce ball, tennis, soccer and rugby. There’s also the 1855 Northpoint Lighthouse and best of all—the lake, the lake, the lake! (John Schneider)
Runner Up:
Estabrook Park
Honorable Mentions:
Humboldt Park
Grant Park
Sports Talk Radio Show
First Place:
Brewers Baseball (WTMJ 620 AM)
Baseball Hall of Fame announcer Bob Uecker soon begins his 45th season as play-by-play man for the Brewers. Holy cow, he’s seen a lot of bad baseball! And although the Brew Crew have notched but 15 winning campaigns during his tenure, every year is a championship season for the listener with Ueck behind the mike. (Art Kumbalek)
|
|
Runner Up:
The Fan (1250 AM, 105.7 FM)
Honorable Mentions:
Badger Basketball (The Big 920 AM)
Wendy’s Varsity Blitz (105.7 FM)
Wisconsin Ski Hill
First Place:
Alpine Valley Resort
Snowfall has been dicey in Wisconsin these last few winters, and skiers are keeping their fingers crossed this season. Alpine Valley has long been popular in southeastern Wisconsin for its three terrain park runs and 120-room hotel at the base of the ski hill with indoor pool, hot tub and a restaurant-lounge with beautiful views. (Morton Shlabotnik)
Runner Up:
Little Switzerland
Honorable Mentions:
Sunburst Winter Sports Park
Granite Peak at Rib Mountain State Park
