Grafton High adds another Nennig to Hall of Fame

The Grafton High School Athletic Hall of Fame is only five years old, but it’s already got three Nennigs.

The third was inducted as part of a trio of honorees last Thursday.

Alex, a 2013 grad, joined his older sisters Bailey and Sadie, who co-presented their brother for the honor.

Alex was a four-time most valuable player and captain on the swim team, won the 50-yard freestyle twice at state, the 100 backstroke once, and was runner-up in the 100 breaststroke and as a member of the 200 freestyle relay. He was named Swimmer of the Year by the Wisconsin Swim Coaches Association.

Several of his school records are still on the record board next to the pool, but Nennig grew up with another goal.

“Al wanted to be faster than his sisters,” Sadie said.

“Growing up, he did not know how to lose,” Bailey said.

In baseball, Nennig earned all-conference honors at center field and was on the state-qualifying team in 2010.

He swam and played baseball at Dennison University in Ohio.

“No journey like this is ever taken alone. This honor belongs to so many remarkable people along the way,” Nennig said.

He said swim coach Mark Minz and baseball coach Brian Durst “pushed me beyond my comfort zone and showed me what I was capable of even when I wasn’t able to see it myself.”

He remembers his parents Holly and Tim driving to 5 a.m. practices and traveling across the country to watch him swim, along with pasta dinners and swimmers bleaching their hair before sectionals.

“These are the moments that will always stick with me,” he said.

Another thing stays with Nennig.

“Wearing the orange and black colors was truly a privilege. It came with a sense of pride and responsibility that stays with you long after your playing days are over,” he said.

Nennig is director of sales and operations at The Bull at Pinehurst Farms golf course in Sheboygan Falls.

From black and orange to maize and blue

Tom Garrity lost his father as a child, and his mother raised five children alone. Tom was the youngest and the only boy, but his high school and college teammate Rich Strenger, a fellow Hall-of-Famer, said he wasn’t pampered.

“You don’t become a Big Ten offensive lineman if you’ve led a pampered childhood,” he said.

Garrity, a 1978 graduate, was a sophomore when Kip Cramer was hired as Grafton’s football coach.

“That changed everything,” Garrity said.

Cramer led Grafton to a runner-up finish with Garrity in 1977 and two state titles.

Garrity and three other teammates — Strenger, fellow Hall-of-Famer Mike Lemirande and Dave Brewster — all played for Bo Schembechler at Michigan and went to a Rose Bowl. Garrity missed the game with a knee injury and stayed in a separate hotel.

“It was one of the best bowl games I was ever at. No curfew, so we could have some fun,” he said.

Garrity recovered and was told the day before the following season opener he would be starting at tackle with Strenger.

“I couldn’t get to a phone fast enough. I had to call my mom,” Garrity said.

The Wolverines beat Wisconsin in a revenge game after the Badgers knocked off then No. 1-ranked Michigan the prior year.

Garrity went on to co-found the Grafton Gridiron Club with Dave Gromacki. The club still exists today as a financial support mechanism for Grafton youth and high school football.

He retired in January after a career with Fristham Pumps USA in Middleton.

Important to say thank you

Chris Eernisse, a 2005 graduate, was a first-team all-conference wide receiver and defensive back, two-time basketball captain and was part of the 3,200 relay team in track that set a state record.

“In an era of specialization, Chris chose to dominate every single season,” presenter and Grafton High Associate Principal Mike Kalina said.

Eernisse joined the Badgers’ football team as a walk-on defensive back.

Eernisse credited track coaches Kevin Kriegel and Ryan Brogelman, who “allowed me to work hard and have a lot of fun doing it. I still take that into my daily life and career moving forward.”

His father Mike reminded him to thank the family and friends who came to watch games, win or lose.

“You don’t know what they’re giving up, the time they’re taking. And they’re actually having fun watching you,” his father told him.

Eernisse’s niece Ava makes sure to do that after her softball and hockey games.

“As a fan, it means the world that they appreciate it,” Eernisse said.

Eernisse is a family physician with Aurora Health Care in Port Washington.