BERLIN, Wis. — A three-sport athlete from Green Lake County is acting as a role model inside and outside of the classroom. Now, he’s preparing for his next adventure as he heads to college to play football.
Every day, all-around athlete Wyatt Hamersma picks up his friend Isaiah Gonzales, who is the manager for the basketball team.
After a short drive, the two head to the gym to get ready for practice on the hardwood.
Hamersma is a star athlete on the Berlin Indians football, baseball and basketball teams.
Teammate and friend Carter Hess has known Hamersma since middle school. Hess said Hamersma has earned everything he has.
“He leads well,” said Hess. “He uses his voice when he needs to, doesn’t let you slack off at all and makes everyone on the team better for sure.”
Jermey Mercer has been the Indians’ head basketball coach for three years. He said having an athlete like Hamersma is a luxury.
“He’s as hardworking as any kid I’ve ever been around,” said Mercer. “On and off the court, in the classroom, in the weight room, the way he takes care of his body, the way he practices. I think lead by example is probably his number one attribute.”
Indian head football coach and athletic director Joe Stellmacher said he believed in Hamersma right out of the gate. So much so that for the first time in his coaching career, he made Hamersma the first freshman to be a starter on the football team.
“In my 13 years here at Berlin, I haven’t come across a better student athlete than Wyatt Hamersma,” said Stellmacher. “His athletic accolades on the field speak for themselves, but what impressed me the most about Wyatt is the way he conducts himself off the field, as humble of an athlete as you will meet.”
The Conference Football Player of the Year will be heading to South Dakota to play safety for Augustana University.
As a former defensive back for the Wisconsin Badgers, Stellmacher helped Hamersma prepare for the next level.
“I’m not an expert or anything, but he did bounce things off me and I’d give him some advice,” said Stellmacher. “I think he handled his recruitment wonderfully.”
Hamersma’s accolades transcend the field and court. The Homecoming king is a straight “A” student, member of the National Honor Society and involved in volunteering in the community. The only “B” Hamersma has ever received in his high school career was in Spanish.
“Time management is a big thing,” said Hamersma. “Getting your stuff done on time is a big part of it. If you’ve got missing work, late work, you know you’re going to fall behind.”
Hamersma said he wants to follow in his brother’s footsteps by becoming a pre-med major and eventually, a doctor. He said being six hours away from his family and friends will be tough.
“My family is very important,” said Hamersma. “I feel like all of them, we have a really close connection.”
That togetherness showed during Hamersma’s time at Berlin High School. Now, he is ready to make an impact at the next level.