My Top-10 Wisconsin Sports Moments of 2011

10.)  Steve Stricker and Jerry Kelly lead after Day 1 of the PGA Championship (August 10th)

It didn’t last long but it was fun while it lasted.  After day 1 of the 2011 PGA Championship at the Atlanta Athletic Club, a pair of Wisconsinites topped the leaderboard.  Jerry Kelly fired a 5-under 65 to sit in second.  In first after round 1 was Steve Stricker who tied a PGA record by shooting 63 at a Major Championship.  In fact, Stricker just missed a birdie putt on the 18th hole that would have made him the first ever to shoot 62 at a Major.  Stricker finished the event tied for 12th while Kelly was tied for 26th.


9.) Russell Wilson chooses Wisconsin (June 27th)
This is more about what Wilson meant to the season than anything.  Wisconsin found themselves on the National map this season and Wilson was a big reason.  If it wasn’t for a Hail Mary and a busted coverage, Wisconsin could be playing in the National Title Game.  Yes, a painful reminder of what could have been, but it was definitely a fun ride!


8.) UW Green Bay Women advance to the Sweet 16 (March 22nd)
The Lady Phoenix became the first D1 Women’s team in Wisconsin to make it to the Sweet 16 when they defeated Michigan State in Round 2 of the Women’s NCAA Tournament 65-56.  Phoenix eventually loss to Baylor 86-76 but still grand accomplishment!


7.)  Ryan Braun wins the NL MVP
I know it has been a whirl-wind last few weeks for him but Braun did something that had Brewer fans feeling good about a sour end to the year.  Braun became the 3rd Brewer (Robin Yount and Rollie Fingers) to win the MVP award.


6.) Packers start 13-0, win 19th straight overall
I don’t think the magnitude of the accomplishment will be felt until the season is over but the start the Packers had was unbelievable.  On top of that, their 19-straight wins dating back to Week 16 last season, going through the playoffs and to this year was the second longest streak in NFL History. The Packers earned that win with a 46-16 domination of the Oakland Raiders.


5.) UW Whitewater wins their 3-straight D3 Title (Dec. 16th)
Whitewater’s dominance on the football field continued in 2011 as the Warhawks won their 3rd straight National Title with a 13-10 win over Mt. Union.  The win was also the 45th in a row for Whitewater who hasn’t lost since the 2008 title game when they were defeated by Mt. Union.


4.) Wisconsin wins the first ever Big Ten Title Game (Dec. 3rd)
As much as some want to call it a consolation prize, the accomplishment of the Rose Bowl is one worth celebrating.  The Badgers, in dramatic fashion, avenged a loss with Michigan State by taking out the Spartans 42-39 in the first ever Big Ten Title Game.  The win sent Wisconsin to their second straight Rose Bowl and second ever BCS Bowl Game.  The win also helped RB Montee Ball get to New York as a finalist for the Heisman Trophy.


3.) Milwaukee Brewers win their first division title since 1982 (Sept 23rd)
 It was one of those nights as a sports fan you will remember for as long as you will be alive.  From the drama of Ryan Braun’s go ahead home run to waiting for the Chicago Cubs to beat the St. Louis Cardinals to eliminate the magic number.  Unfortunately for me, I had tickets to the game the next day.


2.) Milwaukee Brewers advance to the National Championship Series (October 7th)
The emotions of the series were intense.  The Brewers got out to a 2-0 lead over the Arizona Diamondbacks at Miller Park only to drop the next two on the road forcing a game 7 back in Milwaukee.  In game 5, the Brewers went to the 9th inning with a 2-1 lead only to see John Axford notch a rare blown save.  However, the Brewers magic came back alive in the 10th when Carlos Gomez scored on the game winner by Nyjer Morgan. The Brewers were back in the in Championship Series for the first time since 1982.











1.) Packers win Super Bowl XLV 31-25 over the Pittsburgh Steelers
Anytime you win a Championship, you catapult to the top.  The Packers capped off an improbable playoff run in Dallas for the teams 4th Super Bowl Title in January.  After Week 13’s loss in Detroit, the Packers looked prime to collapse without their QB during a trip to New England and needing help elsewhere around the league. After winning their final two weeks and getting the needed help, they went to Philly, Atlanta and Chicago and earned wins over the top 3 seeds in the NFC.  In the Super Bowl, the Packers took care of Pittsburgh to win the title.

Follow Justin Hull on Twitter
Follow Justin Hull on Facebook