by Randee Drew, WFB HS Activities Director

The Whitefish Bay Athletic Hall of Fame is proud to announce its Class of 2025 inductees, a group of remarkable individuals who have left their  mark on the school's athletic history. This year's honorees—Coach Carl Trimble, along with outstanding athletes Karen (Erickson) Petric (Class of '71), Mark Kortebein (Class of '79), and Tom Jankowski (Class of '63)—will be enshrined during the homecoming game's halftime ceremony on October 10, 2025. Each of these inductees has been selected for their extraordinary contributions as standout athletes and exceptional individuals. We are honored to celebrate their legacies and welcome them into Whitefish Bay's athletic history.  

Coach: Carl Trimble

A true Whitefish Bay High School legacy, Carl's impact on tennis spans decades, from his time as a player to his long tenure as a coach. Since 2003, he has guided the boys' varsity team to North Shore Conference titles in 2018, 2019, 2021, and 2025, plus a Division 1 Sectional Championship in 2021. Before that, from 2003 to 2010, he coached the girls' varsity team to four North Shore Conference titles, three Division 1 Sectional titles, and two Division 1 WIAA Team State Championships in 2005 and 2007. During that time, he also mentored Dana Larson and Lauren Gruber to Division 1 WIAA State Individual Singles titles in 2005 and 2006. As a player for the Blue Dukes, Carl was equally successful, finishing his senior year undefeated in conference play at #1 Singles, winning the conference tournament, and placing fourth in the WIAA State Individual Tournament, all while his team finished third in the state. His talent earned him a spot playing college tennis for Dennis Ralston, a former #1 ranked US men's tennis player and US Davis Cup Team coach.

Athlete: Karen Petric C/O 71’

As an athlete from 1968 to 1971, Karen's career at Whitefish Bay High School began just before the implementation of Title IX, making her a pioneer in women's sports. During her four years, she competed in track, basketball, volleyball, and swimming. Her senior year in 1971 was particularly groundbreaking. At the inaugural WIAA State Track meet, she became the first woman from Whitefish Bay High School to win two individual state titles, triumphing in both the 50-yard dash and the 70-yard hurdles. At the sectional meet to qualify for state, she even broke the national record in hurdles. That same year, Karen became the first woman from Wisconsin to qualify for the United States AAU Indoor National Championship, where she placed 11th in the country, earning a place among elite hurdlers with potential to attend the 1972 Olympics. Despite qualifying times for the Olympic trials, a major knee injury prevented her from competing. In addition to her high school achievements, Karen was a state champion and record holder in hurdles and sprints with the Milwaukee Track Club. Beyond her athletic career, Karen earned an EdD from Columbia University and dedicated her professional life as a teacher, principal, and superintendent to ensuring equity and opportunities for women in sports at all levels.

 Athlete: Mark Kortebein C/O 1979

Mark was named Whitefish Bay High School’s Sportsman of the Year, 1979. A four-sport

athlete, he earned eight varsity letters in football, basketball, track and baseball. 

In football, he was the leading scorer and tackler on the 1978 team (8-1). He was first team All-

Suburban Conference, first team Milwaukee Journal Sentinel All-Area and Honorable Mention

All-State as a linebacker. On the basketball court, Mark was a two-year starter and a leading

scorer and rebounder playing a pivotal role on the 1978 sectional qualifier. In track and field,

Mark competed in the pole vault, high jump, long jump, and high hurdles. He helped Whitefish

Bay capture the conference triple crown in 1977. On the baseball team, Mark was a starting

pitcher and outfielder, he led the team in RBIs his senior year. After graduating, Mark played

football at Tulane University became a starter on special teams and the first walk-on in 35 years

to earn a varsity letter. He then joined his brother Pat at Ripon College, together they helped win

the 1982 conference title. Mark was the team’s Defensive MVP and twice selected first-team All-

Midwest Conference. After college, Mark completed dental school, residency in Oral &

Maxillofacial Surgery at Indiana University Medical Center and fellowship at Baylor University

Medical Center. After returning to Whitefish Bay with his wife, Carolyn MacIver, they watched

their children, Emma, Macklin, Evan and Nora as they competed for the Blue Dukes. Mark

continued to contribute to the community over the years including coaching WFB Little League,

Junior Dukes football and serving on the Duke Pride board. None of these accomplishments

would be possible without the efforts of many dedicated coaches and numerous great

teammates.

Athlete: Tom Jankowski C/O 63’

Tom Jankowski, class of 1963, was a four-sport athlete, excelling in football, basketball, track, and baseball, earning a total of 12 letters. In football, Tom was a three-year starter as a running back, a two-time All-Conference and All-State selection, and a Scholastic Magazine All-American in his senior year.  He also was an exceptional defensive player, starting at linebacker for all three of his Varsity seasons, including the undefeated 1962 championship team, which allowed a total of just 32 points for the entire season. Tom left the WFB football program with 21 individual records. And Tom was selected as the outstanding Milwaukee-area high school scholar-football player for the 1962 season. His teammate, Cary Nusslock, said,”We called him “Rilla” because he was 6’1” of solid muscle who ran like a deer, juked with the best of them, and plowed over anyone else left in the way.” And, as teammate Ron Vick declared, “The greatest player on the greatest team was Tom Jankowski.” Tom was also a key starter on the basketball team, leading Whitefish Bay—along with fellow Hall of Fame inductee Dennis Berkholtz—to conference championships in both 1962 and 1963. And he was an accomplished discus thrower on Bay teams that won several conference titles and one state championship, along with being the starting catcher on the baseball team for three seasons, hitting well over .300. Tom received football scholarship offers from top programs around the country, but he chose to stay home to play for The University of Wisconsin, where he won three letters as a Badger, led the team in rushing, and graduated from the School of Business. Tom Jankowski was a superstar among superstars.