The answer to two questions came at once.
Not only where would Luke Haertle play his college ball, but what sport would he choose?
Haertle, a senior multisport standout at Lake Country Lutheran, announced Monday his commitment Monday to play basketball at the University of Wisconsin.
Haertle will be joining the program as a preferred walk-on.
On the hardwood, Haertle is a 6-foot-4 shooting guard who excels at playing at his own pace and attacking the basket. As a junior for the Division 3 state runner-up Lightning, he averaged 24.7 points, 10.4 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 2.8 steals per game. He shared the conference player of the year award with Wisconsin Mr. Basketball recipient Brandin Podziemski.
In three years at Lake Country Lutheran, Haertle has scored 1,576 points, the most of any active high school player in the state.
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There was plenty of college interest in Haertle as a football player, as well. Haertle was named the small school offensive player of the year last week by the Wisconsin Football Coaches Association. He completed 63.9% of his passes for 1,882 yards and 31 touchdowns while rushing for 397 yards and four scores.
His 77 career passing touchdowns are among the state’s all-time leaders.
Over the summer, Haertle went to football camps at Wisconsin, Ball State, Central Michigan, Iowa State and Western Michigan. Some schools evaluated him as a quarterback, others as a safety or linebacker; Wisconsin also looked at him as a tight end.
As it turned out, a different Badgers program was looking at him, as well. Haertle never publicized any offers received in either sport before announcing his commitment.
Haertle joins Connor Essegian as the only current members of UW’s 2022 class.
