Fox Valley Association

Michelle Carbiener was a two-time state track and field champion while also starring in volleyball and basketball at Appleton East prior to her graduation in 1991. She won track state titles in the long jump and 100-meter dash while leading the Patriots to the state team championship in 1990. She went on to compete in volleyball and track and field at UW-Milwaukee. She is still in the FVA as a head coach. Here is an update of her accomplishments and where she is now:

Undergraduate College Attended: UW-Milwaukee

Academic Major: English Secondary Education

Graduate College Attended (if applicable): Viterbo University

Graduate Degrees Earned (if applicable): Master's Degree in Secondary Education 

Current Residence: Menasha, Wis.

Current Career: English teacher at Oshkosh North High School

List any community organizations, hobbies or activities you are involved in: In my free time I enjoy cooking and gardening.

What sports do you participate in now? I play in a women's volleyball league at Tanner's in Kimberly. I am in my 22nd year as the head girls track coach at Oshkosh North and my 24th year overall, including two years at South Milwaukee High School.

What game/event against an FVA opponent stands out in your memory and why? My overall most memorable moment was the 1990 state track meet in La Crosse.  It was the first year the meet was held there and there were some pretty intense thunderstorms and winds on day 2.  Our team ended up tying Milwaukee Marshall for the Division 1 state championship and I will always remember our team standing up on the podium with the trophy with storm clouds in the background.  I won the 100 and long jump and placed second in the 200. Kris LeClaire was second in the shot put and we combined to win the title. 

Who was your favorite athlete you competed against in the FVA? The athlete I enjoyed competing against was Oshkosh North's Lori Goerlitz.  I remember many basketball games where my job was to cover her as soon as she crossed the center line because she could make shots from anywhere on the court.  In track she was always a fierce competitor in the long jump and sprints. She was intense and I enjoyed the challenge.  

Who was your favorite FVA team to compete against? Our games against Appleton West were always intense due to being crosstown rivals.  The gym at East was packed to the rafters and it was such a great, competitive atmosphere.

What makes you most proud of your high school? Looking back, I'm most proud of Appleton East's school spirit and tradition. Family, friends, teachers, and community members were always present to cheer on the Patriots.  All of my coaches, Bob Simonson, Reed Ribble, and Joe Lamers, were extremely influential and I enjoy running into them to this day. 

Please share any other great memories of competing in the FVA: I earned eight varsity letters while at East. I was a member of two volleyball FVA conference championships, qualified for state, and was named to the All FVA and All-State teams. In basketball we went to state my junior year and as a senior I was All FVA Honorable mention. I qualified for state all four years in track and was a four time FVA champion in the 100 dash. I held the conference record for the 100m for 30 years until last spring when it was broken by Molly Greeninger of Kimberly. We won numerous conference championships. Competing in the FVA always prepared us well for tournament competition and I think that was part of our success.