Pralle Excells as Dual-Sport Athlete

Ethan Pralle is accustomed to achieving success. Pralle, a second-year student from Sparta, WI and a 2023 graduate of Luther High School. Throughout the past year, Ethan has excelled in the classroom and in the competitive sphere as a member of the Western Clay Target and Powerlifting teams. Athletics Manager, Ryan Monroe notes: “Ethan not only is a great student-athlete, but he also more importantly is a great person and a great student.” 

Monroe continued, “Ethan demonstrates exactly what it means to ‘Be Your Own Cavalier’; he is disciplined, resilient, hard-working, and emphasizes a growth-mindset while lifting up those around him”. Pralle is set to graduate this Spring with his Associates of Sciences and Associates in Mechanical Design Technology. Throughout his academic career at Western, he has achieved success in the classroom and is a regular on the college's President's list. Ethan shared his thoughts on choosing Western to continue both his education and athletics career “Being a student-athlete at Western has been nothing but positive. The opportunities offered here at Western are endless and provide students here many opportunities to showcase their gifts. The opportunity to be a student-athlete at Western has allowed me to pursue the sports I enjoy at the collegiate level. Being able to compete in any form of college competition is a blessing and I am forever grateful for Western providing the opportunity."

This Fall, Pralle was a top performer on the Clay Target team finishing 1st in the conference and placing 33 nationally helping the Cavaliers place 5th at the USA-Clay Target National Championships. Clay Target Head Coach, Tim Klug spoke on Pralle: “Ethan was a talented and dedicated member of the team. He had a quiet demeanor but let his skills speak for themselves, consistently proving himself as a great shooter. He was not only highly skilled but also a supportive teammate, always willing to help others improve.”   

Throughout the year, Pralle has led by example and shown his dedication to powerlifting. Powerlifting Head Coach , Jordan Beenken had this to say: “Ethan took on the challenges I set for him and exceeded those along the way, his diligence and attention to detail that he shows in powerlifting will benefit him as he works towards all the goals he has in life.” Pralle will finish his year with Western Powerlifting on 4/26 as the team competes at UWL and he is poised to have a great competition and set new personal records for himself.  

Pralle wraps up his athletic career at Western and offered these thoughts in reflection, “The people here at Western is what has made being a student-athlete so special. The relationships you form with your teammates and coaches are special. That is what I will truly cherish from my time at Western.” In addition Pralle references his experience Being a student-athlete at Western has been nothing but positive. The opportunities offered here at Western are endless and provide students here many opportunities to showcase their gifts.” Pralle intends to continue his education by transferring to UW-Platteville to major in Mechanical Engineering.