5 Super Athletes With Ties To Waukesha

Sports have a way of teaching invaluable life lessons — building character, fostering teamwork and strengthening the bonds within a community. In the Waukesha area, these values have shaped some truly remarkable athletes from different eras, whose accomplishments continue to inspire.

Patch has teamed up with T-Mobile to spotlight five standout athletes whose achievements have left a lasting mark on our community. While this list is just a snapshot, there are countless others who have helped shape the rich sports culture in our area.

1. Kirstin Holum (Speed Skating)

Kirstin Holum, born in Waukesha to Olympic athletes Mike Devecka and Dianne Holum, showcased her talent on the ice as a world-class speed skater. Holum won the 1997 World Junior All-Around Championships and set multiple national records in the 3,000m event. She represented the United States at the 1998 Winter Olympics, finishing sixth and seventh in the 3,000m and 5000m events, respectively. After retiring from speed skating, Holum pursued art, later joining the Franciscan Sisters of the Renewal.

2. Leslie Osborne (Soccer)

A graduate of Catholic Memorial High School in Waukesha, Leslie Osborne is a celebrated soccer player who represented the U.S. women's national team and played professionally in multiple leagues. While at Santa Clara University, she was a key player in the 2001 NCAA Women’s Soccer Championship and earned the Honda Sports Award in 2004 as the nation's top collegiate player. Osborne’s professional career included stints with the Boston Breakers, Chicago Red Stars and FC Gold Pride. Osborne transitioned into coaching and advocacy, serving on the National Advisory Board of Positive Coaching Alliance.

3. Lauri Merten (Golf)

Waukesha-born Lauri Merten (who also played as Peterson and Merten-Peterson), achieved great success in professional golf, including three LPGA Tour victories. Her wins at the 1983 Rail Charity Golf Classic and the 1984 Jamie Farr Toledo Classic were followed by a career-defining triumph at the 1993 U.S. Women’s Open, one of the LPGA’s major championships. Though she retired from her professional career in 1997, Merten’s achievements have solidified her as one of the Milwaukee metro area’s most accomplished golfers.

4. Austin Aries (Wrestling)

Austin Aries, a Milwaukee native and standout in professional wrestling, has made the Milwaukee metro area proud with his storied career. Known for his time with TNA Wrestling, Aries became a three-time TNA World Champion and a six-time TNA X Division Champion. He also achieved success in Ring of Honor as the first multi-time ROH World Champion and made his mark in WWE, competing in the cruiserweight division and serving as a color commentator. With a total of 14 championships across TNA/Impact and ROH, along with numerous independent titles, Aries remains one of the most accomplished wrestlers from the region.

5. Ulvis Katlaps (Ice Hockey)

Ulvis Katlaps, a Latvian hockey player who later moved to Waukesha, began his career with Dynamo Riga in the Soviet Championship League, where he played for five seasons. He later moved to the United States to play for the University of Wisconsin, earning a journalism degree while excelling on the ice. After his playing career, Katlaps turned to coaching and mentoring young athletes in junior hockey programs such as Wisconsin AAA and the Milwaukee Jr. Admirals. Known for his dedication to the sport and his players, Katlaps left a lasting legacy in the hockey community.

This content is brought to our community in partnership with T-Mobile.