Mathew Henrichs, Jackson (Wisconsin)
Jersey: # 2
Home: Milwaukee, WI
Birth Year: 1984
Position: Striker
Height: 6-0 (183cm)
Weight: 194 lbs (87kg)
Dominant Hand: Right
College: UW-Milwaukee
Joined Team: 2002
Fistball Competition: Mat served as the starting striker for Team USA in the 2007 World Championships held in Germany where the team finished 11th…Mat plays for the dominant Rampage Fistball team in the Wisconsin Fistball Association… Mat excelled at serving and hitting and really set himself apart from the rest of the strikers in 2010…Henrichs led his team to victory at the 2010 Eastern Fistball Tournament in New Jersey as well as two tournaments held by the Wisconsin Fistball Association
Personal: Mathew Henrichs on August 27,1984 in Jackson, WI…Parents are Steve and Judy Henrichs...Has two younger sisters, Tracy and Lindsey…Mat’s father, Steve Henrichs played for the 1999 US team in Switzerland…Mat graduated from Slinger High School (WI) in 2002…Graduated from UW-Milwaukee in 2006 where he is majored in Biology...Names hamburgers as his favorite food, and the Green Bay Packers as his favorite sports team…Works as a Sensory Program Coordinator, Q-Research Solutions Inc. at S.C. Johnson and Son…Mat has been playing competitive fistball since he was 10 years old
“Play to Win”
Mat Ogin, Hazleton (Pennsylvania)
Jersey: # 10
Home: Sewell, NJ
Birth Year: 1983
Position: Striker
Height: 6-8 (204cm)
Weight: 195 lbs (88.5kg)
Dominant Hand: Right
College: Rowan University
Joined Team: 2010
Fistball Competition: The 2011 Obersee Masters in Jona, Switzerland and the 2011 World Championships in Austria will be Mat’s first major international fistball competitions… Has been playing competitive fistball for a little over a year and a half…Ogin plays for the Phoenix Club Fistball team in the Eastern Fistball Association where his team was the 2010 EFA champion
Personal: Mathew Ogin born on June 5, 1983 in Hazleton, PA…Parents are Bonnie and Howard Ogin... Mat graduated from Washington Township High School (NJ) in 2001…Graduated from Rowan University in 2005 where he is majored in Language, Arts, and Education...Names fistball, indoor and beach volleyball as his favorite competitive sports…Currently works as an Administrative Assistant at the American Cancer Society as well as Head Coach of the Rutgers-Camden women’s volleyball team…Mat played for the men’s AA division national championship volleyball team at the 2011 US indoor championships...Ogin and partner Gregory Hunter qualified for multiple AVP beach volleyball tournaments by winning qualifier tournaments...Has been ranked in the top 100 beach volleyball players in 2007, 2010, and 2011
Dan Paynter, Jackson (Wisconsin)
Jersey: # 4
Home: Jackson, WI
Birth Year: 1974
Position: Striker
Height: 6-4 (193cm)
Weight: 185 lbs (84kg)
Dominant Hand: Right
College: UW-Whitewater
Joined Team: 2010
Fistball Competition: Dan is a relative newcomer to Fistball first joining the team in March of 2010…The 2011 Obersee Masters in Jona Switzerland at the end of July will be Dan’s first major international competition… Paynter played for the 2010 B-Level Eastern Fistball Championship team…Dan joined the Renegade Fistball team in the Wisconsin Fistball Association in 2010
Personal: Dan Paynter born on December 9, 1974, in Janesville, WI…Married Jodi Paynter in 1998 and they have one son, Tyler, age 2…Parents are Dean & Jayne Paynter,..Has one older sister, Deanna who was an All-American in Division III track and field for UW-Whitewater in 1989…Dan attended Janesville Parker High School (WI) and graduated UW-Whitewater in 1998 where he majored in Management and Computer Systems…Dan served as the middle hitter for the Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC) volleyball team in 2004…Squad was the 2004 Division I champion…Paynter and 2’s partner Luke Otto won the AVPNext men’s A national championship in beach volleyball in 2007…Names Led Zeppelin as favorite band, homemade spaghetti as his favorite food, and Fast Times at Ridgemont High as his favorite movie…Works at Kohl’s Department Stores corporate office as a Systems Analyst in the IT department…Dan enjoys many competitive sports including basketball, volleyball, fistball, and marathon running
“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, therefore, is not an act, but a habit.” - Aristotle
Keith Schweda, Germantown (Wisconsin)
Jersey: # 7
Home: Milwaukee, WI
Birth Year: 1985
Position: Striker/Defender
Height: 6-2 (188cm)
Weight: 185 lbs (84kg)
Dominant Hand: Right
Joined Team: 2004
Fistball Competition: Keith served as the starting right side striker for Team USA in the 2007 World Championships held in Germany where the team finished 11th…Schweda plays for the Renegades Fistball team in the Wisconsin Fistball Association…Keith played for the 2010 B-Level Eastern Fistball Championship team
Personal: Keith Schweda on July 4,1985 in Germantown, WI…Parents are Kathy and Jeff Schweda...Keith graduated from Germantown High School (WI) in 2002… Keith was a standout baseball player for the Germantown Warhawks…Names Fight Club and Shawshank Redemption as among his favorite movies, Entourage, The Sopranos, and Flight of the Concords among his favorite TV programs, and the Green Bay Packers as his favorite sports team…Keith has been playing competitive fistball since the age of 20
Matt Ayling, Churchville (Pennsylvania)
Jersey: #
Home: Burlington, VT
Birth Year: 1991
Position: Defender
Height: 6-2 (188cm)
Weight: 170 lbs (77kg)
Dominant Hand: Right
College: University of Pennsylvania-Millersville
Joined Team: 2010
Fistball Competition: The 2011 World Championships will be Matt’s first major international fistball competition…Ayling plays for the Phoenix Club Fistball team in the Eastern Fistball Association
Personal: Matt Ayling born on March 15, 1991 in Curchville, PA…Parents are Kathy and Michael Ayling...Matt graduated from Council Rock High School (PA) in 2009…Completed his Sophomore year at University of Pennsylvania-Millersville in 2011 where he is majored in Sociology with a Criminology minor...Names mexican foods as among his favorite foods to eat, 28 Days Later as his favorite movie, and Spongebob Squarepants as his favorite TV show…Ayling lists the Philadelphia Eagles as his favorite sports team…Matt’s inspired by his parents and enjoys kicking back and playing XBOX in his spare time.
Kris Graham, Cinnaminson (New Jersey)
Jersey: # 8
Home: Burlington, VT
Birth Year: 1982
Position: Defender
Height: 5-8 (173cm)
Weight: 160 lbs (73kg)
Dominant Hand: Right
College: University of Delaware
Joined Team: 2011
Fistball Competition: The 2011 World Championships will be Kris’ first major international fistball competition…Has been playing competitive fistball for 15 years…Graham who answers to the nickname “Little” plays for the Phoenix Club Fistball team in the Eastern Fistball Association…Squad was the 2010 EFA champion
Personal: Kris Graham born on September 16,1982 in Cinnaminson, NJ…Parents are Diane and Kevin Graham... Kris graduated from Cinnaminson High School (NJ) in 2000…Graduated from University of Delaware in 2005 where he is majored in Business Administration Management...Names Hockey as his favorite sport and Claude Giroux as his favorite athlete…Currently works as a waiter/beer aficionado at the Milwaukee Ale House restaurant…Kris lists the Flyers, Eagles, and Phillies as among his favorite sports teams…Graham has helped run a charity hockey tournament for the last two years, served as a big buddy, and raised money for his local food pantry…Kris enjoys a variety of competitive sports including soccer, hockey, and fistball…Enjoys hiking/backpacking, skiing, and snowboarding in his spare time
"Go Big or Go Home"
Eric Kindler, Germantown (Wisconsin)
Jersey: # 1
Home: Germantown, WI
Birth Year: 1991
Position: Setter
Height: 6-0 (183cm)
Weight: 188 lbs (85kg)
Dominant Hand: Right
College: UW-Whitewater
Joined Team: 2005
Fistball Experience: Kindler has been playing competitive fistball since he was 9 years old…Plays for the dominant Rampage Fistball team in the Wisconsin Fistball Association…At 15 years of age, Eric served as the starting setter for Team USA in the 2007 World Championships held in Germany where the team finished 11th…Eric can hold his own at any position, but has mainly served as the center defender and setter due to his speed and versatility…Kindler’s team has won every league and tournament entered dating back to when he first started playing
Personal: Eric Kindler born on September 26,1991in Germantown, WI…Parents are Reinhard and Lisa Kindler,..Has one older sister, Tiffany…Uncle Manfred Kindler played for the US team in both 1999 and 2007 and cousin Josh Kindler played for the US team in 2007…Eric’s father Reinhard played for the US team in 1999 in Switzerland and served as the US team head coach in 2007…Eric graduated from Germantown High School (WI) in 2010…Completed his freshman year at UW-Whitewater in 2011 where he is majoring in Chemistry with a Biology minor…Eric served as the starting quarterback, punter, and place kicker for the Germantown HS football team where he was named the 1st Team All-Conference Kicker and 2nd Team All-Conference Punter… Kindler took over the starting kicker duties for the UW-Whitewater Warhawks in 2010…Team was the NCAA Division III national football champion in 2010 with Kindler handling all the kicking duties…Names rock, rap, and hip-hop as favorite genres of music, pizza, spaghetti, and beef stroganoff as among his favorite foods, and high adrenaline movies like The Fast and the Furious as his favorite type of movies…Works as a counselor at the Kohl’s Kicking, Punting, and Snapping Camp…Eric enjoys many competitive sports including basketball, American football, and fistball…Eric enjoys watching the Green Bay Packers, Hockey, and bowling in his spare time
“As we have chased perfection knowing it is never attainable, we have managed from time to time to capture excellence.” – Greg Preiss
Steve Kucera, Hartford (Wisconsin)
Jersey: # 3
Home: Milwaukee, WI
Birth Year: 1984
Position: Defender/Setter
Height: 6-0 (183cm)
Weight: 185 lbs (84kg)
Dominant Hand: Right
Joined Team: 2004
Fistball Competition: Steve served as a defenseman for Team USA in the 2007 World Championships held in Germany where the team finished 11th… Joined the Renegades Fistball team in the Wisconsin Fistball Association for the 2011 season
Personal: Steven Kucera born on January 27,1985 in Hartford, WI…Parents are Kathy and Michael Kucera...Steve graduated from Hartford High School (WI) in 2002… Names Michael Jordan, Rafael Nadal, and Michael Phelps as his favorite athletes, Unlawful Citizen and American Gangster as his favorite movies, and the Dallas Cowboys as his favorite sports team…Steve has been playing competitive fistball since the age of 20
Aaron Weninger, Slinger (Wisconsin)
Jersey: # 6
Home: Jackson, WI
Birth Year: 1985
Position: Defender/Team Captain
Height: 6-0 (183cm)
Weight: 195 lbs (88kg)
Dominant Hand: Left
College: UW-Whitewater
Joined Team: 2002
Fistball Competition: Aaron served as the starting right defensemen for Team USA in the 2007 World Championships held in Germany where the team finished 11th…Aaron suffered a serious ankle injury at the 2007 World Championships that prevented him from playing in the team’s remaining games…Aaron’s team won the 2010 Eastern Fistball Association Tournament held at the Swim and Sport Club in New Jersey…Plays for the Renegade Fistball team in the Wisconsin Fistball Association…Aaron has been named Team Captain for the 2011 Team competing in the World Championships being held in Austria…Weninger has also served as the president of the Wisconsin Fistball Association for the last two years
Personal: Aaron Weninger born on April 30,1985 in Slinger, WI…Parents are Mark and Elizabeth Weninger...In a serious relationship with Tracy Henrichs…Has an older sister, Lacey…Aaron graduated from Slinger High School (WI) in 2002…Graduated from UW-Whitewater in 2006 where he majored in Business Marketing...Names country as his favorite genre of music, chicken parmesan as his favorite food, and Remember the Titans as his favorite movie…Weninger lists the Green Bay Packers and the Milwaukee Brewers as his favorite sports teams…Works in Business Development at Graphics Systems Corporation…Aaron enjoys kayaking, biking, and Frisbee golf and playing with his dog Bernie in his spare time…Once won a watermelon seed spitting contest…Aaron has been playing competitive fistball since he was 17 years old
Pat White, Oconomowoc (Wisconsin)
Jersey: # 9
Home: Milwaukee, WI
Birth Year: 1986
Position: Defender
Height: 6-0 (183cm)
Weight: 183 lbs (83kg)
Dominant Hand: Left
College: UW-Milwaukee
Joined Team: 2007
Fistball Competition: The 2011 World Championships will be Pat’s first major international fistball competition…White who goes by the nickname “PipNitro” plays for the Renegades Fistball team in the Wisconsin Fistball Association
Personal: Patrick White born on September 17,1986 in Oconomowoc, WI…Parents are Aileen and James White... Pat graduated from Arrowhead High School (WI) in 2005…Graduated from UW-Milwaukee in 2011 where he is majored in Finance...Names Gladiator, Inception, The Boondock Saints, and Harry Potter movies as among his favorite films…Currently works as a bartender at the Gasthaus restaurant and also works in the backbar at Buckhead Saloon…Pat enjoys video games, working out, and spending time with family and friends…Has been playing competitive fistball for 4 years
"Our greatest glory is not in never failing, but in rising up every time we fail" - Ralph Waldo Emerson
Ron Jesswein, Head Coach
Home: Germantown, WI
Fistball Experience: Ron has over 40 years experience playing fistball…His father Artur was one of the founding members of the Wisconsin Fistball association, so Ron grew up playing the sport…Served as the starting right striker for Team USA in the 1999 World Championships held in Switzerland…Jesswein helped train the 2007 US Team that competed in World Championships in Germany… Ron plays for the dominant Rampage team in the Wisconsin Fistball Association
Personal: Parents are Artur and Edelgard Jesswein...Ron has a daughter Jessica and two sons, Alex and Andy…Works as a First Grade Teacher in the Mequon-Thiensville School District…Ron enjoys attending sporting events, playing sports, fresh air, biking, and music festivals in his spare time…Names the Green bay Packers and the Marquette Golden Eagles as his favorite sports teams…Ron has been playing competitive fistball since he was 10 years old
Q&A:
• What is it about Fistball that draws you to the sport? It is a physically demanding sport that also requires a high skill level. You get great exercise and satisfaction from making a good play. In over 40 years I have never gotten tired of the game!
• Who is the best Fistball player you’ve played against? Can’t name a player but just playing against Austria Switzerland and Germany in 1999 was amazing. Their level of play is something we are striving for and are making efforts to reach. The speed of the game and field awareness of these teams is fun and exciting to watch.
• Why should more Americans play Fistball? Same reasons that draw me to the sport. It’s exciting, challenging, and fun!
• Where and when did you first learn about Fistball? In the early to mid 1960’s my dad played and helped create the Wisconsin Fistball Association. It started at Sherman Park and then moved adjacent to the Bavarian Inn. Finally, in 1969, we started playing in Jackson where we still play today! It was a great family atmosphere. We were all a very close-knit group and many of us still are!
“The dictionary is the only place success comes before work” – Vince Lombardi
Reinhard Kindler, Assistant Coach/Trainer
Home: Germantown, WI
Fistball Experience: Reinhard has 43 years experience playing/coaching fistball…Served as a defenseman for Team USA in the 1999 World Championships held in Switzerland…Kindler served as the head coach of the 2007 US Team that competed in World Championships in Germany… Reinhard plays for the dominant Rampage team in the Wisconsin Fistball Association as a defenseman
Personal: Parents are Ferdinand and Else Marie Kindler...Reinhard and his wife Lisa have two children together, a daughter, Tiffany, and a son, Eric who plays on the current US team...Reinhard works as Tooling Work Group Leader at Strattec Tool and Die…Enjoys fistball, golf, cooking on the grill, and travelling in his spare time…Names the UW-Whitewater Warhawks and the Green bay Packers as his favorite sports teams
“Presence is more than just showing up.”
Nate Erdman, Assistant Coach
Home: Germantown, WI
Fistball Experience: Nate has 6 years experience playing/coaching fistball…Nate joined Team USA as a defensive player in 2005…Served as the starting defensemen for Team USA in the 2007 World Championships held in Germany…Nate plays for the dominant Rampage team in the Wisconsin Fistball Association
Personal: Parents are Glenn and Kristina Erdman...Nate has two sons, Hunter and Maddox…Works as a Business Development Manager for Industrial Roofing Services…Nate plays several competitive sports including fistball, volleyball, golf, and softball...Enjoys movies, duck hunting, sheepshead and playing with his boys in his spare time…Names the Green bay Packers and the Milwaukee Brewers as his favorite sports teams…Played competitive baseball for the Monches Irish baseball team for 10 years…Chose #19 as his jersey number for the 2007 World Championships in honor of his favorite athlete, Robin Yount
“Never Give Up!”
Jim Blank, Delegation Leader
Home: Jackson, WI
Fistball Experience: Jim has 33 years experience playing/coaching fistball…Served as a defenseman for Team USA in the 1999 World Championships held in Switzerland…Blank trained and assisted with the coaching of the 2007 US Team that competed in World Championships in Germany as well as performing delegate duties… Jim plays for the Renegades team in the Wisconsin Fistball Association which he originally founded…Jim is also the president of the USFA
Personal: Parents are Gus and Marlene Blank...Jim and his wife Gina have two children together, a son, Holden, and a daughter, Emily...Jim works as a Maintenance Director for Ozaukee County…Enjoys fistball, hunting, and fishing in his spare time…Names the Green bay Packers as his favorite sports team...Jim enjoys serving as the embassador/recruiter for fistball in the US by generating interest in the sport, promoting the sport and recruiting new players
