Panthers Pride: 5 Unforgettable Athletes From Greendale High School

Sports run deep in Greendale, and Greendale High School has long been at the heart of it. It’s no surprise some standout talent once wore the Panthers uniform. Today we're celebrating five unforgettable athletes from Greendale High School who made a name for themselves well beyond the hometown field.

1. James Matthew Gruenwald – Olympian Wrestler

Gruenwald is one of Greendale’s most accomplished wrestlers. A standout at Greendale High School, he won the Wisconsin Class A State Wrestling Championship in 1987 and placed as a runner-up in 1986 and 1988 before continuing to wrestle at Maranatha Baptist Bible College, where he compiled an outstanding record and captured three National Christian College Athletic Association titles. Gruenwald transitioned to Greco-Roman wrestling and became a two-time U.S. Olympian, representing the United States at the 2000 Sydney and 2004 Athens Olympic Games in Greco-Roman wrestling, placing sixth and tenth. He also earned multiple U.S. national titles and international medals, including a bronze at the 2003 Pan American Games. After his competitive career, Gruenwald became a respected coach, including serving at the U.S. Olympic Training Center and later as head coach at Wheaton College. Gruenwald was inducted into the Wisconsin Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2007. (Sources: Athletics.Wheaton.edu, Olympics, WIWrestlingHOFHonorees)

2. Ariana Kira Hilborn – Latvian Olympian Marathoner

Hilborn is a Greendale alum who saw her athletic fame grow later in life, picking up long-distance running in her adulthood and achieving the highest heights as a marathon runner in her mid-20s. As a dual U.S.-Latvian citizen, she represented Latvia in the 2016 Summer Olympics in the women’s marathon, placing 106th overall and proudly representing the flag of her family’s roots. (Sources: WorldAthletics)

3. Mark Loughrin – Collegiate Tennis Star

Loughrin is one of Greendale High School’s most celebrated tennis players. During his high school career, he reached great heights, securing three individual state tennis championships and helping bring a state title to the school’s program. He peaked as the number three tennis recruit in the nation and was an Honorable Mention All-Conference member of the men’s basketball team that made it to the state championship. His tennis career was at the University of Texas and Wisconsin, where he made it to the NCAA Tournament twice and was named to the All-Big Ten team twice in his career. Loughrin was inducted into the Greendale High School Athletic Hall of Fame in the Class of 2018. (Sources: ITFtennis, JSOnline)

4. Dave Smith – AFL Fullback (Houston Oilers)

Smith was a football player during his time at Greendale High School, but saw his career boom during his time at Ripon College. He became one of the program’s all-time leading rushers, setting records at the time and earning an All-Conference First-Team selection three times. His career continued into the AFL, playing a key role as the fullback for the Houston Oilers and was a member of the franchise’s first two AFL Championship teams. He received All-League honors with the Oilers once during his five-year career. Smith is a member of the Ripon College Athletics Hall of Fame. (Sources: RiponRedHawks)

5. Ashley Imperiale – Basketball Star

Imperiale was a standout basketball player from Greendale High School, named First-Team All-State her senior year, conference player of the year three times and led her team to league titles all four seasons. She continued her college career at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and was a constant contributor to the squad. Imperiale was honored in 2018, being inducted into the Greendale Athletics Hall of Fame for her contributions to the basketball program. (Sources: MKEPanthers, JSOnline)

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