Pirate Pride: 5 Unforgettable Athletes From Port Washington High School

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

Tyler Beach – Top Wisconsin Recruit & NFL Lineman

Tyler Beach rose from Port Washington High School standout to a key piece of Wisconsin’s offensive line, earning 29 starts across 57 appearances for the Badgers. The 6'6" lineman protected quarterbacks with precision, allowing just one sack in his final season before signing with the Houston Texans in 2023. Though he didn’t see game action there, Beach earned another NFL opportunity with the Pittsburgh Steelers the following year. (Sources: 247Sports, ESPN)

John ‘Thumper’ DeMerit – Four-Sport Superstar & MLB World Series Player

Nicknamed “Thumper” for his powerful bat, John DeMerit made history as a bonus baby with the Milwaukee Braves in 1957, appearing in that year’s World Series and later playing for the inaugural New York Mets. A Port Washington native and Wisconsin Badger, DeMerit’s career was brief but memorable — he hit three MLB home runs, including one against Hall of Famer Sandy Koufax. Though he was best known for his baseball talent, DeMerit also earned letters in track, football and basketball during his time at Port Washington High School. (Sources: SABR BioProject, MLB.com)

Grace Linstroth – Record-Breaking Freestyle Swimmer

In just 25.11 seconds, Grace Linstroth etched her name into Port Washington swim history, shattering a 25-year-old 50-yard freestyle record. Her performance at the 2023 Small School State Meet capped off a decorated high school career, and she now competes at the collegiate level for the University of Wisconsin–Whitewater. (Sources: Ozaukee Press, UW-Whitewater Athletics)

Alex Dieringer – NCAA & U.S. Open Wrestling Champion

Alex Dieringer’s legendary wrestling résumé includes being a three-time NCAA champion, a Dan Hodge Trophy winner and a U.S. Open champ. The Port Washington grad dominated on the mats at Oklahoma State before launching a successful international freestyle career, medaling at top-tier global events. (Sources: Oklahoma State Athletics, USA Wrestling)

Bethany Huston – Multi-Sport Athlete & Trailblazing Girls’ Basketball Player

Beth Huston didn’t just lead the charge—she changed the game. As Port Washington’s all-time leading scorer with 1,555 points, she became the first female Pirate to earn a four-year Division I basketball scholarship, signing with Illinois State. A multi-sport athlete with 11 varsity letters, Huston set the gold standard for what’s possible in girls’ athletics. (Source: Port Washington-Saukville School District)

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