Madison, Wis. - Each week during the 2026-27 academic year, the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) will feature two student-athletes (one male and one female) from one of its eight institutions for a "Student-Athlete Spotlight" Q&A segment. The segments will be posted every Thursday and individuals are selected by the institution. The WIAC Student-Athlete Spotlights are presented by Culver's.
Senior
Grant Achterkirch of
Owatonna, Minn. (H.S.) has played in all five games this season and currently ranks eighth on the team with 12 tackles. He finished with a season-high five tackles at 11th-ranked Saint John's University (Minn.) on September 5.
A business management major, Achterkirch finished fifth for UWL in tackles (40) last season. He had a career-high 15 tackles versus UW-River Falls, including nine unassisted. Achterkirch had a fumble recovery against UW-Eau Claire a year ago. He recorded 2.0 tackles for loss and 1.0 quarterback sack versus the University of Northwestern (Minn.) in 2024.
Why did you choose UW-La Crosse?
I chose UWL because I like the La Crosse area for hunting and fishing and wanted to be a part of football program.
What do you like most about competing in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and being a NCAA Division III student-athlete?
I enjoy competing in the WIAC because there are no weeks off, every game is a battle. Being a Division III athlete on the UWL football team is special because it is a grind based on passion, discipline, and relationships.
What is your favorite…
Menu item from Culver's? Double Butter Burger
Flavor of the Day from Culver's? M&M
Non-Athletic Spot on Campus? Wittich Hall
TV Show? Breaking Bad
Holiday? 4th of July
Food? Buffalo Wings with Ranch
Animal? Bear
Smartphone App? Reveal Tactacam
Musical Group or Artist? Treaty Oak Revival
Professional Sports Athlete or Team? Minnesota Wild
Vacation Spot? Cabin up North
What is your greatest sports moment?
Making a playoff run last year.
What is your favorite thing to do off the court/field with your teammates?
I enjoy hunting with teammates on our off days
Who is someone that you look up to?
My dad.
Do you have any words of advice for younger/upcoming student-athletes?
Enjoy doing hard things with your best friends.
If your team had a theme song, what would it be?
Freebird.
What is your dream job?
Construction management.
Three things on your "bucket list"?
Bighorn sheep hunt.
Drive an F1 car.
Metallica concert.
A non-athletic talent that you have is?
Cooking.
What's your dream sporting event to attend?
Minnesota Wild in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final.
Do you have any pre-game/pre-event superstitions or rituals? If so, what are they?
Prayer.
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