When it comes to athletic prowess at Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton (JWP), few have ascended to the peak like Daulton Bauer. A rare three-sport standout in football, basketball, and track & field, Bauer has become the prototype of the modern student-athlete—a player who excels individually while consistently elevating those around him.
As graduation approaches, Bauer leaves behind a legacy defined by record-breaking statistics and, more importantly, a transformative impact on the Bulldog community.
A Career for the Record Books
Bauer’s impact was felt in every season of the academic year. On the gridiron, he served as the Bulldogs’ star quarterback, commanding the offense with a precision that resulted in over 4,000 career passing yards and 47 touchdowns. His leadership guided the squad to a hard-fought Section AA semifinal appearance against Maple River, cementing his status as one of the premier signal-callers in the region.
On the track, Bauer’s blazing speed has been a primary engine for JWP’s relay success. After helping lead the boys’ 4×100 relay to the state finals in 2025, he and his teammates are currently in the midst of a dominant 2026 campaign, looking every bit like contenders for a repeat trip to the state stage.
However, it is on the hardwood where Bauer’s name will perhaps shine the brightest. This past winter, Daulton—alongside his younger brother, Gavin—fulfilled a lifelong dream by leading the Bulldogs to their first Section Championship and state tournament appearance in 18 years. While the team fell just short in the state final, Bauer’s individual milestones were staggering. He became the boys’ program’s all-time leading scorer and the first player in JWP history to join the illustrious 2000-point club.
Living the Senior Dream
Beyond the whistles and cheering crowds, Bauer has managed a rigorous schedule, dedicating much of his senior year to Postsecondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) coursework and even finding time for the arts, participating in choir, the school musical, and swing show. His well-rounded nature was further recognized by his peers when he was crowned this year’s Snow King.
As he prepares to take his talents to Bethany Lutheran College next year to play basketball and study sports management or business, Bauer took a moment to reflect on a journey that started as a freshman with big dreams.
The Exit Interview: A Conversation with Daulton Bauer
Q: Looking back at your four years at JWP, you’ve stayed incredibly busy. What clubs and activities were you involved in?
Daulton Bauer: I’ve been in choir, basketball, football, and track all four years. I also participated in the musical and the swing show during my senior year. That was a new experience for me, but it was a lot of fun to be up there with my friends.
Q: Between the sports and the arts, you also had to handle the classroom. Did you have a favorite subject or a teacher who made an impact?
Bauer: Math was always a favorite of mine. Mr. Schruin was a great teacher—very relatable and made the subject enjoyable.
Q: You’ve had a massive senior year—records in football and basketball, a great track season, and being crowned Snow King. What stands out as the personal highlight for you?
Bauer: It has to be going to state in basketball. That was the perfect moment for us as a team during my senior year. It was the culmination of everything we worked so incredibly hard for.
Q: Is there a specific memory from high school that you think you’ll still be thinking about ten or twenty years from now?
Bauer: The 2025-2026 basketball season was so perfect from reaching state to scoring 2000 points. What I’ll cherish most is how much support we had from the community; it really made the whole experience memorable.
Q: If you could go back in time and talk to “Freshman Daulton,” what advice would you give that younger version of yourself?
Bauer: Don’t give up. Keep going no matter what happens. Take everything in stride and just keep working hard.
Q: What is the next chapter for you after graduation?
Bauer: I’m headed to Bethany Lutheran to play basketball while planning on a degree in sports management or business, though that’s still a little tentative.
Q: What are you going to miss most about being a JWP Bulldog?
Bauer: I’m going to really miss the community. They have been so incredibly supportive of me and my teammates through everything.
Q: Before you head out, is there anyone you’d like to thank?
Bauer: My parents and my whole family. My friends and all the coaches I’ve had over the years. My teammates have been amazing; we built so many great friendships. I want to thank the community once again, and I thank God as well.
Whether it be on the hardwood, in-between the running lanes, or even being crowned Snow King, Daulton Bauer has set high expectations for himself at JWP and he has been able to exceed them at every turn. His journey as a member of the Class of 2026 is a remarkable one filled with achievement, humility, and a ton of Bulldog pride.
