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The Triple Threat Athlete of the Week is an honor given on WisSports.net to the top senior boys and girls three-sport athletes in the state. Players are recognized each week on WSN, with a boys and girls winner of the Pat Richter Award at the end of the season to the best three-sport athlete of the year.

The Triple Threat Athlete of the Week is presented by the U.S. Marine Corps. The award recognizes student athletes who embody the spirit of teamwork, perseverance, and discipline across multiple sports. The mission of Marine Corps Recruiting Station Milwaukee is to find qualified men and women in Wisconsin and the surrounding area interested in becoming a United States Marine. Marines maintain the legacy of the Marine Corps by winning our nations battles and returning to their communities as quality citizens whether they are active duty or reservist. The coveted title of Marine applies only to those who graduate from the Recruit Depots or Officer Candidate School. RS Milwaukee will provide any qualified man or woman the opportunity to attend the training required to become a Marine - Enlisted or Officer.

Interested in speaking with a Marine Corps recruiter? Go to: https://rmi.marines.com/request-information/RSmilwaukee

Name: Matthew Buckman

School:  Cambridge High School

Football Honors: Three-year varsity starter for the Blue Jays... second-team all-Eastern Suburban punter and honorable mention quarterback as a sophomore... first team all-conference quarterback and second-team punter, conference offensive player of the year, WFCA all-region quarterback as a junior... came into his senior year with 3,897 passing yards and 38 touchdowns, 527 rushing yards and 9 touchdowns, and averaged 38.1 yards per punt last season... currently leads the state with 2,209 passing yards and 29 touchdowns while leading Cambridge to a 7-0 record.

Basketball honors: Enters senior year as a three-year varsity starter and three-time team MVP... second team all-Capitol South as a freshman... first team all-conference as a sophomore... first team all-conference and conference Player of the Year as a junior... the 6'4" wing averaged 25.7 points, 5.6 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1.8 steals per game last season... enters his season season with 1,517 points, 423 rebounds, and 230 assists... he is the school's leading scorer and will most likely surpass 2,000 in his career.

Golf Honors: Finished tied for tenth at state in Division 3 as a freshman... finished nineteenth at state in Division 3 as a sophomore... finished forty-first at state in Division 3 as a junior... Buckman has helped lead the Cambridge boys golf team to three straight conference, regional and sectional team championships... Cambridge finished second in state in Division 3 his freshman year... won state his sophomore year in Division 3... finished third as a junior in Division 3.

Favorite Sport (and why):  "Basketball is my favorite sport. I have been playing basketball since I was a little kid and have always loved competing in the gym. I also enjoy being able to shoot around peacefully by myself, whether it’s in my driveway or at the gym."

Best Part of High School Sports (and why): "High school sports are great because they bring groups of people together. It brings not only teammates together, but also the community. The best part of high school sports is competing in big games in front of a great community/atmosphere."

Best Advice from a Coach: "Coach Jace Rindahl, head coach at UW-Whitewater, came in to speak to our football team as a Cambridge football alumni. He talked a lot about showing up everyday with the right attitude and about being a good leader and teammate. The specific advice that has stuck with me the most is 'Leadership is not just about doing the right thing yourself, but it is what you can do to get others to follow.' My role on all my high school teams is to be a leader and it is something that I take pride in. I try to use that advice to succeed in my leadership role."

Most Memorable Moment in High School Sports: "It’s hard for me to pick one. Winning a golf State Championship with my brother Nick is something I will never forget. Tied for my favorite high school sports memory is our massive upset win in football last year at Marshall. We snapped their 20+ game conference winning streak after beating them 44-22. I hope to replace this football memory by having the chance to play at Camp Randall later this season."

Best Part of Playing Three Sports: "Getting the chance to compete and make memories in each sport. It’s great getting the chance to bond with different groups of guys in different sports."

Most Difficult Part of Playing Three Sports: "There are no off-seasons. It makes it difficult to prepare for one sport when you are right in the middle of another. You truly never get a break, because you jump right into the next season after one ends."

Favorite Opponent (and why): "Marshall - They bring out the best in me. They have been really good at football and basketball during my time in high school and we’ve had some great wins over them, but also some tough losses. There is always a great atmosphere during our games."

Favorite Professional Team: Philadelphia Eagles 

Favorite Professional Athlete: Jalen Hurts 

Favorite College Team: Wisconsin Badgers

Cumulative GPA: 3.7

Toughest Individual You’ve Competed Against (and why): "I’ve played against some really great athletes throughout every sport, but overall, I would say the toughest individual I’ve competed against is AJ Bender from Lake Mills. We’ve played Lake Mills in basketball the past 3 years. AJ is a very good athlete who can score the ball and defend well."

Most Admired High School Teammate (and why): "Drew Holzhueter and Kiefer Parish. Drew and Kiefer are two guys who I have been sharing the field/court with since elementary school. They have been great leaders and great teammates throughout the years. They are both having outstanding seasons at wide receiver. I can always rely on them to make a play. On the basketball court, they both have started on varsity the past two years and have been huge pieces to our team. They are both great competitors and tremendous athletes."

College Plans: "I will be going to Hillsdale College next year on a basketball scholarship. Hillsdale is a NCAA Division 2 school in southern Michigan."

Activities Outside of Sports: "I enjoy spending time with my friends and family. I like to thrift and buy/sell vintage clothing."

Favorite TV Show: "NFL Red Zone on Sundays."

Favorite Movie: "Coach Carter is my favorite movie."

Favorite Musical Artist: "Rod Wave is my favorite artist."

Favorite Subject: "English is my favorite subject in school."

Favorite Restaurant: "Culvers and Dave’s Hot Chicken are my favorite fast food restaurants."

Favorite Website/App: "Tiktok and Depop are my two favorite apps."

Other Family Members: "I live with my Mom and Dad and my sister Emily, who is a freshman in high school, and my brother Ben, who is a seventh-grader. My older brother Nick is a sophomore at UW-Stout and he is playing golf there."