Presenting the Maps That Made the Biggest Splash in the Waterpark Capital of the World!
As they say in the arcade-style PC game Moto Racer, “NEWWW RECCOOORD!”. The 2026 WLIA Map Contest was our most successful yet with a record-breaking 78 map submissions! Thank you to our generous WLIA Map Contest sponsors (Bolton & Menk, Cedar Corporation, Robert E. Lee & Associates, and Ruekert & Mielke) and to all the volunteers who bring this contest to life. Their support helps showcase the incredible talent and creativity in our mapping community.
To view all of the map entries, please check out the 2026 WLIA Virtual Map Gallery.
SPECIAL AWARDS
People’s Choice (Adult)
Viva la Vida Frida Kahlo’s Life in Places, Pain and Painting - Eugenie Huang, University of Wisconsin-Madison
People’s Choice (Youth) – Ages 9 & Younger
WINNER (Youth - Junior Division)
OH, THE PLACES I GO - Sihnaad P Bhavsar, Age 9
RUNNERS-UP (Youth - Junior Division)
MOST INFLUENTIAL VIDEO GAME STUDIOS - Collin Blumer, Age 8
BOAT TRIP ROUTE AROUND ISLANDS IN A LAKE - Gage Novak, Age 4
People’s Choice (Youth) – Ages 10-13
WINNER (Youth - Intermediate Division)
STATES WHERE CHAMPIONSHIPS ARE BORN - Jack M. Seidel, Age 12
RUNNERS-UP (Youth - Intermediate Division)
THE NATIONAL PARKS - Clara Prowse, Age 12
LAKE MENDOTA - BEST FISHING SPOTS - Milano Feyrer, Age 10
President’s Choice (Selected by Kim Christman)
Viva la Vida Frida Kahlo’s Life in Places, Pain and Painting - Eugenie Huang, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Keynote’s Choice (Adult) (selected by Dr. Amy Rosebrough – WI State Archaeologist)
REPRESENTING POPULATION CHANGE IN THE US, 1980 TO 2020 - Jeff Olson, UW-Whitewater
Keynote’s Choice (Youth) (selected by Dr. Amy Rosebrough – WI State Archaeologist)
STATES WHERE CHAMPIONSHIPS ARE BORN - Jack M. Seidel, Age 12
Best Private Sector Map
WISCONSIN COUNTIES CROSS STITCH - Katie Ginther
Best Public Sector Map
WISCONSIN OFFICIAL STATE HIGHWAY MAP 2025-2026 - Katie Ginther, WI Dept of Transportation
Best Student Map
DEPENDING ON OUR GREAT LAKES - Tiffany Jones, University of Wisconsin - Madison
CATEGORY AWARDS
Base & Reference Map
BEST IN CATEGORY
SCENIC YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK - Atlas Guo, University of Wisconsin-Madison
RUNNER-UP
WISCONSIN OFFICIAL STATE HIGHWAY MAP 2025-2026 - Katie Ginther, WI Dept of Transportation
Thematic Map
BEST IN CATEGORY
QUATERNARY GEOLOGY OF WISCONSIN - Caroline Rose, Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey
RUNNER-UP
POWER OUTAGE AFTER WINTER STORM - Atlas Guo, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Mapping Poster
BEST IN CATEGORY
KÖPPEN CLIMATES VISUALIZED - Atlas Guo, University of Wisconsin-Madison
RUNNER-UP
UNCHARTED WATERS- AN EXPLORATION OF PROGRESS IN SEAFLOOR MAPPING - Hope McBride, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Black & White Map
BEST IN CATEGORY
MERRITT AVE RECONSTRUCTION LOCATION IMPACT - Michael DCamp, City of Oshkosh
RUNNER-UP
TID 2 ADDITIONS - Tyler DeBruin, Town of Grand Chute
Brochure & Small Format Map
BEST IN CATEGORY
DANE COUNTY BIKE MAP - Dan Seidensticker, Greater Madison MPO
RUNNER-UP
ICELAND RING ROAD SELF-GUIDED DRIVING TOUR - Christine Koeller, Wisconsin Department of Transportation - Bureau of Aeronautics
Map Book or Atlas
BEST IN CATEGORY
JEFFERSON COUNTY PLAT BOOK - Gerry Kokkonen, Nicholl Ostopowicz, and Laura Scott, Jefferson County Land Information Office
RUNNER-UP
WISCONSIN AIRPORT DIRECTORY AND PILOT'S GUIDE 2025-2026 - Christine Koeller, Wisconsin Department of Transportation - Bureau of Aeronautics
Most Unique
BEST IN CATEGORY
3D WISCONSIN PUZZLE ELEVATION MAP - Nathan Walker, Ruekert & Mielke, Inc
RUNNER-UP
ROMA (THAT'S ROME IN ITALIAN!) - Colter Sikora, Colterrific Maps!
Interactive Map
BEST IN CATEGORY
BROOKFIELD POLICE INCIDENT RESPONSE MAP - Joseph Tew, City of Brookfield
RUNNER-UP
CLIMATE VISUALIZED - Atlas Guo, University of Wisconsin-Madison
HONORABLE MENTION
OSHKOSH PARK AMENITIES PORTAL - Evan Petrie, City of Oshkosh
Story Map
BEST IN SHOW
CALUMET COUNTY 2045 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN STORY MAP - Max Grueneberg, Calumet County
RUNNER UP
FEATURED BICYCLE TRAILS IN DANE COUNTY - Dan Seidensticker & Julia Healy, Greater Madison MPO
HAND-DRAWN MAP AWARDS
Theme: Draw your favorite family vacation spot growing up
1st PLACE
DOOR COUNTY: A CHILDHOOD MEMORY
By: Brad Blumer
RUNNERS-UP
HOME AWAY FROM HOME: A best friend’s paradise
By: Anna Peters
LAKE MARIE
By: Elisabeth Geiger
Congratulations to all who participated in the Map Contest! If you have any questions or are interested in joining the WLIA Map Contest team, please email the Map Contest Co-Chairs.