Wisconsin Signs 14 Athletes
November 26, 2007 | Men's Swimming & Diving
The University of Wisconsin men's and women's swimming and diving program is extremely excited to announce the signing of 14 student-athletes.
Wisconsin's head coach, Eric Hansen, was thrilled with the success of recruiting this fall and believes the incoming class will make an immediate impact. 'The level of talent we have accumulated has us all excited as these kids allow us to continue working towards our goal of having both programs in the top ten (in the nation) at the same time,' said Hansen.
Coach Hansen said the focus of recruiting this fall was not just on swimming talent. 'There is no question that we have recruited extremely talented kids in the pool; but more importantly, they are all great students and great people who had a huge impact on our team during their official visits,' commented Hansen. 'The kids on the team believed they were a perfect fit, they understood the importance of the team concept and had a genuine quality that would be extremely valuable to our program. '
With six signings from in-state, led by national junior team member Wes Lagerhausen of Fontana, Wis. and Beckie Thompson of New Berlin, Wis., who recently broke two long standing Wisconsin state records, this class continues to ensure the state's top talent stays local.
Hansen, currently in his ninth year as head coach of the Badgers, believes keeping talent in state is a huge coup for the University of Wisconsin. 'We really focused on the local Wisconsin kids, we want them to want to come here and be proud to stay at home. With Kelly (Winckler), Danielle (Beckwith) and Amie (Osten), we have three local girls whom all have strong ties to the University. They resisted the urge to leave home because they wanted to be a part of the program all while continuing a tradition, something that is extremely exciting and important.'
The Badgers are also adding to the international flavor already on the team with a commitment from Monika Stitski of Mississauga, Ontario, Canada. An individual medley specialist who is currently in training for the Canadian Olympic Trials, Stitski brings some international IM experience to the UW as she competed in the most-recent Pan American and Pan Pacific Games.
The class also sees on the women's side signings from Illinois by way of Olympic trials qualifier, Ashley Wanland of Long Grove, Ill. who recently reset her own Illinois state record in the 100 breaststroke and Megan Onstott of Austin, Texas.
While on the men's side, the Badgers signed Chris Nemeth (Highland Hills, Ohio), Jeff Morris of Fort Thomas, Ken. as well as three from the Pacific Northwest in Brett Nagle of Portland, Ore. and two Washington natives, Cole Scarbrough of University Place, and Clinton Stipek of Tacoma.
With the additions of incoming freshman Thompson and Stipek, the men's and women's swimming team will have two sets of siblings on the rosters, as Beckie and Clinton join their brothers Kyle and Jesse who are currently in their freshmen campaign.
08/09 Badger freshmen
Men
Wes Lagerhausen, Fontana, Wis.
Jeff Morris, Fort Thomas, Ken.
Brett Nagle, Portland, Ore.
Chris Nemeth, Highland Hills, Ohio
Cole Scarbrough, Univ Place, Wash.
Clinton Stipek, Tacoma, Wash.
Women
Danielle Beckwith, Middleton, Wis.
Jessica Kapke, Brookfield, Wis.
Megan Onstott, Austin, Texas
Amie Osten, Verona, Wis.
Monika Stitski, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
Beckie Thompson, New Berlin, Wis.
Ashley Wanland, Long Grove, Ill.
Kelly Winckler, Deforest, Wis.
