Photo by: David Stluka
Unicomb finding comfort, success as freshman at Wisconsin
December 15, 2015 | Women's Swimming & Diving
Australian native has become a key swimmer for the Badgers
International student-athlete Jess Unicomb moved halfway across the world to seize the opportunity of becoming a member of the Wisconsin swimming program. While the Australian native has only been a part of the program for a handful of months, she has already managed to impress both her coaches and teammates with her outstanding work ethic and positive attitude.
"We haven't known her for that long, but you can already tell she is one of those athletes that you don't ever have to question if she is giving it her all," assistant coach Dan Schemmel said. "It just so happens to be that she is also one of the fastest girls on the team."
The combination of work ethic and talent has served Unicomb well. The Gold Coast native has already reached international level of competition with her home country of Australia. Her most recent outing was last year when she was selected as a member of the Australian Kaizen Talent squad. Unicomb has also continuously been representing her Australian club team, All Saints Swim Club, at the Australian Open and Australian Trials since the age of 14.Â
Unicomb's talent was well on display during Wisconsin's season-opening dual meet, as she played a key role in helping the Badgers defeat rival Minnesota in Madison. Unicomb was named Big Ten Freshman of the Week for her efforts, as she won both of her individual events, the 100- and 200-yard backstroke, and also helped Wisconsin earn key victories in relay action as well. Schemmel believes the first meet was an important piece in Unicomb's progress as a member of the UW swim team.Â
"I think it was pretty big for her," Schemmel said. "Not only for it being her first college meet, but it was also in yards. She had never competed in yards before and she did a great job."
Now a two-time Big Ten Frsehman of the Week honoree and currently ranked as one of the fastest freshman in the conference, head coach Whitney Hite and his staff were optimistic that Unicomb would be able to come right in and contribute to the team's success this season. Her upbeat and positive attitude are also traits that the staff has found valuable and make her a great fit for the team. Unicomb has not only showed her ability to contribute to the team's success during meets, but has also showed a willingness to help her teammates improve during practice.
"I try to be there for everyone," Unicomb said. "Especially for the other freshmen, because we are all going through the same thing and some people are finding it harder than others. If I could be there for just one person, I am helping the team."
Unicomb is no exception to the freshman transition. The first weeks of living in Madison were very different from everyday life back in Australia. One of the biggest differences that Unicomb said she has experienced is the Badger spirit on campus in Madison and the pride that comes with representing the University of Wisconsin. The team's level of training has also been very different from what she is used to, but she has already begun seeing results and is coming to find how the hard work and extra effort are having an impact in the pool.
"It makes me stronger and I'm definitely stronger for it," Unicomb said of the team's training. "I have never done this much dryland and weights before and the intensity during training is definitely a lot different compared to back at home. It is very hard, but I like hard training."
Embracing the new challenges, Unicomb has also come to find comfort within her own class. Sharing the experiences of being new to both training, academics and the campus, the freshmen female swimmers have related and supported each other through the season. The team aspect and companionship has helped Unicomb feel more at home and has also contributed to Unicomb's ability to push her limits during practice.Â
"Back home, I was one of the top swimmers at my school and I had to push myself, but here I am being pushed by everyone else," Unicomb said of the competitiveness within the Wisconsin swimming program. "I am pushing people who are at the same level as me and they are pushing me."
One year ago, the decision to attend college in the United States had not even crossed Unicomb's mind. It was not until Schemmel reached out and contacted her that, for the first time, she considered a collegiate swimming career in America.
"I wasn't looking at swimming in America at all until I got an email asking if I had ever considered coming over," Unicomb said. "It looked like a really good opportunity and I felt like swimming here would be fun."
The academic prestige of the University of Wisconsin also played a big role for Unicomb when making her decision. With an interest in marketing and human resources, Wisconsin seemed like a great fit. School has always been a priority in Unicomb's life and she frequently utilizes the resources available to her and fellow student-athletes to help her thrive in the classroom.Â
"I have tutors for two of my classes and I obviously go to the Fetzer Center," Unicomb said of one of the school's student-athlete resource buildings. "It is nice having a place where you can go and study. It's easy to get distracted in the dorms."
Even though Unicomb is adapting very well to the new way of life in Madison, she still misses her family and friends back home and does what she can to stay in touch.
"I Skype my parents once every week and keep in touch through Facebook and WhatsApp," Unicomb said. "Being on the team helps a lot. I think if I had been a normal student coming here, it would have made it a lot harder."Â
Unicomb has not only been a part of the team, she's played a key role on it, which has excited Schemmel and the coaching staff about her potential. Â
"I don't want to jinx anything about saying what she can achieve, but she can become a name that everybody in the Big Ten will know about," Schemmel said. "The best thing about her though is that she is just a great person that the team enjoys being around."
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"We haven't known her for that long, but you can already tell she is one of those athletes that you don't ever have to question if she is giving it her all," assistant coach Dan Schemmel said. "It just so happens to be that she is also one of the fastest girls on the team."
The combination of work ethic and talent has served Unicomb well. The Gold Coast native has already reached international level of competition with her home country of Australia. Her most recent outing was last year when she was selected as a member of the Australian Kaizen Talent squad. Unicomb has also continuously been representing her Australian club team, All Saints Swim Club, at the Australian Open and Australian Trials since the age of 14.Â
Unicomb's talent was well on display during Wisconsin's season-opening dual meet, as she played a key role in helping the Badgers defeat rival Minnesota in Madison. Unicomb was named Big Ten Freshman of the Week for her efforts, as she won both of her individual events, the 100- and 200-yard backstroke, and also helped Wisconsin earn key victories in relay action as well. Schemmel believes the first meet was an important piece in Unicomb's progress as a member of the UW swim team.Â
"I think it was pretty big for her," Schemmel said. "Not only for it being her first college meet, but it was also in yards. She had never competed in yards before and she did a great job."
Now a two-time Big Ten Frsehman of the Week honoree and currently ranked as one of the fastest freshman in the conference, head coach Whitney Hite and his staff were optimistic that Unicomb would be able to come right in and contribute to the team's success this season. Her upbeat and positive attitude are also traits that the staff has found valuable and make her a great fit for the team. Unicomb has not only showed her ability to contribute to the team's success during meets, but has also showed a willingness to help her teammates improve during practice.
"I try to be there for everyone," Unicomb said. "Especially for the other freshmen, because we are all going through the same thing and some people are finding it harder than others. If I could be there for just one person, I am helping the team."
Unicomb is no exception to the freshman transition. The first weeks of living in Madison were very different from everyday life back in Australia. One of the biggest differences that Unicomb said she has experienced is the Badger spirit on campus in Madison and the pride that comes with representing the University of Wisconsin. The team's level of training has also been very different from what she is used to, but she has already begun seeing results and is coming to find how the hard work and extra effort are having an impact in the pool.
"It makes me stronger and I'm definitely stronger for it," Unicomb said of the team's training. "I have never done this much dryland and weights before and the intensity during training is definitely a lot different compared to back at home. It is very hard, but I like hard training."
Embracing the new challenges, Unicomb has also come to find comfort within her own class. Sharing the experiences of being new to both training, academics and the campus, the freshmen female swimmers have related and supported each other through the season. The team aspect and companionship has helped Unicomb feel more at home and has also contributed to Unicomb's ability to push her limits during practice.Â
"Back home, I was one of the top swimmers at my school and I had to push myself, but here I am being pushed by everyone else," Unicomb said of the competitiveness within the Wisconsin swimming program. "I am pushing people who are at the same level as me and they are pushing me."
One year ago, the decision to attend college in the United States had not even crossed Unicomb's mind. It was not until Schemmel reached out and contacted her that, for the first time, she considered a collegiate swimming career in America.
"I wasn't looking at swimming in America at all until I got an email asking if I had ever considered coming over," Unicomb said. "It looked like a really good opportunity and I felt like swimming here would be fun."
The academic prestige of the University of Wisconsin also played a big role for Unicomb when making her decision. With an interest in marketing and human resources, Wisconsin seemed like a great fit. School has always been a priority in Unicomb's life and she frequently utilizes the resources available to her and fellow student-athletes to help her thrive in the classroom.Â
"I have tutors for two of my classes and I obviously go to the Fetzer Center," Unicomb said of one of the school's student-athlete resource buildings. "It is nice having a place where you can go and study. It's easy to get distracted in the dorms."
Even though Unicomb is adapting very well to the new way of life in Madison, she still misses her family and friends back home and does what she can to stay in touch.
"I Skype my parents once every week and keep in touch through Facebook and WhatsApp," Unicomb said. "Being on the team helps a lot. I think if I had been a normal student coming here, it would have made it a lot harder."Â
Unicomb has not only been a part of the team, she's played a key role on it, which has excited Schemmel and the coaching staff about her potential. Â
"I don't want to jinx anything about saying what she can achieve, but she can become a name that everybody in the Big Ten will know about," Schemmel said. "The best thing about her though is that she is just a great person that the team enjoys being around."
Â
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