Photo by: Tom Lynn
Wisconsin's warm welcome
November 26, 2019 | Men's Cross Country, Men's Track & Field
Badgers to welcome 10 men to their squad
MADISON, Wis. - Wisconsin Director of Track and Field and Cross Country Mick Byrne announced that 10 men's track and field athletes signed National Letters of Intent to compete for the Badgers beginning in the fall of 2020.
High School: Rochester Century
Events: Sprints
Personal bests: 55 meters - 6.92; 100 meters - 10.87; 200 meters - 21.61
Amusan was ranked fourth in Minnesota for his 200 meter time of 21.61. He was a qualifier for the USA National Junior Olympic Track and Field team for the 200-meter race.
Why Wisconsin: "This was a dream school of mine. After visiting the school, it felt like home and a place where I know I can succeed at the highest level."
Evan Bishop (Grand Rapids, Mich.)
High School: East Grand Rapids
Events: Distance
Personal bests: 1600 meters - 4:17.20; 3200 meters - 9:06.55; 5000 meters - 14:30.41
Bishop placed fourth at the 2019 New Balance Outdoor Nationals with a time of 14:30.41. This time placed him seventh nationally for the 5000-meter run and second in the state of Michigan. He also secured a ninth-place finish as a junior at the 2018 Footlocker National Cross Country Championship.
Why Wisconsin: "There were a number of factors that influenced my decision. To start, my Wisconsin visit was completely unique and individualized. It made me feel wanted and I instantly felt at home with the guys on the team. Each one made an effort to introduce themselves to me and make sure I was having a great time. Wisconsin's cross country success speaks for itself, coming off of their 50th Big Ten title this year with more championships than all other Big Ten schools combined. Year after year, the Badgers continue to be an elite distance running program. I loved the city of Madison, and I feel that Mick and Gavin will be able to take me to the next level. I am extremely excited to join the team, and I can't wait to see what we can accomplish."
Caleb Brown (Shelby, Ohio.)
High School: Shelby
Events: Distance
Personal bests: 1600 meters - 4:13.26; 3200 meters - 9:05.16; 5000 meters - 14:51.20; 2 mile - 9:04.18
Brown was both the 2019 indoor and outdoor 3200-meter state champion. His indoor 3200-meter time of 9:07.56 landed him first in the state of Ohio and 13th nationally. Brown also excelled in the 1600-meter as he was crowned the 2019 outdoor state champion. The Shelby, Ohio, native also earned the title of being the 2019 New Balance Outdoor National 2-mile Champion with a time of 9:04.18.
Why Wisconsin: "I chose Wisconsin because of the great academic programs and the rich history of athletic success."
Abdullahi Hassan (Scarborough, Ontario)
High School: Birchmount Park Collegiate
Events: Middle distance
Personal bests: 400 meters - 46.83; 600 meters - 1:20.43; 800 meters - 1:47.59
Hassan's 800-meter PR of 1:47.59 landed him as the No.1 ranked high school runner for his respective event. He broke a 29-year record and now holds the Canadian junior record for his outstanding run. The Scarborough native was also the 2019 New Balance indoor national champion and the 2019 NACAC junior 800-meter champion. His 800-meter time would place him at No.6 in the Wisconsin record books for fastest 800-meter time run by a Badger.
Why Wisconsin: "I quickly realized how similar Madison was to my hometown. Once meeting the coaches, staff, and team, they welcomed me as though I was one of their own. Coach Gavin and Coach Mick's ideology around training regiments was parallel to my own. I thought this would allow me to succeed in the best way possible. After doing much research I came to the conclusion that Wisconsin was the best fit for me academically as well as athletically."
L.O. Johnson (Waunakee, Wis.)
High School: Waunakee
Events: Sprints
Personal bests: 60 meters - 6.61; 100 meters - 10.79; 200 meters - 22.59
Johnson was the 2020 Mountain West Indoor 60-meter champion and 2017 WIAA State 100-meter champion
Why Wisconsin: "Why not Wisconsin? There are countless reasons why I want to be a Badger. A big one for me is that I can represent the community that I grew up in, I get to compete for the school that I grew up rooting for and I also get to carry on the family legacy."
•Bob Liking (St. Charles, Ill.)
High School: St. Charles East
Events: Distance
Personal bests: 1600 meters - 4:22.97; 3200 meters - 9:17.25; 3-mile - 14:23.00
Liking holds the St. Charles East High School program record in the 3-mile with a time of 14 minutes, 23 seconds. This time placed with fifth in the state of Illinois and 12th nationally. Liking also contributed to his team's 2019 State Cross Country Championship win.
Why Wisconsin: "I chose Wisconsin because I felt at home in Madison. The academics are top-notch and the team is composed of great guys and coaches."
Max Peckenschneider (Minneapolis, Minn.)
High School: Providence Academy
Events: Sprints
Personal bests: 100 meters - 10.86; 200 meters - 21.52
Peckenschneider's personal record 200-meter race of 21.52 placed him at No.1 in the state of Minnesota. He also secured a seventh-place finish in the 200-meter race at the AAU National Junior Olympic Track and Field Championships.
Why Wisconsin: "There is so much pride around Wisconsin, from game day to the everyday campus feel. The winning tradition was something I wanted to be apart of."
Jason Swarens (Terre Haute, Ind.)
High School: South Vigo
Events: Throws
Personal bests: Shot put - 64-0; Discus - 175-7
Swarens's shot put personal record of 64-0 placed him at No.1 in the state of Indiana and No.4 in the nation for the class of 2020. From his success in the shot put, he earned the 2019 Indiana shot put champion and was named the 2020 Gatorade Player of the Year for Indiana.
Why Wisconsin: "I chose Wisconsin because I really like the coaches and athletes on the track team, and there is a fantastic engineering program."
Nick Tomasovic (Appleton, Wis.)
High School: Kimberly
Events: Throws
Personal bests: Shot put - 58-7.50; Discus - 176-8
Tomasovic placed third in both the discus and shot put at the 2019 WIAA State Championship.
Why Wisconsin: "I have been a Badger fan all my life and after touring there it just felt like a place that I wanted to call home. The throwers are an awesome group and Coach Astrauskas is great. Everything just made sense and I could not be more excited to attend UW-Madison!"
Davis Wenthe (Galesville, Wis.)
High School: Gale-Ettrick-Trempealeau
Events: Hurdles
Personal bests: 110 meter hurdles - 14.60; 300 meter hurdles - 37.91
Wenthe was the 2019 DII 300-meter hurdles state champion. His 110-meter hurdle PR of 14.60 placed him at No.4 in the state of Wisconsin. He was named the 2020 Gatorade Player of the Year for Wisconsin.
Why Wisconsin: "I chose Wisconsin because I know it is a place where I will be challenged both academically and athletically. I also could not imagine myself anywhere other than our flagship school. I am excited to represent my home state. ON WISCONSIN!"
Men's Signees
Sam Amusan (Rochester, Minn.)High School: Rochester Century
Events: Sprints
Personal bests: 55 meters - 6.92; 100 meters - 10.87; 200 meters - 21.61
Amusan was ranked fourth in Minnesota for his 200 meter time of 21.61. He was a qualifier for the USA National Junior Olympic Track and Field team for the 200-meter race.
Why Wisconsin: "This was a dream school of mine. After visiting the school, it felt like home and a place where I know I can succeed at the highest level."
#NationalSigningDay2019 Sam Amusan from Rochester, Minnesota
— Wisconsin Track & Field (@BadgerTrackXC) November 14, 2019
•2019 200m State Runner Up
•10.87 100m PR
•21.61 200m PR#OnWisconsin 🔴⚪️ pic.twitter.com/7ZBlnG3nlu
Evan Bishop (Grand Rapids, Mich.)
High School: East Grand Rapids
Events: Distance
Personal bests: 1600 meters - 4:17.20; 3200 meters - 9:06.55; 5000 meters - 14:30.41
Bishop placed fourth at the 2019 New Balance Outdoor Nationals with a time of 14:30.41. This time placed him seventh nationally for the 5000-meter run and second in the state of Michigan. He also secured a ninth-place finish as a junior at the 2018 Footlocker National Cross Country Championship.
Why Wisconsin: "There were a number of factors that influenced my decision. To start, my Wisconsin visit was completely unique and individualized. It made me feel wanted and I instantly felt at home with the guys on the team. Each one made an effort to introduce themselves to me and make sure I was having a great time. Wisconsin's cross country success speaks for itself, coming off of their 50th Big Ten title this year with more championships than all other Big Ten schools combined. Year after year, the Badgers continue to be an elite distance running program. I loved the city of Madison, and I feel that Mick and Gavin will be able to take me to the next level. I am extremely excited to join the team, and I can't wait to see what we can accomplish."
#NationalSigningDay2019 Evan Bishop from Grand Rapids, Michigan
— Wisconsin Track & Field (@BadgerTrackXC) November 14, 2019
•2019 State XC Champion
•Finished 4th at the 2019 New Balance Outdoor Nationals#OnWisconsin 🔴⚪️ pic.twitter.com/6gArqKpfam
Caleb Brown (Shelby, Ohio.)
High School: Shelby
Events: Distance
Personal bests: 1600 meters - 4:13.26; 3200 meters - 9:05.16; 5000 meters - 14:51.20; 2 mile - 9:04.18
Brown was both the 2019 indoor and outdoor 3200-meter state champion. His indoor 3200-meter time of 9:07.56 landed him first in the state of Ohio and 13th nationally. Brown also excelled in the 1600-meter as he was crowned the 2019 outdoor state champion. The Shelby, Ohio, native also earned the title of being the 2019 New Balance Outdoor National 2-mile Champion with a time of 9:04.18.
Why Wisconsin: "I chose Wisconsin because of the great academic programs and the rich history of athletic success."
#NationalSigningDay2019 Caleb Brown from Shelby, Ohio
— Wisconsin Track & Field (@BadgerTrackXC) November 13, 2019
•4x State Champion
•2019 New Balance Outdoor National two mile champion#OnWisconsin 🔴⚪️ pic.twitter.com/WiSgCRNSkY
Abdullahi Hassan (Scarborough, Ontario)
High School: Birchmount Park Collegiate
Events: Middle distance
Personal bests: 400 meters - 46.83; 600 meters - 1:20.43; 800 meters - 1:47.59
Hassan's 800-meter PR of 1:47.59 landed him as the No.1 ranked high school runner for his respective event. He broke a 29-year record and now holds the Canadian junior record for his outstanding run. The Scarborough native was also the 2019 New Balance indoor national champion and the 2019 NACAC junior 800-meter champion. His 800-meter time would place him at No.6 in the Wisconsin record books for fastest 800-meter time run by a Badger.
Why Wisconsin: "I quickly realized how similar Madison was to my hometown. Once meeting the coaches, staff, and team, they welcomed me as though I was one of their own. Coach Gavin and Coach Mick's ideology around training regiments was parallel to my own. I thought this would allow me to succeed in the best way possible. After doing much research I came to the conclusion that Wisconsin was the best fit for me academically as well as athletically."
#NationalSigningDay2019 Abdullahi Hassan from Scarborough, Ontario Canada
— Wisconsin Track & Field (@BadgerTrackXC) November 14, 2019
•Holds the Canadian Junior Record in the 800 after breaking a 29 yr record: 1:47.59 🏆
•#1 800 junior in North America
•2019 New Balance Indoor National Champion#OnWisconsin 🔴⚪️ pic.twitter.com/naH7BlwkLG
L.O. Johnson (Waunakee, Wis.)
High School: Waunakee
Events: Sprints
Personal bests: 60 meters - 6.61; 100 meters - 10.79; 200 meters - 22.59
Johnson was the 2020 Mountain West Indoor 60-meter champion and 2017 WIAA State 100-meter champion
Why Wisconsin: "Why not Wisconsin? There are countless reasons why I want to be a Badger. A big one for me is that I can represent the community that I grew up in, I get to compete for the school that I grew up rooting for and I also get to carry on the family legacy."
#Badgers add @2LOJohnson to their 2021 roster. Former state champion from Waunakee and 2020 Mountain West champion at 60 meters! pic.twitter.com/jJ0vYijNhk
— Wisconsin Track & Field (@BadgerTrackXC) July 13, 2020
•Bob Liking (St. Charles, Ill.)
High School: St. Charles East
Events: Distance
Personal bests: 1600 meters - 4:22.97; 3200 meters - 9:17.25; 3-mile - 14:23.00
Liking holds the St. Charles East High School program record in the 3-mile with a time of 14 minutes, 23 seconds. This time placed with fifth in the state of Illinois and 12th nationally. Liking also contributed to his team's 2019 State Cross Country Championship win.
Why Wisconsin: "I chose Wisconsin because I felt at home in Madison. The academics are top-notch and the team is composed of great guys and coaches."
#NationalSigningDay2019 Bob Liking from St. Charles, Illinois
— Wisconsin Track & Field (@BadgerTrackXC) November 14, 2019
•Program record in the 3-mile race: 14 minutes, 23 seconds
•2019 State Champion #OnWisconsin 🔴⚪️ pic.twitter.com/ajE35loruZ
Max Peckenschneider (Minneapolis, Minn.)
High School: Providence Academy
Events: Sprints
Personal bests: 100 meters - 10.86; 200 meters - 21.52
Peckenschneider's personal record 200-meter race of 21.52 placed him at No.1 in the state of Minnesota. He also secured a seventh-place finish in the 200-meter race at the AAU National Junior Olympic Track and Field Championships.
Why Wisconsin: "There is so much pride around Wisconsin, from game day to the everyday campus feel. The winning tradition was something I wanted to be apart of."
#NationalSigningDay2019 Max Peckenschneider from Minneapolis, Minnesota
— Wisconsin Track & Field (@BadgerTrackXC) November 14, 2019
•2019 State Champion (100m/200m)
•10.86 100m PR
•21.52 200m PR#OnWisconsin 🔴⚪️ pic.twitter.com/ihrne1UKKF
Jason Swarens (Terre Haute, Ind.)
High School: South Vigo
Events: Throws
Personal bests: Shot put - 64-0; Discus - 175-7
Swarens's shot put personal record of 64-0 placed him at No.1 in the state of Indiana and No.4 in the nation for the class of 2020. From his success in the shot put, he earned the 2019 Indiana shot put champion and was named the 2020 Gatorade Player of the Year for Indiana.
Why Wisconsin: "I chose Wisconsin because I really like the coaches and athletes on the track team, and there is a fantastic engineering program."
#NationalSigningDay2019 Jason Swarens from Terre Haute, Indiana
— Wisconsin Track & Field (@BadgerTrackXC) November 16, 2019
•2019 Indiana State Shot Put Champion
•64'-0" shot put PR
•185'-7" discus PR#OnWisconsin 🔴⚪️ pic.twitter.com/8Yche2e2pg
Nick Tomasovic (Appleton, Wis.)
High School: Kimberly
Events: Throws
Personal bests: Shot put - 58-7.50; Discus - 176-8
Tomasovic placed third in both the discus and shot put at the 2019 WIAA State Championship.
Why Wisconsin: "I have been a Badger fan all my life and after touring there it just felt like a place that I wanted to call home. The throwers are an awesome group and Coach Astrauskas is great. Everything just made sense and I could not be more excited to attend UW-Madison!"
#NationalSigningDay2019 Nick Tomasovic from Appleton, Wisconsin
— Wisconsin Track & Field (@BadgerTrackXC) November 15, 2019
•3rd in 2019 WIAA in shot put and discus
•58'-7.50" shot put PR
•176'-8" discus PR#OnWisconsin 🔴⚪️ pic.twitter.com/9gDrzWXoAS
Davis Wenthe (Galesville, Wis.)
High School: Gale-Ettrick-Trempealeau
Events: Hurdles
Personal bests: 110 meter hurdles - 14.60; 300 meter hurdles - 37.91
Wenthe was the 2019 DII 300-meter hurdles state champion. His 110-meter hurdle PR of 14.60 placed him at No.4 in the state of Wisconsin. He was named the 2020 Gatorade Player of the Year for Wisconsin.
Why Wisconsin: "I chose Wisconsin because I know it is a place where I will be challenged both academically and athletically. I also could not imagine myself anywhere other than our flagship school. I am excited to represent my home state. ON WISCONSIN!"
#NationalSigningDay2019 Davis Wenthe from Galesville, Wisconsin
— Wisconsin Track & Field (@BadgerTrackXC) November 15, 2019
•2019 300M Hurdles State Champion
•37.91 300m Hurdles PR#OnWisconsin 🔴⚪️ pic.twitter.com/XCcJZv6QKW
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