MADISON, Wis. — The Wisconsin swimming and diving program has completed its 16-member recruiting class for the 2019-20 season and, in the eyes of head coach Yuri Suguiyama, the future is bright for the Badgers.
"We're really excited about this group of swimmers and divers," Suguiyama said. "Not only are they going to make an immediate impact on the program, but they're great people with aspirations of achieving success well beyond their four years here in Madison."
For Suguiyama, being a Badger is bigger than what happens on the blocks.
"As a staff, we were looking for student-athletes who are passionate about the sport, value their education and want to be part of a great team environment," he said.
Still smearable is the ink in Suguiyama's first-year scrapbook, which includes the national women's swimmer of the year in three-time NCAA champion Beata Nelson. The junior was one of four first-team All-Americans for the Badgers in Suguiyama's first season at the helm, which also included honorable mention All-America nods for three others.
So being a Badger also means going big.
"I think our success this past season shows that Madison is a place where student-athletes can become elite," Suguiyama said.
The class includes nine additions to the men's team and seven signees on the women's side.
"We can't wait to start working with them," Suguiyama said.
MEN'S SIGNEES
Constantin Bensch (Madison, Wis. – West)
Top Times
100 Free – 45.95
200 Free – 1:39.23
100 Fly – 48.59
200 Fly – 1:47.68
Prep: A six-time All-American, Bensch bagged top-five finishes in the 100 fly and 200 free at the Wisconsin state championships as a senior, helping Madison West to a second straight Division 1 state title. Most recently, the product of the Madison Aquatic Club placed seventh in the 50 fly at the 2019 NCSA Junior Championships following four top-five finishes at the 2019 Wisconsin Short Course Championships.
Why Wisconsin: "Wisconsin is a great mixture of academics and athletics. The school is top-notch, with amazing teaching and research opportunities. The coaching staff is world-class, caring deeply for the success of every individual. I have loved living in Madison and am ecstatic to spend at least four more years in this beautiful city."
Brendan Eckerman (Centennial, Colo. – Cherry Creek)
Top Times
100 Breast – 56.02
200 Breast – 2:03.50
200 IM – 1:49.53
400 IM – 3:59.03
Prep: Eckerman was a Colorado state champ in the 200 free relay and scored top-five finishes in the 100 free and 200 IM while being named first-team all-state in his junior year. A two-time team MVP, Eckerman also has been team captain at Cherry Creek High School. Competing for Aces Swim Club, he scored top-10 finishes in four events at the 2018 Colorado Long Course Championships.
Why Wisconsin: "I love everything about the University of Wisconsin. My first impression of Madison was driving down the street right towards the capitol, around sunset, and I knew immediately it would be a view I wouldn't grow tired of. After meeting the team and the coaching staff, before even touring the campus, I knew these were people I could be around for the next four years. Touring the campus is breathtaking, even in the middle of December, then I found that I could pursue exactly what I wanted academically and I knew Wisconsin was going to the place for me."
Wes Jekel (Madison, Wis. – West)
Top Times
50 Free – 20.54
100 Free – 45.76
100 Back – 48.05
100 Fly – 48.43
100 Breast – 56.66
200 IM – 1:46.80
Prep: A seven-time Wisconsin state champion, Jekel helped lead Madison West to back-to-back Division 1 state titles as a junior and senior. He won the 100 back and added relay titles in the 400 free and 200 medley relays as a junior in 2018. As a senior, Jekel defended those three titles while also taking the top spot in the 100 fly. Competing for Badger Aquatic Club, Jekel scored top-five finishes in three events at the 2019 NCSA Junior Championships, taking third in the 50 back and 100 fly while finishing fifth in the 100 back. That came on the heels of winning the 200 IM at the 2019 Wisconsin Short Course Championships. The Madison native also bagged a win in the 100-meter fly at the 2018 Wisconsin Long Course Championships.
Why Wisconsin: "I chose UW because I have grown up in Madison my whole life and always dreamed of being a Badger."
Tadzio Kurka (Chicago, Ill. – Whitney Young)
Top Times
200 Free – 1:40.91
500 Free – 4:34.29
100 Back – 49.39
200 Back – 1:47.74
Prep: A team captain at Whitney Young, Kurka helped break the Illinois state record in the 800 free relay and posted junior national cuts in the 100 back and 200 back. Competing for Chicago Wolfpack Aquatic Club, Kurka was a third-place finisher in the 100 backstroke at the 2019 Illinois Senior Championships.
Why Wisconsin: "I met the most hard-working and inspiring swimmers and coaches on my trip, which is a great sign to me. I think I can make a great addition to the team next year, while hopefully achieving all of my dream and goals."
Jack Leuthold (Billings, Mont. – Central Catholic)
Top Times
200 Free – 1:42.81
500 Free – 4:29.93
1000 Free – 9:20.72
1650 Free – 15:13.94
Prep: A four-time all-state selection and six-time state finalist, Leuthold won three consecutive Montana state titles in the 500 free and added a win the 200 free as a senior. He helped Billings Central Catholic win three straight state championships over his final three seasons. Competing for Billings Aquatic Club, Leuthold placed fourth in the 1650 free at the 2018 Speedo Winter Junior Championships.
Why Wisconsin: "I chose the University of Wisconsin for the amazing academics, athletics and team atmosphere. Also, the coaching staff is incredible and will do everything to help me reach my goals. I am very excited to live in Madison and be a Badger. On, Wisconsin!"
Matthew Mitchell (LaPorte, Ind.)
Top Marks
1M – 567.95
3M – 497.70
Prep: A product of RipFest Diving Club in Indianapolis, Mitchell qualified for 3-meter finals and finished 13th overall at the USA Diving junior championships. Most recently, Mitchell participated in the Orlando All-Star Invitational, at which he tallied top-five finishes in the 1-meter and 3-meter events.
Why Wisconsin: "I fell in love with the campus over my visit and immediately knew I fit into the team."
Drew Nixdorf (Hartland, Wis. – Arrowhead)
Top Times
100 Back – 48.71
200 Back – 1:49.13
100 Fly – 48.50
200 Fly – 1:50.47
Prep: A NISCA All-American, Nixdorf is best known for his backstroke. Competing for Lake Country Swim Team, he won consecutive 200-meter backstroke titles at the Wisconsin Long Course Championships in 2017 and 2018 – scoring nine total runner-up finishes at those meets, as well. Nixdorf is a USA Swimming Scholastic All-American.
Why Wisconsin: "I was born in Wisconsin, and with two alumni of the university as parents, the Badgers were a constant part of my life. Knowing Wisconsin had one of the top-ranked engineering programs in the country made the decision even easier. Finally, meeting the coaches and the swim team made me 100 percent certain that Wisconsin was the place I wanted to spend the next four years of my life."
Braden Rumpit (Brookfield, Wis. – Central)
Top Marks
1M – 463.58
3M – 451.80
Platform – 300.15
Prep: Rumpit closed his high school career with a Division 1 state championship on the 1-meter springboard at the 2019 Wisconsin state championships. In club competition, Rumpit placed first in the 3-meter and second in the 1-meter events at the 2018 Wisconsin Diving Association Championships. Named Most Improved Diver at Brookfield Central his sophomore year, Rumpit went on to serve as team captain during the 2018-19 season.
Why Wisconsin: "I chose the University of Wisconsin because of its excellent academics, especially the engineering program, which is one of the best in the county. I also really like the swim and dive team and I thought it would be a place where I could fit in well."
Ryan Zelen (Duluth, Minn. – Denfeld)
Top Times
50 Free – 20.71
100 Free – 45.80
100 Fly – 49.71
Prep: A three-time team MVP at Duluth Denfeld, Zelen capped his prep career with a pair of top-five finishes at the 2019 Minnesota state meet in the 50 free and 100 fly. As a junior, Zelen placed third in the 50 free and fourth in the 100 free at the state meet en route to an all-state selection. Racing for the Lake Superior Swim Club, Zelen notched two top-five times in the 50 free and 100 free at the 2018 Minnesota Senior Championships. He has also competed at the TYR Pro Swim Series in Santa Clara.
Why Wisconsin: "I chose the University of Wisconsin for the high-quality academics and for the opportunity to compete with such a great team. The team culture was unlike anywhere else I've seen and I'm very excited to be apart of it."
WOMEN'S SIGNEES
Maddie Aguirre (Lansdale, Pa. – Agnes Irwin)
Top Times
500 Free – 4:55.18
200 IM – 2:03.72
400 IM – 4:20.54
Prep: Aguirre wrapped up her high school career with runner-up finishes in the 500 free at both the Independent Schools Championship and the Eastern Interscholastic Championships. Competing for Suburban Seahawks Club, she posted a pair of top-five finishes at the 2018 Middle Atlantic Short Course Championships. A three-time first-team all-conference selection, Aguirre was also named Scholastic All-America by USA Swimming and was a team captain in both swimming and cross country.
Why Wisconsin: "I chose the University of Wisconsin because of the atmosphere of the school, the amazing coaching staff and the personality of the team. The swimmers were all so nice and welcoming. I immediately felt at home and a part of the Badger family when I stepped on campus."
Kit Greenberg (Tarrytown, N.Y. – Hackley)
Top Marks
1M – 390.45
3M – 437.45
Platform – 310.70
Prep: A three-sport athlete in high school, Greenberg is product of the High Dive Champions club. As a five-year club captain, Greenberg bagged three USA Diving zone medals, three USA Diving Junior National medals, two USA Diving Synchronized National Championship medals, a YMCA Nationals championship and an AAU All-American Diver award.
Why Wisconsin: "I chose Wisconsin because it combines a world-class academic experience with the chance to compete athletically at a high level with incredible support and facilities. I felt a sense of community when I stepped on campus and I saw myself being able to grow academically and athletically."
Alivia Lindorfer (St. Paul, Minn. – North)
Top Times
500 Free – 4:52.98
1000 Free – 9:54.65
1650 Free – 16:38.40
Prep: A distance specialist, Lindorfer was a finalist in both the 1000 free and 1650 free at the 2019 NCSA Junior Championships. She also competed at the 2018 TYR ISCA Junior Championship Cup, where she grabbed gold in the 1000 freestyle and secured second in the 500 and 1650 free. Competing for St. Croix Swim Club, she won the 200 fly at the 2018 Minnesota Senior Championships and scored three wins at the state long course meet, claiming the 800 free, 1500 free and 200 fly.
Why Wisconsin: "I loved everything at Wisconsin. Being there, I felt very excited for the future and I knew it was where I belonged."
Elizabeth Moore (Sylvan Lake, Canada)
Top Times
50 Breast – 33.60 (LCM)
100 Breast – 1:10.77 (LCM)
200 Breast – 2:30.32 (LCM)
Prep: A 2018 Junior Pan Pacific Championships qualifier in the 100- and 200-meter breaststroke, Moore has been one of Canada's best young swimmers. At the 2017 Canadian Championships, she scored a top-five finish in the 200 breast. One year later, Moore grabbed top-10 finishes in the 100 breast, 200 breast and 200 IM at the 2018 Canadian Championships.
Why Wisconsin: "I chose the University of Wisconsin because the people were very friendly and welcoming. The swim program was excellent and the resources offered to student-athletes are amazing. The university also is a highly-ranked academic school, which I can see myself benefiting from in the future. Lastly, the city of Madison gave me a sense of comfort by feeling like home."
Ally Penrod (Fox River Grove, Ill. – Barrington)
Top Times
100 Free – 51.62
200 Free – 1:51.87
100 Breast – 1:03.63
200 Breast – 2:17.94
200 IM – 2:05.69
Prep: A four-time USA Swimming Scholastic All-American, Penrod won three sectional titles and then posted three state finalist performances in the 100 free, 100 breast and 200 medley relay as a junior at the 2017 Illinois State Championships. She was a finalist again in the 400 free and 200 medley relays as a senior in 2018. Competing for the Academy Bullets club team, Penrod scored a pair of top-10 finishes at last year's Illinois long course championships.
Why Wisconsin: "I chose the University of Wisconsin because it provides the perfect balance between strong academics and great athletics. The coaching staff is amazing and the team is so welcoming. When I visited, I knew it was the perfect school for me!"
Mikayla Seigal (Boulder, Colo. – Fairview)
Top Times
200 Free – 1:49.89
500 Free – 4:53.88
100 Fly – 54.97
200 Fly – 1:59.37
Prep: A state champion as part of Fairview's 200 freestyle relay, Seigal also finished third in both the 200 free and 100 fly as a senior at the 2019 Colorado State Championships. The USA Swimming Scholastic All-American also won a pair of titles at the 2017 Colorado Senior Championships while competing for Flatiron Athletic Club. In 2018, she won the 200 fly title at the Speedo Four Corners Championship and was a USA Swimming Junior Nationals qualifier.
Why Wisconsin: "I chose the University of Wisconsin because the environment it creates will allow me to explore avenues independently while also providing resources to guide me through my four years of college and beyond. Instantly when I arrive to Madison, I felt a great sense of community between the college and the city. I see the pride people carry when they talk about the University of Wisconsin, the pride that over overwhelms them to the point of smiling. Madison felt like home to me. The people are very supportive and their passion to help others really resonates with. The opportunities at the university motivate me to be part of the community with people that have similar drive and dedication."
Carly Zlotnikoff (Lower Gwynedd, Pa. – Wissahickon)
Top Times
50 Free – 23.63
100 Free – 50.42
200 Free – 1:49.26
Prep: A NISCA All-American, Zlotnikoff finished runner-up in the 100 free and third in the 200 free as a senior at the 2019 Pennsylvania State Championships. She also was a finalist in four events at the state meet as a junior. Competing for Central Bucks Swim Team, she scored a fifth-place finish the 100 free at the 2018 Middle Atlantic Senior Long Course Championships.
Why Wisconsin: "I chose UW because of the great coaching staff, the amazing facilities and its reputation for academics. More importantly, I chose the University of Wisconsin because the team was so welcoming and genuinely nice."
