MADISON, Wis. — Wisconsin Athletics celebrated the excellence of its student-athletes at its 16th annual showcase event, the Buckinghams, on Tuesday night at the Overture Center for the Arts in downtown Madison.

The Buckinghams creates a shared experience aimed at uniting campus, community, and the entire athletic department around shared values and the pride of being a Badger. This year's show was emceed by media personality Dan "Big Cat" Katz, a notable alumnus and supporter of Wisconsin Athletics.

In addition to acknowledging and celebrating academic and athletic achievements throughout the evening, four major awards were given out: People-Centered, Better Together, Forward-Thinking, and Badger Pride. Each of these awards reflect the culture of Wisconsin Athletics, and recipients were nominated and selected by student-athletes, coaches, sports liaisons, senior administration, and staff.

Wisconsin's recipients of the Big Ten Medal of Honor this season were also announced during the Buckinghams.

A full list of winners recognized at the Buckinghams is available below:

BIG TEN MEDAL OF HONOR
The conference's most prestigious award, the Big Ten Medal of Honor was first awarded in 1915 to one student-athlete from the graduating class of each university who had "attained the greatest proficiency in athletics and scholastic work."

The conference's exclusive award was the first of its kind in intercollegiate athletics to recognize academic and athletic excellence. Only one male and one female student-athlete receive this award per Big Ten institution. Read the full announcement.

Cameron Huss – Men's Golf
Emma Jaskaniec – Women's Soccer

PEOPLE-CENTERED
This group and/or individual strives to help people feel seen, valued and supported. These servant leaders champion shared experiences with others and within the community. They recognize that differences are our strengths, leading authentically and fostering an environment of collective growth.

WINNERS:
Britta Curl – Women's Hockey
Britta is truly exceptional person. She's always there for her teammates, putting their well-being first and lifting them up as a true leader should. Through initiatives like Badgers Give Back, she's deeply involved in community service, making a real difference. Britta listens to everyone, understands their needs, and works together with them to make positive changes happen. Her genuine connections and belief in teamwork makes her a people-centered individual.

Sam Amusan – Men's Track and Field
Sam's heart is in the right place, always lending a hand to the community through Badgers Give Back and other initiatives in the athletic department. Within our team, he's like our rock, always there to support his teammates, no matter what. Whether it's helping in practice or giving us that extra push during competitions, Sam embodies the spirit of teamwork. He's the kind of leader who leads by example, making a real impact both on our team and in our community.

FINALISTS:
Macy Mosner – Women's Rowing
Riley Nowakowski – Football
Brooke Schramek – Women's Basketball
Garrison Waugh – Men's Rowing

BETTER TOGETHER
This group and/or individual is the glue to a program, living out the "we before me" mentality in everything that they do. They are the epitome of selflessness. They champion teamwork and collaboration to achieve a common goal.

WINNERS:
Will Pauling – Football
Will's energy is contagious, both on and off the field. He's not just about personal success; he values every team member's contribution. His leadership style is all about empowerment. Will doesn't just celebrate his own achievements; he recognizes and celebrates the team's successes. As a role model, he epitomizes teamwork, collaboration, and selflessness, inspiring others to follow suit.

Kiley Robbins – Women's Track and Field
Kiley's positivity shines through everything she does, whether it's on the track or in her daily life. She's all about teamwork, knowing we're stronger together. She empowers each of us to do our best, creating a supportive environment. We celebrate our individual victories as one team, which just makes us better together. Kiley sets the example, showing us the power of working together selflessly.

FINALISTS:
Vanessa Ho – Women's Golf
Anthony Kehrer – Men's Hockey
Kamari McGee – Men's Basketball
Skyler Sirdashney – Softball

FORWARD-THINKING
This group and/or individual is committed to achieving excellence through an unending pursuit of improvement. They embrace challenges and are prepared to take calculated risks by being innovative and creative.

WINNERS:
Shane Liegel – Wrestling
Shane's journey from Division 3 wrestler to a proud member of the UW wrestling program exemplifies his unwavering commitment to excellence. Despite challenges, he shows resilience, viewing them as opportunities for growth. Shane's leadership has made him an invaluable asset to the team. His passion for being a Badger shines through in every competition, inspiring others to embrace innovation and pursue excellence. Shane's dedication and love for the program make him a deserving recipient of this award.

Julia Orzol – Volleyball
Julia is what it means to be a student-athlete, excelling academically and athletically. She transitioned from an outside hitter to libero this season, exhibiting outstanding leadership, inspiring her teammates with positivity and resilience. Julia's exceptional work ethic shines through in both her athletic and academic pursuits, setting a high standard for her peers. Her commitment to excellence aligns perfectly with the forward thinking mentality, making her more than deserving of this award.

FINALISTS:
Taylor Cataldi – Women's Tennis
Aiden McConnell – Women's Soccer
Michael Minasyan – Men's Tennis
Daniel Muller – Men's Swimming and Diving

BADGER PRIDE
This group and/or individual wins the right way and represents Wisconsin with enthusiasm and spirit. They are the epitome of what it means to be a Badger and are proud of it.

WINNERS:
Tim Bielic – Men's Soccer
Tim is the definition of sportsmanship and integrity both on and off the field. As a fifth-year captain, he's faced his fair share of challenges, including surgeries that could have ended his collegiate career. Yet, Tim's unwavering pride and enthusiasm for representing Wisconsin Athletics have kept him going. His dedication to the program, despite setbacks, inspires us all. Tim's leadership makes him not just a standout player, but also a mentor and role model for his teammates.

Phoebe Bacon – Women's Swimming and Diving
Phoebe not only excels as a leader within the swim and dive program but also boasts an impressive list of swimming accolades. Her exceptional talent in the pool, coupled with her exemplary leadership qualities, sets her apart. Phoebe's dedication to the team's success, coupled with her personal achievements, underscores her commitment to excellence in representing Wisconsin Athletics. Her remarkable contributions and achievements in swimming serve as a testament to her unwavering pride and enthusiasm for the program.

FINALISTS:
Jacob Beckman – Men's Golf
Katie Kotlowski – Women's Hockey
Joshua Truchon – Men's Cross Country
Lexi Westley – Women's Track and Cross Country