MADISON, Wis. — Freshman diver Jaden Eikermann and junior swimmer Taiko Torepe-Ormsby have been named to the 2024-25 Big Ten Men's Swimmers and Diver to Watch List, announced by the Conference on Wednesday afternoon. 

Torepe-Ormsby is entering his third season with the Badgers, after a standout sophomore season. The New Zealand native set a school record in the 50 Freestyle at Big Ten Championships last spring, coming in first with a time of 18.81. Torepe-Ormsby also set the 100 Freestyle school record at NCAA Championships with a time of 41.96. 

Representing New Zealand this summer, Torepe-Ormsby qualified in the 50 Freestyle for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. The junior finished 19th in heats, with a time of 22.01. He was named New Zealand's fastest ever swimmer over 50m, as he set a New Zealand record en route to qualifying for the Paris Olympic Games. 

Freshman Jaden Eikermann will be joining the Badgers for the 2024-25 season with two Olympic Games under his belt. The Germany native qualified for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics at the age of 15, where he came in 21st on the Men's 10m Platform. Qualifying for the 2024 Paris Olympics, Eikermann improved to seventh place on the Synchronized 10m Platform. 

Diving since the age of six, Eikermann has already racked up an impressive resume, including winning gold in the 10m platform diving at the 2020 German Championships. As a 15-time German Youth champion, at the age of 14 he was named to the German national team at the age of 14 – the youngest member at that time. 

The Badgers will begin their 2024-25 campaign on Friday, October 11 at home against Green Bay.