MADISON, Wis. - Wisconsin women's swimming and diving standout Phoebe Bacon and men's track and field and cross country star Bob Liking were named UW's recipients of the 2025 Big Ten Medal of Honor, the school announced on Wednesday. 

The awards were presented as part of the 2025 Buckinghams, UW Athletics' annual awards show and student-athlete showcase. 

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 now receive this award per Big Ten institution.

Liking made history for Wisconsin this past fall, becoming the first individual in school history and only the fourth Big Ten Conference men's athlete ever to win four conference individual titles in cross country. 

The St. Charles, Illinois native has been a staple of the distance program for multiple years, as he was a part of five Big Ten men's cross country championships and helped UW finish fourth at the 2023 NCAA Cross Country Championships in Madison.

A four-time first-team All-American in cross country and track and field, he currently holds the school record in both the indoor and outdoor 5000 meters, while ranking second in the 10,000 meters and fifth in the indoor 3000 meters. 

Academically, Liking excelled by earning 2024 USTFCCCA Scholar Athlete honors, in addition to being a seven-time Academic All-Big Ten selection. 

Bacon emerged as one of the top athletes in the nation in women's swim and dive—accumulating numerous accolades in her time as a Badger.

Bacon was named Big Ten Swimmer of the Year in back-to-back seasons, notching a pair of individual NCAA Championships in the 200-yard backstroke. The senior earned 17 individual All-America and nine Big Ten Champion honors by the conclusion of her college career, becoming an All-Big Ten swimmer in three different seasons. 

On the world stage, the Chevy Chase, Maryland native competed in both the Tokyo and Paris Olympics in the 200 meter backstroke and is a four-time US National Team member. 

In the classroom, Bacon is a three-time recipient of both CSCAA Scholar-Athlete honors, in addition to Big Ten All-Academic awards. Most recently, Bacon was named to the 2024-25 CSC Academic All-District First Team—capping off a legendary college career at Wisconsin.