INFOCUS
FOR THE W Digging deep, the women’s rowing team grits through and fights for the last 500 meters at the Pac-12 Invite to cross the finish line before USC. See the Badgers in action at Devil’s Lake in Baraboo, Wisconsin, on Sunday, May 19 for the Big Ten Championships. PHOTO BY AARON SHEPLEY
INFOCUS
ALL SMILES Warmer weather is here and spring football practice has started for the Badgers. No stopping these smiles at Camp Randall Stadium this week. PHOTOS BY BRANDON HARRISON
INFOCUS
FUTURE LOOKS BRIGHT Freshman Shuaib Aljabaly joins UW teammate Lucinda Crouch and future Badger Jackson Sharp at the IAAF World Cross Country Championships in Aarhus, Denmark. Aljabaly finished 29th overall in the Under-20 race as the USA’s highest finisher and helped lead the Americans to a sixthplace finish, while Team Australia’s Crouch finished 38th in the women’s race and fellow Australian Sharp finished 36th in the men’s competition. PHOTO COURTESY UW CROSS COUNTRY
INFOCUS
NO PLACE LIKE HOME It’s great to be back! The Badgers took in the sights and sounds of Goodman Diamond for the first time this season during starting line-ups for last Tuesday’s home-opener against Northern Iowa. Wisconsin swept UNI in the doubleheader, 6-1 and 11-2. PHOTO BY KATE ABBOTT
INFOCUS
BADGER ATTACK Madison Duello goes up for one of her match-high 14 kills against Green Bay on Saturday in the UW Field House. The Badgers swept the Phoenix in their first spring match of 2019. PHOTO BY CHAD MOSLEY
Protect your lane.
The 2019 Nissan Rogue®
PROUD PARTNER OF WISCONSIN ATHLETICS. ON, WISCONSIN!
The 2019 Nissan Rogue was engineered with available Nissan Intelligent Mobility technology like standard Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection** that can see a play ahead and help stop for you. So when you need help on defense, Rogue is there to back you up. Now the most exciting tech you own is in your driveway.
*Availability of features varies by vehicle model year, model, trim level, packaging and options. **Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection cannot prevent all collisions and may not provide warning or braking in all conditions. Driver should monitor traffic conditions and brake as needed to prevent collisions. See Owner’s Manual for safety information. Always wear your seat belt and please don’t drink and drive. © 2018 Nissan North America, Inc. All rights reserved.
CONTENTS
APRIL 3, 2019 ▪ VOLUME 9, ISSUE 30
BRANDON HARRISON
28 SPRING BALL Practices offer a number of Badgers the ability to build an identity and put themselves in position for more prominent roles come fall.
2
IN FOCUS
16 LUCAS AT LARGE 19 BY THE NUMBERS 20 WHAT TO WATCH
FOCUS ON FERG 16 LUCAS AT LARGE
TOM LYNN
FEATURES
How’s Jake Ferguson improving? Let’s ask former Badgers tight end Troy Fumagalli for his inside insight on growing strength and skills
23 BADGERING 25 BADGERS GIVE BACK 27 VIRAL VIDEO 41 INSIDE SOFTBALL 43 INSIDE TRACK & FIELD 47 INSIDE TENNIS 51 INSIDE ROWING
23 BRIANNA OHM BADGERING
Senior lightweight rower shares hardest section of racing and Badgers teammate she admires most 13
We didn’t invent the term “gemutlicHKeit” but we did perfect it. Welcome to a state of gemutlichkeit.
Wisconsin Athletic Communications Kellner Hall, 1440 Monroe St. Madison, WI 53711
VIEW ALL ISSUES Brian Lucas
Director of Athletic Communications
Jessica Burda
Director of Digital Content Managing Editor
Julia Hujet
Editor/Designer
Brian Mason
Editor/Contributor
Mike Lucas
Senior Writer
Andy Baggot Writer
Chris Hall, Jerry Mao, Bianca Miceli, Brandon Spiegel Video Production
Levon Myers Advertising
Drew Pittner-Smith Distribution
Contributors
Paul Capobianco, Kelli Grashel, A.J. Harrison, Brandon Harrison, Patrick Herb, Diane Nordstrom Photography
David Stluka, Greg Anderson, Bob Campbell, Jack McLaughlin, Tom Lynn, Cal Sport Media, Icon Sportswire Cover Photo: David Stluka Problems or Accessibility Issues? VarsityMag@UWBadgers.com Š 2019 Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System. All rights reserved worldwide. 15
LUCAS AT LARGE
BY MIKE LUCAS ▪ UWBADGERS.COM
How’s Ferg improving? Let’s ask Fum.
T
he visitor to practice stood inconspicuously behind the Wisconsin offensive huddle on a clear but crisp Saturday morning at Camp Randall Stadium. It’s unlikely that any of the high school coaches — in town for their annual state convention — recognized Troy Fumagalli out of uniform. As it is, he’s no longer No. 81, but No. 84 with the Denver Broncos. A fifth-round draft pick, he spent last season on injured reserve recovering from a sports hernia. “I kind of looked at it as a redshirt year,” he said. “I traveled with them, went to meetings, learned a bunch and got bigger and stronger.” Mostly, he got healthy. “Exactly,” said Fumagalli, 24. “It’s a good feeling. It has been a very long time.” Near the end of Saturday’s practice, Fumagalli was asked about another No. 84. Tight end Jake Ferguson. “He looks better and better every time I see him,” said Fumagalli, who caught 135 passes for
was eating five meals a day with snacks in between. A 40- to 50-pound jump is pretty crazy.” Almost all of his weight gain took place during his first year on campus. He’s still consuming four meals a day. No red meat, salads. Nothing super fatty. “I’m always hungry,” he said, conceding he will cheat a snack here and there. “I make really good Oreo milkshakes. Sometimes I’ll put a Pop Tart in it.” Taste aside, Ferguson hasn’t settled on what he might be weighing by the time the team convenes for training camp in August. For comparison, Fumagalli is 6-5, 250. “I feel good right now,” said Ferguson. “If I can put more weight on, and I can keep my speed, I will. We’ll see where it goes.” Turner figures the added bulk will round out the rough edges in Ferguson’s game. “The first thing you look at it,” said Turner, a former UW fullback/H-back, “it’s going to help him be a better blocker and stronger with his routes. On the
TOM LYNN
BEN SWANSON
16
1,627 yards and seven touchdowns during his 52-game UW career. “He looks heavier. Catching looks natural to him. You can kind of tell just watching him.” Fumagalli was perceptive on both fronts. Ferguson, the second-leading receiver last season, is heavier. About 10 pounds or so heavier than what he was against Miami in the Pinstripe Bowl. This spring, he’s carrying between 245 and 250 on his 6-foot-5 frame. And he says that he feels a little faster. “He’s carrying it better, too,” said UW tight end coach Mickey Turner. “He tried to get heavy pretty quick just to match some of the other guys who play tight end at this level and it wasn’t necessarily good weight his first couple of years. Now, he’s really putting it in the right places.” Ferguson redshirted as a freshman in 2017; a much-needed step in his physical development. “I was 205 when I got here,” said Ferguson, a wide receiver and linebacker at Madison Memorial High School. “I
other side, it will just help him stay more durable … it will help him maintain and not get run down as the year goes on. “They’ve done a great job in the weight room with not just getting him stronger, but getting him a little more flexible and a little more mobile. He’s faster, more connected, too. Everything is a lot more efficient. He knows how to work the game better.” While redshirting his first year, Ferguson tried to learn as much as he could from Fumagalli and Kyle Penniston. “I’d take one wrong step and they’d be in my ear afterwards just helping me,” he said. “It was good to have them even though it was only for one year. I really needed that.” Fumagalli was not an accomplished blocker when he got to Wisconsin. Neither was Ferguson. “Coming in, I wasn’t the biggest dude and I definitely couldn’t block,” Ferguson said. “I’m not close to where I want to be, I still have a lot of work to do.” There’s no magic formula, according to Fumagalli. “It honestly took working every day — getting my flexibility down, getting more physical — there’s no one secret thing,” he said. “Throw it all out there and the next thing you know you get more confident and start making blocks.” If the coaches can trust you as a blocker, he pointed out, it means more snaps. It also means that you’re on the field for first and second down, not just third down. “And the more you’re out there,” Fumagalli reasoned, “the more balls you catch, too.”
As a redshirt freshman, Fumagalli had 14 catches as a complementary receiver to tight end Sam Arneson, who had 29 catches for 387 yards and four TDs. In 2018, his debut season, Ferguson had 36 receptions for 456 yards and four scores. To expose him to different approaches, Turner is planning on taking Ferguson to the movies.
“THEY’VE DONE A GREAT JOB IN THE WEIGHT ROOM WITH NOT JUST GETTING HIM STRONGER, BUT GETTING HIM A LITTLE MORE FLEXIBLE AND A LITTLE MORE MOBILE. EVERYTHING IS A LOT MORE EFFICIENT. HE KNOWS HOW TO WORK THE GAME BETTER.” “We’ll have him study other tight ends who have been here and why they all had success and how they’re all a little different, too,” he said. “Each one isn’t a clone of the other. Jake is taking pieces of other guy’s games. But he knows that he can add his own flavor. “I’ve seen him block well. I’ve seen him catch well. Now when lining up against some of the opponents we’re playing this year (Michigan, Michigan State and Ohio State are the crossover games), can you still do those things, and can we still count on you?” Ferguson has not taken his role for granted. Especially as it relates to taking on additional responsibilities and becoming more of a leader, something
which has not gone unnoticed. “He feels like he can take on a little bit more of a vocal role,” Turner said. “He’s not a youngster anymore.” The Badgers are banking on Ferguson and Luke Benzschawel growing together as a tight end tandem. “Spring ball last year I was more watching people,” said Ferguson. “Now I’ve got people watching me — those young tight ends — and I have to help them work and perfect my craft.” During the early spring practices, the receivers have been adjusting to the throwing motions of four quarterbacks: Jack Coan, Danny Vanden Boom, Chase Wolf and Graham Mertz. Each “spins” the ball a little differently. “I like them all,” Ferguson said. “They’re coming in with the right mindsets.” Since the bowl, Coan and Ferguson have been “connecting” off the field. “He’s texting me stuff that I need to know, routes, changes, things like that,” he said. “It’s good to see that from a quarterback. He has taken on that leadership role. He’s a lot more confident. You can see it in his face and his play.” Fumagalli saw the same things in Ferguson’s face and play last Saturday. During the scrimmaging, Ferguson ran a crossing route and stretched out and made a one-handed diving catch, securing the ball upon hitting the turf, drawing hoots and hollers from his offensive teammates. “You really can’t teach that,” Fumagalli observed. “If you’ve got it, you’ve got it.” ▪
17
Championing the UW. Alumni and friends take great pride in giving back, especially during the Annual Campaign. Do your part. MAKE A GIFT TODAY. allwaysforward.org/go/UW
BY THE NUMBERS WALT MIDDLETON
WOMEN’S TRACK & FIELD ▶ Alissa Niggemann ran the second-best steeplechase in program history on Friday night at the Stanford Invitational. The Amherst, Wisconsin, native crossed the line in 10 minutes, 5.96 seconds, a time that leads the Big Ten Conference by almost 10 seconds.
10:05.96 1.40 ◀ SOFTBALL The Badgers’ pitchers combined for a 1.40 earned run average last week, allowing just five runs in their three-game sweep of Penn State, including one shutout.
JACK MCLAUGHLIN
▼ WOMEN’S ROWING For the first time in the history of the UW program, Wisconsin will host the Big Ten Championships on Sunday, May 19 at Devil’s Lake in Baraboo, Wis.
AARON SHEPLEY
1
DAVID STLUKA
FOOTBALL ▶ With an FBS-record 4,171 yards through two seasons, RB Jonathan Taylor is the nation’s leading returning rusher — by the better part of a mile. In one fewer season, Taylor has amassed 1,365 more yards than the nation’s second-leading returner for 2019, graduate transfer James Gilbert of Kansas State, who rushed for 2,806 yards in three-plus seasons at Ball State.
1,365 19
WHAT TO WATCH
SLAM DUNK
COLLEGE SLAM DUNK CONTEST THURSDAY, APRIL 4 ▪ 8PM MINNEAPOLIS ▪ ESPN
MAX SIKER
Don’t miss Wisconsin forward Khalil Iverson repping the Badgers in the 2019 State Farm College Slam Dunk Contest this Thursday at 8 p.m. on ESPN. Live from the Target Center in Minneapolis, Iverson was selected to compete in an elite pool of eight contestants in the Great Clips Slam Dunk Championship.
DAVID STLUKA
TAKE THE COURTS
MEN’S TENNIS VS. INDIANA FRIDAY, APRIL 5 ▪ 3PM NIELSEN TENNIS STADIUM UWBADGERS.COM
Wisconsin returns home to host Indiana on Friday at 3 p.m. in Big Ten play. Watch the matches streamed live on UWBadgers.com.
JOANNE WELSH
SUNDAY FUNDAY
SOFTBALL VS. IOWA SUNDAY, APRIL 7 ▪ 3PM GOODMAN DIAMOND ▪ BTN No. 25 Wisconsin welcomes Iowa to Goodman Diamond for a three-game series this Friday-Sunday. Fans can watch Friday and Saturday’s games streamed live on BTN Plus ($) and catch Sunday’s game live on Big Ten Network starting at 3 p.m.
ticket info 20
WHAT TO WATCH WEDNESDAY 4/3
THURSDAY 4/4
FRIDAY 4/5
SATURDAY 4/6
MEN’S & WOMEN'S TRACK & FIELD at Sun Angel Classic Tempe, Ariz. All day
MEN’S & WOMEN'S TRACK & FIELD at Sun Angel Classic Tempe, Ariz. All day
MEN’S TENNIS vs. Indiana Madison, Wis. 3 p.m.
WOMEN’S LIGHTWEIGHT ROWING at San Diego Crew Classic San Diego All day
SOFTBALL vs. Iowa Madison, Wis. 5 p.m. Watch: BTN Plus Ticket info » WOMEN’S TENNIS at #19 Ohio State Columbus, Ohio 5 p.m.
SUNDAY 4/7 WOMEN’S LIGHTWEIGHT ROWING at San Diego Crew Classic San Diego All day
MONDAY 4/8 WOMEN’S GOLF at Silverado Showdown Napa, Calif. All day
TUESDAY 4/9
SOFTBALL vs. Iowa Madison, Wis. 1 p.m. Watch: BTN Plus Ticket info »
WEDNESDAY 4/10
WOMEN’S GOLF at Silverado Showdown Napa, Calif. All day
WOMEN’S GOLF at Silverado Showdown Napa, Calif. All day WOMEN’S TENNIS at Penn State University Park, Pa. 11 a.m. MEN’S TENNIS vs. Purdue Madison, Wis. Noon View more 4/7 events »
ALL TIMES CENTRAL
VIEW FULL CALENDAR ON UWBADGERS.COM »
21
BADGERING...
BRIANNA OHM SENIOR ▪ OSHKOSH, WIS.
What is the feeling when you finally get on the water after training indoors all winter? “My first thought is always ‘I hope I still know how to row’ often immediately followed by ‘don’t catch a crab and eject from the boat.’ The first practice back on the water is always a fun one because we always start out the practice rowing like we’ve literally never rowed before, and then end the practice feeling a huge sense of relief and empowerment by the fact that we can still effectively move a boat together after being in hibernation for three months.” What point of rowing a 2000-meter race is the most difficult for you? “In my opinion the hardest part of a 2k race is probably 250-500 meters into the race. The first 250 meters is pumped full of adrenaline and our starting five strokes followed by our high 20 strokes require a lot of mental sharpness, so I often don’t realize the first 250 even happened. Once we shift to our base pace and focus into that second 250 meters, that’s when you realize how crazy fast the first 250 was and you begin to question your ability to hang on for about 1600 more meters. The pain settles in really quick because the adrenaline is gone and all that you have is your mental strength and the hope you can trick your body to keep going. Usually I kind of black out at the end of the first 750 meters and the pain has become so normal that I just keep going. So yeah, I would definitely say the second 250 meters is the hardest by far.” Who do you look up to most on the team? Why? “That’s an easy one. Definitely Rachel Illgen. She’s absolutely insane and she takes on so many things and somehow can balance rowing, school, homework, volunteering, participation in clubs and religious obligations. I’ve finally just heard her say that she’s tired for the first time last week. She sets no limits for herself and I truly believe she can do absolutely anything she sets her mind to. She keeps us all humble and every single day I want to be the fastest that I can be because I know she’s pulling for every single person in the boat before she pulls for herself. She honestly has the best attitude of any person I’ve ever met and is such a phenomenal leader. Even though she’s the only junior on our team, she is such an incredible presence and I know that I can leave the team next year and she will have no issue leading the team to be what she loves and deserves.” Click to read more »
23
Public School Educators We Teach. We Inspire.
Tammy Erickson, Glenwood City ParaPRO
Join Us!
BADGERS GIVE BACK SPOTLIGHT
badgers give back
An Unforgettable Badger Prom
Badgers join Wisconsin Upside Down to dance the night away BY BADGERS GIVE BACK STAFF
W
hile music echoed through Heritage Hall, Wisconsin student-athletes dressed in sharp suits and glittering dresses eagerly awaited the arrival of their prom dates, members from Wisconsin Upside Down. As the special guests arrived, they were fitted for crowns, pinned with flowers, and hit the dance floor with their Badgers dates, ready for an unforgettable night. Wisconsin Upside Down is a local organization dedicated to enhancing the lives of people with Down Syndrome and for the second straight year, Badgers Give Back teamed up with this foundation to host Badger Prom. “This is my favorite event. It gives many student-athletes the opportunity to come together and meet incredible people,” shared men’s basketball guard, Brad Davison. “It’s been circled on our calendar for months.” The event kicked off with Wisconsin’s favorite traditions, jumping to Jump Around and swaying to Varsity. All afternoon, it was easy to feel the excitement in the room. Everywhere you looked, people were dancing, laughing in the photo-booth, and grinning earto-ear.
Special appearances by Elsa and Anna from Frozen joined the group along with Tinkerbell, Superwoman, and Cinderella. Even Bucky Badger was busting moves on the dance floor. “The best part was dancing,” said Suzanne Gilreath, a women’s basketball student-athlete. “We had a big group laughing and cheering in a circle. The smiles were contagious.” For Davison, this Badger Prom was especially meaningful. Davison reunited with threeyear-old Kennedy, his date from last year. “I’ve really gotten to know Kennedy over the past year and seeing her growth 365 days later is special,” Davison shared. “The joy is truly a two-way street, and it’s fun to be a part of something bigger than myself. This is a memorable night for all of us.” A.J. Taylor of Wisconsin football added, “Badger Prom is bigger than all the things we do on a daily basis. We get to provide an experience for people who may not have a prom and that feeling is one-in-a-million.” Prom is often a memorable day for many of us — a day of hopes and dreams — and as Taylor noted, “Everyone deserves an unforgettable prom night.” ▪
25
VIRAL VIDEO
BEATA NELSON’S 2019 NCAA CHAMPIONSHIPS UP NEXT:
WISCONSIN SOFTBALL: KAYLA KONWENT
WISCONSIN HOCKEY: 2018-19 SEASON HIGHLIGHTS
FOLLOW THE BADGERS ▶ 27
BRANDON HARRISON
I
30
t was Joe Rudolph’s second spring as a Wisconsin player and he didn’t have an identity. “I got moved to offensive line in fall camp and you really didn’t get talked to after that — there was really no interaction like there is now,” he remembered of his redshirt freshman season in 1991. “You were on the scout team, and if they needed a scout team defensive lineman … I was that one week, too.” Rudolph, in fact, was named the Scout Team Defensive MVP leading up to a mid-September game against Iowa State. And, then, months later, he was singled out as the Scout Team Offensive MVP before the final regular-season game against Northwestern. “It really wasn’t until that following spring that you really started to get coached again,” said Rudolph, who found himself under the wing of offensive line coach Bill Callahan. “That spring, Coach made me write out all my goals. I was trying to be honest with whatever I wrote down.” Rudolph was in Callahan’s office when he handed him the sheet of paper with his goals.
“I remember Coach Callahan looking at my goals and, then, he looked at me twice, and he goes, ‘Close the door and sit down,’” Rudolph recounted. “I guess my goals were higher than what was anticipated. He says, ‘This is what you think?’ “All of a sudden, he was intrigued. I remember him giving me that sheet back and saying, ‘You want to save this.’ My goals were that I wanted to be in the two-deep and I wanted to travel even if I was the last center and the last guard on the list. “That spring was great for me. I had some success and that’s when you realize, ‘OK, you can make a big play and I’m counted on to do that.’ I kind of went from nowhere to being a guy looked at as a potential starter going into fall camp.” During the ’92 season, Rudolph alternated at right guard with Michael Bryan. One year later, he took over as the full-time starter on a Rose Bowl team and saw action on 877 scrimmage plays, the most among the linemen. He was named first-team All-Big Ten. As a senior, he was elected captain.
In retrospect, Rudolph traced his success After losing three All-Americans on the ofback to a spring ball and a sheet of personal fensive line (Michael Deiter, Beau Benzschawgoals. el and David Edwards) plus a gritty starter Now well into his second tour of duty on the (Jon Dietzen) to retirement, the Badgers will UW coaching staff — including his fifth season operate even more shorthanded during spring as the offensive coordiball without center Tyler nator and associate head Biadasz and tackle Cole coach to Paul Chryst in Van Lanen. “ONCE THEY MAKE A PLAY, THERE WILL addition to his duties with “From a leadership BE GUYS WHO WILL GO, ’SHOOT, I CAN DO the O-line — Rudolph has standpoint, it’s very imTHIS. WHY CAN’T I DO THIS ALL THE TIME?’” stuck with a decades-old portant that those two RUDOLPH SAID. “THEIR UNDERSTANDING tradition by having his stay connected,” Rudolph AND KNOWLEDGE START TO CHANGE TO players list their goals in ‘I WANT TO DO THIS.’ IT’S A PRETTY AWESOME said. “I think they will the spring. both embrace it and do THING TO SEE IN THE SPRING.” “I want these guys to well.” put themselves out there,” When spring drills got said Rudolph, speaking from experience as a under way last week, Jason Erdmann was also foundational player in the Alvarez era. “When limited. they do their goal sheets and I get one that “In the O-line, it opens the door for guys, isn’t very aggressive, I give it back to them and and it gives me this chance to work people tell them, ‘These aren’t good enough goals.’” at different spots,” said Rudolph, sizing up his To this end, he will say, “You wouldn’t be April depth. “Logan Bruss will be an example of here if you couldn’t make plays.” someone who will compete at both right tackle The results are usually predictable, too. and right guard. “Once they make a play, there will be guys who will go, ’Shoot, I can do this. Why can’t I do this all the time?’” he said. “Their understanding and knowledge start to change to ‘I want to do this.’ It’s a pretty awesome thing to see in the spring.” It reinforces everything that is important to Rudolph at this time of year. “The spring is used to find out who your team is,” he said. “We can build the offense around whoever the guys are. But the spring is to identify those guys. Who can be consistent? Who’s passionate about what they do? Who can play selfless ball and make the guys around them better? “If you come out of spring and you’re able to identify, ‘All right, this is our group,’ then it makes life a lot easier.” Injury rehabilitation is also a part of the spring.
“
31
GREG ANDERSON
jake ferguson
jack coan
JOHN FISHER
Bruss, a redshirt sophomore, started the last three games at right tackle for Edwards. Originally, he was utilized in a “jumbo” tight end formation with Erdmann, a fifth-year senior. “Kayden Lyles and Jason Erdmann will be guys who can compete at guard and center. David Moorman will be someone who can compete at left guard and left tackle. Guys like Aaron Vopal and Tyler Beach can compete at right tackle and left tackle. “If things are normal, the guys know that Tyler is going to be our starting center. “But it allows us to find the best spot for the others.” Rudolph volunteered the example of Josh Seltzner and his “whoa” moment last August. “He got thrown in with the ones last fall camp because we were running out of guys — Kayden wasn’t there (Lyles had been shifted to the D-line) and there were a couple of guys out with injuries,” Rudolph said. “So, he’s running with the ones, and it’s like ‘Whoa.’ Seltzner, a redshirt sophomore, was a preferred walk-on from Columbus, Wisconsin. “Bruss also got thrown into playing (after Edwards was injured),” he continued. “And, then, during bowl prep, Beach looks around and he’s taking all the reps. Spring is another opportunity for that (growth).” Another player who made strides leading up to the Pinstripe Bowl was tight end Luke Benzschawel. Although he’s currently banged up — “We’ve got to be smart with him, I don’t want him limping into the summer” — Rudolph was encouraged by his progress late last season. “He started strong early, got hurt, and then came back,” Rudolph said. “I do think that Luke started to really embrace his role: ‘I’m a big, physical, blocking-type guy that can make plays when called upon. And I’m going to embrace this side of it.’” One of the most pleasant offensive storylines in 2018 was the emergence of tight end Jake Ferguson, who was the second-lead-
ing receiver (36 catches for 456 yards) and a “Are they one of the guys? Or, are we more big-play threat (four touchdowns). Ferguson of an 11 team? I don’t know.” often drew special attention from opposing The 11 personnel package consists of one defenses on passing downs. running back, one tight end and three wide re“What an awesome experience for Jake to ceivers. play the entire game against Miami and to be “The same thing with the fullbacks,” Rudolph counted on in normal down and distance as said. “Are you a 21 team?” well as third-down situations,” Rudolph said. The 21 package is made up of two running “That was huge for him. It’s the process, right? backs, one tight end and two wide receivers. That development to being a Garrett Graham Alec Ingold excelled as a fullback last season or Lance Kendricks.” by accounting for seven Graham and Kendtouchdowns. ricks, former UW tight “He was phenomenal,” “IN CONTINUING TO ROUND OUT HIS GAME, ends, went on to play in said Rudolph. “That’s TO CONTINUE TO COMPLETE HIM,” RUDOLPH the NFL. why you were in 21.” SAID OF TAYLOR, “YOU KEEP DEVELOPING HIM Rudolph admitted the Mason Stokke and IN THE PASSING GAME AND GIVE HIM JUST position group “gets kind ENOUGH WHERE HE’S CONFIDENT IN HIS RUNS. John Chenal are battling of thin, kind of quick.” for turns at fullback this BUT WE KNOW THAT HE CAN DO THAT STUFF.” He added, “There’s spring. great room for guys to “Those are the guys step up there.” who need to show whether they’re ready or not,” Such as a Gabe Lloyd, a redshirt junior from Rudolph said. “There’s some cool competition Green Bay. with different groups trying to get on the field — “A guy like Gabe has a chance to surprise guys making each other better. I do think there some people,” Rudolph said. “He’s a talented kid. are some things out of 22 that you always carry.” He has a lot of ability and I’ve seen guys like him The 22 package has two running backs, two play and play significant roles. There are a few tight ends and one wide receiver. other guys like Jack Eschenbach and Coy Wan“Pretty good questions to have answered,” ner that we’ve got to see how they develop. he said. “Things that you want to know.”
“
TOM LYNN
DAVID STLUKA
jonathan taylor
33
Rudolph knows all that he needs to about tailback Jonathan Taylor. “You give him more reps this spring in some areas where maybe he didn’t have as many last year,” he said. “We felt comfortable with him playing on third down. But it was just an opportunity for us to get him off the field at times and get a Garrett Groshek on the field.” Groshek led the running backs with 24 receptions, the fourth most on the offense. “In continuing to round out his game, to continue to complete him,” Rudolph said of the record-setting Taylor, “you keep developing him in the passing game and give him just enough where he’s confident in his runs. But we know that he can do that stuff.”
34
DAVID STLUKA
garrett groshek
While Taylor and Groshek are pushing each other, and mentoring freshman Nakia Watson, who redshirted last season, Bradrick Shaw, a fifth-year senior, is still pushing to get back to 100 percent. He has not played since injuring his knee at Minnesota in 2017. Rounding out the rotation, Brady Schipper and Isaac Guerendo are trying to earn reps. Both have had trials at wide receiver. “I love him with the ball in his hands,” Rudolph said of Guerendo, a three-time Indiana state champion in track. “Watching his film, running jet sweeps, he was super-fast when he got the ball in his hands. You can kind of see his whole body filling out and the size he’s going to be.” An area of strength on offense should be the wideout corps considering the skill and seasoning of the returners: Danny Davis, A.J. Taylor, Kendric Pryor, Aron Cruickshank, Jack Dunn, Adam Krumholz and Taj Mustapha. All saw playing time in the fall. Whereas there’s no shortage of experience with the receivers, there is in the quarterback room with Jack Coan, Danny Vanden Boom, Chase Wolf and Graham Mertz. Coan was impressive as a starter in the triple overtime win at Purdue and the victory over Miami at Yankee Stadium in New York City. “There’s a lot of confidence in those four guys,” Rudolph said. “I like their approach. I like how much it matters to them. They have some similarities. But you know what they’ve done? They’ve worked in a way where they’ve earned the respect of the group. That’s not always easy.” Neither is spring ball. But it tends to draw the best out of players. It once did with Rudolph. “Winter conditioning finishes and your body is in the best shape ever,” he said. “There’s a freshness — we’re about to go into something new — and it’s that feeling of going out and earning it in the spring.”
FEATURE STORY
DAN SANGER
Spring Forward: Who’s ready to take next step for Badgers’ defense? Leonhard will look to large cast as he seeks to find replacements for veterans at each level BY MIKE LUCAS ▪ UWBADGERS.COM SENIOR WRITER
S
ports were seasonal for Jim Leonhard. Football in the fall. Basketball in the winter. Baseball in the spring and sum-
mer. “Being a three-sport kid in high school,” he said, “you never focused on something for more than the season. It was always from one sport to the next to the next.” Leonhard starred in all three at Flambeau High School in Tony, Wisconsin. It wasn’t until he joined the Badgers football program as a walk-on that he fully invested in one sport. All these years later, Leonhard’s first spring on the practice field still resonates with him as the UW defensive coordinator, a title that he has held the last two seasons. “Coming out of that spring (in 2002), I knew I was going to have a role and I knew it was going to be significant — I just didn’t know what it was because I wasn’t starting at the time,”
said Leonhard, who saw most of his action as a true freshman on special teams, collecting 12 tackles in 12 games. “I knew that I proved to the coaches that I belonged on the field in some capacity and it ended up being much bigger once fall camp rolled around. I gained a lot of trust from my teammates (that first spring). I knew it and I could feel it and it re-energized me going into the summer.” That September, he felt emboldened. “It was the finish of the first year of the cycle for me,” he said. “I was just able to play football for a year and from the knowledge of the game — and physically — I was able to take a step forward because I had trained for football for an entire offseason.” The results speak for themselves. As a sophomore, Leonhard had 99 tackles, led the nation in interceptions (11) and was recognized as a
35
first-team All-America safety by CNN/SI.com. He was also second in the Big Ten in punt returns and the first soph to be named Wisconsin’s team MVP in 55 years. “My first spring here,” he reflected, “was a big-time confidence boost.” Does his past experience have application to the players that he’s now coaching? A player like inside linebacker Jack Sanborn who lettered on special teams? A player like cornerback Rachad Wildgoose who started five games? Both are freshmen going through their first spring practice. “Absolutely,” he enthused. “To me, that first spring you should learn a lot. By the time your second spring ends, then you should have the confidence to say, ‘Now let’s go make plays.’ “Once you’re a junior and senior, you’re just fine-tuning things in the spring, you’re getting details down. In a lot of cases, you’ve played. And if you haven’t played, you’re really hungry
zack baun
JOHN FISHER
36
at that point to seek those roles and earn more playing opportunities.” Spring practice, he concluded, “Means something a little different for everybody.” As a whole, the spring can be meaningful and telling if for no other reason than fact-finding. “Going into spring ball,” he said, “there are always a ton of questions.” The search for answers has, thus, begun anew on the Madison campus. “As coaches this gets you excited,” said Leonhard. “You’re going to be able to answer some of these things that you don’t know right now. Who are going to be the leaders? Who’s going to step up? Roles change every year; responsibilities get bigger or smaller in some cases. “You’re always trying to find out, ‘What’s best for this group?’ “You get 15 practices to start yourself on that path.” ▪▪▪▪
At the end of last season, Leonhard identified “Guys who physically needed to take a jump.” Following their progression since then, he conceded, “You have an idea based on the winter conditioning. But can they put it on the field now?” A lot of players made offseason gains, Leonhard confirmed. “There are guys who physically look different this spring and have improved their bodies,” he went on. “And they’ve spent a lot of time on the mental side of the game. Now, can you take the next step? Can you start where you ended the year and not take steps back? Can you continue to improve? chris orr “I never like to place a guy at the next step until they put it on the you care about your teammates, you can lead field.” — and guys will follow.” Not only must Leonhard find replacements Besides Orr, who has started 16 games at for on-field difference-makers at each level of inside linebacker, Zack Baun was the other apthe defense — Olive Sagapolu on the defensive pointed defensive captain during the winter line, T.J. Edwards, Ryan Connelly and Andrew conditioning phase. Baun started all 13 games Van Ginkel at linebacker, D’Cota Dixon at safeat outside linebacker last season after being ty — but he must also fill the leadership void sidelined by an injury in from their departures. 2017. Both Orr and Baun “It’s easy to say that a will be fifth-year seniors. guy like Chris Orr we’re “YOU’RE ALWAYS THEN TRYING TO DEVELOP Leonhard believes that counting on as a leader,” LEADERSHIP IN THAT NEXT GROUP. GUYS Leonhard said. “He has UNDERSTAND THAT IT DOESN’T MATTER WHAT Garrett Rand, who sat out been in the program for a YOU’VE DONE ON THE FIELD. IF YOU CONSIS- last year with an injury, can bring some leaderlong time. He has had exTENTLY DO THE RIGHT THINGS, IF YOU CARE ship to the defensive line. perience and success on ABOUT YOUR TEAMMATES, YOU CAN LEAD — “Having a guy like that in the field. He’s very vocal AND GUYS WILL FOLLOW.” the D-line room is going and he has been a leadto be big,” he said. “He’ll er in the past. To me, you be limited (this spring). We’re going to be smart always start out with the guys who have done and bring him back at his pace.” it before. Rand can play nose or defensive end. He has “You’re always then trying to develop leadyet to start a game, but he has appeared in ership in that next group. Guys understand 28. Meanwhile, the Badgers are hoping to get that it doesn’t matter what you’ve done on the a full season out of 6-7, 307-pound Isaiahh field. If you consistently do the right things, if
“
37
NEIL AMENT
step physically and as a leader?’ There may be another Isaiah in the rotation — Isaiah Mullens, who redshirted as a freshman. “You knew he was a raw athlete; the physical tools were there,” Leonhard said. “During bowl prep, it was awesome to see the confidence and the physicality that he was playing with because the understanding was much higher. He now has to have a big spring. “There are a number of guys very similar to that. What you saw and thought of them in fall camp and what you saw in bowl prep, you got really excited. Can they carry that confidence over? Can they start there? Or are they taking steps back?” One of the position switches on defense has Griffin Grady, a redshirt junior, moving from inside rachad wildgoose linebacker to outside ’backer. Leonhard likes the speed that he plays with. While serving as a backup and special Loudermilk, who was limited by injuries to nine teams player, Grady has 10 tackles in 21 cagames and five starts in ’18. reer games. “He was a guy who improved and then hit “He’s got good length and size and can do roadblocks physically — you just want to make some things rushing the passer,” Leonhard sure he continues to go down the right path,” said. “He’s going to have said Leonhard, adding a few more opportunities that rising sophomores to do that on the edge.” Matt Henningsen and “THESE GUYS STARTED IN THE WINTER Leonhard is working Bryson Williams gained TAKING THAT NEXT STEP FOR THE FALL. with a couple of early envaluable reps by starting SPRING BALL IS OBVIOUSLY THAT NEXT TEST. seven and five games, re- WHAT DID THEY DO TO PLAY FASTER? TO PLAY rollees from the recruiting spectively. MORE CONFIDENT? TO PLAY MORE PHYSICAL? class of 2019: inside linebacker Leo Chenal from “Does he (Henningsen) NOW IS WHEN THOSE ANSWERS COME.” Grantsburg (Wisconsin) have to be a leader like High School (290 miles Olive was a leader the northwest of Madison) and outside linebacker year before? No. But his experience and what Spencer Lytle from St. John Bosco in Redondo he learned in that process can help the (D-line) Beach, California. room. Bryson is another guy who stepped up “Both of them are very smart. They’ve put and played well. Can you now take that next
“
38
in the time,” Leonhard said. “They’ve spent numerous hours on their own just trying to get a head start mentally knowing that they’re the only new guys on defense. We’re not necessarily going at their pace, we’re going at everyone else’s pace. “The faster that they can get comfortable just to play football is the goal.” As the secondary coach, Leonhard has a deep appreciation for Dixon’s loss. On and off the field. “We knew how special he was,” he said. “D’Cota was so next level as far as his leadership. You’re now trying to fill that role with a number of guys. They don’t have to be him. And we’re not asking anyone to be him. But we need to get the same type of leadership from a number of places. “A lot of those corners played and played significant time and made some plays. So now it’s the consistency of it and taking those next steps as far as confidence. It’s the same with the safeties. A lot of guys touched the field. Now you have to be confident in how you di-
rect the things in front of you.” The Badgers used 10 different starters in the secondary the last eight games. Wildgoose, Faion Hicks, Caesar Williams, Deron Harrell, Madison Cone and Donte Burton are the returning corners with starting experience. Scott Nelson, Eric Burrell and Reggie Pearson are the safeties who are back. Four true freshmen — Burton, Pearson, Travian Blaylock and Alexander Smith — saw action in fewer than five games and didn’t lose a season of eligibility in compliance with a new NCAA rule. Collin Wilder redshirted last fall after transferring from Houston. He’s in the mix this spring, too. How will all these pieces fall into place between now and April 26, the final practice? “That’s the fun part of the spring,” said the 36-year-old Leonhard. “These guys started in the winter taking that next step for the fall. Spring ball is obviously that next test. What did they do to play faster? To play more confident? To play more physical? Now is when those answers come.”
39
SAVING LIVES & SERVING WISCONSIN The UW School of Veterinary Medicine helps make both animal and human lives better. Our discoveries have advanced cancer treatments, we’ve created new ways to fight the flu, and we’re a world leader when it comes to figuring out what keeps cows healthy and happy.
MORE THAN
We have trained over half of the veterinarians in the state and serve as a resource and referral clinic for all.
Our teaching hospital provides exceptional care for animals throughout the state. Of our 27,000 patient visits last year, 80% were from Wisconsin.
Our scientists conduct 75% of the infectious disease research at UW-Madison, including work to prevent pandemic influenza, .
AnimalsNeedHeroesToo.com
Our livestock experts launched The Dairyland Initiative, a program that works directly with farms to optimize cow comfort, health, and production.
INSIDE SOFTBALL SCHEDULE (27-5, 4-2) Home events in bold. All times CT. Mar. 22 at Illinois
W, 15-6
Mar. 23 at Illinois
L, 0-2
Mar. 24 at Illinois
L, 5-6
Mar. 26 Northern Iowa
THIS WEEK No. 25 Wisconsin (27-5 overall, 4-2 B1G) will welcome Iowa to Goodman Diamond this weekend for a threegame series. Friday’s game begins at 5 p.m., first pitch on Saturday is set for 1 p.m. and Sunday’s finale will be played at 3 p.m. LAST WEEK The Badgers won all five of their games last week. They opened their home season with a doubleheader sweep over Northern Iowa (6-1 and 11-2) before sweeping Big Ten foe Penn State on the road. Wisconsin won via the run rule twice, winning 13-0 on Friday and 13-3 on Sunday. Saturday’s game featured a close 3-2 victory.
GOOD TO KNOW Junior Kayla Konwent had another unbelievable week for the Badgers. The first baseman hit .600 with 12 hits, eight RBI, six runs, five doubles, and three homeruns. Sophomore Lauren Foster has also found some pop as of late, recording six hits and three doubles for seven RBI this week while batting .400.
Mar. 29 at Penn State
W, 13-0
Mar. 30 at Penn State
W, 3-2
Mar. 31 at Penn State
W, 12-3
April 5
Iowa
5 p.m.
April 6
Iowa
1 p.m.
April 7
Iowa
3 p.m.
KATE ABBOTT
▲ TAP TO WATCH - Wisconsin Softball || Kayla Konwent
Doubleheader
W, 6-1 W, 11-2
April 12 at Northwestern 4 p.m. April 13 at Northwestern 1 p.m. April 14 at Northwestern
Noon
April 17 #19 Minnesota Doubleheader 2/4:30 p.m. April 19 Indiana
5 p.m.
April 20 Indiana
1 p.m.
View full schedule/results » SOCIAL MEDIA SPOTLIGHT:
NEED TO KNOW Sunday’s game against Iowa will be televised live on the Big Ten Network. Links to live statistics and live streams can be found on the softball schedule page at UWBadgers.com. Additionally, fans can follow live updates on the team’s Twitter page @BadgerSoftball.
RELATED STORIES (Click to read)
▶ Sunday Fun Day: Badgers sweep the Nittany Lions
FOLLOW US:
▶ Lucky number 13: Badgers run-rule Penn State, 13-0 ▶ Home, sweep home: Wisconsin wins doubleheader vs. UNI
41
STAY CENTERED
Underground parking and game day transportation.
1 W Dayton St • Madison, WI 53703 | 800 356 8293 | concoursehotel.com
INSIDE MEN’S TRACK & FIELD SCHEDULE Home events in bold. Feb. 22-23 at Big Ten Indoor Championships Ann Arbor, Mich. Results » March 8-9 at NCAA Indoor Championships
Birmingham, Ala. Results »
March 23
at Aztec Invitational San Diego Results »
Mar. 29-30 at Stanford Invitational Stanford, Calif. Results » April 5-6
at Sun Angel Classic
Tempe, Ariz.
Azusa, Calif.
April 18 at Pacific Coast Intercollegiate
THIS WEEK Wisconsin heads to Tempe, Arizona this weekend for the Sun Angel Classic. Hosted by Arizona State University, the two-day meet is scheduled to take place on Friday and Saturday. LAST WEEK Five Badgers competed in the distance events at the Stanford Invitational last weekend, including Ben Eidenschink, Seth Hirsch, Tannor Wagner, Derick Peters and Zack Benning. UW earned two top-2 finishes and all five competing athletes earned personal bests in their respective events.
GOOD TO KNOW Freshman Shuaib Aljabaly also competed over the weekend, representing Team USA at the IAAF World Cross Country Championships in Aarhus, Denmark. Aljabaly finished 29th overall in the Under-20 race, making him the highest finisher for Team USA.
WALT MIDDLETON
April 17-19 at Bryan Clay Invitational
Long Beach, Calif.
April 25-27 at Penn Relays
Philadelphia
View full schedule/results » SOCIAL MEDIA SPOTLIGHT:
NEED TO KNOW Fans can follow the action at the Sun Angel Classic on Twitter (@BadgerTrackXC) and can catch a recap following the meet on UWBadgers.com.
RELATED STORIES (Click to read)
▶ Distance athletes shine at Stanford Invitational
FOLLOW US:
▶ Badgers take on the world in Denmark ▶ UW teams in contention for USTFCCCA Program of the Year
43
We’re your hometown team for
reliable power Wisconsin’s locally-owned, not-for-profit public utilities support our neighbors in the community. Both in and out of the utility office, our knowledgeable administrative staff and dedicated line crew strive for the complete satisfaction of every customer. After all, you’re not just a customer to us. You’re also our neighbor.
visit whypublicpower.org to learn more. Sponsored by these locally owned, not-for-profit Wisconsin utilities:
INSIDE WOMEN’S TRACK & FIELD SCHEDULE Home events in bold. Feb. 22-23 at Big Ten Indoor Championships Ann Arbor, Mich. Results » March 8-9 at NCAA Indoor Championships
Birmingham, Ala. Results »
March 23
at Aztec Invitational San Diego Results »
Mar. 29-30 at Stanford Invitational Stanford, Calif. Results » April 5-6
at Sun Angel Classic
Tempe, Ariz.
April 17-19 at Bryan Clay Invitational
Azusa, Calif.
Long Beach, Calif.
WALT MIDDLETON
April 18 at Pacific Coast Intercollegiate April 25-27 at Penn Relays
THIS WEEK The Badgers head to Arizona this weekend to compete in the Sun Angel Classic, hosted by Arizona State. LAST WEEK Distance runners shined at the Stanford Invitational. Alicia Monson and Amy Davis rewrote the Badger history book, moving up to fourth and fifth all-time respectively after racing in the invitational section of the 10,000 meters, while Shaelyn Sorensen also ran the No. 9 time in school history in the 10K.
GOOD TO KNOW Alissa Niggemann also made UW history in the steeplechase as she ran the No. 2 time in school history in the event. Her time paces the Big Ten Conference this year.
Philadelphia
View full schedule/results » SOCIAL MEDIA SPOTLIGHT:
NEED TO KNOW Fans can follow the action from Arizona on Twitter (@BadgerTrackXC) and can check UWBadgers.com each day for a recap.
RELATED STORIES (Click to read)
▶ Distance athletes post UW top-10 marks
FOLLOW US:
▶ Badgers take on the world in Denmark ▶ UW teams in contention for USTFCCCA Program of the Year
45
INSIDE MEN’S TENNIS SCHEDULE (7-8, 1-4) Home events in bold. All times CT. Feb. 6
Chicago State
Feb. 9
Oklahoma State
W, 7-0 L, 2-4
Feb. 10 Washington
W, 5-2
Feb. 14 Marquette
W, 5-2
Feb. 21 Green Bay
W, 7-0
Feb. 24 #15 Oregon
L, 3-4
Mar. 1
at #50 Princeton
L, 1-6
Mar. 8
Nebraska
W, 6-1
Mar. 10 #16 Minnesota
L, 3-4
Mar. 20 at Pepperdine
L, 3-4
Mar. 24 at Iowa
L, 3-4
Mar. 29 at #1 Ohio State
L, 1-6
Mar. 31 at #37 Penn State L, 1-6 Indiana
April 7
Purdue Noon
3 p.m.
April 13 at Michigan State Noon
THIS WEEK The Badgers return home to host a pair of Big Ten Conference rivals at the Nielsen Tennis Stadium. UW welcomes Indiana for a 3 p.m. match on Friday before hosting Purdue on Sunday in a noon tilt. LAST WEEK UW faced its toughest road trip of the year with matches at No. 1 Ohio State and No. 37 Penn State as UW suffered 6-1 setbacks in both matches. Freshman Jared Pratt picked up two wins during the road trip at the No. 6 singles slot.
GOOD TO KNOW Wisconsin has shined at home this year with a 7-3 record at the Nielsen Tennis Stadium, including a 1-1 record against Big Ten Conference foes. NEED TO KNOW Admission is free for both matches and fans can follow the action on Twitter (@BadgerMTennis). Matches will also be streamed live on UWBadgers.com.
RELATED STORIES (Click to read)
▶ Wisconsin loses Big Ten battle to No. 37 Penn State
April 14 at #20 Michigan
Noon
April 19 Northwestern
3 p.m.
April 21 #15 Illinois
2 p.m.
COLIN JAMISON
April 5
April 25-28 at Big Ten Tournament Ann Arbor, Mich. View full schedule/results » SOCIAL MEDIA SPOTLIGHT:
FOLLOW US:
▶ Down not out: Badgers fall to No. 1 Ohio State ▶ A feather’s difference: Badgers fall to Iowa in heartbreaker
47
Seize the Moment. Nursing is a field that brings us closer to the human experience and a career choice made by some of the world’s most compassionate people. We would like to take this moment and give it back to our nurses.
Thank you for the many lives you have cared for and for your contribution to the human experience.
Live Life. Live Well.
www.oakparkplace.com
INSIDE WOMEN’S TENNIS SCHEDULE (13-2, 5-0) Home events in bold. All times CT. Feb. 1
Marquette
W, 7-0
Feb. 2
Iowa State
W, 5-2
Northern Illinois W, 7-0
Feb. 15 at Denver
L, 2-5
Feb. 16 vs. DePaul
W, 7-0
Denver
Feb. 22 Utah
L, 3-4
Feb. 24 Minnesota
W, 5-2
Mar. 16 at Maryland
W, 4-0
Mar. 17 at Rutgers
W, 6-1
Mar. 19 at Florida Atlantic
CANCELLED
Mar. 20 at FGCU
W, 4-1
Mar. 22 at Michigan State W, 4-0 W, 5-2
April 5 at #19 Ohio State 5 p.m.
THIS WEEK Wisconsin is back in action, competing at No. 19 Ohio State on Friday at 5 p.m. and at Penn State at 11 a.m. on Sunday. LAST TIME OUT The Badgers’ last two matches took place against Big Ten Conference opponents Michigan State and Purdue. Wisconsin took on the Spartans in East Lansing, Michigan and left with a 4-0 victory on March 23. On Sunday, March 25, Wisconsin returned home to host Purdue and sent the Boilermakers home with a 5-2
loss. Wisconsin remains undefeated in conference play. GOOD TO KNOW The Badgers are now ranked in the top 50 as a team and continue to have two women — Sara Castellano (44th) and Lexi Keberle (72nd) — ranked in the top 80 of the singles rankings.
April 7 at Penn State April 12 #36 Illinois
TOM LYNN
Mar. 24 Purdue
11 a.m. 4:30 p.m.
April 14 #24 Northwestern 11 a.m. April 20 Iowa
11 a.m.
April 21 Nebraska
10 a.m.
View full schedule/results » SOCIAL MEDIA SPOTLIGHT:
NEED TO KNOW For road matches, fans can check @BadgerWTennis for links to live scoring or live streaming. A recap and results are also posted to social media following the match.
RELATED STORIES (Click to read)
▶ Five things to know: Wisconsin back in action
FOLLOW US:
▶ Badgers ranked No. 45 in Oracle/ITA Rankings ▶ Badgers keep it rolling with win over Boilermakers
49
INSIDE MEN’S ROWING SCHEDULE Home events in bold. Oct. 21
at Head of the Charles Boston Results »
Oct. 27
at North Star Regatta Minneapolis Results »
Oct. 28
at Princeton Chase Princeton, N.J. Results »
Nov. 3
at Bald Eagle Invite Indianapolis Results »
April 6
vs. Syracuse
Skokie, Ill.
April 13
Minnesota/MSOE
April 13-14 at Stanford Invitational
Redwood City, Calif.
May 4-5 at Holy Cross/ Northeastern
Boston
May 19
at Eastern Sprints
Redwood City, Calif.
at IRA National Championships
Sacramento, Calif.
May 31-June 2 ▲ TAP TO WATCH - Wisconsin Men's Rowing 2018-19 Banquet Video
View full schedule/results »
THIS WEEK The 11th-ranked Badgers open their 2019 season when they take on No. 10 Syracuse in head-to-head racing at Dammrich Rowing Center in Skokie, Illinois, on Saturday. GOOD TO KNOW The two teams raced last year in Syracuse, with the Badgers
winning the all-important varsity eight, while dropping the second and third varsity eight events.
SOCIAL MEDIA SPOTLIGHT:
NEED TO KNOW Check UWBadgers.com for a recap of Saturday’s event. Also follow along on twitter @BadgerRowing and on Instagram @BadgerMRowing.
RELATED STORIES (Click to read)
FOLLOW US:
▶ F(oar) Things to Know: Season Preview ▶ All Boathouse 2K a madhouse for Wisconsin rowing
51
ACCIDENTS | INJURIES
ONE CALL... THAT’S ALL! PROUD PARTNER OF WISCONSIN ATHLETICS
INSIDE WOMEN’S ROWING SCHEDULE Home events in bold. Oct. 27-28 vs. Michigan State/ Michigan (Scrimmage) Lansing, Mich. Results » Mar. 16-17 at Cardinal Invitational Oak Ridge, Tenn. Results » Mar. 30-31 at Pac-12 Invitational Redwood City, Calif. Results » April 13 at Big Ten Double Dual (Iowa, Indiana) Iowa City, Iowa
April 19-20 at Clemson Invitational Clemson, S.C.
April 27 vs. Princeton, Rutgers & Columbia May 19 Big Ten Championships Baraboo, Wis. May 31-June 2 at
THIS WEEK The Badgers take a weekend off of racing, but look to get back on an open water Lake Mendota to get more strokes in. LAST WEEK No. 13 Wisconsin competed at the Pac-12 Invitational in Redwood City, California on Saturday and Sunday. The Badgers went head-to-head with three top-ranked teams: No. 1 Cal, No. 3 Stanford, and No. 11 USC. The first varsity eight and second varsity eight grabbed a pair of wins against USC on the final day of racing.
GOOD TO KNOW UW will host the Big Ten championships on Devil’s Lake in Baraboo, Wisconsin, for the first time ever on May 19. The Badgers have also hosted in Madison in 2000 and 2007.
NCAA Championships
AARON SHEPLEY
Princeton, N.J.
Indianapolis
View full schedule/results » SOCIAL MEDIA SPOTLIGHT:
NEED TO KNOW Fans can follow racing updates via @BadgerRowing on Twitter while rowing news and the team schedule can be found on UWBadgers.com. Additionally, fans can find complete racing results and photos at Row2K.com.
RELATED STORIES (Click to read)
▶ Badgers grab a pair of wins on final day of Pac-12 Invite
FOLLOW US:
▶ UW challenged on Day 1 of the Pac-12 Invite ▶ Wisconsin varsity eight captures Big Ten boat of the week
53
Arrive in Your Team Colors.
The Mercedes-Benz 2019 GLC 300 4MATIC® SUV Starting at $42,700*
*Excludes all options, taxes, title registration, $995 transportation charge and dealer preparation fees.
2300 Rimrock Rd Madison, WI 53713 608-258-4000 WWW.ZIMBRICKMERCEDESBENZ.COM
INSIDE WOMEN’S LIGHTWEIGHT ROWING SCHEDULE Home events in bold. Sept. 15 at Milwaukee River Challenge Results »
Milwaukee
Sept. 29 Iowa/Indiana (Scrimmage)
Results »
Nov. 3-4 at Head of the Hooch Chattanooga, Tenn. Results »
2019 Mar. 16-17 at Cardinal Invitational
Oak Ridge, Tenn. Results »
April 6-7
at San Diego Crew Classic
San Diego
Apr. 13-14 at Knecht Cup Camden, N.J.
May 5
at Eastern Sprints
Worcester, Mass.
June 1-2
at IRA National Championships
Gold River, Calif.
View full schedule/results »
THIS WEEK No. 7 Wisconsin returns to action this weekend at the San Diego Crew Classic on Saturday and Sunday on Mission Bay in California. LAST WEEK The Badgers were off, but opened their season on March 16-17 at the Cardinal Invite in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, rowing to begin their spring break training on Melton Hill Lake.
GOOD TO KNOW The Badgers are extremely young with just three seniors on their roster that includes 26 rowers.
LOUISVILLE ATHLETICS
SOCIAL MEDIA SPOTLIGHT:
NEED TO KNOW Find results and regatta information at crewclassic.org. Also check twitter @badgerrowing and Instagram @badgerwltrowing for coverage, and check UWBadgers.com for race recaps.
RELATED STORIES (Click to read)
FOLLOW US:
▶ Lightweights wrap up successful Cardinal Invitational ▶ Wisconsin opens season at Cardinal Invitational
55