The Wisconsin swimming and diving program and head coach Whitney Hite announced Thursday a 15-member recruiting class for the 2017-18 season. The signees include five additions to the men’s roster and a total of 10 newcomers for the UW women.
MEN’S SIGNEES
Ben Attenberger (Brookfield, Wis.)
IM/Breast
Top Times: 200 IM 1:53.65, 100 Breast 57.36, 200 Breast 2:04.07
Attenberger set two Classic Eight Conference records last year in the 200 IM and 100 breaststroke en route to placing fourth in both events at the Wisconsin Division I state championships, while also helping his Brookfield team score in the 400 free and 200 medley relays. In club competition, he claimed top-five finishes in the 100 breast, 200 breast and 200 IM at the 2016 Wisconsin state short-course championships.
Why Wisconsin: “I chose the University of Wisconsin for the great team atmosphere, world class education and excellent coaching staff. I felt as if this was the best place for me to grow as an athlete, student and person. I can’t wait to be a Badger!”
Dylan Boyd (Raleigh, N.C.)
Free/Fly
Top Times: 100 Free 45.71, 200 Free 1:37.67, 200 Fly 1:48.78
Originally hailing from Sydney, Australia, Boyd is a two-time All-American and the 2016 Illinois state champion in the 200 freestyle. As a sophomore, the Aussie laid claim to Olympic gold medalist Matt Grevers’ 100 butterfly record at his high school alma mater. Boyd, who has recently relocated to North Carolina, is the No. 1-ranked prospect in the Tar Heel state and will be competing in the Australian U-18 championships in April.
Why Wisconsin: “The University of Wisconsin is a top 25 school in the world with an incredible swim program, unbelievably talented coaches and most importantly, athletes. Coming from Australia where there is no shortage of collegiate swimming recruitment process, Wisconsin has shown the importance of higher level swimming and how fast someone through proficient training and a clear vision can become. I am more than excited to dominate at Big Tens and NCAAs as a Badger, to start lifting and contribute to a winning team.”
Matt Novinski (Grand Island, Neb.)
Back/Free
Top Times: 50/100/200 Back 22.81/48.76/1:47.43; 50/100/200 Free 21.55/46.56/1:41.91
A USA Swimming Scholastic All-American, Novinski is a four-time Nebraska state champion in the 100 backstroke and 100 butterfly. The No. 1 prospect out of Nebraska also placed fifth in the 200 back and sixth in the 100 back at the 2016 YMCA Short Course National Championships while competing for his club team.
Why Wisconsin: “The University of Wisconsin has everything I was looking for in college and swimming athletic program. Wisconsin has a great campus, academics and is a rising Big Ten and national men’s swimming program. I am excited to train under head coach Whitney Hite and new backstroke coach Jake Tapp. My goal is to be an asset to the team competing at the highly competitive Big ten Conference, but more importantly, hopefully, at the national level.”
Colin Riley (Marietta, Ga.)
Sprint Freestyle
Top Times: 50/100 Free 20.39/45.30
A freestyle sprint specialist, Riley collected a runner-up finish in the 100 freestyle at the 2016 Georgia 6A state championships while also placing sixth in the 50 free. Riley also garnered an eighth-place finish in the 50 free and a 19th-place finish in the 100 free at the 2016 Speedo Summer Junior National Championships.
Why Wisconsin: “I chose Wisconsin because Madison feels like home and the team feels like family.”
Brayden Schachle (Wasilla, Alaska)
Diving
Schachle is a three-time Alaska state champion, winning the 1-meter springboard during his sophomore, junior and senior seasons at Wasilla High School. The state and school record-holder also competed in gymnastics, in which he was state champion and a Regional II qualifier his freshman year.
Why Wisconsin: “I chose Wisconsin for the combination of a quality education and an elite athletic program.”
WOMEN’S SIGNEES
Kelsi Artim (Crown Point, Ind.)
Breast/IM/Fly
Top Times: 100/200 Breast 1:02.74/2:19.31; 200 IM 2:03.71, 100 Fly 56.51
Artim posted two top-10 finishes at the 2016 Indiana state meet, placing fifth in the 100 breaststroke and ninth in the 200 individual medley. At the sectional championships, Artim was champion in the 100 freestyle, 50 backstroke and 100 breaststroke while also collecting runner-up honors in the 200 IM and a third-place finish in the 50 free. Artim is the ninth-highest rated prospect in Indiana.
Savanna Carlson (Phoenix, Ariz.)
Free/Fly
Top Times: 50/100 Free 23.39/50.74; 100/200 Fly 55.56/2:02.27
Carlson is the third-ranked recruit out of Arizona and has garnered four state championships while competing for Arcadia High School. Carlson has won three consecutive state championships in the 200 IM while also adding in a 100 free state title during her junior season. While competing with the Phoenix Swim Club, Carlson was a finalist in both the 200 fly (sixth place) and 400 IM (fifth) at the 2016 Speedo Champions Series.
Why Wisconsin: “I chose UW because of the top tier education that I will receive. It is a prestigious state school that will give me the opportunity to be successful in the real world. Aside from the education, Wisconsin will give me a college atmosphere unlike anywhere else. But most importantly, UW is my home away from home. The swim team made me feel so comfortable and I immediately felt like a part of the Badger family. On, Wisconsin!”
Gabby Higgins (Grand Rapids, Mich.)
Sprint Freestyle
Top Times: 50 Free 23.51 (22.63R), 100 Free 50.93 (49.92R)
Higgins is a 10-time state champion while competing for East Grand Rapids High School, including three individual state titles. She won the 100 freestyle at the 2016 Lower Peninsula Division III State Championships while also winning the 50 and 100 freestyle titles during her sophomore year, when she was named the Division III Swimmer of the Year. The USA Swimming Scholastic All-American also has anchored seven state champion freestyle relays.
Why Wisconsin: “I am so happy that I chose to swim for the next four years at the University of Wisconsin! From my first conversation with the coaches, to my visit, I have loved everything about Wisconsin. The level of academics, the coaching philosophy and the team overall make me excited to join the team in Madison next year!”
Alex Reddington (Highlands Ranch, Colo.)
Butterfly
Top Times: 100 Fly 55.05 (1:01.96 LCM), 200 Fly 2:02.95 (2:15.97 LCM)
Reddington won state championships in both the 100 butterfly and 200 freestyle during her junior year, setting Class 4A state records in both events. During the meet, the USA Swimming Scholastic All-American broke her own school records in the 100 backstroke, 100 free and 100 fly while also setting school marks in the 50 and 200 freestyle events. Reddington also is a British citizen and recently competed at the British Championships.
Why Wisconsin: “I chose the University of Wisconsin because of the extraordinary athletic department and the high level of academics. I knew from the moment I met the swim team and the coaches that it was the school for me. The coaching philosophy and dedication of the athletes made it clear that with their help, I will achieve my goals and be the best athlete I can be. I am so excited to swim for the University of Wisconsin and thrive as a student-athlete.”
Avalon Schultz (Cupertino, Calif.)
Breast/Fly/IM
Top Times: 100/200 Breast 1:03.20/2:17.69; 100 Fly 56.88, 200 IM 2:03.67
While competing with the Santa Clara Swim Club, Schultz recorded her first long course Summer Junior Nationals cut after placing second in the 200 breaststroke at the 2016 USA Swimming Futures Championships. The California native also posted a top-10 finish at the championship in the 400 IM, placing ninth.
Why Wisconsin: “I chose Wisconsin because it provides me with the opportunity to swim for four more years for another amazing team, as well as get a good education in beautiful city.”
Madison Waechter (Silver Spring, Md.)
Freestyle
Top Times: 200 Free 1:49.00 (2:05.47 LCM), 500 Free 4:51.41
Waechter is the Maryland state record-holder in the 500 freestyle after winning the event at the state meet. She also garnered a runner-up finish in the 200 freestyle at state while winning both the 200 and 500 free at the North Region Championships. The No. 3 prospect out of Maryland recently competed at the 2016 AT&T Winter Championships, placing 15th in the 200 butterfly, 23rd in the 500 free and 37th in the 100 fly.
Claire Boschee (Sartell, Minn.)
Diving
Boschee is a two-time Minnesota Section 6A champion and 6A diver of the year, garnering the accolades in 2014 and 2015. She was the Central Lakes Conference champion in 2015 and also achieved all-state status that season. Boschee is the Sartell High School record-holder for both 6 and 11 dives, and also holds the 6-dive pool record. The Minnesota native recently finished runner-up on the 1-meter springboard at the Minnesota Class A state meet.
Rachel Choi (Sacramento, Calif.)
Diving
Choi is a 2015 high school All-American and was twice named the NorCal Girls Diver of the Year. The two-time high school MVP competed at the 2016 USA Diving National Zone E Meet, where she placed eighth on the 3-meter springboard, 12th on the 1-meter and 23rd on the platform. At the Junior Region 9 Championships, Choi finished 20th on both the 1-meter and 3-meter.
Why Wisconsin: “I chose Wisconsin because of its strong athletic and academic programs. It is a place where I believe I will improve my diving and become a better me. I also love the team and the campus is beautiful!”
Ally Courtney (Wilton, Conn.)
Diving
Courtney posted an 18th-place finish at the 2016 USA Diving National Zone A Meet on the 1-meter springboard while also finishing 27th on the platform. At the Junior Region 1 Championships, she placed seventh on the 1-meter and 32nd on the 3-meter. The Connecticut native also competed at the 2016 YMCA National Championships and placed 15th on the 1-meter board and 21st on the 3-meter.
Paige Richardson (Hermosa Beach, Calif.)
Diving
Richardson recently competed at the 2016 USA Diving AT&T National Championships, where she took 37th on the 1-meter board during prelims. The California native also competed at the 2016 USA Diving National Zone F Meet, taking 15th on the 1-meter board after also placing fifth on the discipline at the Junior Region 12 Championships.
News courtesy of Wisconsin Athletics.