Varsity - The Official Digital Magazine of Wisconsin Athletics

Varsity - February 20, 2014

Varsity is the free Official Digital Magazine of Wisconsin Athletics, covering Badgers football, basketball, hockey and more each week.

Issue link: http://catalog.e-digitaleditions.com/i/263452

Contents of this Issue

Navigation

Page 55 of 62

56 // VARSITY February 20, 2014 Next level: Martin, UW continue upward climb Badgers travel to 2014 Big Ten Championships W hitney Hite doesn't mind flying under the radar. Since taking over the pro- gram three years ago, the Den- ver, Colo., native has quietly went about his business, help- ing Wisconsin inch closer and closer to the top of the Big Ten and among the country's elite. One swimmer who has played an integral role in UW's revival is Ivy Martin. Despite Hite's laid-back, even-keeled personality, which is reflected in his thoughts on the lack of attention his team receives compared to other Big Ten schools, it is hard not to notice Martin, the reigning Big Ten champion in the 50-yard free- style. Not only will Martin return to the Big Ten championships this week in Minneapolis, looking to de- fend her 50 free title, but she also returns with the reputation of one of the most accomplished swimmers in the country. Martin turned heads last season as a sophomore when she became the sec- ond woman in Big Ten history to break the 22-second barrier in the 50 free. She used that momentum to earn All-Ameri- ca honors and was eventually named to the U.S National Team over the summer. With history on her side, Martin will attempt to continue a trend of dominati- ing performances by the Badgers in the women's 50 free. A Wisconsin swimmer has won 10 of the last 12 Big Ten titles in that event, but Hite believes it's Martin's versatility that will set her apart this week in Minneapolis. "(Ivy's) ultimate goal is to win an NCAA title in the 50 free, but she's mak- ing herself pretty valuable as far as her versatility," Hite said. "She'll swim the 100-yard butterfly and may be one of the fastest 100 flyers in the country, some- thing we don't work on a huge amount. "She's got speed and that's the type of talent that you can't really teach." Martin began to see her hard work come to fruition last season at the 2013 Big Ten Championships and now the sky is the limit for the Madison native. "The expectation is for her to be better than she's ever been," Hite said. SCHEDULE BIG TEN WOMEN'S CHAMPIONSHIPS Wednesday Finals 6:30 p.m. Thursday Prelims 11 a.m. Finals 6:30 p.m. Friday Prelims 11 a.m. Finals 6:30 p.m. Saturday Prelims 11 a.m. Finals 6:30 p.m. INSIDE SWIMMING & DIVING BY JEREMY WODAJO @BADGERSWIMDIVE

Articles in this issue

Links on this page

Archives of this issue

view archives of Varsity - The Official Digital Magazine of Wisconsin Athletics - Varsity - February 20, 2014