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