Spring is fast approaching and there is a new lightness in the air, a flourishing of activity at the Croco casino and, of course, there are new names entering the sports field that soon will be on everyone’s lips. Wisconsin is not short of stars on its teams and the following list of new potential is a look into what is in store for us with the developing spring teams.
Men’s Basketball – Chucky Hepburn
According to basketball experts “In March, it all comes down to good guard play.” This could well be true, and although Johny Davis and Brad Davison are both real stars on the team, the glue that holds the team together is Chucky Hepburn.
Hepburn’s dogged defense and his ever improving three-point shooting has pushed him forward as a college basketball phenomenon. He now ranks up there with the best guards in the Big Ten. However, the Badgers need to see him play extraordinarily in order for them to make a real impact in the upcoming tournament.
Women’s Basketball – Julie Pospililova
Julie Pospisilova is originally from Prague This junior guard has realized a high number of minutes, the average being 36 minutes per game. She is improving each year and building her totals in practically every statistical category, underscored by a 14.2 PPG, 1.5 SPG and 4.1RPG. She brought victory to the Badgers in the 23 gamest Penn State in January and we are looking forward to her anticipated success this spring.
Men’s Tennis – Jarred Pratt
Pratt mainly played in the No. 1 singles and double spots, competing as a dual threat tennis player and he led the team with nine singles wins. He and his partner, Robin Parts, are looking to improve last season’s 6-14 doubles record and at the same time Pratt will lead the campaign to bolster the men’s tennis program.
Xinyu Cai- Women’s Tennis
Cai has shown herself to be a dominant player and deserving of her number 1 singles position. As a freshman, she had the highest, 750, winning percentage on the team and had a notable 9-3 singles record.
Cai is from Wuhan, China and a junior who last season, prior to injuring her leg, accumulated a 12-6 record.
Cai also gained a position on the ITA Preseason rankings at number 59 and also took part in the ITA All-American Championships in the fall, as well as being engaged in her college career.
Men’s Golf – Cameron Huss
Back in the first week of November Hus was awarded as Big Ten Player of the week. Based on the fall season, things are looking good for the number 1 player on the Men’s golf team. Originating from Kenosha, he had two straight career low rounds at the end of the fall season and began the spring season 2-2 in Big Ten Match Play.
Women’s Golf – Vanessa Ho
Ho began the spring season in top form, coming in 35th place and closing first for the Badgers and getting a career low score of 70 at the September Cougar Classic golf tournament. This spring looks to be a time for her to develop her game and create a promising future.
Men’s Track and Field – Olin Hacker
Hackers’s resume is packed full of awards as the student athlete begins his seventh year. There have been quite a few stumbling blocks for Hacker, a Madison native to overcome in his career with the Badgers: a redshirt freshman year, Achilles’ heel and some knee injuries, and not to mention the pandemic.
Hacker’s own father is presented in the Wisconsin Hall of Fame. He was a member of the NCAA Cross Country championship of 1982 and also in 1985 an individual NCAA champion. Hacker is following in his father’s footsteps. He received All-American honors for cross-country in the fall of last year and also qualified for the NCAA championships, for the first-time last spring, in the 5000 meters.
In late January Hacker already won the mile in the Larry Wiezorek Invite so his presence in the Badgers this spring looks to be very advantageous.
Women’s Track and Field – Kiley Robbins
Robbins has an extraordinary track record. As a freshman she holds the school record in the indoor 60 meters and outdoor 100 meters. The spring season campaign looks to be an exciting one.
Following a strong summer, Robbins went on to win the 60 meters at the Larry Wieczorek Invitational in January. She is presently ranked number 4 in the Big Ten in the event. Robbins definitely has that star quality amongst the many notable women track athletes.
Men’s Wrestling – Garrett Model
Model pulled off a major accomplishment of Big Ten and USA Wrestler of the Week. It was Model who led the Badger’s team efforts when they won against Minnesota in a meet that took place for the first time since 2010-2011.
Model, a redshirt senior coming from Stoughton, was positioned 10th in the Big Ten Championships last year, 2021 at 157 pounds. The Badgers are now moving into their championship season – with the conference and national championships approaching and their success will have a much to do with Garrett Model.
Women’s Softball – Fiona Girardot
In 2021 season Girardot played 38 games, starting all of them, often on the base paths with an on-base percentage of 462 with a battling average of 324. Since her freshman year she has continued to improve in all categories and in the 2021 season received second team All -Big Ten honors. Being at second base, Girardot will be an important factor when it comes to reversing the situation in the Wisconsin Softball program.
Men’s Hockey – Tarek Baker
Baker, from Verona has had a good season, accruing 17 points with a shot percentage of .071. In the past three years he has earned Academic All-Big Ten honors. Last season Blair led the team in game winning goals.
Baker’s role will be pivotal as the Badgers approach the end of the season; a season which has seen them as the underdogs in a very competitive Big Ten conference.
Women’s Hockey – Casey O’Brien
O’Brien is a force to be reckoned with. Her contributions up until this time have been quite brilliant. She has accumulated 38 points with a .216% shot percentage in her 21 games played. Her important on the team can be demonstrated by the fact that she has posted an amazing +32 +/- rating. O’Brien is needed by the No. 3 ranked Badgers to move forward.