Division III transfers now appear on all 18 Big Ten rosters

McKena Ramos won two national titles as a freshman at UW-Oshkosh, a decision point he had privately identified as the trigger for moving up to Division I. The senior from Sheboygan transferred to UW-Madison after capturing the indoor 800-meter championship and the outdoor 1500-meter championship in the same season.

Ramos was recruited as a track athlete but exceeded his coaches' expectations. Eamon McKenna, who coaches track and cross-country at UW-Oshkosh, stated that he did not anticipate Ramos winning a national championship as a freshman. McKenna noted that the team knew Ramos was talented but remained under the radar. Ramos described the decision as a personal wager, saying he made a bet with himself that winning those specific titles would justify the move.

Since joining the Badgers, Ramos has contributed to both the track and cross-country squads. He attributes his improved times to the higher intensity of competition at the Division I level. Ramos stated that the biggest athletic difference is that everyone is at his level or above. He also cited the travel opportunities and the chance to compete on the highest stage as major draws for the transfer.

Ramos is part of a broader shift in conference rosters. Every school in the Big Ten now lists at least one transfer from a Division III program on at least one roster. In football, two Badgers have made similar jumps. Ricky Finco, a junior wide receiver who primarily plays on the scout team, transferred from UW-Whitewater after a year there. Ryan Ramczyk moved from UW-Stevens Point to Madison, where he had an All-American season that raised his profile for NFL Draft boards.

The transition is not always a perfect fit. Emma Paulson swam for UW-Madison during her freshman season before concluding that the environment was not right for her. She transferred to the University of St. Thomas, a Division III school in Minnesota. Paulson explained that while the competition level was different, the culture was a better match for her lifestyle.

At St. Thomas, Paulson finished her career with three individual national championships and nine individual All-American designations. She noted that her swimming times matched Division I standards, but the overall experience felt different. Paulson said swimming at the Division I level tends to take over a student's life, whereas at the Division III level, it remains just a part of it.

Resource disparities between the divisions are clear. Division III schools do not offer athletic scholarships and generally operate with smaller facilities. Division I schools invest more heavily in infrastructure. Ramos noted that while the running workouts are similar, Madison provides athletic training facilities like ice baths that Oshkosh lacked. He also credited tutoring at the Fetzer Center and the ability to take exams while traveling for his academic success. Paulson stated that she is held to the same standards as non-athletes at St. Thomas and does not have designated academic services.

McKenna offered advice to other Division III athletes considering the move. He said that if an athlete stands out, opportunities will exist. He added that the key question is whether the athlete can replace what makes them dominant at their current school.