UW-Madison adds final Division III transfer to Big Ten rosters

McKena Ramos has joined the UW-Madison track and cross-country teams, a move that places at least one Division III transfer on the rosters of all 18 Big Ten schools. Ramos, a senior from Sheboygan, transferred after a standout year at UW-Oshkosh where he won the indoor 800-meter and outdoor 1500-meter national titles as a freshman. He also earned five All-American honors and two national championships during that single season.

Eamon McKenna, the track and cross-country coach at UW-Oshkosh, noted that the team did not anticipate such immediate success. “When we were recruiting him, I didn't think he would be able to come in and win a national championship as a freshman,” McKenna said. “We knew he was good and we knew he was a little bit under the radar.” Ramos stated that he made a personal bet with himself that a freshman national title would justify a move to Division I.

Since arriving in Madison, Ramos has contributed to both the Badgers' track and cross-country squads. He attributed his improved times to the higher intensity of competition. “The biggest difference athletically is the competition level; everyone is on your level and up,” Ramos said. He also cited the travel schedule and the opportunity to compete at the highest level as key factors in his decision.

Ramos is part of a growing group of athletes moving from smaller programs to Big Ten schools. Two Badger football players have made similar transitions. Ricky Finco, a junior wide receiver, transferred from UW-Whitewater after one year. Ryan Ramczyk, an offensive lineman who played at UW-Stevens Point, posted an All-American season in Madison that improved his standing on NFL draft boards.

The move to Division I does not suit every athlete. Emma Paulson left the UW-Madison swim team during her freshman season to join the University of St. Thomas, a Division III school in Minnesota. Paulson said the culture at the lower level better fit her lifestyle. “Swimming DI, it kind of takes over your life in a sense, but DIII [is] just a part of your life,” Paulson said. At St. Thomas, she finished her career with three individual national championships and nine All-American designations.

Resource differences between the divisions remain distinct. Division III schools do not offer athletic scholarships, and their facilities are generally smaller. Ramos noted that while running workouts are similar, Madison provides access to athletic training facilities like ice baths that were unavailable at Oshkosh. He also credited the tutoring at the Fetzer Center and the ability to take exams while traveling for his academic progress. Paulson, by contrast, said she has no designated academic services at St. Thomas and is held to the same standards as non-athletes.

Both athletes say they would make the same choice again. Ramos, who had dreamed of competing for Madison since middle school, said, “I am absolutely happy.” McKenna offered cautious advice to athletes in similar positions, stating, “If you stand out in DIII, you're going to have opportunities.” He added that the critical question for athletes is whether they can replace whatever makes them dominant at their current school.