UW-Madison Badgers Add Depth as Division III Standouts Make the Leap to the Big Ten

McKena Ramos, a track and field athlete from Sheboygan, has officially cemented his status as a Badger after transferring from UW-Oshkosh to the University of Madison. His move represents a significant shift in how top-tier college programs recruit, as he joins a growing cohort of athletes who have chosen to elevate their competition level after dominating in the NCAA’s smallest division.

Ramos arrived at UW-Oshkosh as a recruited prospect, but his coaches did not anticipate him becoming a five-time All-American and two-time national champion in his freshman year alone. Eamon McKenna, the track and cross-country coach at Oshkosh, admitted that the team viewed Ramos as a talented player who was somewhat under the radar. McKenna stated that he did not expect Ramos to win a national title so early in his collegiate career, noting that while they knew he was good, they did not predict such immediate success.

Ramos had set a personal condition before the indoor national meet: winning a title as a freshman would trigger a move to Division I. He described this as a private bet with himself. He followed through by capturing the indoor 800-meter title and the outdoor 1500-meter title. Following these victories, he transferred to UW-Madison, where he is now a senior contributing to both the track and cross-country squads.

Ramos credits the higher intensity of Big Ten competition for his improved times. He noted that the biggest athletic difference is the level of competition, observing that every opponent is now at or above his level. He also cited the travel and the opportunity to compete on the largest stages as major motivating factors for the switch.

Ramos is part of a broader trend in the conference. Every Big Ten school currently has at least one transfer from a Division III program on a roster. In football, two Badgers have made similar moves. Ricky Finco, a junior wide receiver who primarily plays on the scout team, transferred after spending a year at UW-Whitewater. Ryan Ramczyk, who dominated the offensive line at UW-Stevens Point, had an All-American season in Madison that improved his standing on NFL Draft boards.

However, the transition is not universally positive. Emma Paulson, who swam for UW-Madison, concluded during her freshman year that Division I was not the right fit for her. She transferred to the University of St. Thomas in Minnesota, a Division III institution. Paulson explained that while the level of competition worked for some, it did not suit her personal needs. She noted that she is held to the same academic standards as non-athletes at St. Thomas and lacks the designated academic services available at Madison.

At St. Thomas, Paulson finished her career with three individual national championships and nine individual All-American honors. She stated that her swim times matched Division I standards, but the cultural environment aligned better with Division III. She described Division I swimming as something that takes over a student's life, whereas Division III is simply a part of it.

Resource disparities remain a key factor in these decisions. Division III schools do not offer athletic scholarships and typically maintain smaller facilities compared to Division I programs. Ramos noted that while the running workouts are similar, Madison provides athletic training resources like ice baths that were absent at Oshkosh. He also credited the tutoring at the Fetzer Center and the ability to take exams while traveling for his academic success.

Both athletes say they would make their respective choices again. Ramos expressed absolute happiness, noting that competing for Madison had been his dream since middle school. McKenna offered cautious advice to other athletes considering the jump, stating that standing out in Division III guarantees opportunities. He emphasized that the critical question is whether an athlete can replace the dominance they enjoy at their current school with success at a higher level.

As the 2026 season progresses, the influx of Division III talent continues to reshape the competitive landscape of the Big Ten. These transfers bring proven track records and a hunger for higher stakes, challenging the traditional recruiting pipelines of major college programs.