McKena Ramos completes Big Ten roster shift with Madison transfer

McKena Ramos joined the University of Wisconsin Madison track and cross-country programs after winning two national titles as a freshman at UW-Oshkosh. His transfer marks the final step in a conference-wide shift, as every Big Ten school now lists at least one Division III athlete on a roster.

Ramos, a senior from Sheboygan, arrived at UW-Oshkosh as a recruited runner. Eamon McKenna, the track and cross-country coach, said he knew Ramos was talented but viewed him as under the radar. McKenna did not expect a freshman to win a national championship during recruitment. Ramos set a personal condition: winning the indoor 800-meter title would justify moving to Division I. He won that race and the outdoor 1500-meter title in the same season.

Two Badger football players followed a similar path. Ricky Finco, a junior wide receiver who primarily plays on the scout team, transferred from UW-Whitewater after one year. Ryan Ramczyk played the offensive line at UW-Stevens Point before earning an All-American season in Madison that improved his standing on NFL Draft boards.

Ramos said the competition level at Madison is the primary athletic difference. He noted that every opponent is at his level or higher. He also cited the travel schedule and the opportunity to compete on the highest stage as major factors. The university provides athletic training facilities, including ice baths, that UW-Oshkosh lacked. He credited tutoring at the Fetzer Center and the ability to take exams while traveling for his academic success.

Not every athlete prefers the Division I environment. Emma Paulson swam on the UW-Madison team for one season before transferring to the University of St. Thomas, a Division III school in Minnesota. Paulson finished her career at St. Thomas with three individual national championships and nine individual All-American designations. She said her times met Division I standards, but the culture fit Division III. She noted that Division I swimming consumes a large portion of daily life, while Division III is integrated into it.

Division III schools do not offer athletic scholarships, and their facilities are generally smaller than those at Division I institutions. Paulson said she is held to the same academic standards as non-athletes at St. Thomas and receives no designated academic services. Ramos said the running workouts remain largely similar between the two levels.

Both athletes said they would make the same decision again. Ramos said competing for Madison had been his dream since middle school. McKenna told athletes in similar positions that they will have opportunities if they stand out in Division III. He added that the key question is whether an athlete can replace what makes them dominant at their current school.