MADISON, Wis. — Optimism for Luke Fickell’s first season at Wisconsin a year ago was as high as it had been among Badgers fans in a long time. Then came a 7-6 season filled that failed to meet expectations.

As Year 2 arrives, it’s time to check the pulse of the fanbase. And so, we present another edition of The Athletic’s football fan survey with questions on a number of topics: Fickell, recruiting, NIL, projections for the season and the future of the program.

Thanks for taking the time to fill out this year’s survey. Analysis and answers will publish soon.

(NOTE: Readers who are using our app on an Android device may need to use two fingers to scroll through the survey. Still unable to get the survey? Try this direct link.)

(Photo: Adam Cairns / Columbus Dispatch / USA Today)

MADISON – Zach Ziemek earned a return trip to the Olympics on Saturday and put himself in a class by himself when it comes to athletes who have come through the University of Wisconsin men’s track and field program.

The 31-year-old placed second in the decathlon at the U.S. Olympic Trials at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon, to qualify for the Olympics for the third time.

He will be the first former Badgers men’s track and field athlete to compete for the United States in three Olympics. He finished seventh at the Rio Games in 2016 and took fifth at the Tokyo Olympics, which were held in 2021 due to the pandemic.

According to UW records, steeplechase runner Evan Jager (2012, ’16) and distance runners Matt Tegenkamp (2008, ’12) and Steve Lacy (1980, 84) are the only other men in program history to compete for the United States in more than one Olympics.

Suzy Favor Hamilton (1992, ’96, 2000) is the only former Wisconsin women’s track and field athlete to compete in three Olympics.

However, the overall record for Olympic appearances by a former Badger belongs to distance runner Mohammed Ahmed, who will make his fourth appearance for Canada next month.

As for Ziemek, he comfortably qualified for the Games. The top three finishers advanced to Paris. Ziemek, who totalled 8,516 points, finished 132 ahead of the third-place finisher, Harrison Williams, and 305 points ahead of the fourth-place finisher, Devon Williams.

Ziemek, a five-time All-American who competed at UW from 2012-16, had six top-three finishers in the 10 events, one more than Michigan State’s Heath Baldwin, who took first with 8,625 points.

Following the Tokyo Olympics, Ziemek won a bronze medal at the 2022 World Championships but did not finish at the World Championships in Hungary last year due to injury.

“It hasn’t hit me quite yet,” he said in an interview with Runnerspace. “Obviously the main goal all season and after Budapest last year (and) mainly since 2021 is to get to this Olympics and put myself in gold medal position.”

More: Late surge earns Wisconsin swimmer Phoebe Bacon spot on U.S. Olympic team in 200 backstroke

JANESVILLE, Wis. – At least one large tornado was spotted moving through southeast Wisconsin on Saturday night, leaving a path of destruction and power outages in its wake.

Janesville city officials said a tornado touched down on the south side of the community, causing considerable damage to homes, businesses and infrastructure.

Storm spotters in the area recorded video showing the twister when the tornado-warned storm was moving through Rock County about 8:30 p.m.

LEVEE BREAK, FLASH FLOODING LEADS TO URGENT EVACUATIONS IN NORTHERN IOWA TOWN

Drone video from the Chicago and Midwest Storm Chasers showed several homes with significant damage, including missing roofs and campers flipped over by the powerful weather system. 

Officials said they activated the city’s Emergency Operations Center and resources are available for residents impacted by the severe weather event. Officials also said they are looking for volunteers to help with storm cleanup.

Parts of Janesville, including Center Avenue, Kellog Avenue, Beloit Avenue and State Highway 11, have been closed due to disaster response. 

Many large trees were snapped in half and power poles were down in the area. 

NEW ENGLAND FACES HIGHEST TORNADO THREAT IN 6 YEARS SUNDAY AS MILLIONS IN NORTHEAST BRACE FOR SEVERE WEATHER

Tornado damage was also reported west of Janesville in Lafayette County.

According to the parish website, Apple Grove Lutheran Church in Argyle was destroyed by a tornado Saturday evening. 

“The good news is we are all safe and we continue to be the body of Christ and will through this time as well,” the message read.

Suspected tornado damage in Argyle, Wisconsin seen on Sunday, June 23, 2024.

(@wx_alexis/X)

On Sunday morning, thousands were without power across the Great Lakes and Midwest, including nearly 12,000 in Wisconsin and 22,000 in Illinois. Most of the outages in Wisconsin are in Rock and Walworth counties. 

Damage survey teams with the National Weather Service will need to assess the destruction to confirm the strength of the tornado based on the Enhanced Fujita Scale.