Wisconsin
Late surge earns Wisconsin swimmer Phoebe Bacon spot on U.S. Olympic team in 200 backstroke
Hockey legend Meghan Duggan speaks on Wisconsin commencement speech
The former Badgers hockey All-American gave the keynote address at Wisconsin’s spring commencement Saturday at Camp Randall Stadium.
MADISON – This continues to be Phoebe Bacon’s year.
The University of Wisconsin swimmer qualified for her second Olympic Games on Friday night with a second-place finish 200-meter backstroke at the USA Swimming Trials at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
Defending Olympic champion Regan Smith won the race in 2 minutes 5.16 seconds. Bacon came back during the final 50 meters to pass Claire Curzan and claim the second and final qualifying spot in the event. Bacon finished with a time of 2:06.27 seconds. Curzan touched the wall in 2:06.34.
This will be Bacon’s second Olympic appearance. She finished fifth in the event at the 2020 Games in Tokyo.
At the college level, Bacon put together a sterling career at Wisconsin that included national championships in the 200-yard backstroke as a freshman in 2021 and as a senior this year and second-place finishes in the event as a sophomore and junior.
The Maryland native’s performance at the NCAA championship this year also included a fourth-place finish in the 100-yard backstroke.
Those performances came on the heals of a Big Ten meet where Bacon won championships in the 200 back and 200 individual medley and was named the Swimmer of the Championships.
A large continent of Badgers will compete in the Games
With the addition of Bacon, there are now 10 athletes with Wisconsin Badgers ties who will compete in the Olympics.
Seven of those athletes will represent the United States: Lauren Carlini and Dana Rettke in volleyball, Grace Joyce, Lauren O’Connor, Maddi Wanamaker and Sophia Vitas in women’s rowing and Alev Kelter in women’s rugby.
Mohammah Ahmed (men’s track, Canada) and Taiko Torepe-Ormsby (men’s swimming, New Zealand) will represent other countries.
Wisconsin
Wisconsin man arrested in Colorado in connection with deadly hit-and-run in north suburbs
A Wisconsin man has been arrested in Colorado in connection with a fatal north suburban hit-and-run earlier this year that left a 50-year-old woman killed.
According to the Winthrop Harbor Police Department, Travis Kern, 35, of Pleasant Prairie, turned himself into police in Lakewood Colorado on an arrest warrant. Kern was charged with two felonies, police said, and remains in custody in Colorado pending extradition proceedings.
About 11:10 p.m. on February 26, a pedestrian was struck in the 1400 block of Sheridan Road in Winthrop Harbor by a driver of a vehicle heading northbound. The vehicle then fled the scene, police said.
The pedestrian, later identified as Shanna White, 50, of Waukegan, was transported to a nearby hospital where she was pronounced dead.
According to court documents, Kern’s next scheduled court date is set for July 22.
Wisconsin
TOUR KICKS OFF: Kids from Wisconsin begins 56th annual tour Thursday in Whitewater
WHITEWATER, Wis. (WMTV) – The Kids from Wisconsin troupe is kicking off its 56th annual tour this week.
Kids from Wisconsin is a traveling show with 22 singer-dancers and 14 band members. The troupe performs across Wisconsin, hosting workshops for kids and helping fundraise for youth arts programs.
This year’s theme is “America’s Soundtrack: The Pulse of a Nation.” The theme honors the 250th anniversary of America and features music by all-American composers, bands and performers.
Kids from Wisconsin bassist and student leader Alex Coller said that range is what makes this year’s tour stand out.
“The theme is really just celebrating American music. And I think it’s definitely one of the most cohesive and like diverse shows I have played with this organization,” Coller said. “Even though its just American music it’s really cool to see. Anyone no matter who you are, or what your musical background is, or whether you like music or not, there is something here for everyone to enjoy.”
Kids from Wisconsin’s artistic and choral director, Taras Nahirniak, said audiences won’t want to miss it.
“Find a show near you, you are not going to want to miss this show. It’s just spectacular, the kids are so talented,” Nahirniak said. “We are just finishing up our camp right now, and they are just working their tails off. To really go around the state and show the state what they have.”
The tour premieres Thursday night at Young Auditorium in Whitewater. For tickets, tour dates or to find a show, visit kidsfromwi.org.
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Wisconsin
Democrat Missy Hughes drops out of Wisconsin governor race
Marquette poll shows Wisconsin voters unfocused on governor race
A Marquette University Law School poll reveals Wisconsin voters lack focus on the governor’s race, with most undecided 5 months before the primary.
MADISON – Former Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. CEO Missy Hughes is dropping out of the Democratic primary race for governor and endorsing Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez.
Hughes, who was the most moderate candidate in the Democratic field for governor, suspended her campaign days after placing last in a straw poll of party delegates at the Democratic Party of Wisconsin state convention in Madison.
Her endorsement of Rodriguez comes as some Democrats are eyeing an alternative to state Rep. Francesca Hong, a democratic socialist, and former Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes, who leans further left than current Democratic Gov. Tony Evers. Hong and Barnes are considered frontrunners in the primary race.
In a statement, Hughes flicked at the approach of Hong and other candidates to her left who have proposed significant changes to state government.
“I believe there is great hope in these small efforts to find common ground. I wanted to make sure that Wisconsinites understand we have created something valuable and that investing in ourselves and our communities is well-deserved,” Hughes said. “We do not need to tear it all down, and there is real and important work to do to improve what we already have.”
Hughes suggested Rodriguez would make more reasonable decisions as governor than her primary opponents.
“This job is about running the state, and getting things done. As you consider what is important to you, I urge you to look beyond the talking points, social media posts, and gilded promises and consider what you think is essential to do the job,” she said. “Stop asking, ‘Who will win?’ and start asking who you trust to make big decisions that impact our families and the wellbeing of our loved ones, neighbors and communities.”
This developing story will be updated.
Molly Beck can be reached at molly.beck@jrn.com.
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