UW-Madison Track Star McKena Ramos Completes D-III Transfer Trend

McKena Ramos, a five-time All-American and two-time national champion at UW-Oshkosh, has transferred to the University of Wisconsin-Madison. His move means every school in the Big Ten Conference now lists at least one Division III transfer on one of its athletic rosters. Ramos, a senior from Sheboygan, won the indoor 800-meter title and the outdoor 1500-meter title as a freshman before making the switch.

Ramos had set a personal condition to consider the jump to Division I if he won a national championship as a freshman. He won both titles in the same season. "I didn't think it was going to happen, I just made a little bet with myself," he said. He arrived at UW-Oshkosh as a recruited track athlete, but coaches were surprised by his rapid rise. Eamon McKenna, the track and cross-country coach at Oshkosh, noted that they knew Ramos was good but considered him under the radar. McKenna did not expect a freshman to win a national championship.

Since joining the Badgers, Ramos has competed in both track and cross-country. He attributes his improved times to the higher level of competition and intensity. "The biggest difference athletically is the competition level; everyone is on your level and up," he said. He also cited the travel and the opportunity to compete on the highest stage as major draws. The shift is not unique to track. Two Badger football players have made similar moves. Ricky Finco, a junior wide receiver, transferred from UW-Whitewater. Ryan Ramczyk, an offensive lineman, played at UW-Stevens Point before having an All-American season in Madison that boosted his NFL Draft standing.

Not every athlete finds the transition to fit. Emma Paulson swam for UW-Madison during her freshman season but decided the top-level competition was not right for her. She transferred 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 stated that her times matched Division I standards, but the culture matched Division III. "Swimming DI, it kind of takes over your life in a sense, but DIII [is] just a part of your life," she said.

Resource gaps distinguish the two divisions. Division III schools do not offer athletic scholarships, and their facilities are generally smaller than those at Division I institutions. Ramos noted that while running workouts are similar, Madison provides athletic training facilities like ice baths that Oshkosh lacked. He also credited the tutoring available at the Fetzer Center and the ability to take exams while traveling for his academic success. In contrast, Paulson said she is held to the same academic standards as non-athletes at St. Thomas and has no designated academic services.

Both athletes say they would make the same decision again. Ramos described competing for Madison as a dream since middle school and said, "I am absolutely happy." McKenna offered cautious advice to other Division III athletes. "If you stand out in DIII, you're going to have opportunities," he said. He added that the key question is whether an athlete can replace whatever makes them dominant at their current school.