MONROE - With basketball season in full swing, Monroe High School senior Jordan Hirsbrunner had a decision to make about her future in spring sports.
Hirsbrunner announced on Twitter recently that she will be attending the University of Wisconsin-Madison on a track and field scholarship next year.
"Before when I started the process, I wanted to have a decision before Christmas," Hirsbrunner said. "That would just take some of the stress off, and I would know where I'm going for next year. It feels good to know I will be a Badger next year."
Hirsbrunner made official college visits to the University of Wisconsin, the University of Minnesota and Central Michigan. She narrowed her list to Wisconsin and Minnesota. After her official visit to Madison Nov. 12, she was convinced it would be a perfect fit. Hirsbrunner announced Dec. 14 that she would attend Wisconsin.
"It really was a difficult decision," Hirsbrunner said. "I picked Wisconsin for the education I will get and the athletic opportunity. I grew up a Badger fan and have lived close to Madison. It's really an exciting moment for me and my family."
Hirsbrunner will compete in the heptathlon at Wisconsin. The heptathlon is a series of seven events in track and field: the high jump, long jump, shot put, javelin, 200-meter run, 100 hurdles and 800 run.
Jordan's older brother, Jake, went to Wisconsin after leading the Cheesemakers to a state championship in track, but he since has transferred to the UW-Platteville for his engineering major. Jake still competes in the decathlon.
"My dad has been training me since I could walk," she said. "Having him and my brother who is a decathlete and the support from my family is great. I have been involved in many of these events before."
Hirsbrunner is the defending WIAA Division 2 state champion in the 300 hurdles. She won the gold medal last spring after finishing in 44.96 seconds, which is the ninth fastest time in the history of Wisconsin. She defeated two-time Division 2 state champion and state record-holder Mikaela Grant of Jefferson five times last season. She is the first girls track runner for Monroe to medal in four events at state in the same year. She is a three-time conference champion in the high jump and has a school-record best 5 feet, 5 inches.
Hirsbrunner was a member of the Cheesemakers' 800 relay team that took fourth at state last year and was a key cog in the Cheesemakers' 1,600 relay that finished sixth. She took sixth at state in the high jump last year (5-2).
Hirsbrunner still plans to run the 300 hurdles for the Cheesemakers in her final year of prep track. She also may run the 100 hurdles more often this season.
"I definitely need some more experience with that (100 hurdles)," she said.
Hirsbrunner announced on Twitter recently that she will be attending the University of Wisconsin-Madison on a track and field scholarship next year.
"Before when I started the process, I wanted to have a decision before Christmas," Hirsbrunner said. "That would just take some of the stress off, and I would know where I'm going for next year. It feels good to know I will be a Badger next year."
Hirsbrunner made official college visits to the University of Wisconsin, the University of Minnesota and Central Michigan. She narrowed her list to Wisconsin and Minnesota. After her official visit to Madison Nov. 12, she was convinced it would be a perfect fit. Hirsbrunner announced Dec. 14 that she would attend Wisconsin.
"It really was a difficult decision," Hirsbrunner said. "I picked Wisconsin for the education I will get and the athletic opportunity. I grew up a Badger fan and have lived close to Madison. It's really an exciting moment for me and my family."
Hirsbrunner will compete in the heptathlon at Wisconsin. The heptathlon is a series of seven events in track and field: the high jump, long jump, shot put, javelin, 200-meter run, 100 hurdles and 800 run.
Jordan's older brother, Jake, went to Wisconsin after leading the Cheesemakers to a state championship in track, but he since has transferred to the UW-Platteville for his engineering major. Jake still competes in the decathlon.
"My dad has been training me since I could walk," she said. "Having him and my brother who is a decathlete and the support from my family is great. I have been involved in many of these events before."
Hirsbrunner is the defending WIAA Division 2 state champion in the 300 hurdles. She won the gold medal last spring after finishing in 44.96 seconds, which is the ninth fastest time in the history of Wisconsin. She defeated two-time Division 2 state champion and state record-holder Mikaela Grant of Jefferson five times last season. She is the first girls track runner for Monroe to medal in four events at state in the same year. She is a three-time conference champion in the high jump and has a school-record best 5 feet, 5 inches.
Hirsbrunner was a member of the Cheesemakers' 800 relay team that took fourth at state last year and was a key cog in the Cheesemakers' 1,600 relay that finished sixth. She took sixth at state in the high jump last year (5-2).
Hirsbrunner still plans to run the 300 hurdles for the Cheesemakers in her final year of prep track. She also may run the 100 hurdles more often this season.
"I definitely need some more experience with that (100 hurdles)," she said.
