NEW GLARUS - This week's massive snowstorm didn't just mess with school schedules, it put a small hold on Ashley Beutler's future.
The New Glarus senior - and Wisconsin's premier track and cross-country standout - intended to sign her letter of intent with the University of Wisconsin on Wednesday, but had to hold off until a Friday morning press conference to put her name on the dotted line.
Beutler - a three-time Division 2 WIAA state cross-country champion with the New Glarus-Monticello co-operative squad coached by Steve Wehrley - spurned an offer for the University of Minnesota to take a full-academic scholarship to Madison after her first official to the Badgers' campus.
"It was Minnesota for awhile," Beutler said. "But then when I took the visit (to Madison) in September I just liked it so much."
Beutler - who runs with Sugar River coached by Dan Schettler - is the two-time repeating state champion in Division 2 in the 1600 meter run and the 3200-meter run champion from 2007. The Badgers and the university provide the total package according to Beutler.
"The coach (Jim Stintzi) was awesome. The people that are a part of the team are really, really nice," Beutler said. "It's a great area to run around. In Minnesota they didn't have much area, it was too much in the city. Whereas in Madison the lake was just awesome."
After Beutler finishes up with her career with Sugar River this spring, she'll join both the Badgers' cross-country team and the track squad, also coached by Stintzi.
"I think it makes it easier because if you're in cross-country it'll make it easier to be better at track," Beutler said. "They need both because they only have so many scholarships. It's easy for one person to cover both sports."
Beutler also holds the state record in Division 2 cross-country meet at 14:11.3 set last October. She's the second New Glarus athlete to receive a scholarship with the Badgers. Wrestler Cole Schmitt signed his intent letter on November 28.
"That's the coolest part of this whole thing is that we're from the same class and we're both going there," Beutler said. "We're both excited about it."
The New Glarus senior - and Wisconsin's premier track and cross-country standout - intended to sign her letter of intent with the University of Wisconsin on Wednesday, but had to hold off until a Friday morning press conference to put her name on the dotted line.
Beutler - a three-time Division 2 WIAA state cross-country champion with the New Glarus-Monticello co-operative squad coached by Steve Wehrley - spurned an offer for the University of Minnesota to take a full-academic scholarship to Madison after her first official to the Badgers' campus.
"It was Minnesota for awhile," Beutler said. "But then when I took the visit (to Madison) in September I just liked it so much."
Beutler - who runs with Sugar River coached by Dan Schettler - is the two-time repeating state champion in Division 2 in the 1600 meter run and the 3200-meter run champion from 2007. The Badgers and the university provide the total package according to Beutler.
"The coach (Jim Stintzi) was awesome. The people that are a part of the team are really, really nice," Beutler said. "It's a great area to run around. In Minnesota they didn't have much area, it was too much in the city. Whereas in Madison the lake was just awesome."
After Beutler finishes up with her career with Sugar River this spring, she'll join both the Badgers' cross-country team and the track squad, also coached by Stintzi.
"I think it makes it easier because if you're in cross-country it'll make it easier to be better at track," Beutler said. "They need both because they only have so many scholarships. It's easy for one person to cover both sports."
Beutler also holds the state record in Division 2 cross-country meet at 14:11.3 set last October. She's the second New Glarus athlete to receive a scholarship with the Badgers. Wrestler Cole Schmitt signed his intent letter on November 28.
"That's the coolest part of this whole thing is that we're from the same class and we're both going there," Beutler said. "We're both excited about it."
