Just like the University of Wisconsin women have been exceptionally good in championship season for a number of years, the Badger men have also performed incredibly well at Big Tens and at NCAAs. A large part of Wisconsin’s individual and relay success has been driven by senior Drew teDuits, and he is one of several contenders in the Big 10 seeking conference and national championship titles in the backstroke events.
teDuits joined the Badgers as one of the best backstroke recruits in the country, and he didn’t take long to show that he was ready to become one of the nation’s best. As a freshman, teDuits raced to multiple career bests at the 2012 Big Ten Championships, finishing 10th in the 100 back (47.81), 3rd in the 200 back (1:43.05), and 28th in the 200 IM (1:49.05). He would also swim backstroke legs for the Badgers’ 6th placed 200 medley relay (1:26.87) and 7th placed 400 medley relay (3:13.13).
Though teDuits certainly made a name for himself as a freshman, he really emerged in the national spotlight during his sophomore season with Wisconsin. teDuits used his narrow miss of the previous year’s NCAA Championships to help fuel his furious charge the following year, racing to a Big Ten individual title in the 200 backstroke (1:39.98). The swim established a new school record by almost three full seconds and vaulted him to the top of the nation in the event. Additionally, he also won the consolation final in the 100 back (46.86) and took 19th in the 200 IM (1:47.55).
On relay duties, teDuits was a key member in both medleys, helping the team take 4th in the 400 medley relay (3:10.29, new school record) and 9th in the 200 medley relay (1:27.54). On top of the team setting a new school record in the 400 medley relay, teDuits’ split of 46.81 on the lead-off on that relay broke an 8-year-old school record by 0.05 seconds.
At the 2013 NCAA Championships the following month, teDuits really turned a lot of heads with his spectacular performances in his individuals. Despite having dropped a considerable amount of time at the Big Ten Championships, Teduits soared to new heights with an NCAA individual title in the 200 back (1:38.27). Furthermore, he also set a new school record in the finals of the 100 back, going a 45.99 to grab 10th overall. To cap everything off, he also helped Wisconsin swim to a 17th placed finish in the 400 medley relay (3:10.64), just out of the scoring heats at night. Teduits left the Championships with NCAA All-American and All-American Honorable Mention honors.
After having such a phenomenal sophomore season in NCAA competition, teDuits translated his newfound speed into long course success as well. He would claim the 100 back title at the 2013 Charlotte UltraSwim Grand Prix with a 54.43 winning effort, edging out a world-class field including swimmers such as Ryan Murphy and David Plummer. Additionally, at that summer’s World Championship Trials in Indianapolis, teDuits smashed his personal bests in the 200 back (1:56.83, 6th) and 100 back (54.27, 7th).
Returning to collegiate competition, teDuits had a very promising start to championship season before ultimately falling short at NCAAs. At the 2014 Big Ten Championships, he recorded finishes of 2nd in the 200 back (1:39.84), 9th in the 200 IM (1:44.99), and 5th in the 100 back (46.40) in his individuals while also helping the Badgers to take 7th in the 200 medley relay (1:26.93) and 5th in the 400 medley relay (3:09.76). Notably, the 400 medley relay set a new school record in the process with teDuits leading off with a 46.56 backstroke split.
Though many expected a high-profile showdown between teDuits and then-freshman Ryan Murphy out of Cal, it was not meant to be. Drew would take 33rd in the 100 back (47.04) and 30th in the 200 back (1:43.03), while the Badgers’ 200 medley relay took 24th (1:27.07). Unfortunately, Wisconsin’s 400 medley relay DQed and also missed out on the scoring heats.
Despite having slightly disappointing performances at last year’s NCAA Championships, it has become apparent that teDuits has found a bit of his stride in his final season with the Badgers. He has already been under 1:40 in the 200 back with a very impressive win over Texas’ standout sophomore Jack Conger at the Texas Hall of Fame Invitational last December 1:39.72-1:39.84, and that swim gives him an almost two-and-a-half second margin over the rest of the conference.
Given how good Wisconsin traditionally is in February and March, it may only take one promising swim from the Fitchburg, Wisconsin native to help him regain a bit of that championship season magic from two years ago. With his eyes on another national title, he will have plenty of competition from Murphy, Conger, and a handful of other studs from around the country, and though that will certainly be a tall task, look for this Badger to be a force to reckon with both at Big Tens and at NCAAs.
Best Times (SCY/LCM):
100 Back: 45.99*/54.27
200 Back: 1:38.27*/1:56.83
100 Fly: 48.46/55.65
200 IM: 1:44.99/2:04.45
400 Medley Relay: 3:09.76*
*Denotes school record
School Major/Degree: Kinesiology
Favorite Event: 200 Backstroke
Favorite Hobby/Hidden Talent: Target shooting
Favorite Movie: The Dark Knight
Favorite Food/ Pre-Race Meal: Noodles Mac and Cheese
At what age did you become involved with swimming? How did you get into it?
I started swimming when I was 7. I basically joined one of the local summer swim teams because I was hoping to spend more time with my best friend.
What is your favorite collegiate swimming memory and why?
I’ll never forget winning NCAAs and just being able to throw up the Wisconsin W. Just being able to represent such an amazing university was really something I’ll always remember.
Although you had a very successful freshman year, it was not until your sophomore year that you truly broke out on the NCAA scene with your wins at the 2013 Big Ten Championships and the 2013 NCAA Championships in the 200 back. Can you talk about that year as a whole, and describe what changes you made to your training and general approach to the sport that allowed you to be so successful?
I think maturity played a big role, both physical and mental. After just missing out on NCAAs, a switch just kind of turned on and I just gave it everything I could. I think more than anything I just had fun and just raced.
The Badgers have been extremely good for a number of years when it comes to performing at the Big Ten Championships and at NCAAs, especially since your freshman year. What is so special about the program in Madison that allows your team to consistently deliver big time swims each and every year?
We really have something special. We train extremely hard and have a very talented group of guys, but I think what really makes us stand out is our team culture. Every guy is focused towards the same goals and hopes for the team. Plus being a Badger just makes you really want to represent the university in the best possible way.
Last year was a slightly off year for yourself when it came to Championship season. However, you have already broken 1:40 in the 200 back this year, putting you right next to Cal’s Ryan Murphy and Texas’ Jack Conger as the only college athletes to do so this season. Do you feel like you are in a good place mentally and physically entering your final conference and NCAA meets?
I definitely think so. I have just focused on enjoying swimming and just racing. I’m just excited to race this year and just see what I can do.
Who do you think has been the single most important catalyst to your swimming career?
I think my coach, Whitney Hite, has really been instrumental in my success. His support and guidance has really taught me how to focus my talent and energy. When I have struggled, he has helped me turn things around and refocus on the important parts of swimming. Overall he just pushes me to better everyday and that’s all I could ask for in a Head Coach.
Do you have any plans/commitments following the completion of your collegiate career?
Right now my goal is to go on to dental school in the fall of 2016, but that is as far I’ve really planned
What should we look forward to from Wisconsin as a whole at this year’s Big Ten Championships?
I really think the Badgers are going to surprise a lot of people. We’ve already done things this year that we’ve never done before and I think the Championship season will be no exception.
