A highly-decorated local high school runner has committed to attend the University of Wisconsin next year. Senior Mikaela Helling of Two Rivers plans to walk on as a Badger athlete in cross country and track and field after taking an official visit to the Madison campus early this month.
Helling this fall led all lakeshore area finishers at the WIAA State Cross Country Meet in Wisconsin Rapids with a 4th in the D-2 run. Mikaela has also been a state champion in track and field, winning the 3200-meter run and placing 2nd in the state in the 1600 meters for the Raiders as a sophomore. Other schools that she considered were Purdue as a walk-on and a full scholarship offer to attend Central Michigan.
Helling called it a dream come true for her to become a Badger and added the new NIL deal in place at the UW will help offset college costs.
