First-year Wisconsin head coach Whitney Hite hit the recruiting trail early for the men, who really needed more than anything to restock on talent. The women’s program has some good talent , but after the pending graduation of Ashley Wanland, they will be left with a big need in the breaststrokes, which is a hole that will be partially filled by their newest verbal commitment: Anna Meinholz.
Meinholz, who swims for the Waukesha Express Swim Team in Wisconsin won’t immediately fill Wanland’s shoes fully (it’s unlikely that any freshman would, as Wanland is one of the best in the country), but she will have to learn quickly. With a 100 best of 1:02.94, she will immediately come into contention with Paula Gralow to replace Wanland on the medley relays next fall, and even in that battle, she and Gralow’s overlap will be only one year. By the time she’s a sophomore, Meinholz will be relied upon to swim both medleys (barring some other big breaststroke recruit coming to campus between now and then).