Senior Susan Johnson is one of the most decorated swimmers in Wisconsin school history, but when UW travels to the Minnesota Invite this weekend, Johnson will not win anything.
Swimming since age 5, Johnson grew up in the water. From a family with a strong swimming background — her father, older brothers and sisters, uncles and cousins all swam competitively — Johnson was destined to exceed the cannonball and doggie-paddle stage in the pool.
"It was kind of written in the books that I was going to be a swimmer," Johnson said. "I was thrown in the pool and expected to swim, but it worked out nicely that I enjoyed it, and I was decent at it."
Self-deprecation aside, Johnson had exceeded "decent" well before she stepped on campus.
"Susan stepped into the program and had an immediate impact," head coach Eric Hanson said of the 2002 Big Ten Freshman of the Year. "Not just with her work ethic, but also with her success.
"She's won Big Ten titles, she's a multi-time All-American, and she's a great leader. Susan is someone [who] we're really enjoying in her last year here. People like her are hard to come by."
Originally from Toledo, Ohio, UW's swimming program lured Johnson out of the Buckeye State. Four years, four school records, one Big Ten conference record and three All-Conference selections later, Johnson's trophy shelf is full and her place in UW history is secure.
But that trophy shelf won't be getting any additions from this weekend.
The five time All-American will compete at the Minnesota Invite — she will swim in four individual events including her favorite, the 200-meter backstroke, and possibly another relay or two — she just won't medal.
Wisconsin will leave the meet to head back to Madison before the finals, meaning no Badger will win anything.
"Minnesota is more of a fun meet for us. There are six sessions, and we stay for five of them, but we don't swim finals on Sunday," UW head coach Eric Hansen said. "It's more important we get back, hit the books, and get ready for Texas. It's not worth missing that."
"Minnesota's a great meet for us, because it's a good place to see where we are going into the Texas Invitational … there's always teams there that are rested and ready to race," Johnson said. "We always have good competition with the University of Minnesota."
Joining the No. 19-ranked Badgers and No. 17-ranked Gophers will be Iowa State, Nebraska, No. 20 Notre Dame and No. 15 Tennessee, as well as several smaller schools from Minnesota.
Although the emphasis will not be on winning, this weekend's action will serve as one last tune-up for the Texas Invite in two weeks, where swimmers can qualify for nationals.
"The kids will swim a lot of different things, and we'll see how they are progressing and what needs to take place for the women we're going to rest for Texas. So we'll get a good feeling for where each one of them is at," Hansen said.
Hansen also pointed out several other Badgers as swimmers who could make an impact in the weeks to come.
"Yi Ting Sow is going to be very powerful, and we have a whole bunch of sprinters that I'm looking for great things from — Jackie Vavrek will probably lead that group and Hannah McClurg," Hansen said.
However, leading the way in her final season will be Johnson. And as if she needed any extra motivation to get in and out of the pool quicker than everyone else on Saturday, the Ohio native has some — the Ohio State-Michigan football game.
"I'm a Buckeye fan, and I really want to see them win," Johnson said. "I'll definitely be watching.
"Well, [Ohio State] is No. 2 in my heart, behind Wisconsin," Johnson added.