Bader to run track at UWM

Nekoosa High School senior Ryan Bader will be a Panther next fall.

The Papermakers' football and track standout signed a national letter of intent to attend and compete in track and field at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

Bader narrowed his list to Bemidji State, to play football and compete in track and Winona State, both Minnesota schools.

But when he made his visit to Milwaukee, he was sold on the school.

"Their facilities are brand new," Bader said. "They have great athletic facilities with a 24-hour weight room and the dorms are new. I also like that the campus is compact. You don't have to walk miles to classes.

A two-time WIAA state qualifier and two-time South Central Conference champion in the discus, Bader will throw the disc, shot, hammer and dabble with the javelin.

Bader is thinking of going into nursing, with the intention of earning his master's degree.

The university offered him a full tuition scholarship.

"I think it's a good fit for me," Bader said. "It's a good scholarship and I think I'm going to a good school."

Bader placed sixth in both trips to the state meet with a distance of 149-feet 9 inches as a sophomore, and as a junior he uncorked a toss of 157-1.

"I didn't have a real good year last season, so I'm going to give my all and try for a breakout season this year in track," Bader said.

The Panthers compete at the NCAA Division 1 level in the Horizon League.

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