Witt-Birn’s Dickman, Metropulos to swim at D1 colleges

Dickman headed to Arizona, while Metropulos stays in state
By: 
Morgan Rode
Sports Editor

Wittenberg-Birnamwood High School seniors Wyatt Dickman and McKenna Metropulos each signed letters of intent to Division I colleges during a signing celebration May 10 at the Woodson YMCA in Weston.

Dickman will head to Arizona to compete for the Grand Canyon University men’s swimming team. Metropulos will stay close to home, competing for the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay women’s team.

“Swimming Division I has always been a huge goal of mine,” said Dickman. “Finally achieving this means so much to me, because it recognizes the hard work I put in.”

“Swimming in college was not something I thought I would be able to do up until senior year,” said Metropulos. “Being able to sign and compete at a higher level just makes me more determined and dedicated. Now I have four more years to keep doing what I love and making more life long friendships through my favorite sport.”

The Witt-Birn duo signed alongside six other members of the Woodson YMCA Northern Swimmers (WYNS) team.

Dickman was noticed primarily though WYNS competitions, with Witt-Birn not having a boys swim team to compete on.

“I would like to thank the WYNS swim team, without there guidance and support they gave me, I would not be swimming at the level I am now,” said Dickman, who also thanked Metropulos.

“A huge thank you to my best friend and teammate, McKenna Metropulos, for showing me how to work for your goals.”

Dickman said that GCU has “amazing coaches and swimmers” and is hoping to contribute to the team moving forward.

Grand Canyon competes in the Western Athletic Conference and is coached by Steve Schaffer.

A big part of the reason Metropulos chose UW-Green Bay was so she could remain close to family. She has a 3-year-old brother, Maverick, and says she’ll now be able to watch him grow up without having to miss nearly as much of his life as she would have had she attended college further away.

Metropulos noted how Green Bay’s coaches, Eddie Gillie and Gianna Boburka, kept in contact with her and were always ready to answer any questions she had.

“I knew that I wanted a coach who could see the potential in me and not just rely solely on the times I swam and that’s exactly the kind of coaches they are,” said Metropulos.

“The swim team is just as welcoming as the coaches. I have talked to many upperclassmen and they all are super nice and are doing their best to make me feel welcomed even before I swim my first practice on the team.”

Metropulos thanked her parents, John and Andrea, club coach Mike McQueen and all of her teammates for helping her along the way.

Green Bay is a member of the Horizon League.

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