State champion swimmer Brown commits to Wisconsin

Iowa City High senior Lizzie Brown, who won the breaststroke state championship last season for the Little Hawks, has verbally committed to swim for the Wisconsin Badgers, Iowa City Eels club swimming coach Donald Spellman confirmed Wednesday.

Brown visited Wisconsin the weekend of Oct. 11 and informed the coaching staff by phone late Tuesday that she was coming to Madison. Brown selected the Badgers over Indiana and North Carolina State, as well as a full scholarship offer from New Mexico.

A three-time state qualifier in the breaststroke, Brown edged Arkansas commit Sydney Angell of Pleasant Valley in 1:03.86 to win the 2013 state title. She left the Little Hawks in September in order to maintain the consistency of her club training regimen with the Iowa City Eels as she fielded scholarship offers and took official visits.

Brown will be able to specialize in the breaststroke for fourth-year Wisconsin Coach Whitney Hite, thereby tailoring her training to sprinting and technique.

In addition to the relatively close proximity to home, Brown was pleased with the academic options available to her in Madison as she decides on a major in the field of chemistry or biology.

Oral commitments are non-binding. Brown is expected to sign her letter of intent during the early signing period of Nov. 12-19.

l Comments: douglas.miles@thegazette.com