UW-Platteville track and field recognizes seniors
Platteville, Wis. – On Saturday, February 15 the University of Wisconsin – Platteville track and field team honored its seniors at the UW-Platteville Invitational. Little did the Pioneers know how unique of a treasured celebration that day would be. In light of the track and field season coming to an abrupt, early end, we continue to highlight the senior class throughout the spring semester. In this week’s edition, we honor track and field athletes Tonie Johnson, Paul Rapp, Riley Bendorf, and Ryan Swanson.
Platteville, Wis. – On Saturday, February 15 the University of Wisconsin – Platteville track and field team honored its seniors at the UW-Platteville Invitational. Little did the Pioneers know how unique of a treasured celebration that day would be. In light of the track and field season coming to an abrupt, early end, we will continue to highlight the senior class throughout the spring semester. In this week's edition, we honor track and field athletes Tonie Johnson, Paul Rapp, Riley Bendorf, and Ryan Swanson.
Tonie Johnson
One of a kind; these are the words the coaching staff at UW-Platteville would use to describe Johnson. His story at UW-Platteville is one of a kind in itself. Johnson is originally from Hixton, Wisconsin. He is majoring in industrial engineering and minoring in biology. After graduation he wants to pursue graduate school in biomedical engineering, as well as meet Selena Gomez. Johnson's favorite track and field memory was his trip to the 2017 indoor national championships, where he became an All-American running in the 4x400-meter relay. It was that year life took Johnson in an uneasy, different direction; Johnson was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Through a continuous upward battle, Johnson emerged victorious and continues to be an incredible leader for the track and field team.
Paul Rapp
Rapp arrived to campus as a freshman from Muskego, Wisconsin majoring in industrial engineering. Throughout his years on the UW-Platteville track and field team, Rapp's primary focus was the 400-meter dash. In the 2018 WIAC Outdoor Championships, Rapp ran a lifetime best of 49.23 to take fifth place. At the 2019 indoor and outdoor national championships, Rapp was a part of a 4x400-meter relay team that took 12th and 13th place respectively. Back in 2016, Rapp was a member of the school record-holding 4x400-meter relay team that ran 3:13.27 to take 14th at the national outdoor championships. These national championship trips were some of Rapp's favorite track and field memories.
Riley Bendorf
A Janesville, Wisconsin native, Bendorf is majoring in criminal justice and forensic investigation at UW-Platteville. Following graduation, Bendorf will join the Rock County Sheriff's Office in Janesville, Wisconsin to work as a correctional officer. As a sprinter on the track and field team, Riley began to find success in the 400-meter dash with a lifetime best of 50.28. When asked about his favorite track and field memories, Bendorf explained the simple joys that we take for granted, "(I enjoy) the treat of seeing all the seniors' beautiful faces everyday at 3pm for the last four years… and experiencing all of the successes that my teammates have experienced during their careers is incredible. It has been truly an unforgettable ride and I wouldn't trade it for the world!"
Ryan Swanson
Focusing in the short sprint races, Swanson came to UW-Platteville from Pecatonica, Illinois. Swanson qualified to five WIAC Track and Field Championships, including a third place finish in the 4x100-meter relay in 2019. His lifetime best in the 60-meter dash of 7.10 seconds sits at number nine on the UW-Platteville all-time top ten list. The 4x100-meter relay performance Swanson was a member of in 2019 is number seven on the all-time top ten list with a time of 41.47 seconds. Swanson will be graduating with a degree in industrial technology management and a minor in product development.
The seniors invested in themselves by attending the University of Wisconsin – Platteville. Student-athletes with such determination and passion to succeed have a rich impact on a team. It's hard to predict the impact a college experience can have; it's even harder to communicate in words that same impact in the aftermath. Tonie, Paul, Riley, and Ryan, you are through and through Pioneers. With much gratitude, we send you off and welcome you into the elite club of Pioneer Alumni.