“Champions Crowned: Casey O’Brien and Jason Swarens Named Wisconsin’s 2024-25 Athletes of the Year After National Title Triumphs”
Casey O’Brien and Jason Swarens etched their names into Wisconsin Badgers history with excellence, leadership, and championship grit, earning the ultimate campus honors as the 2024-25 Wisconsin Athletes of the Year. O’Brien, the unstoppable force on the ice, and Swarens, the powerful anchor in the throwing circle, didn’t just win national championships—they redefined greatness in their respective sports and raised the standard for what it means to be a Badger. Their seasons weren’t merely impressive, they were historic. In a year when the University of Wisconsin was already celebrating athletic success across numerous programs, O’Brien and Swarens emerged as symbols of perseverance, excellence, and pride, each lifting not only their teams but also the entire campus community.
Casey O’Brien’s journey to becoming the top female athlete on campus started long before the puck dropped on the 2024 season. A leader from the outset, O’Brien built on previous campaigns of consistent dominance to deliver what can only be described as a dream year for the Badgers women’s hockey program. Her goal-scoring prowess, hockey IQ, and ability to shine brightest in the biggest moments made her the driving force behind Wisconsin’s run to the national championship. The weight of expectations never seemed to slow her down. Instead, she thrived under it, often taking over games when they mattered most. Whether it was a hat trick in the postseason or the relentless forechecking that broke opponents’ spirits, O’Brien showed the all-around game of a generational talent.
Her postseason run will be talked about for years. As Wisconsin stormed through the NCAA Tournament, O’Brien elevated her play to a level few have reached in college hockey. She was a catalyst in the team’s offensive surge, racking up points while also leading on the bench and in the locker room. Teammates and coaches lauded her not just for her athletic brilliance but for her relentless focus, positivity, and ability to unite the locker room. When the final buzzer sounded in the national championship game, and Wisconsin once again stood atop the college hockey world, there was no doubt who had led the charge. O’Brien hoisted the trophy not just as a champion, but as the face of a program that had once again achieved greatness.
Meanwhile, on a different field of battle, Jason Swarens was quietly constructing one of the most impressive seasons in Wisconsin track and field history. A thrower of immense talent and even greater drive, Swarens made every meet count, building momentum toward a dominant postseason showing that saw him crowned national champion. In a discipline where inches separate the elite from the great, Swarens found a way to separate himself time and again, consistently delivering when the pressure was at its peak. Whether it was the Big Ten Championships or the national stage, Swarens approached every event with laser focus and the kind of preparation that only elite athletes possess.
His ability to maintain consistency across multiple throwing events made him invaluable to the Badgers’ track and field team, but it was his performance in the biggest moments that elevated him into the national conversation. Competing against the best in the country, Swarens didn’t just rise to the challenge—he controlled the competition, asserting dominance early and never letting up. His throws were not only technically sound but packed with raw power and precision honed over years of training. Coaches praised his discipline, teammates drew inspiration from his work ethic, and fans watched in awe as he continued to rack up accolades on the national level.
What sets Swarens apart, though, is more than just distance measurements or medal counts. It’s the way he approached every challenge with a professional demeanor, focused on team success as much as personal achievement. In the weight room, on the runway, and during team huddles, he was a tone-setter, a model of consistency who inspired everyone around him to push harder and reach higher. His leadership, combined with his championship-winning performance, made him the clear choice for Male Athlete of the Year.
Together, O’Brien and Swarens represent the very best of what it means to be a Wisconsin Badger. Their achievements are etched into the record books, but their impact goes far beyond statistics. They inspired teammates, uplifted fans, and carried the university flag with pride and honor. In a world that constantly seeks heroes on and off the field, these two stood tall and delivered not only in competition but in character. Their stories are different—one on the ice, the other on the field—but their paths are united by hard work, resilience, and an unshakable belief in the power of sport to transform lives.
For O’Brien, this recognition caps off a college career that will likely lead to even more accolades at the professional and international levels. Her future in hockey is bright, and this honor is just the latest in what promises to be a long list of achievements. She has already cemented her place among the Badger greats, following in the footsteps of legends while carving out a legacy that is uniquely hers. From her first shift in the cardinal and white to the final championship celebration, O’Brien brought excellence, class, and a competitive edge that set her apart.
Swarens, too, leaves a legacy that will be remembered long after his final collegiate throw. He brought a level of intensity and precision that elevated the entire Wisconsin track and field program. His name will be remembered not only for the distances he threw but for the standards he set. Future throwers at Wisconsin will be measured against the bar he raised so high, and his championship ring will always serve as a reminder of what’s possible when talent meets unrelenting dedication.
The recognition of these two athletes as the 2024-25 Athletes of the Year is also a reflection of the strength and diversity of Wisconsin’s athletic programs. From the ice rink to the throwing circle, the Badgers continue to produce champions who excel in every environment. O’Brien and Swarens, in their own distinct ways, brought national attention and local pride to Madison, reminding fans and fellow athletes alike that being a Badger means something powerful.
Their legacies also highlight the support systems behind them—coaches who believed, teammates who battled alongside them, and a university that invested in their potential. Wisconsin’s commitment to excellence in athletics and academics gave O’Brien and Swarens the platform to become the best versions of themselves, and they returned the favor by delivering memories and milestones that will be cherished for generations.
As the 2024-25 academic year continues to unfold, the stories of these two champions will continue to inspire those who follow. In locker rooms, weight rooms, and fields across campus, young Badgers will look to the examples set by O’Brien and Swarens as proof that greatness is within reach. Their success wasn’t handed to them—it was earned through early mornings, late nights, setbacks, comebacks, and the relentless pursuit of something bigger than themselves.
When the awards were announced, and the names Casey O’Brien and Jason Swarens echoed through the halls of Wisconsin athletics, there was a sense of fitting conclusion and exciting beginning. For O’Brien, it might be a sendoff into the next chapter of her hockey career. For Swarens, perhaps a springboard to even greater heights on the international stage. But no matter where their journeys lead next, they will always be Badgers, always champions, and forever 2024-25 Wisconsin Athletes of the Year.
In a world that too often measures success by fleeting stats and headlines, O’Brien and Swarens brought something lasting—a reminder that greatness is a process, leadership is earned, and true champions inspire everyone around them. Their seasons may be over, but their impact is only beginning.
