Gwen Jorgensen knows she is fortunate.
Right off the bat, the University of Wisconsin junior acknowledges that God has given her athletic gifts. And itâ??s not too long before she sings the praises of Badgers coach Jim Stintzi and throws some love to her teammates, who she says welcomed her with open arms and pushed her to be better.
Wisconsinâ??s latest running protégé is right on the money in that regard: One doesnâ??t come as far as she has as fast as she has all by herself.
In the span of about 15 months, the Waukesha South graduate has gone from being an average swimmer for the Badgers to an NCAA qualifier for the UW track team in the 5,000 meters. Tonight, sheâ??ll run in the semifinals of her event on the first day of the Division 1 national outdoor meet, which runs through Saturday at Drake Stadium in Des Moines, Iowa.