Division III Week Spotlight: Samantha Jaeke & Ashton Keene
UW-Oshkosh is among 446 member institutions taking part in NCAA Division III Week from April 13-19.
This year's Division III Week has taken place during an unprecedented time in our nation's history, but its purpose is to observe and celebrate the impact of athletics and of student-athletes on campus and in the surrounding community.
The event is part of Division III's Identity Initiative, which was introduced in 2010 to sharpen the division's identity and to enable schools and conferences to more effectively explain why they prefer to compete in Division III. The initiative has been guided by a strategic-positioning platform, describing Division III as a place where student-athletes can "follow your passions and develop your potential" within an approach that combines rigorous academics, competitive sports and an opportunity to pursue other interests.
UW-Oshkosh is extremely thankful for the impact that each of our current and former student-athletes have made. They are the nucleus of our Titan Family!
To help focus in on the 600-plus student-athletes that represent UW-Oshkosh each year, let's put the spotlight on seniors Samantha Jaeke and Ashton Keene. Here's what you need to know about them:
Samantha Jaeke
Hometown (High School): Oshkosh, Wis. (Lourdes Academy)
Sport: Volleyball
Major: Kinesiology
Why Did You Choose To Attend UW-Oshkosh?
1. The great kinesiology program – the professors and administration are AMAZING!!!
2. To play my favorite sport on a very competitive Division III level
3. It felt like a home away from home!
What Is The Best Thing About Competing In Athletics At UW-Oshkosh?
Having teammates that I can honestly say are my best friends and having coaches that care about my personal life and are always there for me. They are my second family!
What Is Your Proudest UW-Oshkosh Athletics Memory?
My proudest memory playing volleyball at UW-Oshkosh is how we overcame obstacles going from my junior to my senior year. My junior year was a tough year from team chemistry to our win/loss record. But my fellow classmates and I decided to not let that follow us to our senior year. We created boundaries and goals and had a team conversation during the preseason. My senior season was easily one of the best seasons I have had in my whole volleyball career. I am so proud that we were able to overcome hardships and were able to come out a better team and individuals because of it.
What Have You Learned About Yourself From Competing In Athletics At UW-Oshkosh?
I have learned so many things during my time being a student-athlete at UW-Oshkosh. One thing is that I wear my emotion on my sleeve. Everyone knows when I am happy, frustrated, and when I want to win. It definitely had its positive and negative factors, but I was able to learn how to control it in situations when I needed to. I also learned how to become a better leader. I had amazing role models as coaches that taught me how to be the leader I wanted to be.
What Do You Plan To Do After Graduation?
I graduated in December 2019 and have a full-time job at Titan Property Management as the Office Administrator. I also have recently become a Beachbody Coach and I hope to coach volleyball at a local high school this fall.
Favorite Opponent: Colorado College
Favorite Competition Venue: Kolf Sports Center
Favorite Professional Athlete: Khris Middleton
Favorite Professional Team: Milwaukee Bucks
Favorite UW-Oshkosh Academic Course: Kinesiology 351 - Nutrition for Health and Performance
Favorite Hobby: Exercising and reading
Favorite Prized Possession: My stuffed bear
Favorite Book: Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire
Favorite Television Show: Gossip Girl
Favorite Actor: Heath Ledger
Favorite Movie: Step Up: All In
Favorite Singer/Group: Bazzi
Favorite Food: Tacos
Favorite Restaurant: Cozumels
Favorite Vacation Spot: Disney World
Favorite Person To Meet: Misty May Trainer
Favorite Role Model: My Mom
Favorite Mobile App: Marco Polo
Greatest Fear: Being kidnapped
Biggest Pet Peeve: When people slurp their soup, coffee, cereal etc.
Ashton Keene
Hometown (High School): Pewaukee, Wis. (Pewaukee)
Sport(s): Cross Country and Track & Field
Major: Spanish (Secondary Education)
Why Did You Choose To Attend UW-Oshkosh?
I chose UW-Oshkosh because it is a reputable institution of higher education and it's not too far from home. What really drew me in was the running program and my coach's vision for working hard to achieve some cool things.
What Is The Best Thing About Competing In Athletics At UW-Oshkosh?
The best part is that there is a tradition of excellence which the UW-Oshkosh athletics program strives to uphold. People here have high goals and are committed to working to achieve them.
What Is Your Proudest UW-Oshkosh Athletics Memory?
My proudest moment was earning All-America honors at the 2019 NCAA Division III Cross Country Championship my senior year. It was so unexpected by everyone, including myself.
What Have You Learned About Yourself From Competing In Athletics At UW-Oshkosh?
I learned that I am capable of more than I had previously thought.
What Do You Plan To Do After Graduation?
I plan to look for a Spanish teaching position, ideally at the high school level.
Favorite Opponent: WIAC teams
Favorite Competition Venue: Kolf Sports Center
Favorite Professional Athlete: Nikki Hiltz
Favorite Professional Team: Bowerman Track Club
Favorite UW-Oshkosh Academic Course: Foundations of Multicultural Education
Favorite Hobby: Cooking (but not doing the dishes afterwards)
Favorite Prized Possession: My fuzzy bathrobe for lounging
Favorite Book: Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates
Favorite Television Show: Parks and Recreation
Favorite Actor: Kate McKinnon
Favorite Movie: The entire Pitch Perfect franchise
Favorite Singer/Group: Mumford and Sons
Favorite Food: Chocolate Chip Pancakes
Favorite Restaurant: Machine Shed
Favorite Video Game: The Sims 2 for PC
Favorite Vacation Spot: The Pacific Northwest
Favorite Person To Meet: It would be an absolute honor to meet Ruth Bader Ginsburg
Favorite Role Model: My Mom
Favorite Mobile App: Spotify
Greatest Fear: Sometimes I have extremely vivid nightmares where I show up to a race in my underwear
Biggest Pet Peeve: When people one-step on an easy run