Germantown wrestler Jesse Thielke verbally committed to UW-Madison last week.
Thielke is a three-time WIAA Division I state champion and has also competed internationally during the high school off season. Thielke has been training at the US Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs in preparation for the Junior World Championships in Budapest, Hungary.
According to information from Thielke’s father Jeff, Jesse has received letters from 56 colleges in the past year. Besides Madison, schools showing interest included Cornell, Northwestern, Iowa and Minnesota.
Jeff Thielke said Jesse will sign his letter of intent when he returns to Wisconsin in August. Jeff Thielke indicated that the UW-Madison coaching staff will allow Jesse to continue to train for the Olympics during the offseason.
“As a family we felt the the Badgers offered everything Jesse needed to potentially reach his goals both academically and as a wrestler,” Jeff Thielke state. “As a coaching staff, the Badgers are second to none and truly care about their athletes not just as wrestlers, but most importantly as individuals.”
Jeff Thielke indicated that Jesse will take a year off after high school to train at the Olympic Training Center for the for the 2012 Olympic and World Team trials.  In addition, UW Coaches will  allow Jesse to take an Olympic red-shirt year off in 2016 as well.
—By Thomas J. McKillen, Managing Editor