UW-La Crosse’s Elfers Named Men’s Swimming & Diving Max Sparger Scholar Athlete

MADISON, Wis.–University of Wisconsin-La Crosse’s Jonah Elfers has been named the recipient of the 2026 Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Men’s Swimming & Diving Max Sparger Scholar-Athlete Award.

 

A senior from Cottage Grove, Wis. (Monona Grove), Elfers sustains a 3.71 grade level common and is majoring in train and sports activities science with a minor in vitamin. He was named to the 2024-25 NCAA Division III Academic All-District® Men’s Swimming & Diving Team, chosen by the College Sports Communicators. Elfers is a three-time member of the WIAC Scholastic Honor Roll and has been acknowledged on UW-La Crosse’s Dean’s List quite a few semesters. He acquired the 2022 Eagle Access Scholarship Award.

 

Elfers helped UW-La Crosse to its first convention title since 1971 this yr by posting runner-up finishes within the 100-yard butterfly and 200-yard medley relay. In 2025, he was a member of the convention champion 200-yard medley relay group, and runner-up within the 100-yard butterfly and 400-yard medley relay. He was named to the 2023 WIAC All-Sportsmanship Team and is a four-time program document holder (2023 – 400-yard medley relay, 2024 – 400-yard medley relay, 2025 – 200-yard medley relay and 400-yard medley relay). Elfers owns the UW-La Crosse pool document (2025 – 200-yard medley relay) and acquired the Silver Eagle Award in 2023 and 2025.

 

Elfers is a member of UW-La Crosse’s Student Physical Therapy Club. He has served as the top coach of the Unified Swim Team for Monona Swim and Dive, in addition to an assistant swimming coach and lifeguard with Madison Aquatic Club and swimming classes teacher for the Monona Grove School District. Elfers has volunteered with the Salvation Army, Special Olympics, UW-La Crosse Veterans Breakfast, La Crosse Rotary Lights, Roncalli Newman Catholic Center and UW-La Crosse Bubbas Night.

 

UW-Eau Claire’s Ryan Lahey (Sr., Waunakee, Wis./Waunakee); and UW-Whitewater’s Daniel Keller (Sr., Omaha, Neb./Papillion-LaVista) have been additionally nominated for this yr’s scholar-athlete award.

 

The WIAC Scholar-Athlete Award is known as after Max Sparger, who served as commissioner of the Wisconsin State University Conference for 22 years from 1971-93. He oversaw the transition of the convention from NAIA to full NCAA membership. Sparger arrived at UW-Stout in 1959 and served the establishment in a wide range of capacities, together with an assistant soccer and basketball coach, head wrestling coach and head soccer coach. He served as UW-Stout’s athletics director from 1969-71 and was inducted into the WIAC Hall of Fame in 2012.

 

In order to be nominated for the scholar-athlete award, a student-athlete should have a minimal 3.50 grade level common. In addition, he should be in his final yr of competitors, or on schedule to graduate this educational yr, and have competed for at least two years. The award is predicated on educational achievements, athletics accomplishments and involvement in different campus actions, organizations and neighborhood service initiatives.

 

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