Men's Swimming and Diving

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 point average and is majoring in exercise and sports science with a minor in nutrition. He was named to the 2024-25 NCAA Division III Academic All-District® Men’s Swimming & Diving Team, selected by the College Sports Communicators. Elfers is a three-time member of the WIAC Scholastic Honor Roll and has been recognized on UW-La Crosse’s Dean’s List numerous semesters. He received the 2022 Eagle Access Scholarship Award.
 
Elfers helped UW-La Crosse to its first conference title since 1971 this year by posting runner-up finishes in the 100-yard butterfly and 200-yard medley relay. In 2025, he was a member of the conference champion 200-yard medley relay team, and runner-up in 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 record 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 record (2025 – 200-yard medley relay) and received 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 head coach of the Unified Swim Team for Monona Swim and Dive, as well as an assistant swimming coach and lifeguard with Madison Aquatic Club and swimming lessons instructor 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) were also nominated for this year’s scholar-athlete award.
 
The WIAC Scholar-Athlete Award is named 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 conference from NAIA to full NCAA membership. Sparger arrived at UW-Stout in 1959 and served the institution in a variety of capacities, including an assistant football and basketball coach, head wrestling coach and head football 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 must have a minimum 3.50 grade point average. In addition, he must be in his last year of competition, or on schedule to graduate this academic year, and have competed for a minimum of two years. The award is based on academic achievements, athletics accomplishments and involvement in other campus activities, organizations and community service projects.
 
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