Meggan Duggah
Women's Hockey
Her name might not be the first that comes to mind when Wisconsin fans think of the players who defined the past year in Badger athletics, but there wasn't an athlete on campus who dominated their sport the way Meghan Duggan did.
The senior and team captain of the Wisconsin women's hockey team, Duggan embodied in one player the strength of an entire program. She led the team and the nation in points and assists, scored in 25 consecutive games from Oct. 22 to Feb. 4 and, to cap it all off, won the Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award, recognizing her as the most valuable player in college women's hockey.
And, oh by the way, her team lost just two games all season on its way to a fourth national title in six years. As her team marched toward that championship, the common refrain was that Duggan's leadership on and off the ice made the run possible.
There's a reason Meghan Duggan's teammates nicknamed her ""Alpha""—she dominated her sport and outshone every other athlete who put on a motion W this year.
—Nico Savidge
J.J. Watt
Football
For a team to be special—and the 2010 Badgers certainly did plenty of special things—there need to be players that contribute well beyond the statistics. And Watt was that man.
He had a knack for excellent play in the biggest moments, a natural leadership on the field and a genuine attitude that made him an easy fan favorite.
If, years down the road, fans are still displaying two hands in the ""W"" shape, we will have John Clay and Bret Bielema to thank for beginning the tradition. However, it will be J.J. Watt known for taking it upon himself to make it a sensation in 2010.
With his 62 tackles, including 21 for a loss, and 11.5 sacks, Watt led the Badgers back to the Rose Bowl for the first time in 11 years and was awarded the Lott Impact trophy.
And yes, it was a pure football skill that filled the stat box, but it was his demeanor that set him above the rest.
#DBWH
—Mark Bennett
Jordan Taylor
Men's Basketball
After waiting two years for his opportunity to take over the role of floor general for the Badgers, junior point guard Jordan Taylor made the most of his chance during the 2011 season. Not only did Taylor lead his team in scoring during Big Ten play with 20.3 points per game, but the 2011 second-team All-American lead the nation and set a school record with a 3.83 assist-to-turnover ratio.
The first-team All-Big Ten point guard eclipsed the 1,000 point mark this season, and was often relied on to hit the big shot or give his team a lift in the game's critical moments. His ability was showcased against one of the Big Ten's elites, where Taylor scored 21 of his 27 points in the second half, sparking a comeback victory against then-No. 1 ranked Ohio State. The native of Bloomington, Minn., was also dominant without the ball in his hands, as he was selected to the Big Ten's All-Defensive Team. Taylor's impact during the 2011 season saw him rise to national prominence as one of the best point guards in the nation.
—Jeremy Wodajo
Justin Schultz
Men's Hockey
There was no collegiate defenseman in the country as dominant and as valuable to his team this season than Wisconsin sophomore Justin Schultz. The West Kelowna, British Columbia native scored 18 goals to go along with 47 points this year, easily making him college hockey's top scoring player from the blue line.
The postseason accolades came rolling in for Schultz after the Badgers' season came to a end. Schultz was named the WCHA Defensive Player of the Year and became the latest Wisconsin player to be named a first team all-American. Schultz was also a top-10 finalist for the Hobey Baker Memorial Award. His own teammates named him team MVP., showing just how much he meant to the Badgers.
With Schultz returning for his junior season, he will undoubtedly be one of the brightest stars on the college hockey landscape next year and fans should be excited to see how he builds on his phenomenal 2010-'11 campaign.
—Ryan Evans
Jon Leuer
Men's Basketball
The 2011 honorable mention AP All-American led the Badgers in scoring and rebounding for the second year in a row, and also finished in the top five in the Big Ten in both categories. His presence on the floor this season showed the growth he made from that summer to his senior year, as the Minnesota-native averaged 18.3 points per game in 2011, and played a pivotal role in UW's NCAA tournament success.
Leuer finished his career with 1, 376 career points, twelve in school history, and was one of just 8 players to record 1,300 points and 500 rebounds. Along with earning first-team All-Big Ten honors from the coaches, Leuer led the class of seniors that totaled 100 career wins. Despite his 6'10"" frame, Leuer's presence extended far beyond the block as he averaged nearly 40 percent shooting from three, and was as dominant in the low-post as he was 25 feet away from the basket-a huge reason why his career will undoubtedly extend from UW to the pros.
—Jeremy Wodajo
