Fischer Takes Leap to Wisconsin

Jeremy Fischer of Camarillo High, runner-up in the high jump in last year’s state championships, has made a commitment to attend Wisconsin.

Fischer took recruiting trips to Wisconsin, Indiana and Auburn before choosing the Badgers. He canceled trips to UCLA and Fresno State after making his decision.

“I just like everything about the school,” Fischer said. “I like the facility, and I like (jumps coach Mark Napier). He’s a great guy and he knows his stuff. . . . The Big Ten is a prestigious sports conference and I think it will be exciting to compete in it and be a part of it.”

A high-quality pre-med undergraduate program and the proximity if Madison, Wis., to Chicago--where Fischer has relatives--also influenced his decision.

“It’s a great school and it has everything I need,” Fischer said. “I had those other two trips left, but I just said, ‘Forget it.’ I really like Wisconsin and that’s where I want to go.”

After raising his personal best to 6 feet 11 1/2 inches as a sophomore, Fischer became one of the most proficient high school jumpers in the nation last year.

He improved his personal best to 7-2 and cleared 7 feet or higher in 10 meets.

He won the Southern Section Division I title, finished second in the state championships behind Jeff Nadeau of Monroe, and placed third in the USA Track & Field junior championships.

He is tied for fourth on the all-time region list in the high jump and the region record of 7-3 1/4--set by Lee Balkin of Glendale in 1979--seems well within his reach.

Fischer is also a quality long jumper with a personal best of 22-1.