Sports - Pierce County Journal

River Falls sophomore Quin Andrews takes his place on the podium after finishing runner-up in the 800-meter run at the Division 1 state track and field championships in La Crosse on Saturday, June 3.

RF’s Quin Andrews runs into Wildcat history, finishes second in state 800M

As River Falls sophomore Quin Andrews made the final turn of his last lap of the 800-meter run in the state track and field championships in La Crosse, he kicked it into a gear that other racers … more

By Reagan Hoverman | 6/8/23

Elmwood/Plum City senior Trevor Asher stands atop the podium wearing his first-place medal after winning the WIAA Division 3 triple jump state championship at Veteran’s Memorial Field Complex in La Crosse on Saturday, June 3.

EPC senior Trevor Asher wins Division 3 state triple jump title

When Elmwood/Plum City senior Trevor Asher stepped on the triple jump runway moments before his sixth and final leap of the state championships, he knew he was in second place and had to do something … more

By Reagan Hoverman | 6/8/23

(From left): River Falls senior softball manager Jake Pederson joins senior players Avery Amidon, Star Deiss, Ali Laube and Alisha Latham as they celebrate senior night at First National Bank of River Falls Field on Friday, May 19.

RF softball’s 15-win season is its most since 1981

This year’s River Falls High School softball team has done what no other Wildcat squad had accomplished in more than four decades. When River Falls recorded the final out of its 9-0 … more

By Reagan Hoverman | 5/25/23

Elmwood/Plum City seniors (from left) Hannah Forster, Allyson Fleishauer, Lily Webb and Izzy Forster celebrate together after winning the conference championship in the girls’ 4x200-meter relay in Durand on Tuesday, May 16.

EPC track and field crowns six individual conference champions

The 2023 iteration of the Dunn-St. Croix Conference track and field championship was one to remember for Elmwood/Plum City. The Wolves crowned six individual conference champions in Durand on … more

By Reagan Hoverman | 5/25/23

The Prescott High School softball team celebrates with the conference championship banner in the outfield at Biggs Frey Memorial Field in Prescott after winning the 2023 Middle Border Conference title on Friday, May 12.

Prescott, Baldwin-Woodville softball share Middle Border Conference title

When the Prescott Cardinals softball team lost back-to-back games against Baldwin-Woodville in late April and early May, it appeared as if their hopes of a second consecutive conference championship … more

By Reagan Hoverman | 5/18/23

The River Falls High School softball team was all smiles after defeating Prescott 7-0 in the annual rivalry game on Saturday, May 13. The Wildcats are Cardinals made the rivalry game a Strikeout Cancer fundraiser, which raised $1,502 for the American Cancer Society.

River Falls, Prescott softball raise $1,500 in Strikeout Cancer fundraiser

When the River Falls and Prescott High School softball programs clashed in their annual non-conference rivalry game on Saturday afternoon, the play on the diamond and final score were secondary to … more

By Reagan Hoverman | 5/18/23

Prescott senior point guard Jordan Malmlov slashes through a pair of defenders during the second half of a game his senior year. Malmlov recently announced he will attend the University of Nevada to play Division I basketball next fall.

Prescott’s Malmlov to play Division I basketball at Nevada

After spending nearly two years deciphering which NCAA Division I basketball program would fit best, Prescott senior Jordan Malmlov’s answer turned crystal clear when he was notified of a … more

By Reagan Hoverman | 5/18/23

Ellsworth wrestling head coach Mark Matzek shouts instructions to one of his wrestlers competing at the WIAA Division 2 sectional tournament at the Amery High School on Saturday, Feb. 18.

Ellsworth wrestling head coach to be inducted into NWCA D-III Hall of Fame

When Mark Matzek was about to finish his freshman year at Augsburg in the spring of 2002, he traveled back to Ellsworth, his hometown, to tell his father that he found his calling – he wanted … more

By Reagan Hoverman | 5/11/23

The River Falls High School girls’ soccer team is joined by Lori’s mother, Doreen, who was at the game on Tuesday night to give out flowers and Mei Mei’s cookies in honor of Lori. Kicking Cancer 2023 was dedicated to Lori because of her dedication to Lady Wildcats soccer in River Falls.

Kicking Cancer: RF girls’ soccer honors one player’s late aunt with a win

When River Falls junior Bell Skow found the top right corner of the net with her penalty kick that tied the game 1-1 at home against Superior on Tuesday night, she may have had a little help from … more

By Reagan Hoverman | 5/3/23

Prescott freshman Kobe Russell smiles as he watches senior teammate Shane Butler try to catch his breath after they won the 4x200-meter relay at the Osceola Invite on Tuesday, April 25.

Prescott track and field relays rank among the best in the state

The Prescott High School track and field team – including both the boys’ and girls’ rosters – have relay squads that rank among the best in the state with less than a month … more

By Reagan Hoverman | 5/3/23

Prescott senior Taylor Graf delivers a strike during a game earlier this season. Graf recently announced that she will forgo season-ending hip surgery and will compete for the remainder of her senior season this spring.

Prescott’s Graf forgoes season-ending surgery, is ‘full go’ for 2023

Monday, April 24 was supposed to be hip surgery day for Prescott senior ace pitcher Taylor Graf. Instead of choosing a surgical hospital gown, Graf opted for her white Prescott Cardinals home … more

By Reagan Hoverman | 4/27/23

River Falls senior Chris Lavasseur competes in the 125 kg weight class at the USA Powerlifting Nationals in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina at the end of March. Lavasseur was one of the best in the country this year, as his efforts secured a ninth-place finish among the best high school lifters in the United States.

Nine River Falls athletes compete at national powerlifting competition

River Falls powerlifting head coach Ulice Payne III makes a habit of telling his athletes to compete in the USA Powerlifting (USAPL) Nationals at least once in their career because of the immense … more

By Reagan Hoverman | 4/20/23

Prescott All-State senior ace pitcher Taylor Graf delivers a strike during the Cardinals’ 6-1 victory at home against Somerset in the Middle Border Conference opener on Tuesday, April 11.

Prescott softball’s ace pitcher considers season-ending surgery

Prescott’s goals and expectations for the 2023 season may be significantly altered based on one player’s decision regarding a season-ending surgery that is slated to be made before April … more

By Reagan Hoverman | 4/20/23

Peter Rayne (left) and his daughter Ellen Rayne (right) take a selfie shortly after finishing the 2023 iteration of the Birkebeinerrennet in Lillehammer, Norway. Peter and Ellen crossed the finish line at the same time after completing the 34-mile Worldloppet race.

Ellsworth father, daughter craft lifelong memories through global skiing adventures

When Ellen Rayne learned how to cross-country ski in 2020, it cleared a previously snow-covered path for her and her father Peter Rayne, both of whom are Ellsworth natives, to create lifelong … more

By Reagan Hoverman | 4/6/23

Kevin Black, formerly the head coach of the River Falls High School wrestling team coaches during the Northern Badger Wrestling Tournament in River Falls on Friday, Dec. 30. Black stepped down as River Falls head coach shortly after the 2022-23 season ended.

Kevin Black steps down as River Falls wrestling head coach

After 10 years as the River Falls High School wrestling team’s head coach, Kevin Black has stepped down and will shift additional focus to the family relationships in his life, particularly … more

By Reagan Hoverman | 3/30/23

2-25-23 Ellsworth's William Penn stands on the podium after recieving his fourth place medal at the WIAA state wrestling tournament. Penn went 3-2 en route to the podium finish...Nate Beier/GX3 Media

Three Ellsworth wrestlers etch names into Panthers history

All three of Ellsworth’s qualifiers for the 2023 WIAA State Individual Wrestling Tournament in Madison earned a top-six spot on the podium, which meant they will have their names etched into Panthers history upon their return to Ellsworth. more

By Reagan Hoverman | 3/1/23

2-24-23 River Falls' Jenna Lawrence puts Menasha's Brianna Derouin in a headlock and tries to muscle her to the mat during a 107 pound wrestleback at the WIAA state wrestling tournament...Nate Beier/GX3 Media

RF sees podium finish, history made at state wrestling

Four student-athletes from the River Falls High School wrestling team had an emotional 72 hours at the WIAA State Individual Wrestling Tournament in Madison. more

By Reagan Hoverman | 3/1/23