Jaren Schwantz to Winona State, Avery Amidon to Bemidji State

River Falls had seven senior student-athletes sign letters of intent to play either Division 1 or Division 2 college athletics on National Signing Day at River Falls High School. Jaren Schwantz, a baseball player, signed with Winona State University, and Avery Amidon, a softball player, signed with Bemidji State University – both are Division 2 collegiate programs.

Both Schwantz and Amidon share one unique aspect of their high school careers – both lost a season due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the spring of 2020. While most student-athletes had already completed their fall or winter seasons, spring was completely canceled because of the ever-changing pandemic that was sweeping across the United States.

That meant that Schwantz and Amidon didn’t get a sophomore season of growth and experience. Both competitors persisted and refined their game throughout the dark days of the pandemic before finally getting an opportunity to resume athletics in the spring of 2021. River Falls baseball head coach Ryan Bishop spoke about the lost season.

“They lost a year of high school baseball (and softball), they didn’t get that four years like most of the other athletes,” Bishop said. “As spring athletics, they came back as juniors and it has been fun to watch their journey.”

For Schwantz, his junior season was that year of growth that would have been the sophomore campaign in 2020. He made strides as a player and became more than just a “live arm” that many high school baseball players end up being.

Schwantz pitched in six games last year, had a 1-1 overall record, and posted a 3.11 ERA. He served as a firefighter for the Wildcats, as he often made relief appearances in close games with high stakes. Bishop spoke about Schwantz’s development throughout his junior year.

“This last year was really cool for Jaren (Schwantz) to come into his own,” Bishop said. “The consistency and belief in himself translated onto the field. He’s always had a live arm and a mentality of just wanting to play any chance he could, even if it’s against the best team around. He wanted to compete and he’s done that.”

Schwantz’s efforts as a relief pitcher and a utility player helped River Falls post a 14-9 overall record for the 2022 season and the opportunity to play for a WIAA Division 1 Regional Championship on the road against Eau Claire Memorial in June.

While River Falls senior Keenan Mork gets well-deserved attention for his commitment to Notre Dame, he was a more refined player coming into high school, according to coach Bishop. He spoke about how Schwantz has developed in just his two years of experience.

“He’s truly evolved into a pitcher and not just a chucker,” Bishop said. “For a while, I called him chucker because he just grabbed it and chucked it and he didn’t always know where it was going. It was fun last year to watch him get consistent through his outings and all of a sudden, he’s getting consistent results. He became a pitcher and has earned his opportunities.”

Schwantz will continue his baseball career at Winona State University after he finishes his senior season at River Falls this spring and graduates in May. He will join his brother on the roster, Jaden Schwantz, who is currently in his sophomore year at Winona as a pitcher/outfielder.

Avery Amidon to play at Bemidji State

When River Falls softball head coach Chantele Dulas first met Avery Amidon as an incoming freshman, she knew that Amidon had what it takes to play at the next level. That became a reality on National Signing Day, as Amidon signed with Bemidji State University, a Division 2 women’s softball program.

Amidon garnered collegiate attention based on her gifted physical abilities and her driven mentality, a combination which quickly separated her from the rest of the players not only on the team but also in the Big Rivers Conference. Coach Dulas spoke about her first interactions with Amidon.

“When I first met Avery, she came into our program as a freshman, I knew right away that she had what it takes to play at the next level,” Dulas said. “She truly gives 110% into whatever it is she is doing. She puts the extra work in during the offseason on her own time, she is very driven and sets high goals for herself and won’t stop until those goals are met. She also excels in the classroom, and is a part of many clubs and volunteer groups through RFHS and the community.”

While many players specialize in one position, part of what makes Amidon a dynamic high school softball player is her versatility to be elite at multiple positions. According to Dulas, Amidon plays first base, center field and even appeared as a relief pitcher on multiple occasions.

With the National Signing Day ceremony, Amidon made it official that she will continue her softball career. However, her high school experience isn’t over, as she still has her senior season this spring. Even after her Second-Team All-Conference campaign last season in the Big Rivers Conference, coach Dulas believes the best is yet to come for Amidon.

“She is going to do great things this spring for the Wildcats,” Dulas said. “She has worked very hard on improving her game all summer long and will continue with offseason training all winter. The Big Rivers is a very tough conference with a ton of talented athletes and Avery (Amidon) is absolutely one of the top players in the conference in my mind.”

There is a lot to like about Amidon’s game, especially the versatility, the physical gifts and the aforementioned mentality that coach Dulas believes is a difference-maker. She spoke about some of the skills that made Amidon a future Division 2 player.

“She not only has a great glove, strong arm, excellent Softball IQ on defense, but I think where she really stands out is with her bat,” Dulas said. “Her swing is just beautiful and strong. When she makes contact, she hits the ball hard for extra bases. She also is very smart and aggressive on the base paths. I definitely see her on the BRC All-Conference roster again for the 2023 season.”

The 2023 spring softball season is slated to begin practice on Tuesday, March 14, with the earliest game date of Wednesday, March 22. After Amidon completes her senior season and graduates in May, she will begin her college career at Bemidji State University as a member of the women’s softball program.