River Falls - Pierce County Journal

The Ellsworth boys team being sent off to State as a squad for the first time since 1992.

Ellsworth XC boys soak in State experience

Ellsworth’s boys cross country team competed at State in Wisconsin Rapids on Saturday, Nov. 1. While they finished 16th of 16 as a team in Division 2, the team worked around an injury and … more

By Andrew Harrington | 11/5/25

The Wildcats celebrate after scoring in a 3-1 win over Eau Claire North during the Regional Final on Oct. 25.

Wildcats come up one set short of return to State

River Falls had little time to react to an injury to junior kill leader Amelie Pankonin going down just days before the Regional Final. Despite practicing just briefly with major lineup changes, … more

By Andrew Harrington | 11/5/25

River Falls Wildcat senior libero Olivia Doerre (middle sleeveless jersey), the youngest of three Doerre sisters, celebrates after a point earlier this season. Doerre will play collegiate volleyball next season at UW-Milwaukee.

RF Volleyball: A decade of Doerre comes to an end

The volleyball defensive position term "libero," is an Italian word meaning "free." Liberos may be free to substitute without restriction, but there is a price to pay on the back row. Libero currency … more

By Greg Peters | 11/5/25

Senior Avery Singel won the Big Rivers Conference diving competition with a score of 361.4.

RF takes three titles home at Conference Swim & Dive meet

River Falls took fifth in the girls Big Rivers Conference swim and dive meet over the weekend, winning three events and scoring a 271, 40 points better than a year ago. The winners of the day … more

By Andrew Harrington | 11/5/25

Senior Dominic Hietala tracks the ball in the Sectional semifinals against New Richmond.

RF run to remember comes to end at hands of New Richmond

NEW RICHMOND — No. 6 seed River Falls saw its run of miracle comebacks end after a 3-0 loss to No. 1 New Richmond in the Sectional semifinals, but there was no shortage of memories made, … more

By Andrew Harrington | 11/5/25

Senior running back Joseph Tarasewicz leaves defenders in his wake as part of another five-touchdown night.

RF controls the trenches to beat La Crosse Central

RIVER FALLS — Division 2 No. 1 seed River Falls once again asserted its dominance in the level two playoffs, scoring 41 points in the first half to beat La Crosse Central 50-24. On the … more

By Andrew Harrington | 11/5/25

The Ellsworth boys cross country team is headed to State after an outstanding Sectionals finish landed them in the top two.

Ellsworth boys XC headed to State for first time since 1992

Ellsworth boys cross country is headed back to State for the first time since 1992, showing out at Rice Lake to the tune of a second-place finish. “It’s pretty significant … more

By Andrew Harrington | 10/29/25

River Falls celebrates a tight win over Eau Claire North for the Regional title.

RF wins contested Regional title 3-1 over EC North

The volleyball postseason brought out the best, with no shortage of great matches. River Falls added another Regional title to an already decorated weekend for the school, and Ellsworth, Spring … more

By Andrew Harrington | 10/29/25

Beaver Dam and River Falls clash at the goal line on third down. during Round 1 of the playoffs Oct. 24.

RF lone survivor of playoff football opening round

The WIAA football playoffs can be a buzzsaw, and it proved just that, knocking out three county teams in the opening round. The lone team to rise above the noise was the No. 1 seed River Falls … more

By Andrew Harrington | 10/29/25

For the second straight year, River Falls boys soccer won the Regional title to advance to Sectionals.

Lightning strikes twice: Cardiac Cats are Regional champs again

You may not be able to teach an old dog new tricks, but the young Cats out of River Falls have brought out an old trick, winning Regionals for a second straight year. After a pair of 2-0 comebacks, … more

By Andrew Harrington | 10/29/25

Prescott Head Coach Jordan Hansen encourages the Cardinals, who gave the Middle Border Conference Champion Baldwin-Woodville Blackhawks a fight Friday, Oct. 17.

Around the County: Four more postseasons begin

Football Ellsworth got a massive win heading into the playoffs, beating a strong Osceola team on the road 31-20. Coincidentally, the Panthers hit the road to take on Osceola in the playoff … more

By Andrew Harrington | 10/22/25

Prescott’s All-Conference and medalist runners (from left): Addy Allsop, Amber Van Loon, Kyra Dix, Nolan Leask, Dawson Langer.

Top finishes galore at conference XC meets

The Middle Border, Big Rivers and Dunn-St. Croix conferences each held their championship meets over the last week. All-Conference runners were named around the county as the teams now enter the … more

By Andrew Harrington | 10/22/25

Wildcat Nik Thomas earned the Garage Bikes + Brews player of the game on Thursday night vs Eau Claire North. Nik played with passion and determination, locking down the left side of our defensive line. He read the game well, stepping to deny Husky attackers and that helped lead to a strong counterattack.

Around the County: Conference title races taking shape

Football River Falls headed into the halftime break Friday, Oct. 10 tied with Menomonie at 14. The Wildcats must have heard a motivating halftime speech, though, bursting out of the half to a … more

By Andrew Harrington | 10/15/25

Senior quarterback Tino Massa has had a great year at the helm of the River Falls offense.

Wildcats have a lot to play for entering final week

RIVER FALLS — River Falls went into halftime tied with Menomonie in a Big Rivers bout, but the train kept rolling in the second half, cruising to a 42-14 win in the season’s penultimate … more

By Andrew Harrington | 10/15/25

River Falls is continuing to find its footing in the back half of the season, taking care of business against Onalaska with a 5-0 win. The Wildcats lost 1-0 to Menomonie on a late goal to break the seal.

Around the County: The waning weeks of fall sports

Football No. 10 ranked River Falls beat No. 3 ranked, undefeated Rice Lake in a road matchup 40-28. The win moved River Falls to 6-1 and the Wildcats are now in a three-way tie at 4-1 atop the … more

By Andrew Harrington | 10/8/25

Junior outside hitter Brooke Dusek floats one over two extended defenders in a 3-1 win over Hudson on Oct. 2.

RF holds sole possession of BRC lead with win over Hudson

RIVER FALLS — The River Falls High School gym was stuffed Thursday, as local fans got their chance to watch the volleyball team’s rivalry match with Hudson. River Falls set a nice … more

By Andrew Harrington | 10/8/25

Ellsworth won the Regional title in Hammond, going on to take fourth as a team at Sectionals.

Marks, Salay headed back to Golf State Championship

Ellsworth and River Falls girls golf each won Regional titles with Prescott finishing just two strokes behind River Falls for second. While all three team’s seasons came to an end at … more

By Andrew Harrington | 10/8/25

Captain Elise Gulick helped orchestrate a breast cancer awareness meet against Hudson, raising over $1,000 for the Susan G. Komen Fund.

Swim captain leads charge in raising $1,000 during Breast Cancer Awareness meet

RIVER FALLS — River Falls took to the pool Sept. 25 against Hudson with more than just a rivalry on the line. The Wildcats were swimming in a meet to raise breast cancer awareness, ultimately … more

By Andrew Harrington | 10/1/25

Sophomore defender Gradyn French keeps the pressure on for the Wildcat attack Sept. 27 against Marshfield.

RF getting comfortable as key contributors return from injury

RIVER FALLS — It took the River Falls boys soccer team much of the season to really start to take off, but as players continue to return from injury, the Wildcats are moving in the right … more

By Andrew Harrington | 10/1/25

Ellsworth was no match for Baldwin-Woodville on the road, losing 48-8 to a team that is eyeing a State title.

Around the County: RF golf wins BRC Conference Tournament

Girls Golf After a year when Hudson had River Falls’ number throughout the conference meets, the Wildcats struck back at the right time by winning the Big Rivers Conference Tournament. … more

By Andrew Harrington | 10/1/25