Sports - 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

Junior Kyra Dix of Prescott made her presence felt, qualifying for State individually.

Shots from the Hip: Dix advances to State for 2nd year

Congratulations to Kyra Dix on qualifying for the WIAA State Cross Country Championships in Wisconsin Rapids. This is the second consecutive year the Middle Border All Conference harrier has advanced … more

By Cripe Olson | 10/29/25

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

Shots from the hip: Cross country teams head to sectionals

The Prescott boys and girls cross country teams finished third in the Middle Border Conference meet held in Altoona last week. Kyra Dix continued her impressive junior season with an all-conference … more

By Cripe Olson | 10/22/25

The EPC football team huddles before the game against Clear Lake on Oct. 10.

EPC football building through strong leaders and never-quit attitude

Elmwood/Plum City football closed its season against an 8-1 Chetek-Weyerhaeuser team Friday, Oct. 17. At 1-7 entering the game, the Wolves were eliminated from the playoffs already. Head Coach Mike … more

By Andrew Harrington | 10/22/25

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

Ellsworth senior Lexi Marks made State individually three years in a row, taking 15th in Division 2 to wrap up a decorated career.

Marks, Salay post top-half scores at State golf

MADISON — Ellsworth senior Lexi Marks and Prescott junior Layla Salay closed out the girls golf season, each finishing in the top half of their respective divisions at the State Championship … more

By Andrew Harrington | 10/22/25

Layla Salay represented Prescott High School at the State Golf Tournament at University Ridge in Madison Oct. 13.

Shots from the hip: Layla Salay heads to state golf

Congratulations to Layla Salay on being one of 18 Division 1 golfers to qualify for the WIAA State Tournament in Madison. This is the third consecutive year Salay competed in some form at the … more

By Cripe Olson | 10/15/25

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

Sophomore Katie Matthys leaps to fire one across the net in a 3-0 win over Elmwood/Plum City.

Cardinals get a win over EPC in straight sets

SPRING VALLEY — Spring Valley defended its home floor against Elmwood/Plum City on Thursday, winning 3-0 (25-12, 25-14, 25-17). The Cardinals had firm control of all three sets, winning with … 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