Sports - Pierce County Journal

Junior Spring Valley running back Asher Turner shrugs off a tackle attempt.

Tough matchups get the best of Prescott, Spring Valley

Prescott and Spring Valley took the field Friday for their season openers. While both teams showed bright spots against teams expected to make deep runs this season, neither could stay tight till the … more

By Andrew Harrnington | 8/27/25

West Salem took home the paddle this year, beating out Ellsworth for the top spot in a contested competition.

Claybreakers host traveling trap event ‘Battle for the Paddle’

ELLSWORTH — Three of the valley’s teams duked it out against the area’s best in the Battle for the Paddle, a traveling event hosted at the Ellsworth Rod & Gun Club this year. … more

By Andrew Harrington | 8/27/25

Shots from the hip: Cross country looking forward to great season

The Prescott girls golf team opened the season in impressive style at last weekend’s Reedsburg Invitational. Juniors Layla Salay finished third, Macy Reiter sixth, and Lily Vesperman 12th as … more

By Cripe Olson | 8/20/25

Football season is back, and the coaches are excited to see what their teams bring to the table in the opening week.

Coaches weigh in on football season’s return

With county football games already being played Thursday, football season is officially back. The busy summer may have caught the fans off guard, but the teams are all ready to go for that opening … more

By Andrew Harrington | 8/20/25

The River Falls Fighting Fish have won back-to-back WBA State Championships.

Fighting Fish find the promised land again, complete back-to-back title runs

The WBA State Finals saw yet another year with a Pierce County champion, with the River Falls Fighting Fish winning a trio of games in Hayward over the weekend, including two nailbiters. The … more

By Andrew Harrington | 8/20/25

Fourth Annual DSI Triathlon and Inclusive 4K welcomes all ages, abilities

RED WING -- Disability Support International (DSI), a local Red Wing-based nonprofit, is inviting community members of all abilities to take part in its 4th Annual Triathlon and Inclusive 4K, to be … more

8/20/25

Four town ball squads punch tickets to WBA State Finals

Four county teams made it through the opening playoff weekend to advance to the State Finals bracket (Spring Valley, River Falls, Elmwood and Ellsworth). The four will each enter into a final … more

By Andrew Harrington | 8/13/25

A player for the Menomonie Blue Caps, one of three vintage teams coming to play at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church ball field, prepares for a swing.

Our Savior’s to host 1800s ball game, blessing of tractors

BELDENVILLE — Our Savior’s Lutheran Church has two big events coming up at the church ball field, with an 1800s vintage baseball game Aug. 23 and an outdoor service and blessing of … more

By Andrew Harrington | 8/13/25

Shots from the hip: Football scrimmage is Friday, girls golf heads to first invite

This Thursday the Prescott girls golf team heads to Reedsburg to participate in a 14-team invitational tournament. Along with the Cardinals, other Division 1 teams competing in the tournament include … more

By Cripe Olson | 8/13/25

Lucas Luedtke had three homers in the weekend’s pair of playoff games, continuing a great hitting regular season into the postseason.

Fighting Fish hooked on winning as they chart course to back-to-back titles

RIVER FALLS — The Fighting Fish are facing a tall task to defend their State Championship from a year ago. Although teams are throwing their biggest haymakers, eyeing a knockout of the champs, … more

By Andrew Harrington | 8/13/25

WBA Playoffs Mason Dado of the Elmwood Expos takes a cut against the Ellsworth Hubbers July 27.

Everything you need to know about the WBA playoffs

The Wisconsin Baseball Association (WBA) playoffs have arrived, and there are some high expectations for Pierce County’s teams. The playoff format is split into a Division A and Division B … more

By Andrew Harrington | 8/8/25

Des Moines, IA - October 30: Players from the Iowa Wolves pose during NBA G-League media day on October 30, 2024 at the Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines, Iowa. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE

Knotek headed to Spain for Pro League

Former River Falls High School 2018 grad Jaxon Knotek was taking in some golf with 15 of his friends this past Sunday afternoon at the River Falls Golf Club. "They have a special," said Knotek of the … more

By Greg Peters | 8/8/25

Bump Ulvenes Derek 'Bump' Ulvenes is a 20-year veteran of the Bay City Bombers. This will be his last WBA Tournament playing with the Bombers, as he is retiring after the season.

"Bump" Ulvenes to cap off 20-year Bay City Bomber career during postseason

Derek "Bump" Ulvenes has been playing for the Bay City Bombers for the last 20 years. He's been helping manage the team the last few years, but, according to him, he's hanging up his Bomber spikes … more

By Greg Peters | 8/8/25

River Falls senior-to-be Hayley Quinn missed her entire junior season with a knee injury, but after playing AAU for the Minnesota Stars this summer, she verbally committed to Augustana University this week.

Quinn commits to Augustana after ACL rehab

River Falls High School girls' basketball star Hayley Quinn has had a roller coaster ride during the first three seasons of her high school basketball career. The 6-foot guard started for the … more

By Greg Peters | 8/8/25

Jack Celt’s picture is hung above a slot machine in Captain Jack’s Bar & Grill south of Ellsworth. Celt served on the WBA State Board for decades and was involved with the Bay City Bombers for over 50 years.

The Catchers in the Clay and Captain Jack

J.D. Salinger's 1951 novel, "The Catcher in the Rye," explores the phony world of adulthood and the loss of innocence. The main character, Holden Caulfield, grows more cynical and depressed with the … more

By Greg Peters | 8/8/25

River Falls-native and Washington Nationals center fielder Alex Call hosted a free baseball clinic for River Falls youth baseball players on Friday at First National Bank of River Falls Field. Call had quite a weekend at the plate against the Twins. "Alex gets a ton of energy from stuff like this," said his high school baseball coach, Ryan Bishop. Call is excited about camper Parker Kealy's double to left field in the short scrimmage.

Homegrown Alex Call: The best two-strike hitter in baseball

River Falls-native and current Washington Nationals center fielder Alex Call has always had a plan. If his plan takes an unexpected detour, he has a plan for that, too. Call was in town this past … more

By Greg Peters | 7/30/25

July 30th WSCA Double Photo Two River Falls Wildcats recently participated in the Wisconsin Soccer Coaches Association Masonic High School All-Star Game on July 19 at historic Breese Stevens Field in … more

Photos courtesy of Charles Conley | 7/30/25

Carter and Cooper Moldenhauer, Morgan Halverson, Jayvid Meier and Jens Christensen competed in the team nationals competition for the Ellsworth Claybreakers.

Claybreakers live up to the name at Nationals

The Ellsworth Claybreakers took to Mason, Mich., to compete in the USA High School Clay Target League National Championship July 11-13, finishing 190th of 250 teams in a competition against the best … more

By Andrew Harrington | 7/23/25

Spring Valley players Kemri Schlegel, Katie Matthys, Amelia Brunner, Riley Zimmerman and Jada Hoolihan competed for SLAM15 at the AAU Junior National Volleyball event in Orlando.

Five SV athletes compete at VB AAU Nationals

Captain Katie Matthys was named to the 2025 AAU Junior National Girls Volleyball All-American Championship team. The All-American Awards were established to recognize outstanding athletes during … more

By Andrew Harrington | 7/23/25

Shots from the hip: Football practices begin

The Wisconsin Football Coaches Association 2025 All-Star Games were held Friday, July 18 and Saturday, July 19 at Titan Stadium in Oshkosh. Wide Receiver Will Packard and Offensive Lineman David … more

By Cripe Olson | 7/23/25