Jack Larsen, Dakota State (Madison, SD), Football
What went into your college decision?
“The financials was a big thing, and then the opportunity to compete right away,” Larsen said. …
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What went into your college decision?
“The financials was a big thing, and then the opportunity to compete right away,” Larsen said. “I have an opportunity, because it’s a young position group, to be on the field right away.”
What has the River Falls journey meant to you?
“It’s meant a lot. I was never, I would say, the highest touted athlete in my class, but getting the opportunity to develop throughout the years and getting the opportunity to play at the college level after I’m done playing high school is a really big thing for me.”
What does it mean to you to represent River Falls at the college level?
“It’s awesome. The coaches here have been really supportive of me. They’ve helped me get better and helped me get ready to go into college,” Larsen said. “When I’m going to college, I know I’m still going to be talking to them, still be talking to my former teammates, teachers and everyone else in the community.”
What went into your college decision?
“I knew I wanted to keep diving, and they had a team that I would be able to be on. They were a good school for my [chemistry] major too.”
What has the River Falls journey meant to you?
“It’s been about teamwork. Really just improving so I can be the best that I can be.”
What does it mean to you to represent River Falls at the college level?
“To me it just means just doing something more.”
What went into your college decision?
“Just finding the school that fit me best, that I want to be at the next four years.”
What has the River Falls journey meant to you?
“There’s just a bunch of people that helped me along the way. This school kind of holds you accountable for your actions, and they really want you to be the best you can be.”
What does it mean to you to represent River Falls at the college level?
“It means a lot. I can represent all these people and do what I can do best.”
What went into your college decision?
“How the coaches treated me and how they welcomed me the first time on campus, how unkempt the facilities were, how the campus was,” Tarasewicz said. “The academics piece played into it a little bit, like the graduation rate, if they had the major I was looking for. A lot of little things like the town around it, what they have for potential job opportunities… It’s very similar to River Falls. A small town, tight-knit community around football.”
What has the River Falls journey meant to you?
“It’s meant a lot to me. It’s been a lot of ups and downs, the last year being a huge up for us, going to round four in the playoffs. I’ve got to give it up to all my guys around me for putting me to where I am today. I would not have wanted to spend my years any other place, but River Falls just because of how the coaches developed me, and how they kept believing in me and how they know me more than just [as] a football player.”
What does it mean to you to represent River Falls at the college level?
“It means the world. This place isn’t a very well-known spot in the U.S. People know Madison, people know Milwaukee, but no one’s going to know a little town next to the river. We’ll surprise people on what we’ve got here. People always just say we’re the little brother to Hudson, or to Chippewa, or Eau Claire or any of the big cities around us, but we are a powerhouse in a little town, and I would represent River Falls with my whole heart for the rest of my life.”
What went into your college decision?
“I was just looking for a place that truly believed in me, and I had a chance to know that I could play earlier on,” Novak said. “The coaches are going to be helpful and push me to be better every single day.”
What has the River Falls journey meant to you?
“It’s something where I met my closest friends, and it’s kept me closer and combined with everyone around the school. Same with the coaches, I talk to every coach. Everyone’s just so nice. It’s just a great experience for anyone.”
What does it mean to you to represent River Falls at the college level?
“Especially my class, the 2026 class, we’re an already tight group, and just [hoping] everyone that goes and plays at the college level will be able to contribute, and show that they're more than just a player but also off the field and how much we’re a family.”
What went into your college decision?
“It was the coaching, and I like the campus a lot, it’s really nice, really small which is fine with me,” Nelson said. “The coach, a lot of his philosophy is off of character, so I respect that value. They’re a successful program, too, so I feel like it’s just the perfect fit for me.”
What has the River Falls journey meant to you?
“It’s meant a lot. Everything I know is rooted from River Falls– my coaches, my family, all my friends,” Nelson said. “I started at River Falls Club [Soccer], so it started my journey, and I want to finish representing it.”
What does it mean to you to represent River Falls at the college level?
“Not a lot of people play soccer and commit, especially from River Falls. Looking after my sister [Olivia Nelson], who played soccer here a couple years ago. She did a lot for the program, so I want to continue the footsteps that she followed.”
What went into your college decision?
“My major, I was looking for nutrition and dietetics, that’s what I’m going for. So, I just looked for schools that had that, and then I tried to narrow down my decision on where I wanted to go,” Bell said.
What has the River Falls journey meant to you?
“We’re a really big community, and there’s a lot of support that goes behind, especially athletics. No matter what sport you play or anything, everyone is just there to support you.”
What does it mean to you to represent River Falls at the college level?
“I’m really proud to be a part of the River Falls community. I take a lot of pride in my athletics. Especially here at high school, it’s just really grown my athletic ability.”
What went into your college decision?
“I really like the school because it just fit everything I wanted. I want to do nursing, and they had that. The team was super nice, I really liked the coaches and the team, and it’s a good location.”
What has the River Falls journey meant to you?
“River Falls is such a small town, you have a community feeling. Especially when we went to State, seeing how many people were supporting us was very fun to see. I also like how we have connections with Baldwin and SCC for our co-op.”
What does it mean to you to represent River Falls at the college level?
“It’s hard to put that into words. It’s nice to be able to represent, not just the school, but also Wisconsin. On my team at least, I’ll be the only girl from Wisconsin on it. I think it’s cool to put River Falls out there.”
What went into your college decision?
“I just always knew I wanted to play hockey in college. The coaching staff, they were really nice and we really clicked. I visited a couple other schools, and the atmosphere of the school that I chose was a lot better than the others. I just feel like I’m going to fit in really well.”
What has the River Falls journey meant to you?
“I obviously love to represent River Falls,” Kivel said. “The school and the community just helped me want to pursue my dreams and play hockey.”
What does it mean to you to represent River Falls at the college level?
“It will mean a lot, coming from youth hockey. I not only get to represent River Falls, but I also get to represent Baldwin and Saint Croix Central, because my team is based out of there. It’s like three communities that all are supporting me, and it means a lot to know that there’s a lot of people behind me.”
River Falls also had some signees that could not attend the interview. Baseball players Ethan Jeffers and Landon McQuade are making the jump to the next level. The two won’t miss each other too much, as they will continue to be teammates at Gustavus Adolphus. The duo is a huge reason why River Falls is contending for the Big River Conference title in their senior seasons.
Dominic Hietala will continue his soccer career at Franciscan University of Steubenville. Hietala has been a vocal and on-field leader of River Falls soccer over the years. He has also been a key part of some deep playoff runs with the team.
