Five River Falls girls made their collegiate athletic decisions official on the Nov. 12 National Signing Day, furthering their journeys for years to come.

“If you’re going to play at the next level… there’s an amount of work, dedication that you have to put in that’s different,” Athletic Director David Crail said. “The hours that you have to put in, the sacrifices that you have to make, are significant.”

Hayley Quinn

Hayley Quinn signed to play basketball for Augustana University. Quinn missed her entire junior year after an ACL tear and is ready to get back onto the court for her senior season. The six-foot guard has worked hard to get back to the court.

“She’s an incredibly great person, kind, super hardworking,” Girls Basketball Coach Ian Sticht said.

Quinn averaged about 13 points per game as a sophomore. She also has an AAU teammate Sophia Anderson of Maple Grove, Minn., committed to Augustana, which played a role in the decision.

“Location, especially, I wanted to be close to home, but also be in a really competitive conference,” Quinn said. “I also really like the school itself. A smaller school, but the athletic facilities are also really nice.”

Quinn’s favorite memories stem from the emotional high after a great game and hanging out with friends.

“I’ve met a lot of really nice people,” Quinn said. “Becoming more of a leader throughout my years has been really helpful.”

After moving to the community as a freshman, she said the people have been friendlier than she could have imagined.

Isabelle Russell

Four-year track athlete Isabelle Russell is headed to Southwest Minnesota State University. Russell has been a star for the Wildcats, helping the team make it to state in the 4x200 relay last spring.

“She had the opportunity to be a very silent leader when she was a freshman, sophomore, and she’s become, in the last two years…, such a phenomenal leader for our newest athletes, for our relays. She’s great at pumping people up, and staying positive and communicating with coaches,” Head Coach Kady Bauschelt said.

Russell chose to become a Mustang because her mother was also coached by Head Coach Kirk Nauman.

“He coached my mom in college and I had a bond with him, so it worked really well,” Russell said.

Working with the relay team to make them one gelled unit has been the best part for Russell.

“It’s meant a lot to me. I feel like I’ve learned so much from it, and it’s helped me grow as a person,” Russell said.

Addy Timm

Addy Timm joined the golf team ahead of her junior year, and in two years, has become a key piece to the golf team’s major accomplishments. Timm signed to Concordia to continue to compete.

“She was determined and dedicated to make a difference in her life and in the life of our golf team,” Head Coach Tim LaVold said. “When she decided she was going to play golf, that’s what she did. She worked and she played golf, and man, she got really good, really fast.”

River Falls won both the Big Rivers Conference and their Regional, marking one of the best seasons in team history. Those memories are ones Timm said will stick forever.

“I just wanted to stay close to home,” Timm said. “I have a lot of family that’s went to Concordia, so it’s kind of in the blood. They have a really good sports management program, which I’m excited to study.

“The support is tremendous here,” Timm said of the River Falls community.

Olive Halvorson

Olive Halvorson, a cross country and track star, signed to Michigan Tech for both sports.

“Olive is a great person and athlete,” Cross Country Head Coach Kari DeLuca said. “I was very excited when she said she was going to run in college because she is a great teammate, she is supportive, she is dedicated, she is competitive.”

Halvorson ended her cross country career with the second fastest 5k time in school history and appeared at State twice.

“I’ve been running for my whole four years in track and cross country, and I decided I wanted to take my athletics to another step, and by joining a college team, it seemed like the right choice,” Halvorson said.

Halvorson’s favorite memory was qualifying for State for the first time in track during her sophomore year. The moment she knew she could achieve anything was life changing.

“Cross country and track have taught me a lot of discipline,” Halvorson said. “I had to learn how to balance sports and school together.”

Halvorson is also thankful for the friends made along the way.

Olivia Doerre

Olivia Doerre competed on varsity for the volleyball team all four years of high school. Doerre is now signed to UW-Milwaukee to take her leadership to the next level.

“She’s just been an integral part of the program before she even stepped into the gym,” Head Coach Sara Kealy said. “She’s very driven, she’s very intense.”

The libero’s favorite memory was her sophomore year, taking a postseason run all the way to State as a sixth seed, taking down some better-seeded squads along the way.

“I really wanted a big city, I wanted to be able to play at a high level, and that’s pretty much what Milwaukee gave me,” Doerre said. “They have an amazing team culture which is something I wanted to carry from high school to college.”

Doerre is a leader on and off the court, and as Kealy mentioned, the vocal communicator calling the shots on the court.

“Being here at River Falls, in both soccer and volleyball, has taught me leadership really, and how important it is to bring your team along with you,” Doerre said. “It’s grown me so much as a player and as an athlete on and off the court.”