The Spring Prep Sports season has returned for high schools across America after missing out on the 2020 season due to the start of the COVID-19 Pandemic. Like many, River Falls High School spring sports are glad to have a season as the world begins to return to a sense of normalcy after a chaotic past year.

Here are some updates and commentaries from a few RFHS Spring Sports coaches on how their 2021 season is progressing as the school year comes to a close.

Boys’ Golf, Head Coach Tim LaVold

Tim LaVold, the head coach for RFHS boys’ golf, spoke on the new experiences this season compared to last year when no spring sports had been played across American prep sports.

“This is my second season as the boy’s golf coach, so this year is very different from last year as we didn't play last year,” said LaVold. “Some of the differences between this year and past years include leaving the flags in the hole on the greens and wearing masks in groups and in the clubhouse. Also, playing preferred lies in bunkers so we don't touch the rakes.”

Having spring sports back across the country has brought back some sense of normalcy for high school student athletes and coaches who last year, had no sports to turn to for a source of comfort when the world was changing due to the global pandemic. LaVold, like so many others, is just pleased to have a playable season back.

“It's just great being able to compete this spring. We have a very talented team and I'm happy they get a chance to compete, especially the seniors,” said LaVold.

The RFHS boys’ golf program has a total of six seniors this year. This year’s seniors on both the varsity and junior varsity RFHS Boys Golf team include, Max Xiong, Dylan Rach, Chris Chapin, Drew Manns, Jake DuFrene, and Luke Welke.

Boys and Girls Track and Field, Head Coaches Keven Syverson (Boys) and Kady Bauschelt (Girls)

Schedule changes have been common throughout prep sports this spring season, mainly due to COVID-19 protocols more so than weather delays. This has been the case for both boys and girls track and field at RFHS. Their 2021 season has started six weeks later than usual and is shortened by three weeks.

Keven Syverson, the head coach for boys’ track and field at RFHS, spoke on how this year has seen new challenges that have arisen from missing an entire season last spring.

“I think the development of our athletes has been slowed missing last year as they were freshmen or sophomores and have changed a lot in two years,” said Syverson. “Also, half the team is new to high school track and the increased intensity of the training and number of competitions compared to middle school is a steep learning curve.”

Syverson also spoke on what has been enjoyable for himself and the student athletes with having a track season back this spring.

“The ability to watch the athletes compete and test themselves,” Syverson said. “Assisting athletes in improving and reaching their goals. Being around the track and field community and seeing the coaches from our own team and from other teams. We are a tight community. I missed that last year.” WILDCATS

The RFHS boys’ track and field squad has a total of eight seniors this spring. These seniors include Josh Linton, Kyle Blair, Logan Cook, Marcus Vitt, Logan Zyduck, and three more who will be continuing their athletic careers into college. Grant Magnuson, who will be running at the University of WisconsinStout; Alex Myszewski, who will be running at St. Norbert College in DePere, Wis., and John Firth, who will be playing football at UW-Eau Claire next fall.

The RFHS girls’ track and field squad also has a total of eight seniors this spring. These seniors include, Isapela Pupungatoa, Daphnie Wiatr, Abby Esterby, Allison Weissinger, Kyla Kubera, Ambera Kjos, Erin Syverson, and Ellen Rayne.

Girls’ Head Coach Kady Bauschelt shares excitement with her student athletes who are returning to the track this spring. Along with them are many new students who have found an interest in track and field coming out of the pandemic.

“I feel like our athletes are excited to be back on the track and working! We have a large number of kids that are new to the sport because we missed last year so the learning curve is big, but they are working hard and having fun together,” said Bauschelt. “The shorter season and date changes made me a little worried but all the athletes don't seem to mind so we will keep moving forward! Contact tracing is tough for sure but since we are outside now it feels a little better and ‘more normal’ for the kids!”

Like many, Bauschelt has had much excitement in having spring sports back for this year. Bauschelt shared what has been the most exciting this year with a return to normalcy.

“Seeing the kids together and laughing and working hard for a similar goal is the best medicine!” Bauschelt said. “They have a confidence and sense of humor about the past year that is just awesome. As coaches we just want the kids to work towards their personal bests and have fun while doing it.”

Softball Head Coach Chantele Torrez

RFHS softball has been able to adjust back into a fresh season without much changes. Aside from wearing masks in the dugouts and huddles, RFHS softball head coach Chantele Torrez says the season hasn’t had any major adjustments due to COVID-19 protocols.

“We are just very excited to be back on the field and happy to have the opportunity to play the game. We love to play again,” said Torrez. Returning to the field has brought a great relief to the RFHS softball team, and unlike both the boys’ and girls’ track and field season, the softball team hasn’t had to face as drastic a schedule change for the duration of the season.

Torrez spoke on the excitement of having softball back as well as how missing out on last year has impacted the team.

“Our 2020 season being canceled was heartbreaking for everyone, especially last year's seniors,” Torrez said. “With everyone besides the incoming freshman losing out on a season, I think they all came back ready to play. It has been so fun being around these kids again, and seeing them so happy to be on the field.”

The RFHS softball team has only one senior on the team this year, Lily Griffin.

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