RIVER FALLS — After taking a year off from spring sports due to the COVID-19 pandemic, River Falls High School hosted its first track and field meet since the spring 2018 season.

RFHS was unable to host its annual event in 2019 as the track concourse was being remodeled at the time. Kady Bauschelt, the head coach for girls’ track and field at RFHS, spoke of the excitement of hosting two track events at the school this year.

“It has been three years since we hosted a meet and it was nerve racking to make sure we had everything we needed and were ready to go,” said Bauschelt. “It’s so exciting to see our athletes have a group of friends and lots of family watching them compete! There was an awesome amount of energy at our first home meet!”

Keven Syverson, head coach for the boys’ track and field at RFHS, spoke on how each individual athlete is still taking this time of the season to learn before the conference meet in a couple weeks.

“Our 4×4 relay and 4×1 on the boys’ side should be strong this meet as will Grant Magnuson in the 1600 and 800. He has the conference leading time in the 800 at this point. Micah Majerus had a big PR in the pole vault last meet. We should be strong in the 400 as well with Zack Nye and Robbie Anderson. Cade Myszewski has continued to improve in the shot,” said Syverson.

Bauschelt shared a similar perspective on the girls’ track and field team still using this time of the shortened 2021 season as a learning experience.

“It is hard to know where kids stand for placing because we are only able to have a couple of teams together at a time, but our athletes are starting to really stand out in some events! For the girls’ team, our relays are pretty solid and the girls all get so excited when they PR (set a new personal record) for their relay. Our field events are strong and we are getting points in each event. My favorite part is hearing the girls cheer for each other at all events and getting excited about the team score. Track and feld is so fun because you work hard for your personal best, but you also get to contribute to the team score overall,” said Bauschelt.

River Falls boys’ track and field had 20 individual and team top five finishes combined at their home meet this past Friday. The girls’ track and field had 21 individual and team top five finishes combined.

The next meet takes place next Monday, June 7 at Hudson High School, Raider Stadium at 3:30 p.m.

Photo by Jack McLoone.