The River Falls Wildcats bring back some contributors from the 2019 season two years ago. Josh Linton was on the 2019 1600-meter relay team that placed fourth in the state and will run the 400-, 800-meter dashes and 1600-meter relay.

Grant Magnusson, one of the top cross-country runners in Wisconsin last fall and a member of the 2019 school-record 3200meter relay team, plans to contribute in the 800-, 1600- and 3200meter dashes, as well as the 1600-meter relay.

Alex Myszewski, an alternate on the 2019 400-meter relay team that earned a trip to the state meet, will contribute in the 100- and 200-meter dash, long jump, triple jump, and the 400and 800-meter relays.

John Firth will compete in the 110-meter high hurdles. Zack Nye will contribute in the 200- and 400-meter dash, along with the 800- and 1600-meter relay teams. Micah Majerus will compete in the pole vault for the Wildcats, while Ryan Briggs will leap in the high jump.

“We also expect athletes to make big jumps as we move through the season to provide depth,” Head Coach Keven Syverson said. “Our seniors are especially important this year, given it has been two years since we competed and will play a role in bringing the underclassmen along.”

The Wildcats have their sights set on defending their Big Rivers Conference (BRC) title this season after winning the two previous BRC championships.

Syverson relayed that they hope to send as many athletes as possible to sectionals and from there, on to the state meet. First, they must focus on a strong BRC showing.

Who will be their toughest competition?

“It’s hard to tell at this point, but Menomonie returns a strong team,” Syverson told The Journal. “We won’t see what Eau Claire schools have until they finish their fall sports season this spring.”

Photo by Gaylen Bicking.