RF’s young athletes shine at EC North track meet

By Reagan Hoverman
Posted 4/6/23

In a meet where many of River Falls’ heavy hitters didn’t compete, it paved the way for younger athletes to shine and build confidence ahead of a quickly approaching Big Rivers Conference …

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RF’s young athletes shine at EC North track meet

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In a meet where many of River Falls’ heavy hitters didn’t compete, it paved the way for younger athletes to shine and build confidence ahead of a quickly approaching Big Rivers Conference schedule.

Although the Eau Claire North Varsity Invite on Friday afternoon was a crowded, raucous indoor meet, the younger, inexperienced Wildcats rose to the occasion and showed River Falls head coach Max Haskins that they’re ready to compete – regardless of the environment.

“I was impressed with some of our athletes who were in a new event or had their first opportunity to compete,” Haskins said. “I was impressed with the results, but also with how our athletes supported each other and maintained their composure at a crowded indoor meet. It’s tough enough to compete for the first time or deal with the nerves from a new event but it didn’t seem to phase a lot of our kids and I love to see that.”

Perhaps none of the younger athletes stepped up to the challenge more than sophomore Jack Silloway and freshman Jack Karnau, who finished one-two respectively in the boys’ 400-meter run. Silloway ran a 56.05 which secured his place atop the podium while Karnau posted a time of 57.45 to finish runner-up in his competitive 400-meter debut on Friday afternoon.

Karnau has used the first three weeks of practice to experiment with different events and discern where he fits into the competitive roster for this River Falls squad. For coach Haskins, the Eau Claire North Varsity Invite showed that Karnau is destined for the 400-meter run. He spoke about Silloway and Karnau’s one-two finish.

“Jack Silloway is a kid who had a strong finish to the 2022 season and we were excited about coming into 2023,” Haskins said. “Jack Karnau is a new face to our program so it was exciting to see him find his fit. It was his first 400-meter race and he looked like an experienced racer at that distance. We’re very excited to see him as he continues to develop and improve.”

Other notable results included junior Trey Hartung earning a runner-up finish in the boys’ 200-meter dash while sophomore Elly Smith took third in the girls’ 55-meter hurdles and sixth in the 800-meter run. Sophomore Maria Moran posted a time of 1:11.03 to secure sixth in the 400-meter run.

While younger athletes got their first taste of varsity success, some of the returning veterans enjoyed new experiences too. Whether that was dabbling in a new event for the first time or taking on a leadership role among athletes, every athlete developed in some way.

“The younger kids are figuring out what they like and where they’re most comfortable,” Haskins said. “A lot of that comes from the confidence gained from consistent training and competing, something that takes a little bit to build early in the season. Older athletes are figuring out how they fit in the puzzle too, whether that be in a new event or taking on leadership with their event group.”

The promising and expedited early-season improvement is a welcome sight for the River Falls coaching staff. However, seeing development in field events has been even more exhilarating.

In previous years, River Falls often dominated in sprints and middle distance but struggled to find consistency in field events. With just one week of outdoor practice this season, multiple Wildcats have already shattered PRs in field events.

At the Eau Claire North Varsity Invite alone, three River Falls athletes set four PRs in field events. Senior Wyatt Bell set a PR in the triple jump while senior Ella Shepherd set PRs in both the high jump and shot put events. Freshman Emma Shepherd also set a PR in the triple jump.

“It was a great day in the field events with some big PRs,” Haskins said. “Wyatt in the triple, Ella in the high jump and shot put, as well as Emma Shepherd in the triple. We were able to get outside and work some field events this past week and it showed. I’d say we’re ahead of last season at this same point as far as field events go.”

With ever-improving field events and young athletes rising to the occasion, it appears as if River Falls will be within striking distance of the Big Rivers Conference championship. That’s exactly what the Wildcats’ coaching staff targeted before this spring season began just weeks ago.

River Falls was supposed to be back in action with its top-end talent at the Mankato Varsity Invitational on Saturday afternoon, which is one of the premier non-conference meets of the season. The hosts scrapped the event because of the snowstorm that hit Minnesota and western Wisconsin Friday night.

“We had to cancel our trip to Mankato on Saturday due to weather so it was tough to not have some of our athletes have that opportunity as it’s one they always look forward to,” Haskins said. “We’ll be in Eau Claire for the BRC Indoor Relays on Tuesday and then on to the outdoor season.”

The Big Rivers Conference Indoor Relays will be the first time the Wildcats go toe-to-toe with the intraleague competition. That meet will be held at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire on Tuesday, April 4. Events are slated to begin at 4 p.m.

River Falls Track and Field, Eau Claire North Invite, Wildcats, WIAA Track, Big Rivers Conference