The River Falls High School boys’ golf team posted great scores at an invitational tournament supporting an even greater cause last weekend.

The Wildcats traveled to The Club at Lac La Belle in Oconomowoc to compete in the 17th annual Midwest Athletes against Childhood Cancer (MACC) Fund Invitational on Saturday, May 6. Tournament proceeds went directly to kids battling cancer and blood-related disorders.

The MACC Fund Invitational has raised more than $850,000 to combat childhood cancer since the tournament's inception in 2007. The Invitational garnered sponsorship deals through its noble fundraising cause and elite base of high school talent that competes in the tournament annually.

River Falls had three of its four athletes break 80, which helped secure a runner-up finish in a field of 28 teams from throughout the state. The Wildcats’ composite score of 315 was bested only by Edgewood’s winning round of 305.

Saturday morning was the Wildcats’ inaugural experience in the MACC Fund Invitational, and with no prior course or specific tournament experience, River Falls head coach Tim LaVold wasn’t sure what to expect.

“I was very happy with the results at the MACC Fund Invitational,” LaVold said. “There were good teams and good players, and we hadn’t played the course before, so I didn’t know what to expect. The event is unique in that you only have four players instead of the usual five, so everyone’s score counts. Nobody can have an off day.”

River Falls senior Matthew Marsollek finished runner-up individually with his one-over par round of 72, freshman Ryan Swanson shot 76, junior Will Benedict posted a 79 and senior Wyatt Tschida rounded out the scoring with an 88.

Marsollek, who is River Falls’ most experienced returner, finished just one shot shy of sharing medalist honors with Edgewood senior Al Deang, who posted an even-par round of 71.

Marsollek began the tournament on the back nine and jumped out to a blistering start. After he gave back a pair of shots with a double bogey on his third hole, the River Falls senior birdied four of the next six holes and posted a two-under par 34 as he made the turn.

He made bogey on the first two holes of his second nine and then again on the sixth en route to a three-over par 38. Coach LaVold spoke about Marsollek’s round of 72 (+1) at the MACC Fund Invitational.

“Matthew has been fighting his swing a little this year, so it was really great to see him hit a lot of great tee shots in this event,” LaVold said. “He got a swing tip from one of his teammates on the fourth hole and then birdied four of his next five holes. That was a critical part of his day. He has shown his experience this season with his play, as he has scored well without his best stuff.”

Marsollek, who has become the Wildcats’ veteran leader, is the first half of a potent one-two punch. River Falls freshman Ryan Swanson is the latter half, as he has already slotted into the second spot in the varsity rotation.

Swanson’s round of 76 netted him a tie for seventh place with Sun Prairie East senior Tyler Schick. Despite being a freshman, Swanson relishes the pressure-packed opportunities that go hand in hand with playing in big tournaments.

For coach LaVold, it’s a massive advantage to have a detail-oriented freshman already contributing to the varsity roster. He spoke about Swanson's immediate impact on the program.

“When you talk about ‘student of the game’ that is Ryan,” LaVold said. “He knows everything he can about a golf course before he gets to it and has a game plan in place that he executes very well. He finished 7th overall and played a very good round with just one execution mistake on the last hole. He really enjoys the competition and playing on tough golf courses.”

While Marsollek and Swanson have provided River Falls’ premium scores, the aforementioned Benedict and Tschida have played supplemental golf that has contributed to the Wildcats’ success.

“Will (Benedict) played his best round of the season Saturday and was very confident with his driver,” LaVold said. “He is right where we want him to be at this point of the season. Wyatt (Tschida) played in his first varsity event ever on Saturday and I was very happy with his score and the way he handled himself in a big event.”

River Falls is currently tied with Hudson for second place in the Big Rivers Conference standings, in large part because of the strong scores posted by multiple athletes on the varsity roster.

Eau Claire Memorial – as expected – appears to be a runaway train in terms of the conference championship. Through the first four conference meets, the Old Abes are alone atop the standings with 32 conference points, while River Falls and Hudson remain gridlocked for second with 23 points apiece.

“We have been a little up and down so far in conference events,” LaVold said. “At Lake Wissota and Turtleback we played great, and then we kind of didn’t show up at Lake Hallie. But we bounced back with a decent showing at New Richmond.”

The Wildcats have four conference meets left to break the tie with Hudson and grab sole possession of second place. Their next opportunity is at the River Falls Golf Club on Monday, May 8. That meet is slated to begin at 3:45 p.m.