Cross country competes at Roy Griak

The River Falls Wildcats cross country teams traveled to the Les Bolstad Golf Course in Falcon Heights, Minn., on Friday, Sept. 24 for the 2021 Roy Griak Invitational.

The Cats competed in the Maroon Division, which boasted 50 boys’ teams (446 runners) and 45 girls’ teams (397 runners). Performing admirably, the boys took eighth place while the girls logged a 33rd place finish.

The best individual performance was senior Dustin Sheely’s 16th place. Sophomore Lilly Jensen’s 62nd place finish was the highest ranking for the girls.

All Conference golf announced, Wildcats third in BRC

Both Mahlia McCane and Mekinnah Xiong have earned All Big Rivers Conference Honors this season. McCane, a sophomore earned 1st Team Honors and Xiong, a senior earned 2nd Team.

The final round of the 2021 BRC golf season took place Thursday, Sept. 23 at the River Falls Golf Club where eight teams competed. The Wildcats were looking to lock up third place in the conference and did so with a team best score of 382 for this season.

Leading the way for the Wildcats was sophomore McCane, who played her way to a nice round of 90 and locked up 1st Team All Conference honors. This was a goal of hers at the start of the_season.

Next was Xiong who posted a hard fought 91. Xiong’s round was highlighted by a birdie on the 11th hole. She also was successful in earning All Conference Honors on the 2nd team.

Senior Jenna Bergmanis came in with a solid 99 which included some great ball striking and steady putting. She made a “bomb” of a putt on #14 for a par. Junior Mollie Schmidt shot a 102. She had a chip in on hole #10 and she hit the pin on her shot from the tee on hole #17.

Sophomore Aili Lassi rounded out the scoring for the Wildcats with a 106. She had her second consecutive nine-hole score of 49 on the front nine. Lassi is starting to find her groove at the right time of the season.

New Richmond won the event and the conference championship and clearly proved to be the best team in the BRC. Hudson took second at the meet and in the overall standings.

The Cats will travel to Troy Burne in Hudson for the Regional Tournament on Thursday, Sept. 29.

Soccer: Boys defeat 2 BRC opponents

The Wildcat boys’ soccer team, listed in the latest top 10 Wisconsin Soccer Coaches Association Division 2 state poll, knocked off two BRC opponents last week. On Tuesday, Sept. 21, the Cats defeated Eau Claire North on the road 3-0; they kept up the momentum with an 8-2 victory over the Menomonie Mustangs Thursday, Sept. 23 at home.

At Eau Claire, player Zack Nye made one goal and two assists. Isaac Carnes and Joey Butz each had one goal as well.

At Senior Night Sept. 23, all seniors started the game. Miles Longsdorf recorded two goals in the first 12 minutes and assisted on Nye’s goal. Other scorers were Butz, Elliot Auderieth and Thomas Moua, his first varsity goal.

The team has won its last seven games and has a record of 71-2 overall. In the BRC, the Wildcats have a 3-1-2 record. They will play at Chippewa Falls Tuesday, Sept. 29 (after press time) before preparing for the BRC Tournament on Oct. 5.

Compiled with information from Athletics Director David Crail

Senior Mekinneh Xiong was named to the 2nd All Conference Team this year. Photo courtesy of River Falls High School

Miles Longsdorf keeps control of the ball while surrounded by Mustang defenders is the River Falls Wildcats boys’ soccer team’s game at home Sept. 23 against Menomonie. Photo courtesy of River Falls HS Soccer Facebook page