WHITEWATER, Wis. – The UW-River Falls men's and women's cross country teams each earned fifth-place finishes at the WIAC Championships this Saturday, Oct. 31, highlighted by a historic performance from the Falcon men and a pair of All-WIAC Honorable Mention selections.

The men's fifth-place finish marked the program's best conference championship placement since 1985, while senior Wyatt Johnson became the first Falcon men's runner to earn All-WIAC recognition since 2016. On the women's side, senior Laina Viere led the Falcons with an 18th-place finish to earn All-WIAC Honorable Mention honors. Additionally, senior Derek Kreier and sophomore Alli Palmer were named to the WIAC All-Sportsmanship Team.

The Falcon men placed fifth overall with 133 team points, led by Johnson, who finished 16th with a time of 25:28.7. Jack Richter followed Johnson with a 24th-place finish, crossing the line in 25:48.9, while fellow Ryan Pierson placed 32nd with a time of 25:58.6.

Alex Pazdernik added a 41st-place finish in 26:17.5, while Cooper Smith rounded out the Falcons' top five with a time of 27:00.3, placing 63rd.

The Falcon women also secured a fifth-place finish, totaling 135 team points behind a strong performance from Viere.

Viere led UWRF with an 18th-place finish, completing the 6k course in 22:39.7 to earn All-WIAC Honorable Mention recognition.

Emma Karnitz was the Falcons' second finisher, placing 27th overall with a time of 23:08.3. Adison Wilde followed in 35th place, crossing the finish line in 23:26.9.

Alyssa Hagen and Lola Olsen finished just over a second apart, placing 37th and 38th with times of 23:28.6 and 23:29.8, respectively, to round out the Falcons' top five.

The Falcons will return to action on Saturday, Nov. 14, when both teams travel to Northfield, Minn., for the NCAA Division III North Regional Championships, hosted at the St. Olaf Cross Country Course.