The UW-River Falls men's and women's track and field squads return back home this weekend. The Falcons will host the UWRF Winter Classic, Saturday, February 7, inside Knowles Field House. The meet will feature a full slate of field and track events throughout the day, welcoming a strong regional field to River Falls. 

UWRF WINTER CLASSIC
Date: Saturday, Feb. 7
Time: 11 a.m. (Field) // 1 p.m. (Track)
Site: River Falls, Wis. // Knowles Field House

The Winter Classic opens with field events beginning at 11 a.m., with running events scheduled to get underway early in the afternoon and conclude with the mixed 4x400 relay Saturday evening. With unlimited entries and a full schedule, the Classic provides an important midseason step for athletes to showcase performances and post qualifying marks for the post-season run. 

FALCONS TO WATCH

Jacob Balcome highlights the men's multi-event group as he competes in the heptathlon this weekend. Balcome continues to remain #1 in the nation with his opening performance at the M City Classic early December. 

In the vault, Cole Darling will be one to watch as he lines up following a first-place finish in the St. Olaf Invitational, Darling won the event after clearing 4.40m. Another athlete on watch is Caleb Nyamari in the jumps. In St. Olaf, Nyamari cracked the program top-10 with a 13.30m triple jump. 

Distance runner Jack Richter enters the weekend after taking home the event win in St. Olaf. Richter finished the 5,000m run with a time of 15:13.19., followed closely behind by Ryan Pierson's personal-record mark of 15:32.15.

Annika Gunderson continues to lead the way for the Falcons in the pole vault. Gunderson has been a key scorer for River Falls in the event, earning first place in St. Olaf, clearing 3.60 meters.  

Thrower Lauryn Schutz will compete in the weight throw, where she has established herself as one of the nation's top field event performers. Schutz's currently is ranked #5 in the country with the home Winter Classic setting the stage for another strong showing.

Distance runner Laina Viere headlines the women's distance events and will look to build on an already productive indoor season. Viere's third place finish in the 5,000m (17:44.24) at the St. Olaf Invitational also moved her into second all-time in UWRF program history.

Saturday's UWRF Winter Classic serves as a key home date on the indoor schedule, giving the Falcons a chance to compete against regional competition and continue to fine-tune performances heading into the post-season.