LA CROSSE, Wis. – The UW-River Falls track and field team opened competition Thursday at the 2026 NCAA Division III Outdoor Track & Field Championships with strong first day performances from Jacob Balcome in the decathlon with Annika Gunderson earning her second All-American honors in the women's pole vault.

Balcome currently sits in fifth place through the opening five events of the decathlon and is just 163 points off the overall lead heading into Friday's final events. The senior posted three top-six finishes against the nation's best multi athletes, highlighted by a fourth-place finish in the high jump, clearing 1.86m.

He added sixth-place finishes in the shot put (12.22m) and 400m (49.59). His time of 49.59 seconds in the 400m marks new a personal record, improving on his previous best of 49.77, and moving him from ninth to seventh all-time in program history in the race. Balcome return tomorrow to finish the decathlon with the 110m hurdles, discus throw, pole vault, javelin throw and 1500m.

In women's pole vault, Gunderson earned USTFCCCA Second-Team All-American honors after tying for 11th place in the nation, clearing of 3.85m. The mark tied her season best and secured her second Second-Team All-American honor of her career as a Falcon.

Georgia Mundt also competed Thursday evening in the women's discus throw, finishing 17th overall with a toss of 41.65m against the national field.

The Falcons continue competition Friday with Balcome wrapping up the decathlon before Lauryn Schutz competes Saturday morning in the women's hammer throw at 11 a.m.