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When the University of Wisconsin–River Falls football team broke through and claimed the NCAA Division III national championship, the moment reached far beyond the Falcons’ sideline at the Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio on Sunday, January 4. It carried back across Lake Erie and Lake Michigan and the St. Croix River and into Chisago County, where familiar names — Nick Wasko of Lindstrom and Adam Johnstone and Tyler Schneidewind of North Branch — stood as hometown representatives on college football’s biggest Division III stage.

“The past three years, we didn’t even make the playoffs,” said Wasko, a 6-foot-2, 201-pound safety and 2022 Chisago Lakes graduate. “We were really close, but just missed it. Those teams set us up for success this year.”

River Falls had spent several seasons knocking on the door in the rugged Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, often coming up short late against top programs like Platteville, La Crosse, Oshkosh and Whitewater. Those frustrations helped build a veteran roster that returned in 2025 determined to change the narrative.

“This year, we had the whole squad back,” Wasko said. “We knew it would be interesting.”

The Falcons faced early challenges, including a high-scoring game in which the defense struggled. Adjustments followed, and the unit steadily improved. River Falls’ only loss came Oct. 4 at UW–Oshkosh, a 21-17 setback that served as a turning point rather than a derailment.

“After the Oshkosh loss, we didn’t know what to expect,” Wasko said. “But we put our heads down and went to work.”

The response was immediate, starting with a key win over sixth-ranked Platteville.

“Beating UW-Platteville after Oshkosh was big,” Wasko said. “That’s when we knew we still had our juice.”

For Johnstone, a 6-foot-5, 250-pound tight end and 2023 North Branch graduate, belief turned into confidence later in the season.

“I always thought this year was going to be a good year,” Johnstone said. “But it wasn’t until after we beat UW-Whitewater for the first time in over 20 years that I knew something special was going on.”

That victory snapped a drought that had lasted 26 years and shifted expectations inside the program.

“That was a big confidence booster,” Wasko said. “That’s when we knew we could really do this.”

River Falls followed by defeating UW-La Crosse and earning its first playoff berth since the 1990s, and wrapping up the WIAC title when they finished their regular season with a 29-19 win over UW-Stout.. From there, the Falcons played with increasing poise through the postseason. 

They clobbered Chapman University 58-7 in the opening round.

Wasko then delivered one of the defining plays of his career with an 56 yard interception return for a touchdown against St. John’s, putting the game out of reach for the Johnnies.

Then, the Falcons beat up on Wheaton in the quarterfinals, winning 46-21 before winning a 48-41 shootout against Johns Hopkins in the semifinals.

“Our offense played great all season,” Wasko said. “And we knew our defense could hang with the big dogs.”

In the championship game, North Central was making its sixth straight  appearance (and winning three of them), but River Falls refused to be intimidated.

“We tried to make it as much about us as we could,” Johnstone said. “We knew they were really good, but if we just did what we were supposed to do, we felt confident. We didn’t change anything.”

Wasko echoed that mindset. “We treated it like our second regular season,” he said. “We played seven playoff teams already. It wasn’t anything different for us.”

River Falls stayed aggressive on both sides of the ball and relied on preparation rather than pedigree. When the final whistle sounded, the Falcons had secured the national championship with a 24-14 win, completing a season that validated years of work for Johnstone, Wasko and Schneidewind but decades of progress before them.

For Wasko, the moment carried additional meaning after a challenging previous year. A concussion forced him to redshirt, leaving him sidelined while teammates competed.

“It was heartbreaking,” he said. “Watching your buddies play and not being able to was tough. But I knew there was work to be done.”

His return included another hurdle when he suffered a hamstring injury during fall camp. “I didn’t know if I’d play,” Wasko said. “I rehabbed the hell out of it and kept working.”

That persistence made the championship moment resonate.

“Holding the trophy with your teammates, all you think about is the offseason work,” Wasko said. “The lifts, the summer heat — it all comes back.”

Johnstone had a similar feeling, saying, “It’s hard to describe. I was kind of at a loss for words. Knowing all the early morning lifts and summer sprints paid off.”

Wasko finished the season with nine tackles, a forced fumble and an interception, providing depth and timely production in the Falcons’ secondary.

Johnstone played a key role in the offense, finishing the season with 23 receptions for 193 yards and one touchdown. His biggest impact came on the biggest stage. In the national championship game against North Central, Johnstone caught a career high six passes for 40 yards, also a career best, helping the Falcons control tempo and move the chains.

Both players said representing their hometowns added another layer of pride. Wasko pointed to the support he continues to receive from Chisago Lakes, including his former offensive coordinator Jeff Saueressig, who also happens to be a River Falls alum and was at many of the playoff games. “Coach Saueressig is the the most influential person for me in football. He’s just a huge football fan, Falcon fan, and he taught me so much in high school and he helped with the recruiting process.” Wasko even said he wants to teach like Saueressig, as he’s an Education major.  

Johnstone said it was meaningful to reach the national stage alongside players from the same area.

“It’s really cool to represent my hometown,” Johnstone said. “Not just me, but a lot of teammates from around the Chisago County area.”

There are also four Cambridge-Isanti grads who are on the team.

Both credited their coaches for shaping them as players and people, and both offered advice to young athletes watching from the stands they once filled.

“If you think about quitting — don’t,” Wasko said. “It’ll be the biggest regret you have. I quit basketball my senior year to focus on weight lifting, and I still regret that decision.”

“You don’t get much time in your athletic prime,” Johnstone added. “Don’t waste it. Put in the work now and enjoy the process.”

From Lindstrom to North Branch, Wasko and Johnstone played key roles in a championship season that will be remembered not only in River Falls, but throughout Chisago County.

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