University of Wisconsin-River Falls
Falcon Sports

Falcon Sports Archive

Meet the Falcons

Chris Becker
G, 6-1, 190, Sophomore
Stone Lake, Wis.
Hayward High School

Career
After red-shirting the 1999-2000 season, Chris played in 13 games his freshman season, highlighted by an outstanding performance vs. UW Oshkosh in the conference playoffs. Chris had a career high 7 points as he made 2 of 4 3-point attempts and had 2 steals to help the Falcons with their 2nd half comeback. A good outside shooter, Chris will look to contribute during his sophomore season.

Academics - Career Plans
Majoring in accounting.

High School - Personal
One of the three "Beckers" with twin brother, Kevin, and senior captain Kent. Selected to play in the Red Cross All-Star game following his senior year. Led the Heart O'North Conference in assists. Named to the All-Conference second team. High school coach was Ken Vesel. Spends summers working with dad and brothers, Kevin and Kent for Becker Drywall. Parents are Ryan and Joan Becker of Stone Lake, Wis.
Year G FG FGA PCT 3FG FGA PCT FT FTA PCT REB AVE A PF PTS AVE
2000-01 13 4 14 .286 3 10 .300 1 5 .200 8 0.6 2 1 12 0.9


 

Kent Becker
G, 5-11, 180, Senior
Stone Lake, Wis.
Hayward High School

Career
Has played in every game since trading his Hayward High School uniform for the Falcon red. Started 19 of 25 games his freshman year and all 25 games as a sophomore. Career 76% FT shooter. Already in UWRF top 15 all-time in assists with a legitimate shot at Eric Miller's all-time record of 414. 4th in WIAC in assists and #1 in steals in 1999-00. Averaged 8.8 ppg for Falcons in last campaign.

Academics - Career Plans
An outstanding student majoring in business. Carries a 3.5 GPA. Future plans include owning and operating his own business.

High School - Personal
Played at Hayward High School with brothers Kevin and CJ. Averaged 17 points and 6 assists senior season. Earned Heart O'North All-Conference honors. Selected to play in the WBCA All-Star game. High school coach was Ken Vesel. Spends summers installing drywall in the family business, Becker Drywall in Stone Lake, Wis. Parents are Ryan and Joan Becker.
Year G FG FGA PCT 3FG FGA PCT FT FTA PCT REB AVE A PF PTS AVE
2000-01 25 125 238 .525 38 82 .463 123 141 .872 109 4.4 100 58 411 16.4
1999-00 25 74 172 .430 15 49 .306 58 82 .707 103 4.1 106 51 221 8.8
1998-99 25 48 113 .425 11 31 .355 42 49 .857 83 3.3 61 34 149 6.0
Totals 75 247 523 .472 64 162 .395 223 272 .819 295 3.93 267 143 781 10.4

 

Kevin Becker
G, 6-0, 190, Sophomore
Stone Lake, Wis.
Hayward High School

Career
After red-shirting the 1999-2000 season, Kevin saw action in 20 of 25 games during an injury plagued freshman year. He started 8 games and averaged 15.7 minutes to go with 2.5 points per game. Had a superb assist to turnover margin with 38 assists to just 16 turnovers. A gifted athlete and defensive player, Kevin will play significant minutes this season.

Academics - Career Plans
Majoring in business. Very good student with a 3.3 overall GPA.

High School - Personal
Twin brother Chris and older brother Kent are also Falcons. Earned Heart O'North All-Conference honors his senior season. Selected to play in the WBCA All-Star games. Led Hayward High School in scoring averaging 13 PPG. High school coach was Ken Vesel. Spends summers working with dad and brothers, Kent and CJ, for Becker Drywall. Parents are Ryan and Joan Becker of Stone Lake, Wis.
Year G FG FGA PCT 3FG FGA PCT FT FTA PCT REB AVE A PF PTS AVE
2000-01 20 21 47 .447 4 12 .333 4 10 .400 26 1.3 38 31 50 2.5

 

Scott DeWyre
G, 5-9, 185, Junior
Glenwood City, Wis.
Glenwood City High School

Career
Sophomore season was cut short due to an injured foot suffered in the ninth game at UW-Superior. Played in all 25 games his freshman season averaging 2.9 points a game. Transferred from Michigan Tech University the second semester during the 1998-99 season. A two-sport athlete at UW-River Falls, was selected to the All-WIAC baseball team two consecutive years.

Academics - Career Plans
Majoring in health and human performance with over a 3.0 GPA. Future career plans are undecided.

High School - Personal
One of the great athletes to come out of tradition rich Glenwood City High School. Incredible high school career named all-state in 3 sports; basketball, football and baseball. "Top 25" senior selected by the Wisconsin State Basketball Yearbook. All-Northwest Player of the Year in1998 and first team All-Northwest in 1997. Scored 1,702 career points. Led Glenwood City to the State Tournament in 1997 and to the Section final in 1998. Averaged 17 ppg senior season. Spends summer playing for Eau Claire Caveliers. High school coach was Fred Booth, a UWRF alum. Parents are Mike and Joy DeWyre. Mike is Athletic Director at Glenwood City. Joy works in Personnel office at UWRF. Brother Chad is a graduate of UWRF.
Year G FG FGA PCT 3FG FGA PCT FT FTA PCT REB AVE A PF PTS AVE
2000-01 9 15 33 .455 5 18 .278 4 6 .667 10 1.1 23 12 39 4.3
1999-00 25 21 61 .344 10 32 .313 21 27 .778 39 1.6 38 23 73 2.9
Totals 34 36 94 .383 15 50 .320 25 33 .757 58 1.7 61 35 112 3.29


Tim Duncan
F, 6-3, 210, Junior
Lemont, Ill.
Marist High School

Career
Saw action in 18 games last season, four as a starter. A good outside shooter, Tim made 8-15 3-point attempts during the year and averaged 2.3 points per game. A fundamentally sound player, Tim is expected to contribute his junior year. Saw action in four games his freshman year, 1998-99. Red-shirted during the 1999-2000 season.

Academics - Career Plans
Majoring in political science, Tim would like to eventually work in a government agency like the Secret Service.

High School - Personal
Attended Marist High School in Chicago. Team’s MVP senior season. Averaged 15 ppg at Marist. Named to the East Suburban Catholic All-Conference team. Named All-Area by the Chicago Sun Times and Chicago Tribune. High school coach was Ken Styler. Sister, Amy, is a freshman at Millikin Colllege. Brother, Ryan, is in 9th grade. Father, Dave, is a CPA with Consolidated Wire & Cable. Mother, Sharon works with developmentally disabled children.
Year G FG FGA PCT 3FG FGA PCT FT FTA PCT REB AVE A PF PTS AVE
2000-01 18 14 23 .609 8 15 .533 5 10 .500 7 0.4 7 11 41 2.3
1998-99 4 4 7 .571 1 3 .333 1 2 .500 2 0.5 2 4 10 2.5
Totals 22 18 30 .600 9 18 .500 6 12 .500 9 0.4 9 15 51 2.3


Jeff Holt
Forward 6-3 185 Freshman
Elmwood, Wis.
Elmwood High School

Career - Academics- Career Plans
Marketing communications major. Red shirted during 2000-2001 season. An inside-outside player, will look to contribute his freshman season.

High School- Personal
Attended Elmwood High School where he was named to the All-Conference team three years. He averaged 15 ppg as a senior. Played in Red Cross All-Star game. Dad, Jerry, works for Timme Construction. Mom, Jayne, works as a legal assistant for West group in Eagan, Minn. Older brother Ryan also works for Timme Construction.

 

Edmund Johnson
Forward 6-5 215 Senior
Indianola, Iowa
Indianola High School

Career
Freshmen year worked his way into action in 24 out of 25 games. Has become a Falcon mainstay starting in every game the past two seasons. Last season Edmund averaged 6.7 rebounds per game for the #3 position in the WIAC. He averaged 11.2 ppg for 20th in WIAC and shot 60% from the field in 120 attempts to finish third in WIAC. Named a captain for his senior season. Ed needs 172 rebounds this season to put himself in the top 5 all time at UWRF.

Academics - Career Plans
Majoring in education with a minor in mathematics and athletic coaching. Goal is to be a teacher in Twin Cities area coaching either basketball, football or track.

High School - Personal
Enjoyed a very successful career at Indianola High School reaching the Iowa State tournament during his senior season. Selected to play in the Iowa Dr. Pepper All-Star game. Two-time all –conference selection. Named to the Iowa All-State football team. Three time state track qualifier in the 400 hurdles. Holds three Indianola High School track records. Son of Woody and Susan Johnson. Woody is a public defender for the state of Iowa. Susan is a business director for Meredith Corp. Sister Louise attends Iowa State University.
Year G FG FGA PCT 3FG FGA PCT FT FTA PCT REB AVE A PF PTS AVE
2000-01 25 102 170 .600 0 3 .000 50 69 .725 167 6.7 25 43 254 10.2
1999-00 25 88 153 .575 0 0 .000 21 33 .636 144 5.8 21 39 197 7.9
1998-99 24 20 35 .571 0 1 .000 11 22 .500 42 1.8 8 25 51 2.1
Totals 74 210 358 .586 0 4 .000 82 124 ..661 353 4.7 54 107 502 6.7

 

Matt Kukla
Guard 6-2 185 Sophomore
Eden Prairie, Minn.
Eden Prairie High School

Career
Played in 21 games his first season in the Falcon program. Matt started two games, one in which his three-pointer at the buzzer propelled the Falcons to a victory over UW Whitewater 71-70 on Jan 27th. Matt averaged 10.8 minutes a game and connected on 12-38 three-point attempts while averaging 2.8 points a game.

Academics - Career Plans

In UW-River Falls Honors Program. Majoring in marketing communications.

High School - Personal
Attended Eden Prarie High School. Graduated as valedictorian of the class of 2000. In senior season averaged 18 ppg and 4 rpg. Named All-Lake Conference junior and senior years. Started since sophomore year when Eden Prairie High School placed third in state. Named team’s MVP after senior season. Son of Terry and Mary Ann. Terry is sales manager for Flo-Pac Midwest. Mary Ann is a teacher's assistant at Eden Prairie Family Center. Brother Joe attends UW-Madison. Brother Jacob is in 8th grade.
Year G FG FGA PCT 3FG FGA PCT FT FTA PCT REB AVE A PF PTS AVE
2000-01 21 20 62 .323 12 38 .316 6 8 .750 15 0.7 22 13 58 2.8

 

Jesse Lam
Forward 6-4 190 Freshman
Brookfield, Wis.
East High School

Career
Red-shirted during the 2000-01 season. A versitile player, he will see significant minutes this upcoming season.

Academics - Career Plans
Art education major.

High School - Personal
Graduated from Brookfield East High School in suburban Milwaukee. In senior season averaged 12 ppg and 4 rpg. Played in the Greater Metro Conference coached by Mark Ritter. Second team all conference as a punter and free safety. Very active in Explorer program with Brookfield Fire Department. Father, Guy, played for legendary coach Al McGuire at Marquette University and is a partner in Milwaukee Sporting Goods Corporation. Mother Mary is a nurse. Siblings are Guy, Jr., a student at UWSP; sisters Carry, graduated from UW-Green Bay, Kelly is a sophomore a Brookfield East High School.




Brian Mathison
F, 6-3, 205, Junior
Cumberland, Wis.
Cumberland High School

Career
Installed himself as a regular in the Falcon lineup last season, starting in all 25 games during his sophomore year. A tireless worker and strong defensive player, Brian averaged 7.4 points per game to go with 3 rebounds per contest. Shot over 40% from 3-point land, knocking down 22-54 attempted. Prior to red-shirting the 1999-2000 season, Brian saw action in 18 games his freshman year, starting in 3 games and averaging 2.7 points per contest. Ran on the UW River Falls cross- country team in the fall of 2000.

Academics - Career Plans
Majoring in health and human performance with a coaching minor. Brian would like to be a high school basketball and cross country coach along with his teaching career.

High School - Personal
Cumberland High School scoring 994 career points. Cumberland MVP senior season. Scored 18 ppg as a senior. Heart of North All Conference. Brothers, Nathan (19) ,Kyle (12) , sister Carissa (10). Parents are Wayne and Heidi Mathison. Wayne farms 500 acres milking 70 cows. Heidi is a nurse.
Year G FG FGA PCT 3FG FGA PCT FT FTA PCT REB AVE A PF PTS AVE
2000-01 25 65 147 .442 22 54 .407 32 53 .604 72 2.9 43 61 184 7.4
1998-99 18 18 40 .450 5 19 .263 7 10 .700 28 1.6 11 20 48 2.7
Totals 43 83 187 .444 27 73 .369 39 63 .619 100 2.33 54 81 232 5.4

 

Rich Melzer
F, 6-8, 225, Sophomore
Minneapolis, Minn.
River Falls High School

Career
Played in 24 of 25 games his freshman season starting six games. Made an immediate impact averaging 14.3 points a game while pulling down 5.8 rebounds. Rich was named to the honorable mention All-WIAC team as he finished 12th in scoring, 13th in rebounding and second in blocked shots. Red shirted during the 1999-2000 season.

Academics - Career Plans
Health and human performance major, with business as collateral study. Hopes to work in media relations, broadcasting or communications field.

High School - Personal
Transferred to River Falls High School from Minneapolis Washburn after sophomore year. 1998 Big Rivers Player of the Year. Led the Wildcats to the Section finals. Averaged 18.7 points and 10 rebounds a game. All-Northwest first team selection. Honorable mention All-State. High school coach, Greg Gaulke, is UWRF alum. Parents are Paul and Teresa Cartwright.
Year G FG FGA PCT 3FG FGA PCT FT FTA PCT REB AVE A PF PTS AVE
2000-01 24 139 273 .509 5 19 .263 61 95 .642 138 5.8 31 56 344 14.3

 

Mike Mueller
Center 6-9 220 Freshman
Brooklyn Park, Minn.
Osseo High School

Career - Academics- Career Plans
Majoring in marketing with a minor in business administration. Red shirted last season. Will look to contribute to the Falcons front line this season.

High School - Personal
Three-year letterman at Osseo High School. Coached by UWRF alum Adam Holm. Voted Most Improved Player as a sophomore. Father, Todd, owns M-K Graphics. Mother, Robin, is a substitute teacher. Sister Kristen is a Winona State graduate.

 

Ryan Pertile
Guard 6-3 190 Freshman
Three Lakes, Wis.
Three Lakes High School

Career - Academics- Career Plans
Undecided area of study. Red shirted last season. Will be counted on to add depth to the Falcon backcourt.

High School - Personal
Contacted Coach Bowen after Three Lakes appearance in WIAA State Tournament at end of sophomore year. Averaged 20 ppg his senior year. Team MVP. TLHS was conference champs with 21-2 record in 1999-00. All-Conference as a junior and senior. Honorable Mention All-Conference as a sophomore. Started on 1998-99 Three Lakes team that was runner up in state tournament. Played in WBCA All-Star game. Father, Art, is guidance director at Three Lakes High School. Mother, Nancy, is a secretary. Brother Jason attends UWGB.

 

Nick Schradle
Forward 6-5 220 Freshman
Clayton, Wis.
Clayton High School

High School - Personal
Will red shirt this season. Undecided on major. Played for his brother Mike at Clayton High School. Bears participated in WIAA state finals in 2000. A three sport athlete, Nick was all conference in baseball, football and basketball at Clayton High School. Member of National Honor Society. Was Vice President of junior class. Youngest of eight children. Father Bill is retired from Andersons and Mother Bev is a retired nurse.

 

Kevin Widiker
Forward 6-4 185 Junior
Birchwood, Wis.
Birchwood High School

High School - Personal
Double major in business administraton and marketing-3.3 GPA. Attended Birchwood H.S and graduated in 1997. Spent one year a UW Center in Barron County and played basketball there during the 97-98 season. At Birchwood High School, he was selected all conference in basketball and baseball. Averaged 15 ppg his senior years as his team went 21-3. Father, Al, is realtor and Mother, Gloria, works for Care Partners assisted living. Older brother Ed is a carpenter. Older sister Jenny is self-employed. Younger brother Aaron is a sophomore at UWRF.


Royce Wiersma
Guard 5-10 165 Freshman
Black River Falls, Wis.
Black River Falls High School

High School - Personal
Will red shirt this season. Undecided on major. Three year starter at Black River Falls H.S. Averaged 10 points both junior and senior years. Team was 15-6 during senior year. All-time and single season assist leader at BRFHS. Captain and all-conference junior and senior years. Played in Red Cross game after senior season. Dad, Leroy, is a sales rep and mother, Sarah, is a secretary. Siblings are Tiffany, who attends UW-Madison and brother, Lance, is a junior in high school.