Wesolowski joining UW-River Falls football team

Wittenberg-Birnamwood High School graduate Ben Wesolowski is set to play collegiate football after a sensational senior season for the Chargers.

Wesolowski will join the UW-River Falls football team.

As a senior, the dual-threat quarterback threw for 1,967 touchdowns and 29 touchdowns while rushing for 1,847 yards and 20 more scores. He even caught a touchdown pass on his way to earning the Offensive Player of the Year honor in the Central Wisconsin Conference-Large Division.

He also earned a spot on the Wisconsin Football Coaches Association honorable mention all-state team and played in the WFCA All-Star Games this summer.

Wesolowski accumulated 47 total tackles on defense as a senior, with five going for losses. He also intercepted three passes to help him also make the CWC-Large first team on defense as a defensive back.

Despite the impressive season, Wesolowski said his recruitment process started late in his senior season. He said he had coaches reach out to him via Twitter.

“After visiting multiple schools, I liked the facilities and the coaches at UW-River Falls the best,” said Wesolowski, who added he chose playing football over basketball and baseball in college because of his love for the sport.

Wesolowski said that he’s had plenty of conversations with coaches and teammates at UWRF and is ready to take his game to the college level.

“I’m very honored and excited to have the opportunity to be able to play at the next level,” he said.

Wesolowski had several memorable moments and feats during his senior football season, but it was a two-point conversion run he had against Amherst in the playoffs that stood out.

Trailing by one with just under 90 seconds to play, Witt-Birn decided to go for the win instead of tying the game up. The coaching staff told Wesolowski to “run around and find someone,” and he did just that. He first scrambled to his left, and then back right before hitting Jack Fraaza on a pass to give the Chargers the lead.

Witt-Birn held on for a 29-28 win to advance to level four of the playoffs (state semifinals).

Flak headed to Northern State

Witt-Birn grad Ben Flak will also play football at the college level. He will play for Northern State University in South Dakota.

Flak is listed as a defensive lineman on the team’s football roster, which can be found at nsuwolves.com/sports/football/roster.

During the 2021 season, he was credited with 121 tackles, including 16 sacks and 13 tackles for losses. He also forced three fumbles and recovered another. For his play, he was named to the CWC-Large first team.

Flak did not answer a list of questions, which was sent to all athletes playing collegiate sports, before press time.

sports@newmedia-wi.com