Karnitz Runs Personal Best at WIAC Outdoor Championships

Mayville High School alum Emma Karnitz competed in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championships at the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse on Friday, May 1. A junior at the University of Wisconsin–River Falls, Karnitz ran the women’s 10,000 meters, placing 10th out of 24 runners with a personal-best time of 38:07.03—an improvement of 46.26 seconds from her previous mark. The performance ranks her among the top seven women’s 10K runners in program history at UW–River Falls.

“Emma ran an incredible race and continues to impress me throughout her career,” said Falcons Distance Coach Meg Koski. “What stood out most was her focus and patience through the first half, and then her ability to move up in the second half. The 10K is a long race, and with this being only her second time running it, she’s still learning the distance, but her confidence and strength showed in how she pushed at key moments, cutting so much time.”

Koski also emphasized Karnitz’s consistency beyond race day. 

“Each year, Emma shows how dedicated she is by taking on new challenges, pushing her limits, and empowering others to be their best. What people don’t always see is that she also excels academically in a very demanding major. That’s just who she is—fully committed to everything she’s passionate about. I’m thankful she had the chance to showcase her talents among the country’s best, and I can’t wait to see what she does next.”