Dual Threat: Charlie Theis excels on both the track and the pitch

UW-River Falls dual-sport athlete Charlie Theis has had far from the typical college athletics experience.

Theis, who is entering his fifth season as an athlete on the UWRF track & field team, embarked on a new challenge this year in being a member of the inaugural men’s soccer team at UW-River Falls. The graduate student from Shakopee, Minn. is one of five seniors on the team, which is made up of 15 freshmen, nine transfers, and three athletes previously enrolled at UWRF.

“I just never thought I’d be able to be a part of something like this,” Theis said. “It’s something that I’m very fortunate to be a part of. “

Theis began his athletics career at a young age, when soccer was his top sport of choice, and eventually competed in both track and soccer in high school. He was recruited to UWRF to compete on the track & field team, where he has primarily competed in multi-events, hurdles, and jumps. Theis represented UWRF at the 2024 WIAC Outdoor Championships, where he was the team’s top finisher in the decathlon. He ranks seventh in the UWRF record book in indoor triple jump (13.34m), 10th in outdoor long jump (6.47m), and sixth in outdoor triple jump (13.44m).

After leaving soccer behind in high school to pursue his track career, Theis figured his days of competitive soccer were behind him. As it turns out, that was not the case.

Throughout his career, Theis competed on the UWRF men’s soccer club team, where soccer was only viewed as a hobby. When the university announced the creation of an official sponsored men’s soccer program, Theis was one of many club players looking for an opportunity to join the newly created team and earned his way onto the team after an impressive showing at the team’s camp workouts.

“Pretty soon after that we offered Charlie a spot because he’s strong, he’s fast, he’s a competitor, he’s mature and has experience,” UWRF Men’s Soccer Coach Evan Sassano said. “He was a great addition, and we feel lucky that he was around and interested in playing soccer as well as track.”

While Theis worked to elevate his soccer skills as needed to compete at the collegiate level, he noted the biggest challenges were adjusting to the speed of the game and regaining his touch with the ball. 

“With Charlie, it’s not only his athleticism, but he also has a great work rate,” Sassano said. “Some players that are very athletic don’t have the desire to be physical. Charlie likes to be physical and uses his strengths well.”

That speed and…