Boise State Game Balls for week of February 12th

Last week was a busy one for the Broncos. And quite successful. So lets get to it!

Game Ball One:

Anja Dokic (tennis)

The freshman from Perth, Australia had herself a week. She helped dominate in the no. 1 slot (6-2) in doubles against Idaho State, and won her singles match 6-4, 6-3. This lead to a sweep of the in-state rivals 7-0. Unfortunately the week did not end quite as well as Ms. Dokic (along with partner Lilian Poling) were unable to finish their doubles match against BYU’s Kate Cusick and Taylah Beckman while all knotted up 4-4. She could not even finish her single match against Polina Malykh. Ah well. Still some good performances by the Broncos.

Game Ball Two:

Josh Newberg (wrestling)

Last Sunday the Broncos had their last home meet in a double-header against Cal Poly and Arizona State. While the Broncos split the matchup (downed Cal Poly 23-16; fell to Arizona State 39-6) Josh Newberg was the only Bronco to start, and win, both of his matches on the day. Against Arizona State he was only one, of two Broncos, to notch some points for the Broncos. The pair of wins helped snap a ten-match losing streak for Newberg. One can only assume a 10-match winning streak will ensue.

Game Ball Three:

Marijke Vanderschaaf (basketball)

The Broncos are on a three-gam winning streak and, now, 8-6 in conference play. A large part of that is owed to the redshirt sophomore from Sammamish, Washington. Ms. Vanderschaaf had 26 points, 11 rebounds (the Broncos’ only double-double) in the win against New Mexico last Wednesday. To follow up that win she also had 10 points and three rebounds in the win down in Laramie, Wyoming on Saturday. With four games left the Broncos have the possibility of notching 20 wins on the season. If the Broncos are able to reach that mark, Vanderschaaf will have played a big role.

Game Ball Four:

Chandler Hutchison (basketball)

Mr. Hutchison has been playing like the first-team all-Mountain West Conference player he should be. And in the Wyoming game, he posterized a poor Cowboy.

His OBNUG Game Ball was mostly assured because of that, but it certainly is not the only reason. Hutchison put up 25 points and five rebounds against the guys from Laramie. It is hard to believe that Hutchison is only a junior. It is great to see him come into his own.

Game Ball Five:

Courtney McGregor (gymnastics)

The Bronco gymnasts have been doing their own thing. That thing? Winning. Last Friday the Broncos went down to Logan, Utah and whooped the Aggies 196.700 – 196.30. Am I 100% sure that that score qualifies as a whooping? Not really, but my brain thinks it is, and that is good enough for me. The Olympian took the all-around with a 39.25. Which is good enough to get the Mountain Rim Gymnastics Conference gymnast of the week. Less prestigious than an OBNUG Game Ball, but still worthy enough to mention.

The Broncos next take on Alabama. Yup. WE WANT, AND ARE GOING TO GET, BAMA!!! To which, oy, it is going to be a tough one as Bama is currently ranked no. 4 in the country to Boise State’s 12th. No matter. The Broncos will be ready and so will Ms. McGregor.

Game Ball Six:

Izzy Serrano (softball)

Bronco softball is enjoying a nice little stretch of wins. Last Friday the Broncos won a double-header against Weber State and Memphis. In the 7-1 against the Wildcats, Ms. Serrano was a one woman-wrecking crew in the batter’s box. In four at bats Serrano recorded two Runs, two Hits, and three RBIs. The Broncos have had a surprising streak of good luck this early part of the season. Let’s see them keep it up.

Game Ball Seven:

Brittany Aoyama (Swimming)

This one was a bit more difficult, yet obvious at the same time. There were some valid arguments for Emma Chard taking the OBNUG Game Ball with her awesome performances in the championships. But Ms. Aoyama has been the Broncos’ best swimmer all season and, in the MWC Championships, she did not disappoint. She added six titles to her shelf, and added to the Boise State sweep of all five relay races in the 400 free relay (along with other Broncos Katelyn Martin, Cody Evans, and Emma Chard).

Ms. Aoyama did not win the Swimmer of the Meet award. That went to Air Force’s Genevieve Miller. Well don’t worry Ms. Ayoama, you wanted an OBNUG Game Ball more anyway.

Your Turn

Wow. There was a lot going on last week. Any other parts I missed?