Bronco Athletics Celebrates 44 Student-Athletes Graduating this Weekend
5/3/2024 4:00:00 PM | General
BOISE, Idaho - Boise State Athletics is proud to announce 44 current and former student-athletes will earn degrees Saturday, as part of the 2024 Boise State University Spring Commencement at ExtraMile Arena. The group represents 14 different sport programs.
Earlier this month, soccer student-athlete Jocelyn Stephens was named a Top Ten Scholar. The award is presented by the Boise State Alumni Association and Boise State Honors College. It is one of the highest academic honors granted to a Boise State University undergraduate student.
Boise State's student-athlete graduation reception, held biannually in May and December, honors all current and former Bronco student-athletes earning a degree from Boise State.
The winners of this year's department awards are below.
Academic Excellence
Recognize those student-athletes with the highest cumulative GPA.
* Alyssa Cullen, Women's Cross Country/Track and Field
* Oliver Newman, Men's Cross Country/Track and Field
* Sam Winter, Men's Basketball
Bronco in the Community
Recognize student-athletes who have gone above and beyond in their efforts to give back.
* Joana Baptista, Women's Tennis
* Sierra Land, Beach Volleyball
Varsity B Honorary Captains
Recognize student-athletes who demonstrate a commitment to service to the department and University beyond their participation in sport.
* Shauna Hefferman, Women's Tennis
* Elaina McGovern, Gymnastics
Also participating in ceremonies this weekend are 18 graduate-students who have played instrumental roles within the athletic department, through their Graduate Assistant-ship, while completing their Masters in Athletic Leadership (MAL).
Alex Becerril - Creative Services
Rachel Bowers - Women's Basketball
Sydney Bruner - Business Development & Revenue Innovation
Jayde Christopher - Women's Basketball
Douglas DeKerchove - Football Equipment Operations
Maire Dickens - Performance Nutrition
Andrew Gong - Athletic Training
Leah Gresham - Ticket Office and Membership Development
Grace Hancock - Women's Soccer
Adam Handlin - Marketing and Promotions
Bailey Hawkins - BroncoLife and Football Operations
Erik Lindgren - Spirit Squad
Josh Kraft - Bronco Athletic Association
Hope Masiado - Athletic Personnel Services
Ariana Salinas - Athletic Media Relations
Katie Schaum - Marketing and Promotions
Levi Stuart - Equipment Operations
Denilson Suarez - Event Operations
Andrew Walker, in Honor, - Football Operations
An alphabetical list of student-athletes graduating in May 2024 is below.
Chibuzo Agbo, Men's Basketball
Bachelor 's Degree: Communication
Awards
All-Mountain West Honorable Mention (2023-24)
Joana Baptista, Women's Tennis
Bachelor 's Degree: Sociology
Minors: Gender Studies and Global Studies
Awards
2x All-Mountain West, Singles (2020, 2021)
2x All-Mountain West, Doubles (2021, 2022)
2x College Sports Communicators Academic All-District (2022, 2023)
4x ITA Scholar Athlete (2020, 2021, 2022, 2023)
4x Academic All-Mountain West (2020, 2021, 2022, 2023)
4x Mountain West Scholar Athlete (2020, 2021, 2022, 2023)
Karizma Bergesen, Softball
Bachelor 's Degree: Multidisciplinary Studies
Courtney Blackson, Gymnastics
Bachelor 's Degree: Health Science Studies
Awards
2x NCAA Women's Gymnastics Championship Participant (2023, 2024)
NCAA Women's Gymnastics National Runner-Up, Vault (2023)
WCGA National Championship All-America First Team, Bars (2024)
WCGA National Championship All-America First Team, Vault (2023)
4x NCAA Regional Championships Participant (2021, 2022, 2023, 2024)
2x MRGC Vault Champion (2021, 2023)
AII-MRGC First Team, Bars (2023)
AII-MRGC First Team, Floor (2023)
All Mountain West First Team, Bars (2024)
AII-Mountain West First Team, Floor (2024)
2x AII-MRGC Second Team, Vault (2021, 2023)
All-Mountain West Second Team, Vault (2024)
AII-MRGC Second Team, Floor (2021)
8x MRGC Specialist of the Week (Floor - 3, Vault - 3, Bars - 2)
7x Mountain West Specialist of the Week (Floor - 4, Vault - 2, Bars - 1)
2x WCGA Scholastic All-American (2020-21, 2021-22)
CSC Academic All-District 7 (2023)
2x Academic AII-MRGC (2021, 2022)
Ines Borba, Cross Country/ Track & Field
Bachelor 's Degree: Kinesiology, Exercise Science
Minor: Psychology
Awards
All-Mountain West Second Team Cross Country (2020)
CSC Academic All-District (2023)
3x Mountain West Scholar-Athlete (2020-21, 2021-22, 2022-23)
5x Academic All-Mountain West (Spring 2021, Fa112021, Spring 2022, Spring 2023, Fall 2023)
Abigail Bumcrot, Softball
Bachelor 's Degree: Communication
Awards
NFCA All-Pacific Region Third Team (2022)
All-Mountain West Second Team (2022)
Academic All-Mountain West (2021, 2023)
Teague Burger, Men's Tennis
Bachelor 's Degree: Social Science
Awards
Member of Mountain West Regular Season Championship Team (2024)
2x Member of Mountain West Tournament Championship Team (2023, 2024)
Kaitlin Burgess, Women's Basketball
Bachelor 's Degree: Business Management
Taylor Caudill, Softball
Bachelor 's Degree: International Business
Awards
NFCA All-Pacific Region Third Team (2023)
All-Mountain West First Team (2023)
Wilson/NFCA National Pitcher of the Week (Feb. 5-11, 2024)
Mountain West All-Tournament Team (2023)
Mountain West Pitcher of the Week (Feb. 5-11, 2024, March 11-17, 2024)
Boise State Career Record Holder for Strikeouts
Mountain West Scholar-Athlete (2020-21, 2021-22, 2022-23)
Academic All-Mountain West (2021, 2022, 2023)
Rorianna Chartier, Beach Volleyball
Bachelor 's Degree: Biology - Cellular, Molecular Biomedical Emphasis
Awards
Southland Conference Academic All-District (2023)
Southland Conference Commissioner's Honor Roll (2023)
College Sports Communicators Academic All-District 7 (2023)
Southland Conference Second Team, No. 3 position (2024)
Southland Conference Pair of the Week (2023)
Ana Conde Vendrell, Women's Tennis
Bachelor 's Degrees: Political Science and Social Science
Awards
4x ITA Scholar-Athlete (2020, 2021, 2022, 2023)
4x Academic All-Mountain West (2020, 2021, 2022, 2023)
4x Mountain West Scholar-Athlete (2020, 2021, 2022, 2023)
Alyssa Cullen, Women's Track & Field
Bachelor 's Degree: Psychology
Minor: Criminal Justice
Awards
2x All-Mountain West Track and Field (Indoor 4x400-Meter Relay-2022, Outdoor 4x400-Meter Relay – 2023)
CSC Academic All-District (2023)
2x Mountain West Scholar-Athlete (2021-22, 2022-23)
2x Spring Academic All-Mountain West (2022, 2023)
Mountain West Indoor Track Freshman of the Week (Dec. 11, 2021)
Nicole Discenza, Women's Tennis
Bachelor 's Degree: Psychology
Awards
2x All-Mountain West Doubles (2022, 2023)
3x ITA Scholar-Athlete (2021, 2022, 2023)
College Sports Communicators Academic All-District (2023)
3x Academic All-Mountain West (2021, 2022, 2023)
3x Mountain West Scholar-Athlete (2021, 2022, 2023)
Nathan Dunn, Men's Cross Country / Track & Field
Bachelor 's Degree: Kinesiology, Exercise Science
Minor: Psychology
Awards
2x Academic All-Mountain West (Fall 2019, Spring 2021)
Pauline Ernstberger, Women's Tennis
Bachelor 's Degree: Business Administration
Minor: Spanish
Awards
3x All-Mountain West, Singles (2021, 2022, 2023)
3x Mountain West Player of the Week (2021, 2023)
College Sports Communicators Academic All-District (2023)
3x ITA Scholar-Athlete (2021, 2022, 2023)
3x Academic All-Mountain West (2021, 2022, 2023)
3x Mountain West Scholar-Athlete (2021, 2022, 2023)
Alycia Flores, Softball
Bachelor 's Degree: Health Science Studies
Awards
NFCA All-Pacific Region Third Team (2022)
All-Mountain West Second Team (2022)
Mountain West Player of the Week (March 4-10, 2024)
Academic All-Mountain West (2022, 2023)
Elli Gordon, Women's Golf
Bachelor 's Degree: Health Science Studies
Awards
Mountain West Scholar-Athlete (2022-23)
3x Academic All-Mountain West (2021, 2022, 2023)
Shauna Heffernan, Women's Tennis (Student-Athlete Advisory Council)
Bachelor 's Degree: Kinesiology
Minor: Psychology
Awards
All-Mountain West, Doubles (2021)
College Sports Communicators Academic All-District (2023)
3x ITA Scholar-Athlete (2021, 2022, 2023)
2x Academic All-Mountain West (2021, 2023)
3x Mountain West Scholar-Athlete (2021, 2022, 2023)
Connor Higgins, Men's Golf
Bachelor 's Degree: Finance
Awards
2x Mountain West Scholar-Athlete
Academic All-Mountain West
Joe Hudson, Men's Cross Country / Track & Field
MA - Masters, Business Administration
Awards
NCAA Cross Country Championships (2023)
USTFCCCA All-West Region Cross Country (2023)
All-Mountain West Cross Country First Team (2023)
Mountain West Scholar-Athlete (2022-23)
3x Academic All-Mountain West (Fall 2022, Spring 2023, Fall 2023)
USTFCCCA All-Academic Athlete (2023)
Gabe Hunter, Football
Bachelor 's Degree: Psychology
Awards
Academic All-Mountain West (Fall 2020)
Jordyn Hutchins, Softball
Bachelor 's Degree: Criminal Justice
Awards
NFCA All-Pacific Region Third Team (2023)
All-Mountain West First Team (2021)
All-Mountain West Second Team (2022)
Academic All-Mountain West (2021, 2022, 2023)
Annie Kaminski, Volleyball
Bachelor 's Degree: Physical Education
Awards
All-Mountain West (2023)
All-Mountain West Honorable Mention (2022)
Mountain West Newcomer of the Year (Spring 2021)
2x Academic All-Mountain West (Spring 2021, 2022)
2x Mountain West Scholar-Athlete (2022, 2023)
Sierra Land, Beach Volleyball
Bachelor 's Degree: Health Science Studies
Awards
Southland Conference Commissioner's Honor Roll (2023)
Southland Conference First Team, No. 1 position (2024)
4x Southland Conference Pair of the Week (two in 2023, two in 2024)
Emily Lopez, Gymnastics
Bachelor 's Degree: Marketing
Awards
2x NCAA Regional Championships Participant (2023, 2024)
WCGA National Championship All-America Second Team, Bars (2023)
WCGA Regular Season All-America Second Team, Bars (2023)
4x NCAA Regional Championships Participant (2021, 2022, 2023, 2024)
MW Gymnast of the Year (2024)
MW Bars Specialist of the Year (2024)
MRGC Bars Specialist of the Year (2023)
MRGC Co-Vault Specialist of the Year (2023)
All-MW First Team, Bars (2024)
All-MW First Team, Beam (2024)
3x AII-MRGC First Team, Bars (2021, 2022, 2023)
AII-MRGC First Team, Vault (2023)
2024 MW Specialist of the Week (6 - Bars, 2 - Beam, 2 - Vault)
15x MRGC Specialist of the Week (Bars - 7, Vault - 5, Beam - 3)
2x WCGA Scholastic All-American (2020-21, 2021-22)
CSC Academic All-District 7 (2023)
2x Academic AII-MRGC (2021, 2022)
Elaina McGovern, Gymnastics (Student-Athlete Advisory Committee)
Bachelor 's Degree: Applied Mathematics, Statistics
Awards
3x NCAA Regional Championships Participant (2022, 2023, 2024)
All-MW Second Team, Floor (2024)
WCGA Scholastic All-American (2021-22)
Academic AII-MRGC (2022)
Sydney McQuietor, Women's Basketball
Bachelor 's Degree: Information Technology Management
Minors: Marketing and Supply Chain Management
Awards
Academic All-Mountain West (Spring 2022)
Kaylee Mejia, Beach Volleyball
Bachelor 's Degree: Psychology
Awards
Southland Conference All-Academic Team (2023)
Southland Conference Commissioner's Honor Roll (2023)
Southland Conference First Team, No. 4 position (2023)
Dani Nakayama, Gymnastics (Student-Athlete Advisory Committee)
Bachelor 's Degree: Psychology
Awards
2x WCGA Scholastic All-American (2020-21, 2021-22)
NCAA Regional Championships Participant (2023)
2x Academic AII-MRGC (2021, 2022)
Oliver Newman, Men's Cross Country / Track & Field
MA - Masters, Political Science
Awards
2x All-Mountain West (2023-24 - Indoor Mile and Distance Medley Relay)
Mountain West Scholar-Athlete (2022-23)
3x Academic All-Mountain West (Fall 2022, Spring 2023, Fall 2023)
Josh Nichols, Men's Track & Field
Bachelor 's Degree: Kinesiology
Awards
Spring Academic All-Mountain West (2023)
Nyenuchi Okemgbo, Women's Track & Field
Bachelor 's Degree: Communication
Certificate in Sport Information & Culture
Awards
2x NCAA West Preliminary Round (400m Hurdles-2022, 400m Hurdles-2023)
3x All-Mountain West Track and Field (Indoor 4x400-Meter Relay-2022, Outdoor 200m Hurdles-2022, Outdoor 4x400-Meter Relay – 2022)
2x Spring Academic All-Mountain West (2022, 2023)
2x USTFCCCA All-Academic Athlete (2022, 2023)
Big Sky All-Academic Team (2019-20)
All-Big Sky Honors (60m Hurdles - 2019-20)
Franca Polla, Women's Golf (Student-Athlete Advisory Committee)
Bachelor 's Degree: Psychology
Awards
2x WGCA All-America Scholar (2022, 2023)
2x Mountain West Scholar-Athlete (2021-22, 2022-23)
2x Academic All-Mountain West (2022, 2023)
Drew Reinke, Men's Golf
Bachelor 's Degree: Business Administration and Entrepreneurship Management
Samuel Sippel, Men's Tennis
MBA - Masters, Business Administration
Awards
NCAA National Singles Championship Participant (2024)
NCAA National Doubles Championship Participant (2024)
2x All-Mountain West in Singles (2023, 2024)
All-Mountain West in Doubles (2024)
Mountain West Championship MVP (2024)
Mountain West Championship All-Tournament Team (2024)
Member of Mountain West Regular Season Championship Team (2024)
2x Member of Mountain West Tournament Championship Team (2023, 2024)
CSC Academic All-District (2023)
ITA Scholar-Athlete (2023)
Academic All-Mountain West (2023)
Mountain West Scholar-Athlete (2023)
Jocelyn Stephens (Top 10 University Scholar)
Bachelor's Degree: Chemistry
Awards
All-Mountain West First Team (2022, 2023)
3x Mountain West Defensive Player of the Week (Sept. 21, 2021; Sept.12, 2022; Oct. 3,2022)
College Sports Communicators Academic All-District (2022, 2023)
2x Mountain West Scholar-Athlete (2021, 2022)
3x Academic All-Mountain West (2020-21 Spring, 2021, 2022)
Mo Syllah, Men's Basketball
Bachelor 's Degree: Communication
Alex Talbot, Men's Golf
Bachelor 's Degree: Interdisciplinary Studies
Emerging Applications Certificate (IDEA)
Anita Taviore, Women's Track & Field
Bachelor 's Degree: Social Science
Awards
NCAA West Preliminary Round (2021- 200m)
Mountain West Indoor Track and Field Champion (2022 - 60m Dash)
5x All-Mountain West Track and Field (Indoor 60m-2022; Indoor 200m-2022; Indoor 4x400 Meter Relay-2022; Indoor 60m -2023, Outdoor 4x400m Relay – 2023)
2x Spring Academic All-Mountain West (2022, 2023)
2x USTFCCCA All-Academic Athlete (2021, 2022)
Mountain West Indoor Freshman of the Week (Feb. 8, 2022)
Demitri Washington, Football
MBA – Master's Business Administration
Awards
Wuerffel Trophy Watch List (2023)
National Football Foundation Hampshire Honor Society (2022)
5x Academic All-Mountain West (Fall 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023)
4x Mountain West Scholar-Athlete (2019-20, 2020-21, 2021-22, 2022-23)
Ashlyn Whalen, Softball
Bachelor 's Degree: Criminal Justice
Awards
Mountain West Scholar-Athlete (2020-21, 2021-22, 2022-23)
Academic All-Mountain West (2021, 2023)
Shea Whiting, Football
Bachelor 's Degree: Business Management
Awards
4x Academic All-Mountain West (Fall 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023)
Mountain West Scholar-Athlete (2019-20)
Sam Winter, Men's Basketball
Bachelor 's Degree: Management
Awards
2x Mountain West Scholar-Athlete
Cole Wright, Football
Bachelor 's Degree: Business Management
Awards
College Sports Communicators Academic All-District (2022-23)
3x Academic All-Mountain West (Fall 2020, 2022, 2023)
2x Mountain West Scholar-Athlete (2021-22, 2022-23)
