Top 25 Moments of 2025
Moments 21-25
As the calendar year wraps up, Boise State Athletics wanted to celebrate some of the amazing accomplishments achieved by our student-athletes in 2025. After thorough conversation and discussion, the sports communications staff compiled a list of 25 of the top moments from 2025. Here are those Top 25 Moments.
MOMENT NO. 25:
Softball Pitches a Shutout in the Opening Game of the Mountain West Championship
In the first round of the 2025 Mountain West Softball Championship, Boise State disposed of Utah State 6-0 behind a complete game from freshman Olivia Bauer.
Bauer, a right-handed pitcher from Marysville, California, delivered one of the most memorable performances of Boise State’s season, tossing a 110-pitch shutout while allowing just one runner to advance past second base.
The win was Bauer’s ninth of the season and another milestone in an already impressive year. The shutout was the first by a Bronco in a Mountain West tournament game and the second of the year for Bauer, tying the Boise State freshman record.
Boise State gave her early support in the first inning and continued to add on throughout the game. The Broncos scored in three separate innings, with four runs coming with two outs, turning timely at-bats into separation on the scoreboard.
With the lead secure, Bauer never rushed. She trusted her defense, induced nine ground outs, and shut down any chance of a Utah State rally.
MOMENT NO. 24:
Esports Captures Fifth Straight Mountain West Rocket League Championship
It was a Tuesday night in downtown Boise in early December.
Four Esports teams were all that remained in contention for the Mountain West Crown. The Broncos, in their comprehensive home facility, the Boise State Esports Arena, were ready to make a statement ahead of the critical Rocket League MW Championship.
Boise State, the No. 2 seed, opened the competition against No. 3 Grand Canyon. Bronco Nation came in full support, sporting the largest crowd in program history. The crowed aided the the trio of Emiliano Flores, Preston Ferrante and Gabriel Reynolds as they took down the Lopes with a 4-1 score.
We certainly had fun celebrating with Bronco Nation last night! pic.twitter.com/nSsEks7Ygo
— Boise State Esports (@BoiseStEsports) December 6, 2025
The match not only gave Boise State an appearance in the MW Championship, but also marked the final appearance for Reynolds, a fifth-year senior. Reynolds finished his illustrious career with five MW Championships, the most of any Esports athlete in the history of the conference.
Immediately following the victory over Grand Canyon, the Broncos prepared to face the top seed of the tournament, San Diego State, who had defeated San Jose State in the earlier semifinal matchup. The showdown was a chance at revenge for Boise State - the Aztecs had handed the Broncos their only Rocket League loss of the season earlier in the fall.
Boise State made a substitution, subbing in Cade Hall for Reynolds. The Broncos claimed a pair of thrilling overtime victories, including a game-winning goal from Flores in the fifth game to clinch a 4-1 victory.
WHAT. A. NIGHT. 5 PEAT COMPLETE! pic.twitter.com/WG3WdZ4XXO
— Boise State Esports (@BoiseStEsports) December 4, 2025
MOMENT NO. 23:
Boise State Athletics Recognizes “Best of the Blue”
Each spring, the annual Best of the Blue awards are presented at the Egyptian Theatre in downtown Boise. The Best of the Blue awards celebrate and recognize the commitment to excellence that student-athletes and staff devote to all 18 sport programs at Boise State.
The Best of the Blue awards are a program under the direction of BroncoLife.
BroncoLife provides programming to encourage and empower student-athletes to act and behave in accordance with their values, be positive influences in their community, and discover their full potential as leaders in both their college careers and lives after Boise State.
Comeback of the Year
Avery McBride, Soccer
Latrell Caples, Football
Bronco Legacy
Emily Lopez, Gymnastics
Ashton Jeanty, Football
Newcomer of the Year
Makenzie Butt, Softball
Javan Buchanan, Men's Basketball
"Bleed Blue" Leadership Award
Lilly Patock, Beach Volleyball
Tyson Degenhart, Men's Basketball
Horsepower Award
Bhakti Shah, Women's Tennis
Alvaro Cardenas, Men's Basketball
BroncoLife's "Blue Collar" Award
Elaina McGovern, Gymnastics
Marco Notarainni, Football
Competition of the Year
Men's Tennis defeats Michigan State on February 9, 2025
Moment of the Year
Women's Basketball Cancer Awareness Night on March 4, 2025
MOMENT NO. 22:
Mane Line Dancers Captures National Championships
The Boise State Mane Line Dancers brought home two national championships from the 2025 National Dance Alliance competition in Daytona Beach, Florida. The team won first place in both jazz and hip hop in the top division, D1A.
Most team members come to Boise State with around 15 years of competitive dance experience.
“Competing nationally is something they have trained for since they were kids,” said Kelsey Messer, head cheer, dance and mascot coach.
The team works with nationally recognized championship-winning choreographers and consultants and the schedule is intense. With game-day practice, competition preparation, weightlifting and ballet training, the dance team logs more than 14 hours a week.
The dancers attend over 100 events to promote Bronco spirit and represent Boise State Athletics, everything from business grand openings to retirement parties to birthday celebrations.
At the Daytona competition, the winning teams share a tradition of running into the ocean in full uniform. The Mane Line Dancers had finished strong in previous competitions but hadn’t taken home the crown.
“For years, we joked that we wanted to win in Florida and be ‘soaked to the socks,’ said Messer.
The dream came true in 2025.
After winning their national titles, the team, including Messer, held hands and sprinted into the waves.
MOMENT NO. 21:
Volleyball Wins Utah Valley Invitational
After opening its season with a five-set victory over Navy, Boise State women's volleyball swept Montana at the Utah Valley Invitational.
The Broncos then faced tournament-host Utah Valley and dropped the first set before cruising in the next two to take a 2-1 lead in the match. Utah Valley came back to win the fourth set and scored the first point in the fifth and deciding set.
Boise State scored the next two points and never trailed again, winning 15-13 to finish the tournament undefeated.
Kailyn Jager led the Broncos with a team-high 15 kills and added six blocks. Sydney Dreves recorded a double-double with 10 kills and 10 digs.
Boise State holds off Utah Valley in five sets as the Broncos win the fifth set 15-13 to clinch the win on Layla Smith's 9th kill. Boise State wins the Utah Valley Invitational at 3-0.
— Boise State VB (@BroncoSportsVB) August 30, 2025
Boise St. at Utah Valley
Go Broncos?????? pic.twitter.com/LLcWnq7enD