Four Broncos Tabbed for All-Conference Honors

Preston Ferrante on stage at Boise State Esports

1/2/2026 12:30:00 PM | Esports

Boise, Idaho — Four Broncos have been nominated for All-Mountain West honors after a historic fall season for Boise State Esports. Preston Ferrante (PRSTN) is nominated for Rocket League Player of the Year, while Payton Wilkin is nominated for Rocket League Coach of the Year. On the Super Smash Bros. Ultimate side, Eric Labastida (Mada) is tabbed for Player of the Year, while Kelsey Moser is nominated for Coach of the Year.

Players

Rocket League captured it's fifth-straight Mountain West Championship in 2025, knocking off Grand Canyon and San Diego State in the Mountain West Tournament in front of a program record crowd. Ferrante, a junior, is up for his first All-Conference honors. His teammates, Emiliano Flores and Cade Hall, both have their fair share of accolades as well. Head Coach Doc Haskell had high praise for Ferrante: "Preston worked his tail off this year, and it's no surprise to see him nominated for a Conference Player of the Year award. He's more than earned it". Ferrante is nominated alongside Fernando Campa (Grand Canyon), Alexander Franco (San Diego State), and Taylor Wilkinson (Utah State)

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate had a historic rise in 2025, going from no wins in 2024 to making the 2025 Mountain West Conference Championship match against San Jose State. A landmark victory over Hawaii in the semifinals, led by Labastida, pushed the Broncos to their best ever finish in Mountain West play. "Eric has really taken the next step and led this team," said Haskell. "The time and effort put in has obviously paid off". Labastida is joined by Alexander Lammers (San Jose State) in the nominations.

Coaches

Wilkin is no stranger to Coach of the Year awards. His leadership, under Doc Haskell, has been instrumental in the Broncos historic run of championships. Wilkin is up for the award alongside first year Mountain West coach Matthew Calderwood (Grand Canyon)

Moser is up for her second Mountain West Coach of the Year award, after capturing the honor for League of Legends last year. She helped elevate Smash Bros. to a varsity title, and was a key factor in the dramatic upswing in trajectory. Gabriel Eckenroth (San Jose State) is also nominated for Coach of the Year.

"We have a team of next-level leaders. Our coaches are elite and they take our players to the next level." said Haskell. "I am thrilled to see them get the attention they deserve."

Winners for all conference awards will be announced via the Mountain West on January 14th.