Thursday, July 21, 2016

Boise State Broncos #1 Gymnastics Academic Team in the Nation

BOISE, ID--The Boise State gymnastics team finished the 2015-16 academic year with the highest team grade point average (GPA) in the nation, according to the National Association of Collegiate Gymnastics Coaches/Women. The Broncos posted a team GPA of 3.8087 to finish superior to every other collegiate gymnastics team. The No. 1 ranking surpasses the school record of #3 set in 2014-15.

Fourteen of the 15 members on the team earned NACGC/W Scholastic All-America honors. In order to qualify for Scholastic All-America honors, student-athletes must maintain at least a 3.5 GPA for the 2015-16 academic year.

“I could not be more proud of this team,” co-head coach Tina Bird said. “They have worked tirelessly in the classroom to achieve the No. 1 ranking. The way they represent our university on a national level is outstanding.”

Five Broncos achieved a 3.9 GPA or higher--Ann Stockwell (3.97 psychology), Lianne Josbacher (3.96, English), Abby Webb (3.94, biology), Shani Remme (3.91, kinesiology) and Paige Urquhart (3.90, biology).

Sarah Means (3.88, mathematics), Alex Esmerian (3.85, health sciences), Sandra Collantes (3.82, psychology) and Diana Mejia (3.80, health sciences) all finished with GPA's of 3.8 or higher.

Bronco gymnasts which achieved a 3.5 or higher include Molly McFarland (3.75, kinesiology), Mary Frances Bir (3.75, health sciences), Marissa Wossner (3.72, kinesiology), Maddie Krentz (3.62, mechanical engineering) and Krystine Jacobsen (3.61, communication).

The Bronco team set a school record with a national #8 ranking, were the only undefeated collegiate gymnastics team in the nation in the regular season, and finished .175 short of qualifying for the NCAA National Gymnastics Championship.

Thursday, July 7, 2016

Boise State Freshman Allie Ostrander Qualifies for 5K Final at U.S. Olympic Trials

EUGENE, OR--Boise State freshman Allie Ostrander finished fourth in the second heat of the women's 5K at the U.S. Olympic Trials this afternoon to qualify for the final Sunday. Ostrander, running competitively for the first time since she was injured with a tibial stress fracture in the NCAA Indoor Track & Field Championships on March 11, crossed the finish line in 15:27.13, just eight-tenths of a second behind first place Molly Huddle, who broke the tape in 15:26.33.
Ostrander (in her white Boise State jersey) in sixth in this photo...

Ostrander began the race near the back, content to draft from the other runners and conserve energy without running a longer distance on the outside. With about three laps to go, she began moving outside, positioning herself for a run at the nation's elite female runners. One by one, Ostrander began to pass them and was in fourth at the bell lap. She briefly moved into third, but with the top six in the heat automatically qualifying, settled for fourth.

The heat was much faster than the first heat, as Ostrander's time was fourth overall as well. Katie Mackie finished second, followed by Shelby Houlihan, Ostrander, Marielle Hall and Abbey D'Agostino, the six automatic qualifers form the heat. Ostrander was the only collegiate runner in either heat going up against seasoned professionals.

Ostrander thus qualifies for the U.S. final of the 5K this Sunday, set for 5:28 p.m. Mountain Time.  The top t
hree finishers in that race will make the U.S. Olympic Team, provided they have met or exceeded the Olympic qualifying standard. Ostrander, by virtue of her 5K time of 15:21.85 at the UW Invitational in Seattle on January 30, has already done that. If she finishes in the top three Sunday, she will make the U.S. Olympic Team.

The women's 5K final will be broadcast nationally on NBC-TV.

Click this link to replay the race.