Sunday, February 6, 2011
Two Boise State Players Are Champions of the World!
Congrats to two great, classy winners--Daryn Colledge and Korey Hall!
Jay Ajayi Named to Parade All-America Team
Two More Victims for Boise State Swimming Team
So much for the Pac-10 inviting Utah and Colorado instead of Boise State. The Broncos just continue to make the league look bad for that decision.
We've made it a goal to be the premier swimming and diving program in the northwest, and though the true test is at the end at our championships and NCAA's, this season has been a great breakthrough for us," Hill said.
Juniors Amber Boucher and Stephanie North and sophomore Jennifer Cahill each won two individual titles to lead Coach Kristin Hill’s squad. Boucher set a Connolly Center record with her 200-yard freestyle win and her 100-yard butterfly swim ranks #3 all-time at Boise State. North captured both short freestyle races while Cahill won the 500 and 1000-yard freestyle events. Junior Morgan McLain touched first in the 200-yard individual medley.
"We performed well today and exceeded expectations in a few areas. Amber'
s 200 free and 100 fly times were phenomenal," said Coach Hill. "Stephanie's 100 freestyle was a great swim. We also had a number of strong finishes in close races."
The Broncos also defeated Seattle in the 100 and 200-yard backstrokes and 200 butterfly. Freshman Rachel Heaney won the fly with the fifth-fastest time in school history while senior Denise Green won the 100 backstroke and McLain took the 200 backstroke. Boise State also bested the Beavers in the 100 and 200-yard breaststroke events, as senior Kelly Forrester and freshman Chelsea Miller won those events, respectively, against Oregon State.
Boise State also won both relay events as well yesterday in piling up the lopsided wins. The Broncos now prepare for the Western Athletic Conference Championship in San Antonio and a chance to defend their title. That event is set for February 23-26 in San Antonio, Texas.
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Bronco Wrestlers Put Away Utah Valley 32-6, Oklahoma State Next
Boise State advanced their record to 10-2-1 (5-0-1 in the Pac-10) and more importantly, continue their push towards perhaps another Pac-10 Championship and a top-notch performance at the Nationals in Philadelphia. Eight seniors responsible for the most accomplished wrestling team in school history were honored prior to the competition: Alan Bartelli, Matt Casperson, Adam Hall, Andrew Hochstrasser, Eli Hutchison, Levi Jones, Kirk Smith and Kurt Swartz all bid adieu to the Bronco faithful that made up one of the largest wrestling crowds ever at Boise State.
The eight wrestlers mentioned above have a combined record of 586-219 over the last four years, a winning percentage of 72.8%. But enough for accolades. The road ahead is daunting for this group if they are to reach their goal of a Top 5 finish at Nationals.
#15 Jones opened the match and was upset by Justin Morrill. Morrill scored a take down in the third period for a 4-2 lead. Jones was able to escape and his riding time advantage allowed him to get into overtime. However, an escape by Morrill in the second OT allowed the Utah Valley wrestler to pull of the 4-3 shocker. A similar result at the upcoming Pac-10 Championships could open the door for Oregon State to once again walk away with the conference title.
Jason Chamberlain did not suffer a similar fate. He put away Josh Wilson 8-3 at 149 pounds to even the match at 3-3. UVU forfeited at 157 pounds rather than put someone in to face Hall, who unfortunately did not get to wrestle on senior night. Kurt Swartz is wrestling well right now for the Broncos and his 5-2 win at 165 pounds enabled Coach Greg Randall’s team to go ahead 12-3. Kurt’s brother (#14 Jake) followed with a 6-4 decision over Brad Darrington. It didn’t come easy however, as Jake trailed 4-3 with just seconds remaining. Swartz tied his match at 4-4 with an escape with 44 seconds left and then scored a thrilling take down in the final three seconds as the crowd erupted.
Smith, the nation’s #1-ranked wrestler at 184 pounds, left no question as he scored a 22-8 major to push the Bronco lead to 19-3. Casperson, who recently entered the national rankings at #20, continued his hot streak with a 3-2 decision over Trevor Rupp at 197 pounds. Another Utah Valley forfeit at heavyweight followed to set up one of the most eagerly-anticipated matches of the night.
#14 Bartelli went against #13 Ben Kjar at 125 pounds. Bartelli held a 1-0 lead after the first two periods, but a Kjar escape and take down reversed the outcome. Bartelli did manage an escape with 1:10 left but could not get the necessary takedown to earn the win. #2 Hochstrasser put his opponent away to finish the match with a 19-5 major decision.
Now, a match that will tell us if this Boise State team is for real. They take on #5 Oklahoma State next Friday in Stillwater. This match will go a long ways in telling us if the Bronco team has what it takes to defeat the best in the nation. And, as I’ve been saying in this blog, it will take more than the Broncos’ “Big Four” that are ranked #1 or #2 in their weight classification. It will take a team effort and more than likely six Broncos that can win individually. A loss wouldn’t be the end of the world, while a win would be huge for their confidence as Boise State prepares for the postseason.
#9 Boise State 32, Utah Valley 6
141 - Justin Morrill (UVU) dec. #15 Levi Jones (BSU) 4-3
149 - #2 Jason Chamberlain (BSU) dec. Josh Wilson (UVU) 8-3
157 - #2 Adam Hall (BSU) win by forfeit
165 - Kurt Swartz (BSU) dec. Jeb Clark (UVU) 5-2
174 - #14 Jake Swartz (BSU) dec. Brad Darrington (UVU) 6-4
184 - #1 Kirk Smith (BSU) major dec. Casen Eldredge (UVU) 22-8
197 - #20 Matt Casperson (BSU) dec. Trevor Rupp (UVU) 3-2
HWT - J.T. Felix win by forfeit
125 - #13 Ben Kjar (UVU) dec. #14 Alan Bartelli (BSU) 3-2
133 - #2 Andrew Hochstrasser (BSU) major dec. #13 Flint Ray (UVU) 19-5
Exhibition
149 - Avery Garner (UVU) dec. Eli Hutchison (BSU) 5-4
Bronco Gymnasts Win in Commanding Fashion
#15 Boise State has finally made a bit of a move on the national scene. With a convincing 196.176-189.175 victory over Cal State Fullerton last night in Taco Bell Arena, the Bronco gymnasts evened their season record at 3-3. Although they have ambitiously gone through a vigorous non-conference schedule, teams hoping to qualify for NCAA Nationals sure better have a winning record on the season.
Coaches Tina Bird and Neil Resnick have assembled on paper what could be the school's top team in history. What is yet unseen if this senior-laden group can make the push necessary to be able to compete with the nation's elite teams. Last night went a long way towards taking that step. That said, it was a home meet. To be an elite team (and the Bronco football and wrestling teams know this) you have to get it done on the road, even against other elite teams.
Last night's heroics were part of the annual Beauty and the Beast promotion, in which the Bronco wrestling team also won convincingly. For
As one might expect with a lopsided score, Boise State won all four events and the good news is that they recorded seasonal bests on all four apparatuses. The Broncos compiled a 49.150 on bars, 49.075 on floor,
49.025 on vault and 48.925 on beam.
"We were strong from the top of our lineup to the bottom tonight," said co-head coach Tina Bird. "Each Bronco stepped up and had a great performance. Hannah Redmon had a stellar night, as did Amy Glass. It was great to add Hailey Gaspar back in the lineup, she had a great night as well."
Boise State's Glass and Redmon were terrific. Glass set a career-high of 39.40 in the all-around (40.00 is perfect.) She also performed her beam routine with brilliant precision, setting a career-best of 9.925 there to win that event. What Glass did not do, Redmon was there to win the other three events. Redmon tied her career-best of 9.925 on the floor, tying her uneven bars best of 9.90 and catapulted off the vault for a season-best 9.875.
With her win last night, Redmon broke Julie Wagner's record for all-time career floor wins with 18. Hannah's vault win now gives her 17, tying her for second, and her eight bar wins is now tied for #6 all-time.
Glass improves to nine career all-around wins, good for No. 5 on
Glass and Hailey Gaspar were right behind Redmon on the floor with 9.850 each. Potvin-Green scored a new career-best of 9.850 to place second on bar, while Glass claimed third with a 9.825. Katie Tuller tied a career-best of 9.80 to place fourth, Kelsey Lang placed second on the beam with a 9.825. Black placed second on vault with a career-best 9.825. Glass tied with CSUF's Alaina Baker for third, scoring a 9.80.
Glass captured the all-around title, while CSUF's Baker placed second with a 38.850. The Titan's Shelly Cooper was the only other all-around competitor, scoring a 38.025 for a third-place finish.
Now more on what matters. As good as last night's performance was, it still is a full half a point away from the top scores of both # Team Average Region Conference High 1. 196.906 SE SEC 197.500 2. Stanford 196.550 W Pac-10 196.825 3. 196.075 NC None 196.725 4. 196.060 SE SEC 196.725 5. 195.860 SC Big 196.175 6. 195.850 C SEC 196.825 7. 195.595 W Pac-10 196.625 8. UCLA 195.430 W Pac-10 196.675 9. 195.344 NE Big 195.875 10. 195.188 SC Big 195.600 11. 195.031 SC SEC 195.325 12. 194.925 C MAC 195.475 13. 194.819 NC Big 195.575 14. 194.769 W Pac-10 195.475 15. 194.658 W WAC 195.000 16. 194.658 C Big 195.450 17. 194.594 NC Big 195.250 18. 194.592 SE EAGL 195.150 19. Illinois-Champaign 194.563 SC Big 195.350 19. 194.563 NC WAC 195.750 The Broncos now must take their act on the road and defeat a hard-charging San Jose State team that is mounting a challenge for the best in the Western Athletic Conference. The Broncos will also compete against UC Davis and Seattle Pacific in the quadrangular meet next Friday night.
Thus, the time for Boise State is now. The Broncos must prove to themselves, the judges and the national gymnastics powers that they are good enough to deserve a national berth. To do that, they need to make their move on Oregon State and UCLA right now. You can also see that fellow Western Regional competitor Washington is also ahead of Boise State and in fact the Huskies defeated the Broncos earlier this year in an important dual meet. When the first RQS scores come out, the Broncos must be either ahead or very near OSU and UCLA. I have included the current Top 20 national rankings for review.
Score
12
10
12
10
10
12
10
Friday, February 4, 2011
Two Games, Two Losses for Bronco Basketball
The Bronco men's team, a 12-point favorite at home against Hawai'i, fell 73-66 last night in Taco Bell Arena. The women got their turn several hours later on the island and lost 69-53.
The good news is that now all Bronco fans can get behind the outstanding #2-ranked Boise State wrestling team, which has its last home match of the season against Utah Valley tonight. It is part of the popular "Beauty and the Beast" promotion that also features the #15 Boise State gymnastics team. Eight seniors who have helped form the most accomplished wrestling team in school history will be saluted prior to the event. Be there early for that.
Action gets underway tonight at 7 in Taco Bell Arena.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Marcus Henry
Jay Ajayi
Ajayi was the only running back in the 2011 Boise State recruiting class. He is an amazing recruit for several reasons. He averaged over 8 yards a carry in the state of Texas and gained 2,200 yards with 35 touchdowns. He can fake guys out of their shorts and yet still isn't afraid of contact; I loved his comment "I love to stiff-arm people!" Even more impressive than sheer stats alone--he said he is trying to get better and make himself a better player. He has the drive and the intangibles to be a Bronco. I would be shocked if he isn't a huge star.
Some of Jay's greatest runs can be seen by clicking on the story title, which takes you to YouTube.
Jimmy Laughrea
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Boise State LOI Day Show Sold Out
Head Bronco Coach Chris Petersen will discuss this year's recruiting class with the Boise State's play-by-play voice of the Broncos Bob Behler. Assistant coaches will also talk about the recruiting class, along with live phone interviews with several of the new signees, plus fans can see exclusive video highlights of the recruits that they can't see anywhere else.
Bronco Gymnasts May Need to Look in Rear View Mirror
In fact, San Jose State is closer to Boise State (195-194.7) than the Broncos are to #4 Washington, which has a high score of 195.475.
Boise State must beat every Western team but one to reach Nationals. The top two from each Regional qualify for the 12-team finals. Right now, Stanford is out in front with a high of 196.825, UCLA has a 196.675 and Oregon State 196.625. Using the averages so far this year, Boise State is a full point per meet behind #2 Oregon State (195.595 to 194.658 for the Broncos).
But with the Spartan women breathing down their necks, best now to just think about winning the WAC.
Boise State Blanks #30 Wisconsin
"[Today] was a test," Boise State head coach Greg Patton said Sunday. "We had a knife up against our throat and we were able to wiggle away from it."
Boise State won the doubles point and coasted to the surprisingly easy win.
The Broncos take on two more nationally-ranked opponents this week. Coach Patton's team challenges #25 Virginia Tech Saturday before meeting #33 Minnesota Sunday.
#42 Boise State 4, #30 Wisconsin 0
SINGLES
1. No. 62 Damian Hume (BSU) def. Marek Michalicka (Wisc.) 6-4, 7-6 (5)
2. No. 85 Filipp Pogotskin (BSU) def. Billy Bertha (Wisc.) 6-3, 6-3
3. Scott Sears (BSU) vs. Petr Satral (Wisc.) 7-5, 4-6, 5-5 DNF
4. Jeff Mullen (BSU) def. Alex Robles (Wisc.) 6-3, 7-5
5. Rod Carey (Wisc.) led Andrew Bettles (BSU) 6-3, DNF
6. Nathan Sereke (BSU) led Alexander Teppert (Wisc.) 6-0, 2-0 DNF
DOUBLES
1. Marek Michalicka/Billy Bertha (Wisc.) def. Damian Hume/Scott Sears (BSU) 8-3
2. Jeff Mullen/Nathan Sereke (BSU) def. Rod Carey/Ricardo Martin (Wisc.) 8-4
3. Andrew Bettles/Filipp Pogotskin (BSU) def. Petr Satral/Alexander Teppert (Wisc.) 8-3
Order of Finish:
Singles - 2, 4, 1*
Doubles - 1, 2, 3*
Boise State Wrestlers Now #2 in Intermat Rankings
While those four appear to be headed for All-America status, I've been saying the success of the team is going to rely on the rest of the team. Four wrestlers does not a team make, and if Boise State is to have a really good chance at the top five, they need contributions from the other six in the starting lineup. Matt Casperson has been wrestling well and it's that kind of effort that is needed in Philadelphia. Casperson knocked off two ranked wrestlers last week. So the key is getting the other six Boise State wrestlers involved. One of those six needs to make some major noise at Nationals. I don't feel Boise State can reach the top five otherwise.
(Click on the story title to see this week's rankings.)
Boise State's Daryn Colledge vs. BYU's Brett Keisel in Super Bowl XLV
Former Boise State star offensive lineman Daryn Colledge gets to the Super Bowl this Sunday after five years in the NFL. Colledge started every game of his Boise State career (52 straight games) and he has started nearly every game of his professional career.
This Sunday, Colledge will line up at left guard. Opposite him will be former BYU player Brett Keisel. While the two never played against each other (Keisel is in his ninth NFL season), their alma mater's have a history. Colledge helped the Broncos pulverize BYU 50-12 in 2003 in Provo and then defeat them 28-27 in Bronco Stadium.
Boise State was set to join BYU in the Mountain West Conference next season but the Cougars left the conference right after the announcement was made that the Broncos were invited. BYU is scheduled to appear in Bronco Stadium again in 2012 and Boise State will travel to Provo in 2013.
Keisel (6-5, 285) has similar size to Colledge so there's no advantage there. Keisel has played his entire career in Pittsburgh and has 167 tackles, 17.5 sacks, 24 pass deflections, an interception and four forced fumbles in his career. This season, Keisel has been a force with 33 tackles, three sacks, seven pass deflections, an interception that he took 79 yards for a touchdown and two forced fumbles.
I took note of the seven pass deflections. That is something Colledge will have to be wary of. For Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers to hit his receivers downfield, Daryn will have to keep Keisel from getting elevated and getting those mitts up in the air. Keisel, nicknamed "Diesel", is, like Colledge, a great athlete. In a 2009 game against Minnesota, the Vikings called a screen pass to Chester Taylor. Keisel immediately diagnosed the play. He moved down the line, creating a traffic jam around Taylor. Favre threw it anyway. Just as the ball gets there, Keisel hits Taylor and the ball sails through Taylor's fingers into the arms of Pittsburgh's Keyaron Fox, who finds the end zone.
The second thing I want to note is Keisel's pass rush. Later in that 2009 Minnesota game, Keisel beat one of the top offensive linemen in football, Steve Hutchinson, to knock the ball loose from Minnesota quarterback Brett Favre and set up the Steelers' defensive touchdown in the fourth quarter.
So Daryn will have his hands full, and it will be a matchup to watch on several levels.
Felix Paces Boise State at Bronco Invitational
Felix led after the first day with 3,358 points after winning the long jump with a career-best 24-5.75, taking the high jump (6-11) and winning the shot put (44-3.25). He came back Saturday to win the 60-meter hurdles with a career-best of 8.38.
Jeff Daw was named Western Athletic Conference Track Athlete of the Week following his third-straight win in the 400 (48.51). Sophomore Rolando Trammel captured second with a time of 48.53 and also won the 60-meter hurdles with a career-best of 8.34. Newcomer Justin Maines followed Trammel to the finish line in the hurdles with a time of 8:30. Brian Pierre won the 3,000 meters in 8:38.81 and teammate Drew O’donoghue-McDonald was second (8:39.81).
Trevor Kraychir and Alex Nelson also recorded career-bests of 65-9 and 61-2.25, respectively in the weight throw to take second and third. Chase Sexton was runner-up in the shot put with his throw of 54-10.25. Dusty Klein (1:54.84) and Austin Edwards (1:55.19) went 2-3 in the 800. Joshua Butler was third in the high jump (6-4.25)
Veteran Mele Vaisima continues to pace the Bronco women, as she won her fourth straight weight throw with a season best of 61-feet, 10.50 inches and also finished second in the shot put with a career best of 45-2.25. Nadine Russell and Alyssa Osai helped the Broncos complete a sweep in the event with marks of 55-1 and 52-2.75, respectively. Promising Racquel Jones paced the long jumpers with a mark of 18-5.75. Alexi Morton set two career bests and finished second in the pentathlon with 3,412 points. Morton ran 8.92 in the 60-meter hurdles and recorded a 34-0.75 shot put.
The Broncos host two more meets prior to the WAC Championships. Boise State hits the track this Saturday at 9 a.m. (Mountain) for the Bronco Open.
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Bookmarking Blue Through and Through
Boise State Smothers #20 Oregon State 31-6 in Corvallis
Matt Casperson deserves Pac-10 Athlete of the Week. After beating his ranked opponent from Stanford Friday night, Casp took on #18 Chad Hanke of Oregon State at 197 pounds and sent him reeling with a 10-5 loss. That was certainly one of the big moments of today’s match. Another key to the Broncos’ win was when #18 Levi Jones defeated #11 Mike Mangrum 9-2 at 141 pounds.
The Broncos rolled out to an early 14-0 lead of the #20 Beavers and won eight matches on the afternoon, two by major decision, one by fall and one by technical fall. #3 Jason Chamberlain beat back #20 Scott Sakaguchi 6-3 at 149 pounds. Adam Hall followed with a 26-8 technical fall over Alex Elder at 157 pounds. Kurt Swartz made it three wins in a row with a dramatic 3-2 win over Jonathan Brascetta of OSU.
A loss at 174 pounds temporarily slowed down the Broncos’ momentum, but senior Kirk Smith scored a 9-0 major over Brice Arand to put Boise State out in front 18-3. Casperson was up next, and his second superb upset of a ranked opponent essentially ended the Beavers’ hopes on this day. #15 Alan Bartelli and #2 Andrew Hochstrasser both won to close out the match.
The Broncos have two more home matches this season. Next Wednesday, Cal State Bakersfield comes to town for a 7 p.m. contest. Next Friday, the Broncos meet Utah Valley as part of the popular Beauty & the Beast promotion. That dual is also set for 7 p.m. in Taco Bell Arena.
Come out and support this highly-ranked Bronco team!
#3 Boise State 31, #20 Oregon State 6
141 - #18 Levi Jones (Boise State dec. #11 Mike Mangrum (OSU) 9-2
149 - #3 Jason Chamberlain (Boise State) dec. #20 Scott Sakaguchi (OSU) 6-3
157 - #2 Adam Hall (Boise State) tech. fall Alex Elder (OSU) 26-8
165 - Kurt Swartz (Boise State) dec. Jonathan Brascetta (OSU) 3-2
174 - #6 Colby Covington (OSU) dec. #11 Jacob Swartz (Boise State (12-6
184 - #1 Kirk Smith (Boise State) major dec. Brice Arand
197 - Matt Casperson (Boise State) dec. #18 Chad Hanke (OSU) 10-5
HWT - #16 Clayton Jack (OSU) dec. J.T. Felix (Boise State) 10-5
125 - #15 Alan Bartelli (Boise State) fall Christian Strahl (OSU) 4:08
133 - #2 Andrew Hochstrasser (Boise State) major dec. #15 Garrett Drucker (OSU) 12-3
