Boise State Men Ready to Defend #1 Seed

Boise State will try for its second Mountain West Conference title in school history when the Bronco tennis team heads into the MWC Tennis Championships this weekend in San Diego.


The Bronco swimming and diving team captured the first-ever Mountain West title for Boise State just a few months ago and Coach Greg Patton's Broncos are seeded #1.  The bad news is that the team with the best shot at knocking them off, San Diego State, gets to host the tournament, a huge advantage for the Aztecs.


Boise State and San Diego State both get first round byes.  #4 TCU and #5 UNLV open the tournament Friday morning at 11 with #3 New Mexico facing #6 Air Force, also at 11.  Boise State will meet the winner of the TCU-UNLV match Saturday morning at 11 while San Diego State gets the other winner.  The championship match is set for Sunday morning at 11 with the winner getting an automatic invitation to the NCAA National Tournament.


Blue Through and Through will have complete results as they happen.

10 a.m. PT	Quarterfinal Match #1	No. 4 TCU vs. No. 5 UNLV
10 a.m PT	Quarterfinal Match #2	No. 3 New Mexico vs. No. 6 Air Force
Saturday, April 28
10 a.m. PT	Semifinal Match #1	1. Boise State vs. TCU/UNLV Winner
10 a.m. PT	Semifinal Match #2	No. 2 San Diego State vs. UNM/AFA Winner
Sunday, April 29
10 a.m. PT	Championship Match

Boise State's tennis team turned back #61 New Mexico, 5-2 in Albuquerque today.

Andy Bettles and Fillip Pogostkin clinched the doubles point with a 9-7 win.  Carl Ho's win over Scott Sears enabled the Lobos to tie the match but that would be as close as they got.  Coach Greg Patton's Broncos reeled off three consecutive singles wins to score their fourth win of the Mountain West Conference season.  Boise State is now 22-6 on the season and 10-5 vs. ranked teams.

The Broncos host the College of Idaho and UNLV this Friday in their final home matches.  The Coyotes come in at 10 a.m. while the final MWC match is slated for 2 p.m.


From there, it's on to San Diego for the Mountain West Conference Championships April 27-29.  The winner gets an automatic berth into the NCAA Tournament.

No. 30 Boise State 5, No. 61 New Mexico 2

Singles1. No. 69 MEREDITH, James (Boise State) def. PHILLIPS, Jadon (UNM) 6-4, 6-2
2. No. 74 HUME, Damian (Boise State) def. DUNBAR, Ben (UNM) 6-7, 6-4, 6-3
3. BETTLES, Andrew (Boise State) def. ANDERSON, Phil (UNM) 7-6 (7-4), 7-6 (7-5)
4. BERG, Conor (UNM) def. SEREKE, Nathan (Boise State) 6-7 (3-7), 7-6 (12-10), 1-0 (14-12)
5. POGOSTKIN, Filipp (Boise State) def. IFTIKHAR, Samir (UNM) 7-6 (7-4), 1-6, 6-3
6. HO, Carl (UNM) def. SEARS, Scott (Boise State) 7-6 (8-6), 6-1

Doubles1. MEREDITH, James/SEREKE, Nathan (Boise State) def. #45 PHILLIPS, Jadon/ANDERSON, Phil (UNM) 8-4
2. BERG, Conor/DUNBAR, Ben (UNM) def. HUME, Damian/SEARS, Scott (Boise State) 8-3
3. BETTLES, Andrew/POGOSTKIN, Filipp (Boise State def. HO, Carl/HIGNETT, James (UNM) 9-7

Order of finish: Doubles (2,1,3); Singles (6,1,3,5, 4, 2)

Amazing Broncos Rally to Top UNLV

After spotting the visiting Rebels a 4-0 lead, Devon Bridges and Allie Crump hit back-to-back home runs to come up with four in the Bronco fifth inning for a 5-4 win and the sweep over UNLV at Mountain Cove Field. Boise State has now won 26 straight home games, second longest streak in the country, and is 29-13 on the season.

UNLV Leads Boise State 4-0

The Rebels have clobbered two home runs in the third and now lead Boise State 4-0.  UNLV still batting.

Boise State Dominates Eastern Oregon Open

While many of their teammates were in El Paso competing at the prestigious UTEP Invitational, the rest of the Boise State track team took care of business at the Eastern Oregon Open yesterday.

Shannon Jacobs won titles in both the 100 meters (12.39) and long jump (17-7).  Yvonne Bennett won the 200 (25.71), while Steffanie Jordan took first in the 400 (1:00.05).  Kate Holman crossed the tape first in the 100-meter hurdles (15.72) while teammate Megan Opatz captured the 400-meter title in 1:08.52.  Nadine Russell was victorious in the hammer with a heave of 166-feet, 2-inches.


Anthony Belcher won the 200 meters with a time of 23.32 while Kyler Osbourne also won a title for the Bronco men, taking the javelin title with a toss of 177-9.


Boise State has two more prestigious meets next weekend.  Coach J.W. Hardy's team will compete in both the Oregon Relays and the Mt. SAC Relays April 19-21.

Boise State Gets Two Wins in El Paso

The Boise State track team fared well at the prestigious UTEP Invitational in El Paso, Texas.


Eetu Viitala won the long jump with a leap of 7.82 meters.  Dusty Klein picked up a win in the 800 (1:56.39) and Kenny Roseman took first in the triple jump with a mark of 47-6.50.  Matthew Moyer was behind Klein in second in the 800 with a time of 1:56.47.  Sasa Kampic captured the women's javelin (41.69 m.) and Jessical Bottleberghe finished second in the 800 with a time of 2:18.77.

Those were the only top two finishes for the team in El Paso.  The rest of the Bronco team was at the Eastern Oregon Open and we'll get you results of that action as soon as we can.

Broncos Strike for Three More

An RBI single by Tazz Weatherly and a two-RBI single from Mackenzie Whyte have put up three more for Boise State in the fifth inning.  The Lady Broncos lead UNLV 7-2.

Boise State Leads UNLV 4-2

The Broncos are batting in the fifth inning.

Boise State Posts Early Lead

The Bronco softball team has come up with four runs in the bottom of the third to lead UNLV 4-0.

Klamczynska Wins Singles

Sonia  Klamczynska has won at singles, 6-0, 6-0, so far one of the only bright spots for the Bronco women's tennis team.

Lady Bronco Tennis Team Loses Doubles Point

Air Force took two of the three matches to secure the double point and they lead 1-0 at Appleton.

Boise State has signed Brandi Henton to a letter of intent, according to women's basketball coach Gordy Presnell.  We revealed that yesterday.  Now for the details: Brandi, a 5-9 guard, transfers to Boise State from Yakima Valley Community College.  She played her first year at Long Beach State, where she was named Big West Conference Freshman of the Year in 2011.  Henton has great speed and athleticism and should be an immediate star for the Broncos.   Henton played in nine games at Yakima Valley before a season-ending injury.  She averaged 24.7 points, 5.2 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 3.1 steals.  At Long each, Henton averaged 12.5 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.4 seats in just 24 minutes a game.  Henton shot 38.3% (133-347) from the floor, including 30.1% (41-136) from three-point land and 71.9% (82-114) from the free-throw line. Brandi earned four letters in basketball at Modesto Christian High School in Modesto, California.  She helped her team win three Section championships and four Trans Valley League Titles.  Henton averaged 21.6 points a game as a senior and was CIF Division IV Player of the Year, all-league, All-CIF, All-California and was a nominee for the McDonald's All-America team.   Can't wait to see Brandi Henton in Taco Bell Arena--she could be the spark plug the team has needed!

Today's lineup in Bronco Nation

There's a full slate of activity on this Saturday.


The Boise State track teams split up and go to the Eastern Oregon Open and the UTEP Invitational with action all day.  The Bronco women's tennis team is at Air Force in an ongoing match.  And, the Bronco softball team hosts UNLV at Mountain Cove Field at 1 p.m.


The "Beat Coach Pete" Scholarship Run/Walk is underway to get BroncoFest 2012 underway.  There is a craft show through 4 p.m. at the Hall of Fame Plaza featuring handmade Bronco items.  There is a Photo Scavenger Hunt going on through 5:30 p.m. with prizes including football tickets and a $100 gift certificate to the Bronco Shop.  The Thunder on the Blue Car Show is in the Caven-Williams Sports Complex with awards handed out at 2:15 this afternoon.


The Boise State soccer team hosts NNU in exhibition at the Boas Soccer Center beginning at 1 p.m.  You can get autographs of the #14 gymnastics team in the nation, the Boise State gymnasts, at the Kinesiology Annex through 3 p.m.  


And, the first Boise State team to win a Mountain West Conference Championship, the 2012 Bronco swimming and diving team, hosts an open swim in the Kinesiology Annex through 3 p.m.  Admission is $5.


Then the 2012 Spring Game in Bronco Stadium takes center stage at 5 p.m.  Season ticket holders were mailed free tickets.  For everyone else, it's $7.  The first 5,000 people in the gate get free 2012 Football Season Highlights DVD's.  This is the only chance to get the DVD.


Our sister web site, Blue Football Through and Through, will have full highlights, details and information on the 2012 Spring Game.

Bronco Tennis Team Pulls Out Tough 5-2 Win over TCU

The score was in no way indicative of how tough this one is.  TCU should be proud that they took the #30 team in the land to the wire.  


For starters, the Horned Frogs knocked off Boise State's James Meredith, and this one only took two sets.  Nick Chappell is the one that took it to Meredith tonight.   Filipp Pogostkin won in two sets, and TCU's Daniel Sanchez won in straight sets over the reigning Mountain West Conference Player of the week.


Everything else was a battle.  Damian Hume had to go three sets to beat his opponent 6-4, 2-6, 6-2.  That gave Boise State a 3-2 lead in the match.  Scott Sears then came back from a 6-3 defeat in the second set for a thrilling 7-6 win in the third set to give the Broncos the match.  Andrew Bettles then battled back from a first-set loss for a 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 win for insurance.


Tough, tough win in Fort Worth and the Broncos will be all the better for it.

Meredith Loses Serve, Set, Match

TCU making serious noise right now, down 2-1 to Boise State after beating their #1 singles player.  In fact, if Hume wins, there's a chance that Damian could be ranked ahead of James next week.

Meredith Gets A Break

JM playing better as of the moment.  Able to stave off the loss temporarily.  If he holds serve, he's back to even at 5-5 in the second set, one he must win to hold on to his #69 ranking.

Bettles Wins Second Set 6-4

If he didn't, TCU had the upper hand.  Meredith salvaged his serve, but now must break or hit the showers a 6-4, 6-3 loser.

Meredith Down a Break in Second Set

James not playing like his ranking today, and if he goes down, it's going to be a battle for the match.  Meredith losing 5-2 in second set after dropping the first set.

Pogostkin Wins, But Only Three Broncos Won First Sets

Coach Greg Patton's team in a bit of trouble down in Texas.  TCU must only split the next two sets with Boise State in each match to win.  Fillip Ogostkin won 6-4, 6-2 to put Boise State up 2-0 but that doesn't mean a thing if his teammates can't rally.

TCU Keeps Momentum Going

Sears lost his second set 6-3, so he must play on.  Sereke is now down a break in the second set and in danger.  #74 Damian Hume has lost 6-2 in the second set so that is going to a third set.  Meredith is being outplayed thus far at #1 singles.  TCU is going for the upset against the #30 Broncos.

TCU's Nick Chappell Shocks #69 James Meredith

Meredith has lost his first set 6-4, to unranked Nick Chappell.  Upset brewing in Fort Worth.

Pogostkin Wins First Set

Three Broncos have won their first sets, with only Andy Bettles losing his first set.

Filipp Pogostkin, Boise State 6 Will Stein, TCU 4

#74 Hume Wins First Set

It wasn't easy, but Damian Hume of Boise State has won the first set against determined J.T. Sundling of TCU 6-4.  James Meredith, however, is still struggling at #1 singles.

Sears Wins 6-2

Scotty Sears has come through at #6 singles in the first set.  Each team has a player up a set.  Boise State's nationally-ranked players still have not pulled away from their unranked TCU opponents.


Boise State has won 12 of its last 13, with the only loss to #1 USC.

Bettles Down 6-3

Andy Bettles lost his first set, and Sereke has lost his break at #4 singles.  Will TCU's stranglehold on Boise State this year continue, even against the tennis team?  Say it ain't so...

Two Broncos Up a Break in Singles Play

Nathan Sereke leads 4-2 in singles action while Scott Sears is up 4-1.  So far, TCU's #1 and #2 singles players are hanging right with the Broncos' nationally-ranked players.

Boise State Wins Doubles Point Over TCU

Damian Hume & Scott Sears prevailed at #2 doubles, 9-8, to give the Broncos the doubles point in Fort Worth. #1 DOUBLES   1     2     3   Notes James Meredith/Nathan Sereke, Boise State 8 Order of finish: 1 Daniel Sanchez/Max Stevens, TCU 3 #2 DOUBLES   1     2     3   Notes Damian Hume/Scott Sears, Boise State 9 Order of finish: 3 Nick Chappell/Will Stein, TCU 8 #3 DOUBLES   1     2     3   Notes Andrew Bettles/Filipp Pogostkin, Boise State 7 Order of finish: 2 Facundo Lugones/JT Sundling, TCU 9

Boise State Gets Commitment From Star Women's Basketball Player

Brandi Henton is her name, and she could take the Lady Broncos to new heights.  More information soon.

Broncos Win It!

Their backs against the wall, the long home winning streak on the line, Boise State came through in the seventh against UNLV.  Tazz Weatherly lined a pinch-hit single to begin the inning and stole second.  After a walk by Tara Glover, Kellie Caplan hit a single to drive in the winning runs and Boise State is 1-0 in MWC play.

Last Chance for Boise State

The home winning streak is in jeopardy.  The Broncos were content with the one run they scored in the first, thinking it would be enough.  It wasn't.  One last at bat for Boise State, trailing UNLV 2-1 in the seventh.

UNLV Up 2-1

That tenuous lead I mentioned in the last post--it's gone.  UNLV now leads Boise State 2-1 headed to the bottom of the fifth.

Boise State Leads 1-0

The Bronco softball team has a tenuous 1-0 lead on UNLV in the Mountain West opener at Mountain Cove Field.  Four innings are in the books.

Boise State Tennis Team Travels for Two

We know how good Boise State can play at home.  Now the Bronco men's tennis team will test its mettle on the road, where all warriors are tested.


Boise State travels to the nemesis of Bronco teams all year long, TCU, this afternoon before meeting New Mexico on Sunday.  Win those two and the Broncos are in the driver's seat in the Mountain West.

Officials at Boise State broke ground today for the new $22 million, state-of-the-art football complex at the North end of Bronco Stadium.

The 68,000-sqaure foot facility will consist of coaches' offices, meeting rooms, recruiting and players' lounges, an academic center, weight room, athletic training room, equipment room, and the Bronco locker room.  The facility should be finished in time for the 2013 football season.

Bronco Softball Team Begins Mountain West Play

Boise State has played some of the best teams in the nation, and done fairly well.  Now, it's time for the Lady Bronco softball team to see where it stands in the Mountain West Conference.


Coach Erin Thorpe's group begins play in the MWC this weekend, when they host UNLV for a three-game set at Mountain Cove Field.  The two teams hook up at 3 p.m. Friday, with 1 o'clock games scheduled for Saturday and Sunday.

Megan Lalone Signs with Boise State

Megan Lalone has signed to play tennis at Boise State, according to women's coach Beck Roghaar.   Lalone, a senior at Stanwood High School in Stanwood, Washington, will join the Broncos this fall.   "We are delighted to have Megan joining our program next fall," said Roghaar. "She is a very talented player who possesses the exact attitude and drive we look for in members of our program. Megan's future at Boise State is very bright as we see so much potential in her both on and off the court. Megan is going to make a great Bronco!"   Lalone ranked third in the Pacific Northwest and has been as high as #89 in the nation.  She is the captain of her high school team and also carries a 3.85 grade-point average. Welcome to Boise, Megan!

Broncos Successful at BYU Triangular

USC didn't field their best team, but Boise State should be proud of beating the Trojans out for second place in the BYU/Boise State/USC Triangular track and field meet yesterday.


Many of the USC stars were at another meet for the #4 USC women and #8 Trojan men, and the Broncos took advantage with a second place finish in the men's competition.  The Boise State women still finished third.  Host BYU won with 169 points for the men and 148 for the women; the Cougar women are ranked #24 while the men are #26.


But #37 Boise State did just fine, thank you, with two wins.  Justin Malnes won the 110-meter hurdles with a career-best 14.48.  Will Lohman uncorked a career-best throw of 189'-1.25" to win the hammer throw for Coach J.W. Hardy.  Racquel Jones won the women's long jump (18' 10") while the Bronco 4x400-meter relay team was victorious with a time of 3:49.50.  


Against this level of competition, a top-three finish is commendable, and Boise State also had several of those.  Lohman had a spectacular day, adding to his hammer win with second place finishes in the shot put (56-0.75) and discus (161-1) while Trevor Kraychir finished third in the hammer (187' 2.50").  Eric Capelle finished third in the 100-meters (10.80) and helped the 4x100-meter relay team finish second with a time of 41.11.  Manoah Wesson completed the 400-meters in third with a time of 48.10 and helped the 4x400-meter relay team take second in 3:12.39.  Rolando Trammel crossed the finish line with a second-place in the 400-meter hurdles (51.57) while Drew O'donoghue-McDonald finished second in the 1500 (3:52.79) and Scott Foley was third (3:55.27).  Edidiong Essien finished second in the long jump with a leap of 21' 9.50" and Chris Manuele appears to finally be giving the Broncos a presence in the pole vault with a mark of 15' 7", good for second place.  


For the women, Alyssa Osai achieved the third-best throw in school history in the hammer with a throw of 193' 10.75".  Mele Vaisima finished second in the shot put (44-6.25) and third in the discus (144-0.25).  Destiny Gammage is starting to live up to the high hope among Bronco fans when she was recruited, recording a second in the 200 meters (24.55).  Megan Kelly finished third in the 400 (56.36) and Danielle Valentine was third in the pole vault, clearing 12'-2.50".  


Next weekend, Boise State splits up, with appearances at the UTEP Invite, the Utah Spring Classic and the Eastern Oregon Invite.

Final NCAA Regional Gymnastics Scores

Team VAULT BARS BEAM FLOOR Totals

UCLA 49.45 49.075 49.225 49.475 197.225
 Maryland 48.875 48.65 47.975 48.85 194.40
Arkansas 49.20 49.225 49.175 49.225 196.825
Boise State 49.10 48.975 48.625 49.275 196.05
Missouri 48.775 48.625 48.775 49.25 195.45 
New Hampshire 48.875 48.45 47.675 48.90 193.90

Once again, Boise State learned that it's not going to get the scores it deserves at Regionals unless they are already in the Top 12.  Lesson learned last year and again this year.

Justin Malnes Wins 110 Meter Hurdles

Justin Malnes became Boise State's first winner at the BYU-Boise State-USC triangular track meet.  Malnes won the 110 meter hurdles in 14.48, topping Allen Williams of USC (14.79).

NCAA Regional Gymnastics Results

Remember to refresh.  This post will be updated as results come in.


Boise State fell short of the 49 it needed to have a good shot at the top 2.  As we've been saying on the blog, a 196 is pretty much minimum.  And as you can see, Boise State already is over 2/10th's behind home team Arkansas, the team they have to beat if they want to go to Nationals.


The Arkansas vaulter who just competed took a step back on dismount and still got a 9.90.  Shock.  The home team is in first place.  Potvin-Green of Boise State just completed a great routine on beam had got a score of 9.675.  We told you so--if you're not in the Top 12 at Regionals, you won't get respect.  Boise State isn't helping itself with slips on dismounts and sub-9.8 scores, but they aren't getting the scores they deserve on great routines either.  The result of all that is that Boise State is in fifth place out of six teams.


Boise State has a bye in the fourth rotation.


Arkansas--Floor and Vault--98.425
UCLA--Bars and Beam--98.300
Maryland--Floor and Vault--97.725
Missouri--Vault and Bars--97.400
Boise State--Bars and Beam--97.325
New Hampshire--Beam and Floor--96.575

Be Sure to Refresh Often

We'll have results of the 2012 NCAA Regional Gymnastics Championship as they happen right here.

NCAA Regional Gymnasts are Warming Up

Boise State with a first-round bye.  Last year, the Broncos performed brilliantly but were denied one of the top two positions.

Boise State One Hour Away from NCAA Regional Gymnastics Championships

Despite the NCAA doing everything it can to keep Boise State out of the NCAA National Gymnastics Championships, the Lady Broncos will try to buck the odds and defeat the homestanding Arkansas Razorbacks, who, despite a #10 ranking, get to compete in their home regional.


Action gets underway at 3 p.m.  Boise State will have a bye in the first rotation and begin the day on bars.


In the SEC Championship meet, Arkansas had these scores.  You will know if the home crowd is affecting the judges (it definitely will...) by comparing their scores against what Arkansas achieved at the SEC meet:


Vault:  48.525
Bars:  48.850
Beam 48.700
Floor 47.575


Boise State's scores in its final meet:


Vault 49.275
Bars 49.350
Beam 48.450
Floor 49.125

#30 Boise State Hosts Doubleheader

The Boise State tennis team is back in a big way and today, the Broncos host a doubleheader.  Coach Greg Patton's team will meet Air Force at 10:30 at the Appleton Tennis Center, followed by a 5 p.m. game with Weber State.


Free admission to see the nation's 30th-best tennis team.

Busy Saturday Ahead for Bronco Sports

This weekend will be a little busier for Bronco fans than last week.


I imagine most fans will have their attention on the NCAA Regional Gymnastics Championships, where the NCAA most graciously placed Boise State in the home of the team they have to beat, the #10 Arkansas Razorbacks.  Boise State is hoping the judges remain impartial despite thousands of Arkansas fans cheering for the home team.  Ha-Ha.


But the odds were stacked against the Bronco gymnasts long before the seeding.  By not scoring over 196 until late in the season, as Blue Through and Through pointed out, Boise State was unable to secure a Top 12 ranking and a #2 seed in the Regionals.  That alone will influence the judges in their scores Saturday.  In a perfect world, it wouldn't, but we don't have a perfect world.


Still, I can't help but think that if the gymnasts had the same chip on their shoulders that the football team has, they'd come away from Fayetteville with a berth in the National Tournament.


But the gymnasts are far from the only Bronco student-athletes we'll have our eyes on.  The Boise State track team will be in Provo for an important status meet against BYU and USC--some of the members of the team are at the WAR5 Meet in Spokane, also Saturday.  The Boise State women's tennis team, 1-2 in MWC play, is at San Diego State while the men's tennis team hosts Air Force Saturday at 10:30 and Weber State at 5.

Nathan Sereke Earns Mountain West Tennis Player of the Week

Nathan Sereke became the third Bronco to be honored as the Mountain West Conference Men's Tennis Player of the Week, the league office announced.

Sereke helped Boise State defeat #25 Fresno State and #48 San Diego State last week, earning the Broncos a new ranking of #30.  Sereke defeated Hunter Nicholas of San Diego State 6-3, 6-1 at #4 singles and his victory against Fresno State was the deciding match, a 6-2, 6-2 win over David Ayoun.

Boise State hosts a doubleheader at Appleton Tennis Center this Saturday, with a 10:30 MWC match against Air Force and a 5 p.m. tilt against Weber State.

More Bronco Softball Heroics

Allie Crump's home run in the ninth inning gave Boise State a 7-6 win in Pocatello tonight, the latest in a series of dramatic victories for the Lady Broncos.


Boise State found themselves behind 6-0 after two innings, but rallied for the win behind four long balls.  The Broncos ripped three homers in the third to score five runs and cut the deficit to one.  Christina Capobianco sent a shot over the left-field fence, and Tara Glover and Devon Bridges each clobbered two-run shots in the inning.


Boise State tied the game in the fifth with an unearned run, forcing extra innings and allowing Crump to deliver her shot in the ninth.


Boise State is 26-13 on the season while Idaho State falls to 4-25.  Aubray Zell tossed a complete game for the win, retiring the last 16 batters she faced.


Boise State hosts UNLV in their historic Mountain West Conference opener.  The Rebel girls are in for a three-game set Friday, Saturday and Sunday at Mountain Cove Field.

Bronco Nation Loses Amy Dunn to Cancer

Former Bronco soccer player Amy Dunn has died from cancer.  

Dunn, 29, played defense for Boise State from 2000-2003 and still ranks eighth all-time with 73 games played.  Dunn was giagnosed with Stage IV Melanoma in July 2011 and passed away last Saturday.  The Bronco soccer team held an exhibition fundraiser for Dunn before the 2011 season, raising over $12,000 to help offset some of her medical expenses.


A memorial service for Amy will be Monday, April 9 at the Simplot Ballroom in the Boise State Student Union Building.  Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. with the service from 6-7.  Parking is free in the Lincoln Parking Garage.    In lieu of flowers, donations can be made at www.getitdunn.org

Boise State Tied with Idaho State

6-6 in the eighth.

Lady Broncos on the Road in Final Tuneup before MWC Season

The Boise State softball team has one more non-conference battle before their initial season in the Mountain West Conference.  The Lady Broncos travel up the road to Idaho State for a 4 p.m. game tomorrow, then kick off their conference season next week.


As usual, Blue Through and Through will have complete updates tomorrow of the game.  (Be sure to refresh your browser often...)

Boise State Captures All-Idaho Cup Title

The Boise State track and field team captured 11 individual titles in running away with the All-Idaho Cup at NNU today.  The Boise State men scored 259 points while the women earned 210 points.


Idaho State, which is picked to finish seventh in the Big Sky Conference, finished second this weekend with 173.50 points on the men's side and the Bengal women's attempt to score a huge upset over the Boise State women nearly succeeded, with ISU falling short by just four points.  NNU was third in both the men's competition (108 points) and the women's (111 points) while the College of Idaho was fourth with 36.50 and 61 points, respectively.


Although the University of Idaho is of course, in Idaho, the Vandals chose not to come down and compete this weekend.



Chase Sexton won the discus and shot put, heaving the discus a lifetime best 178' 11" and posting a mark of 55' 9.75" in the shot put.  Trevor Kraychir won the hammer throw with a mark of 188'8".  Justin Maines won the 110-meter hurdles in 14.76 while Manoah Wesson took the Cup title in the 400 with a time of 47.73.  Rolando Trammel sprinted in first to take the 100 meters (11.04) while the Bronco 4x100-meter relay team won its event with a time of 41.44.


The Bronco women's 4x100-meter relay team was victorious with a time of 46.99.  Tajanee Simmons won the 100-meter hurdles (15.11) while Debra Johnson won the triple jump with a career-best 40'2" and Shea Hanson captured the 3000-meter steeplechase in 11:17:63.


Boise State will be in Provo, Utah next Saturday for an important clash with BYU and USC.

Boise State Has Defeated #25 Fresno State

Andy Bettles, Fillip Pogostkin, Scott Sears and Nathan Serenke have all won singles matches to lead Boise State to a huge 4-3 upset over #25 Fresno State today in Boise.


Fresno State won the doubles point with a thrilling 9-7 win at #3 doubles.  The action then moved to the singles courts, where Coach Greg Patton's team would have to win four of the six contests.


Bettles prevailed over Jean-Charles Diame 6-1, 6-0 to even the match.  Pogostkin was right behind Bettles with a 6-2, 6-1 win of his own and both turned cheerleaders for their teammates.  Sears dominated his opponent 6-2, 6-1, then Sereke followed with a 6-2, 6-2 victory to give the Broncos a much-needed win over a highly-regarded opponent.


The win over rival Fresno State, plus other matches that the Broncos have played this season, such as against #1 USC and Stanford, have set the foundation for a run at an NCAA tournament berth.  There's lots of tennis to be played first, namely getting through the Mountain West Conference season unscathed.  Boise State would like nothing better than to capture the Mountain West in their first season.


But still, you can bet the Broncos are savoring this great victory tonight.  They try to preserve their 22-match home winning streak next Saturday against Air Force and Weber State.

Boise State 4, Fresno State 3

Doubles

1. Alcantara/Boutillier (FSU) def. Sereke/Meredith (BSU) 8-4

2. Ayoun.Leslie (FSU) def. Hume/Sears (BSU) 8-6

3. Bettles/Pogostkin (BSU) def. DeLaubenfels/Diame 9-7

Order of Finish: 1, 2, 3

Singles

1. No. 28 Remi Boutillier (FSU) def. No. 56 James Meredith (BSU), 3-6, 6-1, 10-8

2. No. 48 Francis Alcantara (FSU) def. No. 63 Damian Hume (BSU), 6-4, 6-3

3. Andy Bettles (BSU) def. Jean-Charles Diame (FSU), 6-1, 6-0

4. Nathan Sereke (BSU) def. David Ayoun (FSU), 6-2, 6-2

5. Filipp Pogostkin (BSU) def. Zachary Leslie (FSU), 6-2, 6-1

6. Scott Sears (BSU) def. Reid DeLaubenfels (FSU), 6-2, 6-1

Order of Finish: 3, 5, 6, 4, 1, 2

Upset Brewing at Appleton

Fresno State came into the day with a #25 national ranking and won the doubles point over Boise State.  But as of now, the Broncos have a 3-1 lead.  Could come down to the wire.

Boise State Tennis Team Takes on #25 Fresno State

Boise State's tennis team takes on its main rival today at the Appleton Tennis Center as #25 Fresno State is in town for a showdown with the Broncos.


Coach Greg Patton's team has shown great improvement since the beginning of the season, but they will have to play their best tennis to knock off the Bulldogs.  Not long ago, it was Boise State that was on top and Fresno was trying to pull the upset but now the shoe is on the other foot.


The match begins at 11 this morning.

Boise State Track Team Gets Five Wins at Idaho Cup

The Boise State women won four events as the Idaho Cup got underway at Jackson's Track in Nampa.  The Bronco men weren't as fortunate, as Edidong Essien was the lone member of the men's squad to win against competition from other Idaho student-athletes.

Mele Vaisima is on a tear.  The Bronco strength star who earned All-America status at the NCAA Indoor Championships in Nampa earlier in the year scored a career best in the hammer with a throw of 183' 0".  Emma Bates captured the 1500-meters in 4:29.18, also a career best, while Andrea Morones popped a career best in the javelin with a throw of 135' 7" and Shannon Jacobs won the long jump with a leap of 17' 4.25". 

Essien won the 200-meters in 22.39, but unfortunately had no company from his teammates on the winner's stand for the Boise State men.

Felix Breaks School Decathlon Record, Finishes 4th at Texas Relays

Kurt Felix of Boise State broke the school decathlon record by 209 points to finish fourth in the Texas Relays yesterday.  Felix broke his own personal best by 509 points in totaling 7,921 in the two-day event in Austin and now owns the fifth-best mark in the world this season.  Alexi Morton tied for 19th in the women's heptathlon with 4,805 points. Felix won two events among all decathletes in the prestigious meet and set personal bests in six of the 10 events.  The Boise State senior led on opening day, as he usually does, but fell back because his second day doesn't include his best events.   Felix finished eighth in the 110-meter hurdles yesterday to begin the competition with a career-best 14.78 seconds.  Kurt finished eighth in the discus with a career-best throw of 127' 4".  He then cleared 13' 9.25" in the pole vault, something he did not do in the recent NCAA Indoor Track & Field Championships.  He then moved on to one of his best events, the javelin, where Kurt won the competition with a career-best of 229' 3".  Felix completed the day with a career-best of 4:45.22 in the 1,600 meters to finish ninth in that event. Hometown favorite Isaac Murphy of Texas won the decathlon with 8,067 points, the top mark in the world this season.  Romain Martin of Texas-Arlington was second with 7,977 points.   Felix's Event-by-Event Results: 100-meters: 11.06 - 10th in the event (a .03 personal record [PR]) Long Jump: 25'-4.75" - 1st in the event (a 4.75" PR) Shot Put: 44'-4.75" - 3rd in the event (a 2'-2" outdoor PR) High Jump: 6'-7.50" - 2nd in the event 400-meters: 49.66 - 7th in the event 110m Hurdles: 14.78 - 8th in the event (a .48-second PR) Discus: 127'-4" - 8th in the event (a 3'-10" PR) Pole Vault: 13'-9.25" - 11th in the event (a 9.75" PR) Javelin: 229'-3" - 1st in the event (a 8'-11" PR) 1500-meters: 4:45.22 - 9th in the event (a .02-second PR) Overall Total: 7,921 points - 4th overall (a 509-point PR) Morton's Event-By-Event Results: 100m Hurdles: 14.69 - 15th in the event High Jump: 5'-5.25" - tie for 13th in the event Shot Put: 34'-4.75" - 14th in the event 200-meters: 26.95 - 21st in the event Long Jump: 18'-8.75" - tie for 8th in the event Javelin: 100'-6" - 11th in the event (a 10'-3" PR) 800-meters: 2:38.68 - 21st in the event Overall Total: 4,805-points - tie for 19th overall

Boise State Tennis Team Defeats #48 San Diego State 6-1

Better yet, a conference win for the men.  The Broncos face rival #26 Fresno State Saturday morning at 11 a.m.  Would be great to have a large contingent to root against the Bulldogs!

Felix 11th in Decathlon-Pole Vault

Finals                                                                           
  1 Greaves, Kenny            SR Texas                    5.10m   16-08.75    941
  1 Nickles, Heath            JR Ohio State               5.10m   16-08.75    941
  3 Martin, Romain            JR UT-Arlington             5.00m   16-04.75    910
  4 Murphy, Isaac             JR Texas                    4.90m   16-00.75    880
  4 Blaser, Andrew            SR Idaho                    4.90m   16-00.75    880
  6 Olson, Petter             FR Texas                    4.80m   15-09.00    849
  7 Bray, Wesley                 Unattached               4.70m   15-05.00    819
  8 FitzSimons, Thomas        SR Mount St. Mary's         4.60m   15-01.00    790
  9 Jones, Bryan              SO Akron                    4.40m   14-05.25    731
 10 Plentl, Andrew            SR Steph F. Austin          4.30m   14-01.25    702
 11 Felix, Kurt               SR Boise State              4.20m   13-09.25    673
 12 Glasnow, Ted              JR Notre Dame               4.10m   13-05.25    645
 13 Weinstock, Evan           SO Brown                    3.90m   12-09.50    590
 14 Wohlford, Jake               Unattached               3.60m   11-09.75    509
 14 Cluke, Joshua                Lon Morris               3.60m   11-09.75    509
 16 Turner, James             FR UT-Arlington             3.40m   11-01.75    457
 -- Chaney, Clayton           JR Rice                        NH                  
 -- Kunze, Cory               SO Ohio State                  NH                  
 -- McCune, Alex              FR Akron                       NH                  
 -- Beach, Curtis             SO Duke                        NH     

Kurt Felix Finishes 8th in Decathlon-Discus at Texas Relays

=================================================================================
Finals                                                                           
  1 Glasnow, Ted              JR Notre Dame              42.22m     138-06    710
      42.22m  40.21m  FOUL                                                       
  2 Bray, Wesley                 Unattached              41.75m     137-00    700
      36.41m  40.95m  41.75m                                                     
  3 Murphy, Isaac             JR Texas                   41.71m     136-10    699
      41.71m  41.71m  41.07m                                                     
  4 Turner, James             FR UT-Arlington            41.32m     135-07    691
      40.42m  41.32m  38.54m                                                     
  5 Nickles, Heath            JR Ohio State              39.41m     129-03    653
      FOUL  38.49m  39.41m                                                       
  6 Jones, Bryan              SO Akron                   39.21m     128-08    649
      38.27m  39.21m  35.15m                                                     
  7 Beach, Curtis             SO Duke                    39.06m     128-02    645
      38.31m  FOUL  39.06m                                                       
  8 Felix, Kurt               SR Boise State             38.81m     127-04    640
      38.81m  FOUL  37.77m                                                       
  9 Kunze, Cory               SO Ohio State              38.49m     126-03    634
      38.49m  36.62m  38.43m                                                     
 10 Greaves, Kenny            SR Texas                   38.29m     125-07    630
      38.29m  FOUL  FOUL                                                         
 11 Christian, Tevarus        SR Miss State              38.22m     125-05    628
      36.42m  38.22m  31.20m                                                     
 12 Weinstock, Evan           SO Brown                   37.81m     124-00    620
      37.81m  37.46m  37.71m                                                     
 13 Martin, Romain            JR UT-Arlington            37.77m     123-11    619
      30.86m  35.59m  37.77m                                                     
 14 Olson, Petter             FR Texas                   37.16m     121-11    607
      FOUL  FOUL  37.16m                                                         
 15 FitzSimons, Thomas        SR Mount St. Mary's        36.73m     120-06    598
      35.06m  35.36m  36.73m                                                     
 16 McCune, Alex              FR Akron                   34.62m     113-07    556
      33.57m  33.54m  34.62m                                                     
 17 Chaney, Clayton           JR Rice                    34.09m     111-10    545
      FOUL  34.09m  32.75m                                                       
 18 Wohlford, Jake               Unattached              33.43m     109-08    532
      31.46m  31.96m  33.43m                                                     
 19 Blaser, Andrew            SR Idaho                   31.00m     101-08    484
      FOUL  31.00m  30.05m                                                       
 20 Plentl, Andrew            SR Steph F. Austin         30.76m     100-11    479
      30.76m  29.24m  FOUL                                                       
 21 Cluke, Joshua                Lon Morris              26.78m      87-10    402
      22.55m  FOUL  26.78m      

Felix Finishes 8th in 110-Meter Hurdles

The big news is that Curtis Beach is out of the competition...

Finals                                                                      
  1 Wohlford, Jake               Unattached               14.24   1.3    944
  2 Blaser, Andrew            SR Idaho                    14.40   1.1    924
  3 Murphy, Isaac             JR Texas                    14.42   1.3    921
  4 Olson, Petter             FR Texas                    14.49   0.6    912
  5 Martin, Romain            JR UT-Arlington             14.51   0.6    910
  6 Chaney, Clayton           JR Rice                     14.62   1.1    896
  7 Bray, Wesley                 Unattached               14.71   1.8    885
  8 Felix, Kurt               SR Boise State              14.78   1.1    876
  9 Plentl, Andrew            SR Steph F. Austin          14.81   1.8    873
 10 Kunze, Cory               SO Ohio State               14.94   1.2    857
 11 Nickles, Heath            JR Ohio State               14.98   1.8    852
 12 FitzSimons, Thomas        SR Mount St. Mary's         15.09   1.8    839
 13 Greaves, Kenny            SR Texas                    15.14   1.1    833
 14 Weinstock, Evan           SO Brown                    15.60   1.2    778
 15 Christian, Tevarus        SR Miss State               15.61   1.2    777
 16 McCune, Alex              FR Akron                    15.80   1.2    755
 17 Turner, James             FR UT-Arlington             15.85   1.4    750
 18 Glasnow, Ted              JR Notre Dame               16.02   1.4    730
 19 Jones, Bryan              SO Akron                    16.10   0.6    722
 20 Cluke, Joshua                Lon Morris               18.00   1.4    524
 -- Beach, Curtis             SO Duke                       DNF   1.3       

Oregon Wins 6-4

The Ducks get a two-run homer in the bottom of the eighth.  Boise State not quite there yet.

Oregon Ties Boise State

Game headed to extra innings.  Boise State just can't get the key hit or the key out.  The Lady Broncos have made four errors in the game.

Tara Glover's Single Scores Two

Boise State is once again in the lead.  Tara Glover's single in the seventh has scored two to make it 4-3, Broncos.  This is the third time Boise State has been ahead in the three-game series.

Two-Run Homer Puts Oregon in Front

Boise State is finding what it takes to be a Top 25 team.  They have played Oregon close in two of the three games, in which the game could have gone either way, and might end up losing all three.

Oregon Error Allows Second Boise State Run

Runners on first and third with two out in the Bronco sixth, Boise State temporarily taking a 2-1 lead.

Crump Singles in Tying Run

After a force-out at home, Allie Crump singled to right to score a run.  Here's the kicker:  The runner on second was thrown out on a single to right field.  Boy, sign that gal up to the major leagues if she can throw out a runner going from second to third, who was moving once the ball hit the ground.  

Boise State Has Bases Loaded in Sixth, No One Out

This is the key point in the game.  Either Boise State scores two runs or more and wins the game, or does not score and loses.

Oregon Gets a Run in the Fourth

A leadoff double and a single have produced the game's first run, and Oregon takes a 1-0 lead in the fourth.  


I know that Boise State's hitters are every bit as good as Oregon's, but they haven't shown it in Eugene.

Boise State & Oregon Scoreless Through 3

The Broncos really need to get one of the three games.

Felix Leads Decathlon at Texas Relays

Kurt Felix of Boise State leads after one day of the decathlon at the Texas Relays in Austin.  


Felix has 4,194 points, two points ahead of hometown favorite Isaac Murphy of Texas.  Duke's Curtis Beach, the runner-up last year at the NCAA Championships, has 3,911 points.


Felix also led the heptathlon at the NCAA Indoor Championships, but a no-height in the pole vault sent him near the bottom of the field.

Jordan Krieger's Double Scores Three

Boise State has now scored six runs in the fifth inning and lose to Oregon 14-6.

Oregon Leads Boise State Through 4

The Ducks with a 14-2 lead and Boise State about to go the way of the five-inning rule.

Finally, three outs for Oregon

The #16 Oregon Ducks scored eight runs in the bottom of the first to take the 8-0 lead over Boise State.  

Oregon Has Scored 7 in the First

Only one out.

Ducks Strike for Two in First Inning of Nightcap

Unlike the first game, which was a pitcher's dual through 5 1/2, it already appears that the winner is going to have to score runs.  Oregon leads 2-0 in the first after a double by Chambers.  No one out.

Oregon Has Won Game One

The Ducks did the little things that Top 25 teams do, the bunting, the taking extra bases, the stolen bases, and Oregon prevailed in game one 4-1.  Boise State learned a lot and should be ready for Game Two.  The Broncos battled them to a tie through five and a half innings and should have confidence knowing they can play with the #16 team on the road.

Oregon Gets Three in the Sixth

Three bunts, an error and two hits led to three Oregon runs and the Ducks lead Boise State 4-1.

Bronco Fans Scratching Heads

Oregon has bunted three straight times to score a run and put runners on second and third.  Not one of the bunts has resulted in an out.


???

The Mistake Does Indeed Come Into Play

Two bunts and an error have allowed Oregon to score the go-ahead run in the bottom of the sixth.  A runner on second and no one out for the Ducks.

Tie Game After 5 1/2

Broncos could not push a run across despite having two in scoring position and one out.  It's still 1-1.

Engelbrecht Out at Home

Katie tried to score on a grounder by Bridges, now runners at first and third with two out in the Bronco sixth.  It'll be up to Allie Crump.

Caplan Comes Through With Single

Kellie Caplan laced a one-out single to center and on an error, both runners advanced.  Runners on second and third with one out.  The only problem with that is there is a base open for Bridges and Oregon may walk her.

Boise State Trying to Break Through in the Sixth

Katie Engelbrecht was hit by a pitch in the top half of the sixth to lead off for Boise State.  Glover trying to advance her.

Boise State & Oregon Tied at 1 After 5

Each team with just one hit, only Oregon's has been the home run that tied the game in the fourth.  

Oregon Gets a One-Out Walk

The Ducks have something going in the fifth with a runner on first.  They like to steal in this situation also.

Boise State, Oregon Still Tied at 1

After 4 and a half innings, the Broncos and Ducks are tied.  Boise State was able to get their first hit in the fifth, a single by Mackenzie Whyte.

Lindsey Chambers Hits Home Run to Tie

Oregon's Lindsey Chambers hit her seventh homer of the year to knot the score at 1-1 and break up Zell's no-hitter.  

Boise State Goes in Order in the 4th

The team that wins will be the one which avoids mistakes.  Boise State retired in order in their half of the fourth, Oregon coming to bat.

Zell Retires the Side in Order

After three full innings, it's still Boise State 1, Oregon 0.  Neither team has a hit.

Oregon Pitcher Jessica Moore Fans the Side

Oregon's Jessica Moore came out and matched what Aubray Zell had done for Boise State, she struck out the side in the Bronco third.  Oregon comes to bat in the bottom half of the inning.

Zell K's the Side

Aubray Zell struck out the side in the Oregon second, with a walk scattered in between.  Still no hits for either team and after two, it's still Boise State 1, Oregon 0.

Boise State Leads Oregon 1-0 in Second

After 1 1/2 innings, Boise State continues to lead Oregon.  Neither team has a hit so far.

Boise State Leads Oregon Early 1-0

Allie Crump's grounder has driven in Tara Glover, who had walked, with the game's first run.  After half an inning, Boise State leads Oregon with the Ducks coming to bat.


Both teams come into the game hot--Boise State has won 11 in a row while Oregon has won 10 of 13.

Time for the Lady Broncos to Step Up

With a 25-10 record, 11 straight victories and 23 home victories, plus giving then-#1 Florida a battle to the finish, the Boise State softball team has proven itself to be a team on the rise.


But despite their accomplishments in a short period of time, Boise State still has never received a vote in the Top 25 in college softball.  Now is the time.  


Boise State plays #16 Oregon in three games at Eugene.  The Broncos certainly aren't supposed to win all three nor even two of them.  But if Boise State wants respect, they need to win at least one of the three games and be competitive in the other two.  The two teams play a doubleheader today with games at 4 and 6 p.m. Mountain Time.  


Blue Through and Through will be watching and reporting the results to you as they happen.  Good luck, Coach Thorpe and the 2012 Boise State Broncos!