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Bronco Gymnasts fall short of sixth conference title
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There’s going to be something different about Boise State gymnastics next season.
After an unforgettable 20-year tenure, Head Coach Sam Sandmire has decided to call it a career.
Sandmire’s final season was full of challenges and obstacles as she led a very young Bronco squad that was hampered by injuries and inexperience. At last month’s Western Athletic Conference Championships Boise State fell short of bringing home a sixth title for Sandmire in her final conference meet.
Despite securing their second-highest team score of the season with a 193.3, the Broncos managed to finish sixth at the meet. Sacramento State won its second consecutive conference championship, scoring 195.275.
“It’s tough to see it end, but it’s bittersweet because I know these girls will go on and get better every year,” Sandmire said.
“They are so talented and work so hard and there are great things in store for them.”
Boise State came out poised and led after the opening rotation when it posted a score of 48.9, its third highest score in that event all season. The Broncos clung to first place after having a bye during the second rotation, but quickly fell to sixth place when they posted a 47.725 as a team on bars.
Down but not out, the Broncos tied a school record with the second-best mark on beam at a conference championship scoring a 48.9, but it simply was not enough to lift Boise State to higher ground. “We’ve had some injuries to our upper-classmen this season which has given a lot of our freshman a chance to gain some experience and that will pay off,” said Assistant Head Coach Neil Resnick. “These girls competed their hearts out and made us proud. We have a lot to look forward to next season.”
Although the Broncos fell short as a team, three Broncos earned All-WAC conference honors and will advance to compete in the West Regional Championships later this month.
Boise State senior Kristin Aldrich earned All-WAC first team honors on beam and All-WAC second team honors on vault. Aldrich has been selected to compete on beam at the regional meet in under a month.
Aldrich will be accompanied by two other Broncos. Freshman Yvette Leizorek earned second team all-conference honors on both bar and floors and will compete on bars and serve as an alternate on the floor exercise.
DeAvera Todd round out the trio and will compete in the all-around for Boise State. Todd will be the only Bronco this season to compete in each event.
“The girls will do well and will make Boise State proud,” Resnick said. “They’ve worked for this all season and will be ready.”
TATE CASTLETON
Sports Writer
