Transition continues to be a theme for the Broncos entering the new season. A year after transitioning from the MRGC to the Mountain West (and announcing in the future it will move to the Pac-12), Boise State will transition its spotlight as longtime stalwarts Courtney Blackson and Adriana Popp have graduated. Still, all but five routines return to anchor a program that expects to once again compete in the postseason, now relying on consistency and depth rather than star power.
2024 Rewind
No. 33 overall | No. 1 at Mountain West championships | No. 29 in regular season | Regional play-in
The Broncos’ final ranking fell a little flat compared to where it stood for most of the 2024 season, but they will still begin 2025 projected to finish on the good side of the regionals bubble. The gap between Boise State and San Jose State in the Mountain West race is expected to shrink, but the Broncos do open the year as the favorites to defend their title.
Losses & Gains
| Returning | In |
| Fifth-Years Emily Lopez Julia Melchert Dai Nakayama Seniors Emma Loyim Elaina McGovern Blake Pascal Alyssa Vulaj Juniors Anna Ferguson Kylee Hamby Sydney Kho Sydney Leitch Brantley Lucas Sophomores Carly Buell Julia Krzywanski Victoria Smimov Mahleea Werline | Freshmen Noelle Ball Bridget Kemp Delaney Reeves Kristina Shchennikova |
| Out | |
| Graduated Courtney Blackson (VT, UB, FX) Adriana Popp (VT, BB) Retired Dani Schaffer | |
| Injury Update | |
| After transferring from Oregon State, Julia Melchert missed last season with an ACL injury alongside then-freshman Julia Krzywanski, who was out after Achilles surgery. Both are expected to return to lineups after competing at a recent intrasquad. Sydney Letich missed the end of 2024 due to an unknown leg injury, and her status for 2025 is unknown. | |
Apparatus Deep Dive
Vault
2024 Event Ranking: No. 43 | NQS: 49.005 | Average: 48.950
| Event Overview: The Broncos lost their best two gymnasts from their weakest event in 2024, so things are looking a bit precarious for Boise State here. Five solid vaults return, but the Broncos will rely on at least one performance from the rookies and injury returners—none of whom particularly excel on this event. Plus, the options for a single 10.0 start value are scarce. | ||
| Locks: Sydney Kho, Emily Lopez, Emma Loyim, Elaina McGovern, Alyssa Vulaj | ||
| Contenders: Bridget Kemp, Julia Krzywanski, Kristina Shchennikova |
Bars
2024 Event Ranking: No. 33 | NQS: 49.210 | Average: 49.002
| Event Overview: Bars was an event where inconsistency plagued Boise State, stinging even more when considering the lineup’s potential. Thankfully, former four-star recruit Kristina Shchennikova joins the Broncos to immediately fill the lineup hole, as she expectedly shines on her family’s signature event. Emily Lopez also returned for a fifth year to provide this event its signature standout routine, so it will be on the first five to find a way to consistently set her up for a perfect score. | ||
| Locks: Kylee Hamby, Emily Lopez, Kristina Shchennikova, Mahleea Werline | ||
| Contenders: Carly Buell, Elaina McGovern, Victoria Smirnov | ||
| Wildcards: Julia Melchert, Dani Nakayama |
Beam
2024 Event Ranking: No. 21 | NQS: 49.300 | Average: 49.134
| Event Overview: After too many early season high-48s, the beam lineup got into a groove and pushed the mid-49s by season’s end. In addition to returning a core four, the Broncos have Anna Ferguson’s 9.950 career-high to work into the lineup while Shchennikova projects to be an immediate factor to give Boise State plenty of promise in 2025. | ||
| Locks: Sydney Kho, Emily Lopez, Emma Loyim, Alyssa Vulaj | ||
| Contenders: Anna Ferguson, Bridget Kemp, Sydney Leitch, Kristina Shchennikova | ||
| Wildcards: Julia Krzywanski, Delaney Reeves |
Floor
2024 Event Ranking: No. 32 | NQS: 49.320 | Average: 49.248
| Event Overview: Assuming everyone is healthy, this is where Boise State should have the most options in 2025 to build upon its highest NQS from a season ago. The Broncos lack some power and flash here compared to the top teams, but they can rely on their consistency to get the job done. | ||
| Locks: Emma Loyim, Elaina McGovern, Blake Pascal, Alyssa Vulaj | ||
| Contenders: Anna Ferguson, Bridget Kemp, Sydney Leitch | ||
| Wildcards: Brantley Lucas, Julia Melchert, Delaney Reeves, Kristina Shchennikova |
Records Watch
Team: 197.675 | AA: 39.625 | VT: 49.575/10.000 | UB: 49.575/10.000 | BB: 49.550/10.000 | FX: 49.575/9.950
While she missed the mark in 2024, Lopez is one of the school record holders on bars with a 10.0 from 2023. Returning for a bonus year, you know reaching perfection once again is one of her goals.
The Big Picture
A trip to regionals should be the expectation for the Broncos in 2025, with plenty of depth outside of vault to contend with the five routines in need of replacing. The program has been on a downward trend over the last several seasons in the final rankings, but this Boise State squad is capable of putting that to an end.
READ THIS NEXT: 7 Teams That Will Look Virtually Unrecognizable in 2025
Article by Brandis Heffner
