It’s a changing of the guard in Boise. The Broncos graduated an impactful class, including Emily Lopez and her gorgeous bar routine. That leaves room for returners to step up and plenty of competition amongst both returners and freshmen for lineup spots.
2025 Rewind
No. 32 overall | No. 2 at Mountain West | No. 30 in regular season | Regionals round two
Boise State improved on its 2024 finish in 2025. The Broncos never truly found their groove, but were able to post a few 196s, secure a place at regionals, and avoid the play-in round.
Losses & Gains
| RETURNING |
| Fifth Years: Blake Pascal |
| Seniors: Anna Ferguson, Kylee Hamby, Sydney Kho, Sydney Leitch, Brantley Lucas |
| Juniors: Carly Buell, Julia Krzywanski, Mahleea Werline |
| Sophomores: Noelle Ball, Bridget Kemp, Delaney Reeves, Kristina Shchennikova |
| IN |
| Freshmen: Nesia Bat Yehudah, Lexi Caffall, Isabella Delarosa, Rilyn Harris, Miraya Nero, Sydnie Whipple |
| OUT |
| Graduated: Emily Lopez (VT/UB/BB), Emma Loyim (BB/FX), Elaina McGovern (FX), Julia Melchert, Dani Nakayama, Alyssa Vulaj (VT/BB/FX) |
| Retired: Victoria Smirnov |
| INJURY UPDATE |
| Freshman Nesia Bat Yehudah was seen in a boot in October. |
Apparatus Deep Dive
Vault
2025 Event Ranking: No. 45 | NQS: 48.885 | Average: 48.825 | High: 49.200
| Event Overview: Vault was a weakness for Boise State in 2025, with the team only breaking 49 twice. The Broncos lost their top two vaulters from that team, but return three regular competitors in 2026. Nero and Caffall competed solid Yurchenko fulls in level 10, and Caffall is working a one and a half. | ||
| Locks: Noelle Ball, Bridget Kemp, Sydney Kho | ||
| Contenders: Nesia Bat Yehudah, Lexi Caffall, Kristina Shchennikova | ||
| Wildcards: Carly Buell, Kylee Hamby, Julia Krzywanski |
Bars
2025 Event Ranking: No. 20 | NQS: 49.240 | Average: 49.096 | High: 49.375
| Event Overview: Bars are typically a highlight for Boise State, and last year was no different. The Broncos lost their best gymnast from that lineup in Lopez, but the rest of the lineup returns. Shchennikova will be a standout routine, while numerous freshmen could slot into the lineup. | ||
| Locks: Carly Buell, Kristina Shchennikova, Mahleea Werline | ||
| Contenders: Noelle Ball, Nesia Bat Yehudah, Sydney Leitch, Miraya Nero, Sydnie Whipple | ||
| Wildcards: Kylee Hamby, Bridget Kemp, Delaney Reeves |
Beam
2025 Event Ranking: No. 28 | NQS: 49.080 | Average: 48.920 | High: 49.175
| Event Overview: Beam was one of Boise State’s better events in 2025, but the lineup faces turnover. Several freshmen could slot in, including Bat Yehudah, Caffall, and Whipple. | ||
| Locks: Sydney Kho, Kristina Shchennikova | ||
| Contenders: Nesia Bat Yehudah, Lexi Caffall, Anna Ferguson, Julia Krzywanski, Sydney Leitch, Sydnie Whipple | ||
| Wildcards: Isabelle Delarosa, Rilyn Harris, Miraya Nero |
Floor
2025 Event Ranking: No. 42 | NQS: 49.105 | Average: 48.858 | High: 49.400
| Event Overview: Boise State struggled on floor last season. The Broncos again lost their best gymnast on floor, but return the majority of the lineup. Between freshmen and returners such as Shchennikova, filling the gaps shouldn’t be a problem. | ||
| Locks: Bridget Kemp, Blake Pascal | ||
| Contenders: Lexi Caffall, Anna Ferguson, Sydney Leitch, Kristina Shchennikova, Sydnie Whipple | ||
| Wildcards: Nesia Bat Yehudah, Rilyn Harris, Julia Krzywanski, Brantley Lucas, Miraya Nero, Delaney Reeves |
The Big Picture
Boise State graduated a handful of impactful contributors, and it will be hard to find replacements of their caliber (such as Lopez on bars). Luckily, there are options among the freshmen and opportunities for underutilized returners to make lineups they didn’t previously make.
Likely 2026 finish: Regionals Round Two
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Article by Tara Graeve
