Letter from the Editor
Dear Aggies,
To begin, thank you for picking up this issue! With a new semester comes a new season of sports, but the spirit of USU athletes remains the same. It is felt reverberating in the Spectrum, witnessing another three-pointer. It’s found when a bat cracks another ball deep into left field. It swirls gracefully through the air as a gymnast lands their dismount. It thrums throughout every USU fan, turning our blood Aggie blue and fighting white. Our athletes believe in the power of shooting for the stars. Our question is, do you believe?
Without further ado, allow me to introduce you to The Utah Statesman Spring 2025 Sports Magazine!
Go Aggies!
-Ashley Dorius, Sports Editor
Contributors:
Magazine editor: Ashley Dorius
Statesman managing editor: Avery Truman
Copy editor: Ella Stott
Multimedia editor: Jack Burton
Designers: Kamrin McNeill, Maggie Willardson
Reporters: Mikey Bishop, Ashley Dorius, Carson Frost, Gabriella Kozic, Landri LaJeunesse, Rain Schenck
Photographers: Jack Burton, Dane Johnson, Kelly Winter, Alyssa Wangsgard, USU Athletics, Submitted photos
Advisers: Shelby Black, John Zsiray
Produced and Distributed by USU Student Media 0165 Old Main Hill Logan, UT
84322-0165
studentmedia.usu.edu
Table of Contents
4-5
Men’s Basketball
Roster and Schedule 6-7 Isaac Johnson
8-9
Women’s Basketball
Roster and Schedule 10-11
12-13 Baseball
Cheyenne Stubbs
Roster and Schedule 14-15 Daniel Pascual
16-17
Trading Cards Poster
20-21
18-19 Softball Roster and Schedule
Grace Matej 22-23 Track
Roster and Schedule
24-25 Logan Hammer 26-27
28-29
Gymnastics
Roster and Schedule
Krysthina Vlahovic
30-31 Dani Kirstine
ROSTER Basketball
00 Braden Housley Guard So.
01 Pavle Stosic Forward So.
02 Tucker Anderson Wing So.
03 Jaxon Smith Guard R-Fr.
04 Ian Martinez Guard 5th
05 Jordy Barnes Guard Fr.
07 Dexter Akanno Guard Gr.
08 Drake Allen Guard Gr.
12 Mason Falslev Guard So.
13 Deyton Albury Guard Sr.
20 Isaac Johnson Forward Jr.
21 Aubin Gateretse Froward Sr.
22 Karson Templin Forward So.
23 Issac Davis Forward Fr.
SCHEDULE
Jan. 25 @ Air Force
Jan. 29 VS UNLV
Feb. 1 VS New Mexico
Feb. 4 @ Wyoming
Feb. 7 @ Fresno State
Feb. 11 VS Colorado State
Feb. 16 VS New Mexico
Feb. 19 @ San José State
Feb. 22 VS San Diego State
Feb. 26 @ Boise State
March 1 @ Colorado State
March 8 VS Air Force
March 12 - 15 Mountain West Championships
Big Fish, Big Community, Big Legacy
The arena is buzzing. Hundreds of students enthusiastically clap their hands together, performing the “fish chomp” in unison for their fan favorite Isaac Johnson, or “Big Fish.”
Johnson opens his arms wide, mimicking an open mouth, and slaps his hands together in emphatic approval of the HURD, the Utah State University student section. Few athletes can electrify a crowd quite like Fish.
“The HURD plays the biggest role,” Johnson said. “Every night, it’s a challenge for incoming players not to feel intimidated. The fans make it a deal you have to overcome, along with our basketball players, the schemes, our personnel and our plays.”
The HURD feeds off the energy of the players on the court, both the strongest and the weakest. When opposing players hesitate with the ball, the HURD’s perceptive eyes don’t miss it. Their disapproval is palpable, and they’re known for being one of the most ruthless student sections in the country.
Similarly, the HURD recognizes players who are proud to wear the Utah State uniform, welcoming them into Aggie Nation win or lose, according to Johnson.
“I think they’re the best in the country,” said head coach Jerrod Calhoun about Utah State’s student section. “I purposely come in an hour before each game to see them run in. I want to see it, experience it, feel it. It gives you a lot of good energy and makes you feel special about the game.”
The HURD has long singled Johnson out as someone they can rely on — not just for his performance on the court but for who he is off it.
“He’s a good person,” Calhoun said. “It starts and ends with who he is. You see that with the student section, with people in the community.”
Johnson transferred to Utah State from Oregon State University after seeking a community that aligned with his values.
“I didn’t fully consider what it would be like to live there,” Johnson said, reflecting on his move. However, he has fully immersed himself in the Cache Valley community. “It just fit me. It’s been a place where I belong — both off the court and on the court.”
Known as Fish both in and outside of the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum, Johnson’s nickname began as an inside joke among middle school teammates.
“It started as a joke, and it’s going to stay that way,” Johnson said, maintaining the mystery behind the nickname.
In his neighborhood, Calhoun’s kids refer to him as “Uncle Fish.” Living only a few doors down from each other, Johnson has welcomed the Calhoun family into the neighborhood and is what Calhoun calls “a joy to be around.”
The two have a long history together. Their paths first crossed when Johnson served a two-year mission in Ohio for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. During his mission, Johnson had a day off each week. Committed to staying in shape for basketball, he often sought out opportunities to get shots up. One day, he spoke to a man he thought was an assistant coach about playing basketball with the team. Unknowingly, Johnson had been talking to Calhoun, then head coach of Youngstown State University’s Men’s Basketball team.
Almost weekly, Johnson would show up to Calhoun’s courts, either shooting around or joining in with the team.
Now, with their paths re-colliding, Calhoun respects Johnson’s dedication to the game and his willingness to sacrifice.
This season, the team has embraced a new style of play.
“We’re one of the unique teams in the country that really believes in playing a lot of players,” Calhoun said. “The more players you play, the more engaged your team is. But you have to have the right type of people to buy into that.”
In embracing the team’s new approach, Johnson has sacrificed some of his minutes on the court, adjusting his role to fit the team’s system.
“He does a good job teaching as well as utilizing his players where he needs them,” Johnson said about the new playing style. “So far, we’re winning, and we hope to keep it that way.”
For Johnson, it’s all about the “winning culture.” Though only a junior, he aspires to continue the traditions of excellence within Utah State’s Men’s Basketball program.
By Rain Schenck
Wearing the number 20 across his jersey, Johnson carries a sense of pride — not only for himself but for his family’s legacy. His father played for Utah State in the ‘90s, proudly wearing the same number. Likewise, Johnson’s older brother Spencer Johnson wore the same digits while playing for Brigham Young University.
Having transferred, redshirted and faced various challenges in his basketball journey, Johnson credits his parents and family for shaping who he is today.
Now, Johnson continues the family legacy at Utah State alongside his sister Gracie Johnson, a sophomore on the USU Women’s Basketball team.
“When he puts the uniform on, it means so much to him to play for Utah State,” Calhoun said.
Johnson’s pride in his Aggie heritage, his community and his family have set him apart on the court — traits the HURD hasn’t overlooked. When the crowd erupts into the fish chomp, they’re not just cheering for a player. They’re recognizing who Johnson is for the Aggies and what he represents for the program.
“He’s a leader on and off the court,” said teammate Dexter Akanno. Playing the same position, Akanno has learned from Johnson and vice versa.
So, what is Johnson most grateful for when it comes to basketball?
“Being on the court,” Johnson said. “When I have the opportunity to be on the court, in front of the crowds, working for my team out there.”
His goal is simple: to be what his team needs and leave behind a legacy of winning — a legacy that will echo far beyond the court — something that he can be proud of, that Aggie Nation will remember and that his family will carry with them for generations.
Basketball
ROSTER
00 Ivory Finley Guard Sr. 01 Samiana Suguturaga Guard/Forward Sr.
02 Isabella Tañedo Guard Jr. 03 Ava Smith Guard Fr. 04 Denae Skelton Guard Fr. 05 Riley Ward Guard Fr.
Carlie Latta Guard Fr.
Karlie Banks Guard/Forward Fr.
Elsie Livingston Guard Fr.
Gracie Johnson Forward So.
Taliyah Longwood Guard/Forward Fr.
Mia Tarver Guard Jr.
Cheyenne Stubbs Guard Sr.
Allyzee Verdan Forward Sr.
Jamisyn Heaton Guard Jr. 55 Sophie Sene Forward/Center Jr.
SCHEDULE
Jan. 25 @ San Jose State
Jan. 29 @ Air Force
Feb. 5 VS UNLV
Feb. 8 VS Fresno State
Feb. 12 @ Colorado State
Feb. 15 @ San Diego State
Feb. 19 VS Air Force
Feb. 22 @ New Mexico
Feb. 26 VS San Jose State
March 1 VS Nevada
March 4 @ Boise State
March 9-12 Mountain West Championship
Cheyenne’s a Champion
“Everything negative — pressure, challenges — is all an opportunity for me to rise.” -Kobe Bryant
The year was 2010. Darren Stubbs was with his daughter, Cheyenne Stubbs, at a neighborhood park in Bradenton, Florida, shooting around on the basketball court. Darren Stubbs had been coaching his seven-year-old daughter in basketball and soccer for about three years, but at this point, it was clear that her passion for one sport far outweighed the other.
“She came to us and said, ‘I don’t want to play soccer anymore. I want to play basketball,’” Darren Stubbs said. “She did that on her own.”
As Darren Stubbs left the park with Cheyenne Stubbs on that day nearly fifteen years ago, he noticed a coach in a white van with his two boys, each carrying a basketball in their bag. He signaled for the man to roll down his window and told the coach he was looking to get his daughter into competitive basketball.
“I don’t coach girls,” Darren Stubbs remembered the coach saying. “But I got somebody’s name I can give to you.”
The coach the man referred him to was named Tina Hadley. Without hesitation, Darren Stubbs called Tina, and from the start, Hadley trained Cheyenne Stubbs and the other young girls in her age group with an expectation of greatness.
“I’ll never forget she had the girls practice with their left hand, and Cheyenne was crying,” Darren Stubbs said. “She said, ‘I can’t do it.’ [ Hadley] said, ‘You can learn how to do it.’ So that began her introduction to basketball.”
Just a year or two into her early training in the game of basketball, Cheyenne Stubbs’s competitive nature began to shine. At the ripe age of eight, Stubbs entered the Elks Hoop Shoot, a regional and national free-throw shooting contest where contestants were given 25 shots to determine a champion.
Stubbs competed for three years in the contest, and while she performed well the first two years, she wasn’t able to advance to the national tournament. Her best chance to become a national finalist came in her third year when she and another contestant were the final two girls competing for a spot in the nationals in Boston.
“[She] lost to a young lady who did not play basketball,” Darren Stubbs said. “She made 24 of 25, and Cheyenne had made 21 of 25.”
Although it was a tough break for 11-year-old Stubbs, her performance in these contests gave her the opportunity to start traveling to compete. By the time she entered middle school, she had become one of the best young athletes in her hometown of Bradenton. From sixth grade through eighth grade, her team never lost a game. By the time she entered her freshman year at Braden River High School, Stubbs was already dominating at the varsity level.
“Her work ethic ... I mean she would shoot in the rain and just eat, sleep and play basketball,” Darren Stubbs said. “She really, really, really loved it.” Stubbs’s intense passion for the game stems from her devoted fandom of legendary players in both the NBA and WNBA. Her parents happen to have a relationship with Tige Diggins, father of six-time WNBA all-star Skylar Diggins-Smith. In high school, Stubbs went to Colorado Springs to try out for the Women’s U17 National Team, where she met future college stars Paige Bueckers and Azzi Fudd.
There was one experience Stubbs had as a young player that she said will stay with her forever. Her room in Bradenton is painted in purple and gold in
homage to her idol Kobe Bryant. In fact, she dons the number 24 on the court for that reason. When she was 10 years old, Stubbs had the opportunity to be the ball girl at an Orlando Magic game, where she got to go on the court before the game and help the players warm up. The Los Angeles Lakers happened to be in town. That night, she shared the court with her hero just feet away, and her parents could never forget the awe in her eyes. “It was such a surprise to her when he stepped on the court,” Darren Stubbs said. “She was amazed. She just froze up.”
When Stubbs was a junior in high school, she, like the rest of the world, was shocked and devastated by Bryant’s passing in a helicopter crash.
“It was not good around here,” Darren Stubbs said. “She yelled out. It woke me up out of my sleep. She couldn’t believe it.”
Just one day after the horrible tragedy, Stubbs honored her hero the only way she knew how: by warming up before her high school game in his jersey. Her tribute to Bryant resonated so strongly with her community that the local newspaper the Sarasota Observer featured a story about her.
“You know, I wouldn’t say that it comes easy to me, but since I have such a high IQ, it has come pretty easy to me,” Stubbs said outside the practice gym at Wayne Estes Center in late November, coming off a season in which she was one of the best scorers in the Mountain West.
Stubbs faces many challenges on the court — standing at just five-foot-five, being underestimated by her competition and being tasked with leading the offensive attack every night — but one thing that has never been questioned is her confidence. How many other college players will dribble between their legs, step back and knock down a deep contested three? How many other five-foot-five guards lead their team in rebounds and can score inside the paint with ease?
Her never-say-die attitude and unwavering belief in herself could easily be compared to the brashness of a young Bryant, a player who was similarly counted out but took joy in proving his doubters wrong.
Harkening back to the early days of Stubbs’s basketball career, when she was upset that she couldn’t score with her left hand, her mother Kimberly Stubbs revealed her daughter had to gradually build that confidence through countless hours in the gym.
Now, Stubbs has been able to establish herself by adopting the mentality of her favorite player.
“In her mind, she’s like, ‘You can’t guard me, nobody out here can,’” Kimberly Stubbs said. “Watching Kobe all the time — you know what that will do to somebody.”
When asked what her goals were for the upcoming season, Stubbs’s self-confidence was evident. One of them was to hit 1,000 career points, which she reached on Jan. 11 in a game against Nevada.
“Got a couple of goals for myself,” Cheyenne said. “I just want to continue being in the history books at Utah State, so that when I leave here, I have a legacy.”
This is Stubbs’s second season with Utah State. She is a senior but spent her first two seasons playing at Canisius University in Buffalo, New York. In her first season with the Aggies, she scored 482 points, eighth all-time for points in a single season. While it is a small sample size, her 15.4 points per game currently ranks fourth alltime in school history.
First-year head coach Wesley Brooks, who has had a decorated career coaching some of the best
By Carson Frost
players in women’s college basketball, sees a future in which Stubbs could compete at the highest level.
“My goal is to get her an opportunity in a WNBA training camp at some point and then obviously get her an opportunity overseas in Europe,” Brooks said.
One thing working in Stubbs’s favor is that Brooks has witnessed many women transition into the professional ranks during his 20 years of coaching, most notably when he coached Jacy Sheldon, the number 13 overall pick in the 2023 WNBA Draft, at Ohio State.
Brooks is still fairly new to the program, but he has quickly been impressed with Stubbs’s knack to score the ball from all three levels, along with her speed and ball pressure on defense. In terms of areas for improvement, Brooks wants to see her assist numbers increase and hopes her play will translate into more wins for the team. As of Jan. 10, the team has only won one of their 14 games thus far this season.
“It’s very hard at this level to win a game by yourself,” Brooks said. “I just want her to get more of her teammates involved and continue to be the great player she is.”
“My mom and dad constantly pushing me has really got me to where I am now,” Stubbs said. “I just take all of that fierceness and everything that I’ve been through, and I use it today.”
When watching Stubbs compete on the court night in and night out, it’s easy to see her fierce, competitive nature, but her swagger hasn’t always been appreciated by those playing against her. People often confuse a relentless determination to win with a desire to show up an opponent.
“When Cheyenne was in the sixth grade, I had a middle school coach come and tell me that an eighth-grader on the other team said she was cocky,” Darren Stubbs said. “He said, ‘I know she’s not cocky, she just loved the game.’”
Stubbs, being the intense competitor she is, has been frustrated with the team’s slow start this season. While other top-tier athletes can relate to the pain of losing, those who don’t share her mindset may find it difficult to understand.
“I think a lot of people get the wrong impression of Cheyenne when you see her on the court, and you look at her and say, ‘She’s mad’ or ‘She’s got a bad attitude,’” Kimberly Stubbs said. “That’s the type of thing with Cheyenne. She doesn’t want to lose, she doesn’t like to lose —especially if she knows that they have a chance.”
When athletes at the highest level compete intensely, it can be difficult for the public to distinguish between who they are on the court and who they are off the court.
“Basketball is what she loves,” Kimberly Stubbs said. “It’s not who she is, but it’s what she loves. She has a release in other areas that people don’t know about because they think it’s just about basketball.”
It’s somewhat fitting that Kimberly Stubbs’s description of Cheyenne Stubbs’s mentality closely mirrors a quote from her daughter’s hero Bryant: “There’s a difference between who you are and what you are, and when I step on the court, I am that killer snake.”
Feb. 15 @ College of Southern Idaho
Feb. 15 @ College of Southern Idaho
March 1 VS Nevada
March 2 VS Nevada
March 7 @ USU Eastern
March 7 @ USU Eastern
March 8 @ USU Eastern
March 8 @ USU Eastern
March 15 @ Eastern Washington
March 15 @ Eastern Washington
March 16 @ Eastern Washington
March 22 @ Washington State
March 22 VS Washington State
March 22 @ University of Utah
March 22 @ University of Utah
SCHEDULE
March 23 VS Washington State
March 23 @ University of Utah
April 5 @ Central Washington
April 5 @ Central Washington
April 6 @ Central Washington
April 12 VS Idaho State
April 12 VS Idaho State
April 13 VS Idaho State
April 19 VS Boise State
April 19 VS Boise State
April 20 VS Boise State
April 26 @ Montana State
April 26 @ Montana State
April 27 @ Montana State
Batting for Big Blue
Every kid in the U.S. grows up yearning to become something big one day. For Daniel Pascual, first-year student-athlete at Utah State, these aspirations developed early in his life on the baseball diamond.
“I began playing baseball when I was around four years old,” Pascual said. “I can’t remember much about why I started playing, but because my dad is Dominican, he has always loved the sport and brought me to it at a young age.”
From birth, Pascual was destined to be a baseball player. He was born in New York, the birthplace of baseball, allowing Pascual to see his Yankee heroes up close.
“For the first few years of Daniel’s life, we lived a few blocks from Yankee Stadium. He has been going to games since he was a baby. Baseball is in his blood, ” said Emily Pascual, Daniel’s mother.
Pascual has been on an organized baseball team every year since kindergarten. Starting out, he played all positions, doing anything to help his team win. However, when middle school arrived, Pascual found his position as first base.
“Over the years, his teammates came to trust Daniel fully. If they were throwing to first base, they knew Daniel would catch it, even if it meant doing the splits to catch the ball, ” Emily Pascual said.
The traits Pascual exhibits on the field also indicate who he is as a son and a friend to others away from the baseball diamond.
Austin Weekes, one of the friends Pascual has made since arriving at USU, was very impressed with how Pascual carried himself as they began to go to the gym together and hang out.
“He is a super motivated guy. He is motivated to be at a certain body weight, maintain a specific body fat and be at the gym every day,” Weekes said. “He also finds time to be with his friends a bunch. Overall, he is a good friend and very helpful.”
His mother shares the same outlook on Pascual ’s determination to be the best on and off the field.
“From the time he was little, he was a thinker, a peacemaker, determined, considerate, loyal and brave,” Emily Pascual said.
“Over the years , these qualities have grown into his strengths and shaped him into the wonderful person he is today.
”Pascual ’s determination to excel on the field made the choice to attend Utah State much easier.
“I chose to come play baseball at Utah State because it gave me a great opportunity to continue playing the game I love. Utah State is also one of the best club teams in the country, so it allowed me to keep playing the game at a high level,” Pascual said.
By Mikey Bishop
Pascual is driven by playing in important games. He is a player who steps up in high-pressure moments.
“My favorite baseball memory is playing in state tournaments in high school. I have always loved playing in high-stakes games and trying to step up in the big moments, and I am sure I will play in bigger games here at Utah State,” Pascual said.
Pascual is a student of the game, always studying major league players to see what he can apply to his own game. However, no other player is more influential to him than a former New York Yankees and current New York Mets outfielder.
“My favorite baseball player and role model is Juan Soto,” Pascual said. “He is also Dominican like me and play[ed] for my favorite team the New York Yankees. I love the way he plays the game with swagger and confidence. He also has a beautiful swing, and I try replicating my game after his.”
Pascual’s dedication to perfecting his craft does not go unnoticed.
“He works hard to improve his skills. We had a batting cage in our backyard, and Daniel would spend countless hours out there practicing,” Emily Pascual said.
“He is very hard working when it comes to baseball and has a true desire to get better and better each day,” Weekes said.
Even though Pascual is strictly business on the field, he enjoys doing all types of things with friends.
“Daniel also likes to play other sports like basketball and football. When he is with friends, he also really enjoys playing video games like ‘Mario Party’ and ‘Mario Kart.’ Outside of video games, he is also super good at ping pong,” Weekes said.
Whether on or off the field, Pascual’s hard work and determination have revitalized the USU baseball team.
In the seven games he has played in, the Aggies went an impressive 6-1, and Pascual provided tremendous support by driving in eight runs during the fall.
With their eyes focused on the new season, Pascual and his teammates are determined to bring another club national championship title home to Logan.
Softball ROSTER
AGGIE CLASSIC in College Station, TX
Feb. 6 VS Villanova
Feb. 6 VS Texas A&M
Feb. 7 VS Abilene Christian
Feb. 8 VS Baylor
Feb. 9 VS Purdue
CAL BAPTIST CLASSIC in Riverside, CA
Feb. 14 VS Seattle
Feb. 14 VS San Diego
Feb. 15 VS San Diego
Feb. 15 VS California Baptist
Feb. 16 VS California Baptist
UTAH TECH TOURNAMENT in St. George, UT
Feb. 21 VS UC San Diego
Feb. 21 VS Weber State
Feb. 22 VS San Diego
Feb. 22 VS Utah Tech
Feb. 23 VS Idaho State
SUN DEVIL CLASSIC in Tempe & Phoenix, AZ
Feb. 28 VS Oregon State
Feb. 28 VS Grand Canyon
March 1 VS UTEP
March 1 VS Arizona State
March 2 VS Seattle
PURPLE CLASSIC in Phoenix, AZ
March 7 VS Saint Joseph’s
March 7 VS Saint Joseph’s
March 8 VS Penn
March 9 VS San Diego
March 9 VS Grand Canyon
REGLUAR SEASON
March 10 @ Arizona
March 12 VS Utah Valley
March 14 VS San Diego State
March 15 VS San Diego State
March 16 VS San Diego State
March 19 @ Idaho State
March 23 VS Saint Mary’s
March 25 VS Weber State
March 27 @ Colorado State
March 28 @ Colorado State
March 29 @ Colorado State
March 31 @ Weber State
April 2 VS New Mexico
SCHEDULE
April 2 VS New Mexico
April 5 @ San Jose State
April 6 @ San Jose State
April 8 VS Idaho State
April 11 VS Fresno State
April 12 VS Fresno State
April 13 VS Fresno State
April 17 @ Nevada
April 18 @ Nevada
April 19 @ Nevada
April 25 VS UNLV
April 26 VS UNLV
April 27 VS UNLV
May 1 @ Boise State
Softball, Sisterhood and Spies
When it comes to junior Grace Matej, USU Softball is a passion. A team captain for the second year in a row, Matej loves the program.
“I just think that we have a great program,” Matej said. “They really care about you, and we’re here to win a championship.”
Matej said softball is hard but rewarding work.
“We are very routine,” Matej said. “We work really hard. Our coaches push us to the next level.”
As a catcher, Matej can be right in the middle of the action. However, she loves that about her position.
“I’ve always been a catcher,” Matej said. “I’m actively in every play and helping frame the game.”
Todd Judge, head coach of the team, said in the first weekend of practice, he “knew [he] had something special.”
“She is our best captain,” Judge said. “I’m trying to get the entire team to that point where you have 10 to 20 of those kind of players like her.”
Judge elaborated on what kind of player Matej is.
“She embodies everything that I want in a player,” Judge said. “She’s amazing in the classroom. She’s amazing off the field. She’s a great leader on the field. She excels in the weight room. She excels in practice.”
Judge said the greatest thing is Matej doesn’t just perform well. She is also a player he can trust, which he values. He says she is a great leader who drives the team from within. She will send out reminders and motivate her teammates to show up and give their all, which Judge says matters more than just
having a coach push them to succeed.
Matej said her favorite part of softball is the sisterhood fostered in the program.
“I love being around my teammates all the time,” Matej said. “We spend over 20 hours a week together. I mean, we travel together, we room together, we eat together, we sleep together, like just everything. I’m with them all the time — they make it fun, and they make it bearable.”
Matej shared the team travels most weekends from January through May and practices every other day of the week, which makes them grow closer as a team.
“We really know a lot about each other. We get to know a lot about each other and get really comfortable with each other,” Matej said. “It’s just like a family. They’re all sisters to me.”
She also shared that as the team’s catcher, she has a unique relationship with the pitchers.
“I’m really close to my pitchers. So, if they’re freaking out, I can help calm them down,” Matej said.
Matej continued she has a lot of appreciation for the pitchers.
“They work hard,” Matej said. “They have a lot of different workouts than us, and so I’m with them a lot during the week in their bullpen. I spend a lot more time with them, and it’s more of an intimate setting because they’re really working on stuff for like an hour. I know exactly what they’re struggling with, or what they’re working on, or what their telltale signs are.”
Matej doesn’t just focus on softball. According to Judge, she’s here to learn.
By Ashley Dorius
“Softball is great,” Judge said. “It’s a part of her life, but we talk about all the time that the next 40 years are more important than the next four.”
Matej is currently studying international studies, with minors in Russian and anticipatory intelligence. She has goals of working as a CIA analyst or case officer.
“I think that Utah State is the only lab school for anticipatory intelligence,” Matej said. “That has been super fun and very interesting.”
Besides softball, Matej is also involved as a recruitment officer for the national security careers club on campus.
She shared the softball program is very supportive of her following her academic dreams. According to Judge, she went to him to figure out how to make her studies work with softball, which he was willing to do.
“As much as we want to win and we want to compete, we also want to try and get them set up to be successful,” Judge said.
However, Matej has found a balance, and she has a warning for Aggie fans.
“I just want to let you know that we’re ready to win a championship, and [you] should be ready to support us for regionals,” Matej said.
Track ROSTER
Sara Abbott Distance So.
Katerina Agüero Jumps Fr.
Alisabeth Apedaile Sprints So.
Paige Lila Berg Throws Sr.
Allie Black Dist. Fr.
Cailey Bracken Dist. Fr.
Jocelyn Capener Mid. Dist. Fr.
Madeline Carmona Jumps So.
Sophie Chandler Multis Jr.
Valerie Clark Throws Sr.
Mikayla Dalton Jumps Sr.
Hannah Davidson Dist. Gr.
Brenly Douglas Sprints Fr.
Sarah Ellis Dist. Jr.
Camryn Ere Sprints Fr.
Gabriella Fenn Jumps Fr.
Symphony Fike Throws Jr.
Milly Garren Throws Jr.
Presley Gray Jumps Fr.
Heidi Harper Sprints Fr.
Erin Higgs Mid. Dist. Fr.
Brooklyn Hill Dist. So.
Elle Jacobson Jumps So.
Shelby Jensen Dist. So.
Elly Jeppsen Sprints Fr.
Lucy Jeppson Jumps Fr.
Mashaylee Jones Sprints Fr.
Ruby Jordan Throws So.
Malia Lowe Dist. Jr.
Megumi Ludlow Dist. Jr.
Mimi Miyazawa Dist. Sr.
Caroline Moon Dist. So.
Cameron Moore Dist. So.
Adi Nielson Sprints Sr.
Parker Papa Sprints Fr.
Mackenzie Patten Throws Gr.
Claire Petersen Sprints So.
Elizabeth Phillips Dist. Jr.
Breanna Raven Multis So.
Emma Reeves Sprints Sr.
Alison Richter Sprints Jr.
Meredith Sanford Dist. Fr.
Abbie Scott Jumps Fr.
Ava Smith Sprints Fr.
Brianne Smith Dist. So.
Julia Stuard Mid. Dist. So.
Natalie Swain Dist. So.
Madison Tareski Throws Sr.
Emma Thornley Dist. Sr.
Ava Trimble Dist. Fr.
Reagan Trulson Throws Fr.
Krysthina Vlahovic Sprints Jr.
Alayna Wardle Dist. Fr.
Ana Weaver Dist. Jr.
Jane Williams Dist. Fr.
Diego Aguirre-Stewart Sprints Fr.
Caleb Armstrong Dist. Jr.
Joshua Armstrong Dist. So.
Mitchell Athay Dist. So.
Britton Austin Dist. Fr.
Samuel Beckwith Jumps So.
Gavin Beierle Throws Gr.
Ryan Bennett Dist. Fr.
Brennan Benson Dist. Gr.
Brock Bissegger Throws Fr.
Landon Bott Mid. Dist. So.
Daniel Chase Sprints Fr.
Kelton Chenworth Jumps Sr.
Walker Cole Dist. So.
Carson Coleman Mid. Dist. So.
Walker Deede Throws So.
Will Dixon Dist. So.
Caden Dupee Multis Gr.
Wyatt Evans Mid. Dist. Sr.
LJ Floyd Dist. Jr.
Nate Franz Throws Sr.
Logan Garnica Dist. Jr.
Josiah Gonzalez Sprints Fr.
Ernest Green Mid. Dist. Jr.
Sam Green Mid. Dist. Jr.
Eli Gregory Dist. Jr.
Mathew Hall Sprints Fr.
Logan Hammer Jumps Jr.
Joshua Hartvigsen Jumps Sr.
Bryce Hill Dist. So.
Drew Hogan Dist. Jr.
Kace Jones Throws So.
Joseph McKee Dist. So.
Joshua McKee Dist. So.
Jedidiah Megargel Dist. So.
Michael Moffat Dist. So.
Eric Nelson Dist. Sr.
Ayodele Ojo Sprints Fr.
Ethan Peterson Dist. Fr.
Taite Priestley Jumps Fr.
Marshall Rasmussen Jumps Jr.
Caden Reagan Throws Fr.
Javin Richards Multis Jr.
John Simmons Dist. So.
Luke Stockett Dist. Fr.
Camren Todd Dist. Gr.
Joseph Turner Throws So.
Robbie Walker Jumps Jr.
Max Wehrli Dist. Gr.
Garrett Woodhouse Dist. So.
Jan. 24 - Nevada Invite
Jan. 25 - Nevada Invite
Jan. 31 - UW Invitational
Feb. 1 - UW Invitational
Feb. 1 - Roman Ruiz Speed & Power Invite @ home
Feb. 7 - Stacy Dragila Invitational
Feb. 14 - Mountain State Games
Feb. 15 - Mountain State Games
Feb. 14 - Tyson Invitational
SCHEDULE
Feb. 15 - Tyson Invitational
Feb. 14 - Valentine Invite
Feb. 15 - Valentine Invite
Feb. 27 - Mountain West Indoor Championships
Feb. 28 - Mountain West Indoor Championships
March 1 - Mountain West Indoor Championships
March 14 - NCAA Indoor National Championships
March 15 - NCAA Indoor National Championships
Hammer Time!
Logan Hammer, third-year student at Utah State University, isn’t just making a name for himself as a standout pole vaulter — he’s proving that hard work and determination can drive success on and off the field.
A native of Boise, Idaho, Hammer is studying bioveterinary sciences with aspirations to attend veterinary school after graduation. As a student-athlete, Hammer balances rigorous academics with elite-level athletic competition, a juggling act that reflects his commitment to excellence.
Last season, Hammer broke the Mountain West and USU men’s outdoor pole vault record with a jump of 5.62 meters — 18.43 feet — in 2024, a moment that stands out as a highlight in his career.
“It was an amazing moment,” Hammer shared. “[It felt like the] accumulation of things that have been going on — some frustrations, some good things — and to finally have it all come together in one game — that was really special.”
Logan’s approach to high pressure situations is both practiced and inspiring.
“I look at it as just a gift to be in that pressure situation, to be able to jump,” he said. “So I look at it like that. I’ve worked hard enough to deserve this, just like everybody else is here. I deserve this, just like they do.”
This mindset has not only earned him his awards, like Mountain West Champion, Mountain West Indoor Champion, All-Mountain West Outdoor and more but has also made him a leader on his team, where he values the camaraderie and support of his teammates and coaches.
“All of my achievements are due to my teammates and coach,” Hammer said. “It’s not anything I’ve done, it’s things that we’ve done together.”
Coach Erik Rasmussen, who has worked closely with Hammer since his first year, praises his athlete’s unique qualities.
“He just has a natural ability. One of the things he does better than a lot of other pole vaulters is that he can just accelerate all the way through the takeoff,” Rasmussen said. “He’s running faster when he comes off the ground than anyone I’ve ever coached.”
Hammer and Rasmussen work very closely together to improve Hammer’s vaults every practice.
“Logan is very conscientious of what’s going on. So we work side by side a lot just to make a plan, like, ‘These are the things we need to work on,’” Rasmussen said.
Under Rasmussen’s guidance, Hammer has developed into a formidable competitor, improving by more than a foot each year in his performance — a rare feat at this level.
“All the work we’ve been putting in for the last two and a half years is all starting to come together into something that’s going to be really special,” Rasmussen said. “I do think he’s capable of competing at the international level, making an Olympic team — I think he has that kind of potential.”
Beyond athletics, Hammer is deeply committed to his academic goals.
“Academics always come first,” he said. “Sports are fun, but they don’t last forever. What you learn in school and what you prepare for life is really what serves you.”
Hammer’s passion for animals and his experiences working in veterinary clinics have solidified his dream of becoming a veterinarian. He looks to continue his education in veterinary sciences
By Gabriella Kozic
after he completes his undergraduate degree. Luckily for him, Utah State is planning a state-of-the-art facility for bioveterinary sciences, which is expected to open in the summer of 2026.
For Hammer, pole vaulting is more than just a sport — it’s a metaphor for life. He advises young athletes to be patient.
“It takes time to focus on getting those reps — practice, practice, practice. Bit by bit — it never comes all at once,” he said. “I know when I was younger and even now, I still want things to come immediately, and it never does. Things line up and fall all over the place at the right time.”
Hammer also hopes to leave a legacy of hard work and kindness.
“In the Hammer family, we have this rule that nobody works harder than the Hammers,” he said. “And I just want to be known for working extremely hard and trying to be the best person that I can be.”
As Hammer looks ahead, his coach sees him excelling not just in athletics or academics but in life, saying Hammer is very selfless, hardworking and incredibly focused.
“I mean, he’s got veterinary school, he’s got a lot of things. I think he’s going to be a great father, husband and those kinds of things,” Rasmussen shared. “I’m looking forward to seeing him grow up.”
Logan Hammer’s story is one of perseverance, humility and a relentless pursuit of excellence. Whether clearing record breaking heights on the track or preparing for the next chapter of his life, he continues to inspire those around him with his dedication and passion.
Clearing Hurdles
Krysthina Vlahovic, third-year hurdler on Utah State University’s Track and Field team, has made waves not just for her athletic achievements but also for the inspiring journey that brought her from British Columbia, Canada to Logan. With technical communication and rhetoric as her major and an impressive list of goals, Vlahovic embodies the balance of academics and athletics that defines a student-athlete.
Her transition from competing in Canada to joining the NCAA was a transformative experience. Krysthina described it as a “really big transition” but one that was incredibly rewarding.
“It was honestly a really fun transition. I love being involved in the NCAA,” she said.
The move exposed her to a heightened level of competition and a sports culture unlike anything she had experienced back home.
“The States … prioritize sports more … like with football games and basketball games, it gets a lot of media attention. I feel like that’s something the sports industry world kind of lacks in Canada,” Vlahovic said.
Despite being away from her family, who remain in Canada, their unwavering support keeps her motivated.
“My dad would send me … little reminder messages [before a meet],” Vlahovic said. “I would send them the links, the schedule, the live results and stuff like that to keep track of it. And then right after a race, I would check my phone and get a text from my dad [that would] be like ‘Oh my gosh, you did so good!’” Knowing her family is cheering her on from afar has been a source of comfort and strength.
The leap from high school to collegiate athletics was significant, but Vlahovic credits her team and coach for helping her grow.
“My team really helped me become the athlete who I am today,” she said.
Training alongside her fellow hurdlers has been crucial to improving her speed and technique, as has the guidance of her coach.
“My coach is a really good motivator. He really helps when you’re having a bad day or bad practice, helps reset that mindset …and reminds us of our goals and why we’re doing this,” Vlahovic said.
The supportive team environment has also been another pillar of her success.
“We all uplift each other. We’re always looking out for each other,” Vlahovic said. “So even if we’re having a bad day, regardless at practice, school or something, we still support each other and give each other advice.”
One of Vlahovic’s biggest challenges is to gain confidence and keep it even after a bad race or a bad fall. When referring to a fall she admitted it “can really affect the way you think going back into a race.”
To overcome such challenges, she leans on positive self-talk and affirmations like “You can’t really control everything” and “You just have to think positive, and you just have to keep moving forward.”
This resilience has paid off, as Vlahovic continues to set personal bests and aims to etch her name into Utah State’s record books. She currently ranks third all-time at USU for indoor track in the 60-meter hurdles with a time of 8.48 set in 2024. She also currently ranks eighth all-time at USU for outdoor track in the 100-meter hurdles with a time of 13.72 set in 2024.
Her ambitions are as high as the hurdles she clears. In the short term, she’s focused on making her mark on Utah State’s top-10 lists, breaking school records in both indoor and outdoor track
By Gabriella Kozic
and performing at her peak during conference meets. When asked about possible international aspirations, her response was a confident, “I’d like to say, ‘Yeah.’”
Juggling a rigorous training schedule with her academic responsibilities requires discipline. Vlahovic has found success by establishing a routine.
“[It’s] studying in the morning, practice in the afternoon and then relaxing in the evening for time to reset,” she said.
This balance has not only prepared her for challenges on the track, but also for life beyond athletics.
“Being a student-athlete really helped me know how to work with other people, personalities, what makes a good team, what makes a bad team and how to be a leader,” Vlahovic said.
The balance Vlahovic has between her academic and athletic career is shown through her Mountain West Academic All-Conference Awards she received in 2023 and 2024, as well as her Mountain West Scholar-Athlete Award she received in 2024.
For those looking to follow in her footsteps, Vlahovic emphasizes the importance of staying positive and enjoying the journey.
“I feel like a lot of people get stuck in their head a lot, so don’t take things too seriously,” she said. “Just keep confident in yourself and your abilities. Trust yourself, trust your training and trust your coach.”
Krysthina Vlahovic’s story is one of determination, adaptability and the pursuit of excellence. As she continues to push her boundaries in her athletic and academic career, her journey from British Columbia to Utah stands as a testament to the rewards of taking risks and embracing new opportunities and challenges.
Gymnastics ROSTER
Avery Bibbey AA Jr.
Brianna Brooks AA Gr.
Jenna Eagles VT, BB, FX Gr.
Amari Evans AA Sr.
Payton Gatzlaff VT, UB, FX Sr.
Sydney Jelen AA So.
Dani Kirstine VT, UB, BB Sr.
Kaylie Medrano AA Fr.
Nyla Morabito AA So.
Olivia Orengo AA Fr.
Marley Peterson VT, BB, FX Jr.
Chelsea Southam VT, BB, FX Jr.
Angel Stuart VT, UB, FX Gr.
Lundyn VanderToolen AA Fr.
Isabella Vater AA So.
Mya Witte AA So.
Hattie Wright AA So.
SCHEDULE
Jan. 24 @ Air Force
Jan. 31 @ Boise State
Jan. 31 @ Sacramento State
Feb. 7 VS San José State
Feb. 10 @ Southern Utah
Feb. 14 @ California
Feb. 14 @ Texas Woman’s
Feb. 21 VS Boise State
March 2 @ San José State
Mar 7 VS Air Force
Mar 14 @ Arizona
Mar 22 @ Mountain West Championships
April 3-6 @ NCAA Regional Championships
April 18-20 @ NCAA Championships
Bars, Beams, Blessings
Fourth-year Utah State University student and gymnast Dani Kirstine started her athletic career as a way to channel her energy.
“I started from a young age, so my mom just kind of put me in to get some of that energy out,” Kirstine said.
It wasn’t long before Kirstine’s competitive nature took over. But her passion for gymnastics didn’t start with the sport itself. Growing up, Kirstine’s mother served as a constant source of inspiration for her to work hard as an athlete.
“What inspired me to stay in is just my mom,” Kirstine said. “She was an Olympic athlete for skiing, so just kind of hearing her stories and how great she was — that really inspired me to follow in her footsteps.”
For Kirstine, her mother’s success was the blueprint for her own career, and if she wanted to make it to the Olympics, she would have to take her training to the next level.
“I moved gyms when I was 14, so I went to Las Vegas and went with a host family so I could go to a bigger gym and train with some better girls and get those opportunities,” Kirstine said. “That became my focus.”
Kirstine was willing to make sacrifices for her athletic career. She left her friends and family behind to pursue her dreams of making it to the Olympics even though the journey wasn’t always easy.
“I mean, it was hard to be away from family and just kind of miss out on all the school things like prom and football,” Kirstine said.
Kirstine missed out on school dances, family dinners, parties and other parts of growing up. Driven by her athletic goals, she said the experience was worth it.
“My goals have always been important to me, so I never really minded missing out on those things,” Kirstine said. “I still had other friends who went to school, and the family I lived with was super helpful.”
With a support system in Vegas, a few visits from her mom and a number of cheap flights back home, she made the situation work. However, when training was over, her dreams of making it to the Olympics began to taper off.
“As you get older, you realize that it is only four girls that get to go, and injuries happen, and sometimes opportunities just aren’t always there,” Kirstine said.
For Kirstine, the realization was a hard lesson to learn, but she bounced back quickly. At a young age, Kirstine said she “fell in love with a few different college teams.” One of them was USU.
“That quickly became my second goal,” Kirstine said.
After, it wasn’t long before she was setting new goals for herself and reaching them. Through her first, second and third campaign at Utah State, she received four honors, including accolades as the Mountain West Bars Co-Specialist of the Week and the Women’s Collegiate Gymnastics Association Scholastic All-American.
She also managed to attend classes as a full-time student and make time for her friends — the latter wasn’t too hard since Kirstine’s closest friend is her both her roommate and teammate.
“We usually hang out a lot,” Kirstine said.
Kirstine has been friends with fellow gymnast Angel Stuart since her second year at Utah State when they moved in together. From the moment they met, the girls said they fell into an easy and reliable friendship.
“I feel like we’re always on the same wavelength,” Stuart said. “If we just want to sit around the house, we usually both want to, or if we want to go do something or get food, we’re always on the same page.”
Kirstine and Stuart spend nearly all their time together. On top of living and training together, they are both studying sports management, meaning they go to class at the same time too.
“We’re the same major so, especially last year, we had all the same classes,” Stuart said. “Our schedule, even now, is the same.”
Kirstine said her time with Stuart is how she stays sane during their busy academic and athletic schedules. They make sure they have time to unwind, which includes activities such as painting rocks or what they call “scooter times.”
“One of our teammates gave her a scooter a couple years ago,” Stuart said.
After Kirstine received a scooter and began riding it around campus, Stuart thought she needed one too so they could go together.
“That day, we went to Walmart and bought a scooter,” Stuart said. “We sound like children, but no, we literally will go.”
By Landri LaJeunesse
However, Stuart said they don’t always have to do something to hang out.
“When we’re at home, I feel like our doors are never closed,” Stuart said. “She’ll come sit on my dresser, and I’ll go sit on her floor, especially over summer.”
No matter what they’re doing, Kirstine and Stuart would prefer to do it together. But Stuart’s friendship isn’t the only thing getting Kirstine through her busy days and weeks.
“I have a journal, and I write down everywhere I have to be for the week, like practice, what’s kind of expected for me from the day,” Kirstine said.
Kirstine believes time management is what helps her the most with stress and responsibilities. She also takes the time to practice gratitude for what she has.
“The fact that I get to wake up this morning is a blessing,” Kirstine said. “That’s really what gets me up in the mornings — is just that I get to.”
Kirstine reminds herself even waking up is a privilege. For her, being mindful that living day to day, being healthy and having the ability to walk are things not everyone gets to do keeps her motivated and puts her life into perspective.
Stuart thinks this mindset is what makes Kirstine a good friend.
“She’s very understanding of the fact that something’s hard or very understanding of different people’s situations,” Stuart said. “She just wants everyone to know that they have someone.”
Stuart said Kirstine is friends with everyone on their team, and she is always the first person to reach out when someone is hurt or struggling. When the first-year students come in, Stuart said Kirstine does her best to make the girls feel welcome.
“I feel like she just has such a big heart,” Stuart said. “It’s just the type of person she is.”
From changing the direction of her dreams to always being there for her friends and teammates, Kirstine keeps it in perspective.
“Be grateful for what you have,” Kirstine said. “There’s people who have a lot less.”