The 2018-2019 season for Idaho athletics brought memories Vandal fans won’t soon forget.
Idaho experienced many high points from the 2018-2019 seasons as Vandal athletes continued to bring their best while wearing the silver and gold.
Women’s basketball’s “Splash Sisters”
Mikayla Ferenz and Taylor Pierce will leave Idaho as some of the most accomplished athletes in the program’s history.
Senior guards Mikayla Ferenz and Taylor Pierce celebrate Ferenz becoming Idaho’s all-time leading scorer, which she accomplished against University of Montana Thursday in Cowan Spectrum.
Pierce became part of an exclusive club as the fourth player in women’s division in history to make over 400 career threes, finishing her career with 472 treys.
Ferenz had herself a year too, becoming the all- time leading scorer in Idaho and Big Sky history, joining Pierce as a member of the 400 3-pointer club with a late season push and winning the Big Sky’s Most Valuable Player award.
The Splash Sisters were both named to the All-Big Sky First Team after leading Idaho to its first regular season title since the 1980’s with a 16-4 record. Although not winning the conference tournament, the Vandals finished in the Sweet Sixteen in the WNIT.
“(Ferenz and Pierce) have meant so much to this program,” head coach Jon Newlee said before the Splash Sisters’ final home game. “They are just great people on and off the floor. It has been a joy to coach the both of them for four years, it will for sure be one of the most emotional senior nights I have ever been through.”
2018 soccer senior class
The 2018 season got off to an unusual start for Idaho soccer.
After losing head coach Derek Pittman during the offseason, the Vandals weren’t sure what was to come.
But after Jeremy Clevenger was named head coach, the team was able to right the ship and return to form.
The 2018 senior class will finish their careers as the all- time winningest class in program history.
Goalkeeper Makayla Presgrave finished the season winning Co-Big Sky Keeper of the Year, along with Big Sky Defensive MVP Kelly Dopke, defenders Claire Johnson, Josilyn Daggs and Anna Rose Wiencek. The group formed one the best defensive teams in the conference, going on a stretch without allowing a goal in the Kibbie Dome.
Bridget Daley, Megan Goo and Kayla Watanabe helped jumpstart Idaho’s offense, as the group of forwards consistently found open looks on goal while providing sparks during games.
Rounding out the senior class was Jordyn Dion, who provided quality minutes from the bench to help solidify the midfield game.
Despite losing in the Big Sky Tournament semi-finals, the mark this class has left on the legacy of the program will not be forgotten.
Zach Short, track and field
Domination, the best way to describe the indoor season for Zach Short, who competes in shot put for Idaho track and field.
Not only does Short hold the record for shot put in the Big Sky but won for the second straight season for shot put at the Indoor Big Sky Championships. Short was also invited to the NCAA Indoor Championships and was named a Second Team All-American.
Still in his junior season, Short came in with high expectations, but performed at a level he wasn’t expecting.
“It is definitely a goal that I had for the next two years, I wasn’t really shooting for it this year,” Short said of his record-breaking performances earlier this year. “But it happened, and it just feels really good to be ahead of schedule in a way. Just to have those accomplishments, it’s a good sign that I’m doing the right things and my hard work is paying off.”
Sophie Hausmann, women’s golf
Hausmann broke through the glass ceiling and went where few in women’s golf have gone before.
Hausmann was selected to compete in the 2019 Augusta National Women’s Amateur tournament, along with her first LPGA event at the U.S. Women’s Open.
“It’s huge for the program. I don’t know if I have quite comprehended it myself,” said Idaho Women’s Golf Head Coach Lisa Johnson after hearing Hausmann was selected. “I’m just so proud of Sophie that she put herself in a position to where she is invited. She worked extremely hard for it and I know she is one of the best players in the world.”
Being ranked as high as No. 54 in the world amateur golf rankings, Hausmann finished her career on a high note, also earning Big Sky Player of the Year for the second consecutive season.
Zack Kellogg can be reached at [email protected] and on twitter @kellogg_zack.