Magic Valley athletes were everywhere in 2023, ranging from football to ax-throwing to Greco-Roman wrestling. It made for plenty of memorable moments, and here are the top from each month of 2023.
January
CSI men’s basketball reaches No. 1
The Golden Eagles were the final undefeated team in the NJCAA, and rose to the top spot of the NJCAA poll after a 113-49 win over Colorado Northwestern Community College on Jan. 21.
CSI finished the regular season 29-0, its first undefeated regular season since 1976-77 before dropping their first game in both the Region 18 and NJCAA National Tournament.
Sophomore Robert Whaley was named Region 18 Player of the Year, while head coach Jeff Reinert was named Region 18 Coach of the Year. Eight players from the team signed to play at the next level.
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The CSI men's basketball team is No. 1 in the NJCAA rankings for the first time since 2015. But the Golden Eagles have even bigger goals.
The No. 1 CSI men’s basketball team capped its first undefeated regular season in nearly 50 years, while the No. 4 CSI women extended their winning streak to 15 games.
February
Raft River girls basketball wins 1st state title
The Lady Trojans were the only Magic Valley girls basketball team to win a state title, knocking off Oakley 38-32 on Feb. 18 in the 1A Division I.
The win avenged the Lady Hornets win over Raft River in the Snake River Conference Tournament championship.
Senior Caroline Schumann was named the state tournament Most Valuable Player, while sophomore Ryan Udy was given the sixth man award.
The Raft River girls won the Magic Valley's only state basketball championship this season, drawing motivation from last year's disappointing finish to claim the school's first title.
The Raft River Trojans take a team photo after beating Oakley to win the school's first girls basketball state championship on Feb. 18 at the …
Minico wrestling goes back to back
Spartans head coach Clay Robinson said he was a little disappointed in Saturday’s final round, but it was still more than enough for Minico to win its second straight state championship and eighth in program history.
Sophomore Preston Sonner-Cranney and junior Garrett Vail won individual titles in the 195-pound and 220-pound weight class, respectively.
Preston Sonner-Cranney and Garrett Vail won individual titles on Saturday to lead Minico's successful defense of its 4A team crown at the Idaho High School Wrestling State Championships.
Preston Sonner-Cranney of Minico celebrates after defeating Jerome's Gavin Williamson for the 4A state wrestling title at 195 pounds in Februa…
March
CSI women’s basketball reaches national tournament semifinals
It was a banner year for the Lady Eagles, who finished 31-3 and reached the NJCAA national tournament semifinals for the second time in program history.
Not only did CSI make history as a team, but head coach Randy Rogers won his 500th game with a 99-60 rout of Colorado Northwestern Community College on Jan. 21. Freshman Kaylee Headrick was named an honorable mention All-American, while five players signed to play at the next level.
CSI capitalized with 36 bench points and shot 46.7% from the field to win 79-64 Saturday evening at the Rip Center in Lubbock, Texas during the NJCAA Women's Basketball Tournament.
CSI's Randy Rogers has produced 22 all-Americans, 45 academic all-Americans and propelled 92 players to the four-year university level while winning 500 games across 21 seasons.
April
CSI men’s rodeo wins Rocky Mountain Region
Not only did the Golden Eagles bring home the team title, but two of their athletes won individual events.
Sage Allen won the Bareback Riding Title and Tyson Hirchi won the Bull Riding Title. The men’s team later competed at the College National Finals Rodeo in June.
The College of Southern Idaho will send eight cowboys and two cowgirls — including three regional champions — to the College National Finals Rodeo this summer in Casper, Wyoming.Â
Lighthouse Christian adds baseball
A year after adding softball, the Lions inaugural baseball team took the field. Head coach Edward Wood led a 14-player roster which won games against Glenns Ferry, Idaho City and Rimrock last spring.
The Lighthouse Christian baseball team threw its first pitch and notched its first hit this week, a year after the Twin Falls school launched a softball program.
May
Kimberly, Declo boys golf win state titles
The Bulldogs made it back-to-back state titles, topping second place Homedale by 67 strokes. Senior Toby Heider won the individual title, and Jameson Harper and Joe Hopkins won individual medals as they placed sixth and seventh, respectively.
The Hornets won their first boys golf title in school history. Jaxon Smyer led the way as he finished third, and Alex Gailey finished in sixth.
The Kimberly boys won their second straight 3A state golf championship on Tuesday at Blackfoot Golf Course, beating the second-place team by an eye-popping 67 shots.
Kimberly softball wins first title since 2010
The Lady Bulldogs won their fourth state championship in program history the hard way.
After dropping their first game of the day to Marsh Valley 7-1, Kimberly beat Gooding 9-8 in a true second place game before beating Marsh Valley twice, 12-2 and 13-2, to take home the title.
Kimberly softball won the 3A state championship, while the Bulldogs' baseball team fell in extra innings in the title game.Â
Declo finished second in 2A and Gooding third in 3A.
Wood River, Sun Valley boys take home tennis title
The Wolverines made it back-to-back 4A championships, topping runner-up Bishop Kelly by 20 points.
They were especially dominant in doubles, with both of their pairs making the championship. Garin Beste and Chase Schwartz swept Ballard Griswold and Joe Boccabella in the final.
The Cutthroats won their 11th title overall and third 3A crown in five years, topping runner-up Parma by 16 points. Matt Carlin won the individual singles title.
The Wood River (4A) and Sun Valley Community School (3A) boys tennis teams won state titles last weekend, while the SVCS girls finished in second place.
Raft River girls track and field makes it 5 in a row
The Lady Trojans found themselves on top of the podium again, tying their own 1A record with a fifth straight team championship.
Senior Libby Boden led the way with wins in the 100-meter and 200-meter dash, while junior Allie Black won the 3,200-meter run. Raft River also captured team titles in the 4x200-meter relay and the 800-meter sprint medley relay, setting a new 1A record of 1:49.50 in the latter. The Lady Trojans 113.83 points were nearly double that of runner-up Prarie (58).
CSI’s Camp wins Steeplechase title
In just her second time running the 3,000 meter steeplechase, CSI sophomore Audrey Camp brought home a national championship in the event, as her closest competitor finished 12 seconds behind. Camp also won back-to-back women’s cross country team national championships with CSI.
CSI softball returns to national tournament
The Lady Eagles advanced to the NJCAA tournament for the second straight year after besting Salt Lake Community College to win the Region 18 Tournament Championship. Sophomore Gracie Tentinger was named a First Team NJCAA All-American, while sophomore Gracie Walters was named a Third Team All-American and Region 18 Pitcher of the Year.
CSI completed an undefeated run at the Region 18 Tournament on Wednesday, beating Salt Lake Community College to clinch its second straight trip to the NJCAA Division I World Series.
CSI announces men’s and women’s soccer teams
On May 22, CSI officially announced it would be having men’s and women’s soccer teams in the fall of 2024. The teams will play home games at an outdoor facility in the south end of Jerome. Interest in adding the sport had dated back to 2015, but finally came together due to finding a home for both teams as well as the ability to have some of the best players in the Magic Valley stay home to continue their soccer careers.
June
Peyton Bair competes at NCAA championship
Kimberly graduate and Mississippi State freshman Peyton Bair finished 11th in the decathlon at the NCAA Track and Field Championships, earning Second Team All-American honors. Bair hadn’t competed in three years because missed his senior high school season because of the COVID-19 pandemic and then served two-year LDS mission.
Kimberly High graduate Peyton Bair refined his focus and became faster. He will compete at the NCAA Track & Field Championships this week for Mississippi State University.
Magic Valley wins six rodeo state titles
The Magic Valley was well represented at this year’s Idaho High School Rodeo State finals.
On the boys side, Jerome’s Winn Southwick won bareback riding and Tucker Taylor won bull riding, while Gooding’s Trey Smith tied for the title in steer wrestling. On the girls side, Castleford’s Katie Brackett was named Miss Idaho High School Rodeo Queen, Kimberly’s Chantry Brackett won girls cutting and Rupert native Teely Bott won barrel racing.
Six Magic Valley rodeo contestants won Idaho high school state championships in Pocatello this week — including Jerome's Winn Southwick and Tucker Taylor, Rupert's Teely Bott, and Gooding's Trey Smith.
Kimberly High School senior-to-be Chantry Brackett and her horse, Lucas, claimed the Magic Valley's first championship at the Idaho High School Rodeo Association State Finals.
Kimberly’s Chantry Brackett won the girls cutting title on Monday at the Idaho High School Rodeo Association State Finals at the Bannock County Event Center in Pocatello.
July
Local on TV for ax-throwing
Twin Falls resident Tasia Cobbs competed in the Far-Thro Ax Throwing Championship in Fargo, North Dakota. The event was broadcast on Fargo’s NBC and CBS affiliate.
Tasia Cobbs wasn't sure what to expect with her new job. But she found a new sport and plenty of friends thanks to the opportunity.
August
Gatlin Bair makes original college decision
Burley senior Gatlin Bair, the highest rated recruit in Idaho history, announced his decision to commit to Boise State University on Aug. 5.
Bair is currently the No. 11 wide receiver and No. 43 overall player in the country according to the 247 Sports Composite.
Bair, however, later decommitted from Boise State in December, and will commit to either Oregon or Michigan at a later date. He will represent Burley one last time at the Under Armour All-American Bowl on Jan. 6.
Burley wide receiver Gatlin Bair announced his commitment to Boise State on Saturday night and becomes the Broncos' highest-ranked recruit in program history.
Burley’s Gatlin Bair will conclude his prep career in the All-American Bowl on Jan. 6 in Texas. Fans can watch the game on NBC and Peacock.
Gatlin Bair, Burley's standout wide receiver, decommitted from Boise State, he announced Friday night on social media.
Declo’s Matthews goes international
Declo’s Derek Matthews competed in the United World Wrestling Greco-Roman Championships in Amman, Jordan. A four time Idaho state champion, Matthews went 1-2 at the event. Matthews won gold at the U20 Pan American championships in July.
Derek Matthews' whatever-it-takes attitude carried him from Declo to the 2023 United World Wrestling U20 Greco-Roman Championships in Amman, Jordan. He wrestles at 1 a.m. Friday.
September
Burley, Oakley battle in Boise
The Bobcats and Hornets played on the blue turf at Albertson’s Stadium on Sept. 1. Burley topped Vallivue 65-30, while Oakley fell to Kendrick, 44-22.
Oakley and Burley are set to compete in Friday's Battle of Boise at BSU's Albertsons Stadium, sponsored by Southern Solar Pros.
Reclassification splits Twin Falls and Canyon Ridge
The first change to Idaho’s classification system in 20 years split up the two biggest schools in the Magic Valley.
Canyon Ridge will bump to 6A (what is now 5A), while Twin Falls will remain in 5A (what is now 4A). The Riverhawks will be the only District IV school in 6A. Other Magic Valley schools changing classes are Hagerman bumping up from 1A to 2A, while Carey is moving down from 1A DI to 1A.
The alignment slightly changed the enrollment levels for each of the six classes. Instead of 1A being split into two divisions, 1A Division II will be 1A while 1A Division I will be 2A, which bumps the other classes up one number.
The state’s superintendents overruled the Idaho High School Activities Association Board of Directors, voting to use a proposed plan that makes Canyon Ridge the standalone District IV school in 6A.
October
Wood River boys soccer captures state championship
The Wolverines topped Sandpoint, 3-1, in the 4A title game on Oct. 21 to win their first soccer state championship since 2017.
After conceding an own goal in the 17th minute, Wood River was the much better team the rest of the way, scoring three beautiful goals to put away the win. Senior Conrad Foster was named 4A Player of the Year, while first year head coach Greg Gvosdas was named 4A Coach of the Year. Five other Wolverines were named to the 4A All-State team.
Top-seeded Wood River won its first boys soccer title since 2017 on Saturday, beating No. 6 Sandpoint 3-1 in Middleton.
Kimberly's Ellie Stastny became the 3A girls Player of the Year while Wood River's Conrad Foster won the 4A boys Player of the Year.Â
Raft River girls cross country runs to another title
The Lady Trojans claimed a title in each sports season, winning their second consecutive and third 1A team title in four years by one point over Victory Charter.
Senior Allie Black won her third straight individual title, becoming just the seventh female runner to do so and first in 1A since it got its own cross country classification in 2015. When this championship run started in 2020, it was the first time Raft River fielded a full team since 1999.
Allie Black claimed her third consecutive 1A title as Raft River clipped Victory Charter to win its second straight 1A state championship on Saturday in Pocatello.
November
Camas County football advances to state championship game for first time since 1981
It was a historic fall for the Mushers.
First, Camas County captured its first conference title since 2004, then advanced to the state championship game for the first time since 1981. Though they fell to Kendrick in the Kibbie Dome in the title game, it was still a season to remember.
Senior Troy Smith was named Sawtooth Conference Player of the Year, Tristen Smith was named Offensive Player of the Year, Tyson Tupper was named Defensive Player of the Year and Rusty Kramer was named Coach of the Year. Seven Mushers were named to the All-State team.
A historic, once-in-several decades season ended Thursday night as Camas County lost to Kendrick in the 1A Division II state championship.
No Camas County team in more than four decades accomplished what these boys did Friday night, reaching the state championship game with a 67-18 win over Rockland.
Forty-four Magic Valley athletes combined for 52 All-State football selections.
Camas County dominates Sawtooth Conference postseason awards: Troy Smith (Player of the Year), Tristen Smith (Offensive POY), Tyson Tupper (Defensive POY) and Rusty Kramer (Coach of the Year).
CSI volleyball team returns to national tournament
The winningest JUCO volleyball team in the country returned to the NJCAA Tournament for the first time since 2018.
The ninth seeded Lady Eagles finished the tournament seventh overall, topping No. 8 seed Odessa and No. 6 seed Weatherford.
Sophomore Annie Nikolnikova was named an All-American and she and sophomore Val Sarti-Cipriani have signed to play at Syracuse and Cal State Bakersfield, respectively.
Nikolnikova was also named Region 18 Player of the Year, while sophomore Chinaru Inoue was named Region 18 Libero of the Year.
College of Southern Idaho volleyball finished seventh at the NJCAA Tournament.
No. 9 CSI will play No. 8 Odessa College in the first round at the NJCAA Tournament next week in Kansas.
Annie Nikolnikova, a Syracuse signee and College of Southern Idaho's standout middle blocker, earned First Team NJCAA All-American honors on Tuesday.
Val Sarti-Cipriani, a College of Southern Idaho volleyball right side, transformed into a two-year staple and signed with Cal State Bakersfield.
CSI's Annie Nikolnikova won the SWAC Player of the Year while fellow CSI sophomore Chinaru Inoue claimed the SWAC Libero of the Year.Â
December
Twin Falls native top seed at U.S. Boxing Trials
Twin Falls native Kendra Samargis was the top seed for the 75kg (165 pounds) women’s boxing division for the 2024 U.S. Olympic Team Trials, which took place Dec. 4-9 at the Cajundome in Lafayette, Louisiana. Samargis trains at Family Boxing and Fitness in Twin Falls, and qualified for the trials after she won the 2022 USA Boxing Elite National Championship. Samargis lost her opening bout to Rupert native Chelsi Davis in a split decision.
Izabella Jimenez and Skyler Bellus of Family Boxing earned national rankings following the 2023 National Junior Olympics, and now have sights set on local bouts at Legacy Fields in Filer
Minico’s Latta signs with Utah State
Fans, friends and family packed the Minico High School library on Dec. 6 to watch girls basketball player CJ Latta sign her national letter of intent to play for Utah State.
Latta was named Great Basin Conference Player of the Year for the 2022-23 season, helping lead the Spartans to the 4A state tournament. At the state tournament, she scored a record 95 points in three games. Latta’s play has inspired many in Minidoka County, including one girl who dressed up in her signature headband, glasses and bun for Halloween.
Minico coach Anna Bateman said a little girl dressed as CJ Latta for Halloween. Latta, a Minico "icon" signed with Utah State on Wednesday.Â