Green dreams: UVU athletics continues to build, envisions more big moments
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- UVU sophomore Carter Welling goes up for a shot during a game against Western Colorado at the UCCU Center in Orem on Monday, Nov. 4, 2024.
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- UVU players celebrate a big play during the game against CSU Bakersfield at the UCCU Center in Orem on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024.
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- UVU players and coaches celebrate after securing the conference regular season title after winning the WAC game against Grand Canyon at Clyde Field in Orem on Monday, Oct. 21, 2024.
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- UVU runners race together during the WAC cross country championship at Lakeside Park in Orem on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024.
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- UVU freshman Sami Blackett (13) hits the ball during the WAC game against Cal Baptist at Lockhart Arena in Orem on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024.
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- UVU senior pitcher Braden Boisvert prepares to throw a pitch during a game at UCCU Ballpark in Orem during the 2024 season.
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- UVU freshman pitcher Avery Sapp celebrates a good play during the 2024 season.
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- UVU sophomore Luke Iverson hits the ball during the non-conference game at UCCU Ballpark in Orem on Tuesday, May 7, 2024.
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- UVU representatives do the ceremonial groundbreaking for the new UCCU Stadium that took place in Orem on Tuesday, April 9, 2024.
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- UVU players talk things over during the non-conference game against Weber State at the Dee Events Center in Ogden on Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024.
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- UVU and Oregon State wrestlers compete during a dual meet at Lockhart Arena in Orem on Friday, Dec. 21, 2024.
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- UVU junior Ruby Hladek slides for the ball during the WAC game against Grand Canyon at Clyde Field in Orem on Monday, Oct. 21, 2024.
Every year the Utah Valley athletic department goes through a wide range of successes and challenges.
On the one hand, the Wolverines continue to build a program that results in elite performances in a wide range of sports, both by teams and by individuals.
On the other, however, development of name, image and likeness (NIL) deals, the transfer portal and potentially paying players presents some difficult issues for UVU to tackle.
While the Wolverines have obstacles to overcome to carve out their niche in the modern world of college athletics, you can bet they will always be striving to create the best opportunities they can for their athletes to succeed.
But they could always use a little help.
Since this is the time of year for kids everywhere to share their wishes, here’s a look at one potential wish for each of UVU’s sports teams:
Men’s basketball: An NCAA tournament berth
It may be the most obvious desire for any program in UVU’s situation, but that doesn’t make it any less wanted.
The Wolverines have had really good teams who nearly made it, as well as coaches who are now having success at big-time programs who had chances.
But it hasn’t happened yet, largely because quirky (and frustrating) things often happen in the conference tournaments. Since the WAC is almost always going to be a one-bid league, UVU needs to make a run to the tournament title to get in.
Maybe 2025 will be the year.
Women’s basketball: More disruption for opponents in key moments
The Wolverines have embraced playing hard-nosed, aggressive defense. They want to pester their foes until they can handle it anymore and make mistakes.
When it works, it can result in plenty of quick points for UVU, something that has been clear in almost all of the Wolverine wins this season.
Since that is UVU’s identity, the Wolverines this year would love to have that come into play in key moments in big games. A few more steals, a couple of breakaway layups, some desperate fouls by the other team, those things in the right moments could turn UVU into a real contender in the WAC.
Women’s soccer: A season of sellouts in its new stadium
The Wolverines have had an impressive run of success under the direction of head coach Chris Lemay, a run that has included conference titles, NCAA tournament bids and wins over the other Utah Valley-based women’s soccer team (BYU).
Now UVU is getting an enhanced facility to showcase the talents of its athletes as the new UCCU Soccer Stadium is under construction. The designs and developments look like it will be a great place to watch the “beautiful game.”
Now the Wolverines just want it to be packed night-in and night-out to truly give UVU a massive home-field advantage.
Men’s soccer: Another Omar Yehya-type performer
Yes, the Wolverine men’s soccer team would also love to regularly have the new stadium packed with fans — but they would also love to have an athlete to fill the shoes of senior Omar Yehya.
Yehya scored a WAC-leading 12 goals and added three assists for a total of 27 points, tying the program record for a single season. Yehya’s 12 goals were the most scored in a regular season in program history and second most overall, while also tying him for seventh in the nation in goals scored.
Yehya’s performance garnered him numerous postseason accolades, including first team Academic All-American, first team All-Far West region, and first team All-WAC.
Athletes of Yehya’s caliber aren’t easy to find, so UVU would certainly be thrilled to have another one emerge.
Volleyball: A return trip to the postseason
It had been three years since the Wolverines had earned the opportunity to play postseason volleyball before UVU got the chance to compete in the 2024 National Invitational Volleyball Championship (NIVC).
The Wolverines got past Washington State before losing to Wyoming, but the chance to play some extra matches was big for the program.
Most of the UVU players were underclassmen, so they should be hungry to get back to the postseason. The NCAA tournament would be the top goal, but doing enough to get back to the NIVC would also be a big deal for these Wolverines.
Wrestling: A healthy season for Terrell Barraclough
The UVU senior has earned the right to be the face of the program for head coach Adam Smith, pulling off some big upsets already this year and earned the No. 4 ranking nationally at the 165-pound division.
Barraclough boasts an impressive 15-1 so far in the 2024-25 season but wrestling can be very physically taxing with many top wrestlers going down with injuries.
If he can stay on the mat, Barraclough has a legitimate shot at reaching some big goals in the coming months.
Baseball: A big first year for head coach Nate Rasmussen
Rasmussen, a former Bingham High star, had already been entrenched at UVU for the last three years as an assistant coach when he got the promotion to head coach in July.
He was part of a big improvement between 2022 and 2023 as the Wolverines increased their win total by 24 games. Now he has brought in some new faces and looks to lead the program on its next step forward in 2025.
Softball: More dynamic performances in the circle
Softball is a pitcher’s game and UVU had some good moments from its hurlers last year. While Halle Morris has moved on, the Wolverines have solid experience returning.
If UVU can have Payge Armendariz and Avery Sapp take a big step forward this season, the Wolverines should put together another solid year and be in the mix for a WAC championship.
Cross country: New stars to emerge
UVU had some tremendous successes in 2024, led by impressive performances by runners like Mo Guled, Anna Martin and Caila Odekirk.
But many of the top finishers for the Wolverines were seniors, so next year’s cross-country teams will need to have new stars emerge. One to watch is former Lone Peak runner Alex Hartshorn, who will be a sophomore and who was the top placer (10th) for the team at the Utah Scenic West Open in October.
Track: 15 athletes to make it to the NCAAs
It was a testament to the depth of the UVU track and field team that a school-record 14 athletes earned the opportunity to compete at the NCAA regionals in Fayetteville, Ark., in May of 2024.
Now the goal for the Wolverines should be to not only continue that success but to take it another step further by breaking that mark in 2025.
Golf: More wins for Dane Huddleston
Huddleston, a sophomore, sent a message to other teams that he is going to be a factor this season when he won two tournaments and took third in another in three straight weeks in October.
UVU would love to see Huddleston stay in that form when the spring season gets underway in February. Every win he can get will also help the Wolverine squad notch top finishes as a group.
