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LOGAN, Utah – The Boise State gymnastics team is set to compete against Utah State in a Mountain West Conference meet this Friday, Feb. 20, at 6:30 p.m. In Logan, Utah. The Broncos (195.350 NQS) are looking to continue their strong season against the Aggies (195.638 NQS), who currently hold the highest National Qualifying Score (NQS) in the Mountain West.

Boise State is coming off a successful showing at the Feb. 15 Metroplex Challenge, where they achieved a season-best score of 49.125 on beam. This meet marks the 122nd time the two programs will face off, with Utah State holding a slight edge in the all-time series, 61-59-1. However, under head coach Tina Bird, the Broncos boast a 46-7-1 record against the Aggies. The teams last met on Jan. 30, 2026, in Boise, where Utah State narrowly defeated Boise State, 195.350-195.250.

Fans can follow the meet with live scoring available on StatBroadcast and a free live stream on the Mountain West Network, with links accessible on BroncoSports.com.

Aggies Lead the Mountain West

Utah State enters the competition as the team to beat in the Mountain West, leading the conference in NQS on bars (48.958) and floor (49.083). Nyla Morabito and Sydney Jelen currently hold the top NQS scores in the conference on vault (9.830) and beam (9.820), respectively. Isabella Vater (9.870 on floor) and Olivia Orengo (9.830 on bars) are also ranked second in the league in their respective events. The Aggies have earned 11 Mountain West weekly honors this season, with Vater leading the way with three on floor.

Broncos Shine on Beam, Freshmen Lead the Way

Boise State’s performance at the Metroplex Challenge highlighted their strength on beam, where Miraya Nero and Kristina Shchennikova both posted career-high scores of 9.900. This marked the first time the Broncos have had two gymnasts achieve a 9.900 on beam in the same meet since the 2024 Mountain West Championships. Sydney Kho and Brantley Lucas also matched their career-highs on beam, while Isabella Delarosa rounded out the lineup with a solid routine.

Nero and Shchennikova were recognized for their performances, being named Mountain West Co-Beam Specialists of the Week, with Nero also earning MW Co-Freshman of the Week honors. Nero has secured three MW weekly awards this season, the most on the team. Shchennikova’s recognition marks her ninth career weekly honor and first of the season. Nero’s impressive freshman season includes an all-around crown at BYU on Jan. 16 with a score of 39.075, making her the first Boise State freshman to win an all-around title since 2017 (Courtney McGregor). She also posted a career-high 9.850 on floor and 39.100 in the all-around during the Jan. 30 home quad, Boise State’s best all-around score since 2021 (Hope Masiado).

Shchennikova Continues to Impress

Sophomore Kristina Shchennikova continues to be a key performer for the Broncos, winning a share of the bars crown at the Feb. 6 quad with a score of 9.875, the highest individual score of the year for Boise State. This victory marked her first career win on bars and her fourth overall. She remains the only gymnast on the Boise State roster with titles in multiple events. Shchennikova has also proven her versatility, competing in three or more events this season alongside all-around gymnast Miraya Nero.

Looking Ahead

Following this week’s meet in Logan, Boise State will return home to host the Mountain West Championships in ExtraMile Arena. The Broncos, who won the 2025 Mountain West regular season crown, will aim to build on their successes and continue their pursuit of a conference championship. The team’s performance against Utah State will be a crucial test as they prepare for the championship meet.

What are your predictions for the meet? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Dakar, Senegal – A deepening crisis is unfolding at Radiodiffusion Télévision Sénégalaise (RTS), Senegal’s national broadcaster, as workers are intensifying pressure on Director General Pape Alé Niang. The Intersyndicale SYNPICS–SYNPAP, a coalition of RTS worker unions, is demanding Niang’s immediate dismissal, alleging a “grave drift” in leadership and accusing him of undermining the integrity of the public service media organization. The escalating tensions follow the recent release of five union representatives who had been detained for questioning.

The core of the dispute centers around accusations of intimidation and politically motivated actions against union leaders. According to a communiqué released by the Intersyndicale, the five unionists were held for nearly ten hours by the Section de recherches, but were ultimately released without charge. The unions interpret this outcome as confirmation that the initial complaint against them was “unfounded and political,” a tactic they say is incompatible with the mission of a public service broadcaster. This dispute over worker rights at RTS has been brewing for some time.

Union Leaders Allege Political Interference

The Intersyndicale asserts that Pape Alé Niang has “lost all moral and professional legitimacy” and is no longer fit to lead RTS. They are calling for his immediate resignation or removal from office to safeguard the broadcaster’s independence and serve the public interest. Beyond Niang’s removal, the unions are demanding the immediate lifting of a suspended company agreement and accountability from those responsible for the contested decisions that sparked the current crisis. The situation highlights concerns about press freedom and the potential for political interference within Senegal’s state media.

Threat of Industrial Action

In a stern warning, RTS workers have stated they will not rule out any legal and peaceful means of protest – including strikes, sit-ins, rallies, and a national mobilization – if authorities fail to intervene promptly. The Intersyndicale is urging the authorities to act swiftly to prevent what they describe as a “major social and institutional crisis,” pledging to remain mobilized until workers’ rights and collective agreements are respected. The potential for widespread disruption to Senegal’s national broadcasting services is a significant concern.

Recent Detentions and Release

The recent detention of the five union representatives further fueled the unrest. The Intersyndicale reported that the individuals were questioned by the Section de recherches for nearly ten hours before being released without any charges filed against them. This release, according to the unions, underscores the lack of merit in the initial complaint and highlights what they perceive as an attempt to intimidate and silence dissenting voices within RTS. Further reports indicate the unions view the detentions as a direct attack on their right to represent workers’ interests.

The situation at RTS is being closely watched as a test case for press freedom and labor rights in Senegal. The Intersyndicale’s demands for accountability and the protection of workers’ rights reflect broader concerns about the independence of state media and the potential for political influence. The coming days will be critical in determining whether a resolution can be reached and a major crisis averted.

What happens next will depend on the Senegalese authorities’ response to the Intersyndicale’s demands. The unions have made it clear they are prepared to escalate their actions if their concerns are not addressed. The potential for disruption to national broadcasting services remains a significant possibility, and the outcome of this dispute could have lasting implications for the future of media freedom in Senegal.

Share your thoughts on this developing story in the comments below.

The race for the National Basketball League (NBL) Most Valuable Player award is reaching a fever pitch, with both Sydney Kings guard Kendric Davis and Adelaide 36ers star Bryce Cotton emerging as frontrunners. As the league heads into the final game of the regular season, debate is swirling over who deserves the honor, with some suggesting a shared MVP award may be warranted. Simultaneously, the Perth Wildcats are reportedly poised to welcome back a familiar face, two-time champion Nick Kay, for a final stint in the NBL.

The possibility of a dual MVP award has gained traction, fueled by observations from current players. Dejan Vasiljevic, of the Adelaide 36ers, weighed in on SEN WA Breakfast, stating, “Honestly this might sound a bit controversial, I think it’ll be the first time in NBL history that there’s a kind of a dual MVP.” He argued that removing either Cotton or Davis from their respective teams would significantly impact their success, suggesting both are invaluable to their clubs. While a shared MVP isn’t unprecedented in NBL history, it remains a rare occurrence.

MVP Debate: A League First?

Vasiljevic’s assessment highlights the unique contributions of both players. He believes that both the Kings and the 36ers would struggle to maintain their current standings without their star guards. “Like both of them will win given that if you take either player out of the court of their respective teams, I don’t think Sydney’s first and I don’t think Adelaide’s second,” Vasiljevic explained. This sentiment was echoed by co-host Scott Cummings, who noted the impact both players have had on teams positioned near the top of the NBL ladder.

The definition of “most valuable” remains a central point of contention. Is it the league’s best individual performer, or the player whose absence would most severely impact their team’s success? Both Cotton and Davis have compelling arguments under either interpretation. Vasiljevic anticipates potential controversy if only one player is awarded the MVP, stating, “I think if one wins and one doesn’t, the disrespect is probably going to be high.” He proposes a shared award as a solution, acknowledging the significant contributions of both athletes. With one game remaining – Sydney Kings facing the Brisbane Bullets and Adelaide 36ers meeting the Perth Wildcats – the outcome of the MVP race remains uncertain.

Wildcats Set to Welcome Back Two-Time Champion

Beyond the MVP discussion, the Perth Wildcats are preparing for a potential roster addition that has generated significant excitement. Coach John Rillie has confirmed reports that veteran Nick Kay is expected to finish his basketball career with the club. Speaking on SEN WA Breakfast, Rillie’s response to questions about Kay’s return was definitive: “Your mail’s correct this time.”

Kay, 33, currently plays for Shimane Susanoo Magic in Japan’s B1 League, where he has been since 2021. However, his connection to the Wildcats remains strong, having won back-to-back championships with the team in 2019, and 2020. While financial considerations currently preserve him in Japan, Rillie indicated that Kay intends to conclude his NBL career in Perth. The Wildcats’ current ladder position – with a win on Friday potentially securing fourth place – adds another layer of anticipation to Kay’s eventual return.

The Wildcats face the Adelaide 36ers on Friday, a game that will determine their seeding for the upcoming finals. A win would guarantee a Seeding Qualifier spot, while a loss, coupled with a Melbourne United victory, would relegate them to a Play-In game against the Tasmania JackJumpers. Regardless of the outcome, the prospect of Kay rejoining the team is generating considerable buzz among fans and analysts alike.

The NBL season is drawing to a close, with the MVP award and playoff positioning still up for grabs. The potential return of Nick Kay to the Perth Wildcats adds another compelling storyline to an already exciting finish. Fans can expect a thrilling conclusion to the regular season and a highly competitive playoff battle.

What are your thoughts on the MVP race? Share your predictions in the comments below, and be sure to share this article with fellow basketball fans!