The Sidelines

For the second consecutive year, a Colorado School of Mines student-athlete is the RMAC’s Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year, as Alex Dunagan was named the recipient of the league’s top academic award. 

Dunagan, a baseball athlete from Cypress, Texas, completed his collegiate career this May with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering while maintaining a 4.00 GPA. He was named the RMAC Baseball Academic Player of the Year and the Summit Award winner at the RMAC Baseball Championship in 2026.

On the field, he batted .346 with 25 doubles, 12 home runs, and 73 RBI over 54 games. He earned all-tournament honors at the RMAC Baseball Championship, leading the Orediggers to the championship game. Dunagan was tied for the Division II lead with 25 doubles and ranked No. 23 in RBI, leading the RMAC in both categories. 

At the RMAC's Hall of Fame and Awards Banquet last Thursday, The Sidelines sat down with Alex for Episode 77 to learn more about his journey to earning the league's highest academic honor.

The 2026 RMAC Softball Tournament, hosted by Colorado Christian University, is officially under way. As the only two seniors for the Cougars this year, Leah Garcia and Arriana Wright played their part in guiding their program to a historic 47-game win streak. While their stories to becoming two standout seniors for the Cougars differ in many ways, both Leah and Arriana credit their success to the culture that Head Coach, Larry Hays, has built, which seamlessly integrates their Christian beliefs into the sport they love and the career paths they have prepared for through their academic journeys. From their "Pitch Perfect" bus rides to post-practice verses, Leah and Arriana will leave a legacy on the CCU program for years to come. Tune in to celebrate these two seniors, and the Cougars' historic season, as they prepare to take the field for the 2026 RMAC Softball Tournament.

Caitlyn and Cali Cole were practically born into the game of softball. With their mom as their coach growing up in California, the Cole sisters knew that softball was their passion, and the path they both wanted to pursue in college. When Caitlyn committed to play at CSU Pueblo, Cali wasn't far behind, helping the ThunderWolves build the foundation for the historic 2026 season they have had. With the support and guidance of head coach, Bianca Duran, the ThunderWolves earned their first program home victory against a nationally ranked opponent in CCU this year, hoping to bring that momentum into the RMAC Softball Tournament this weekend. Tune in to learn more about the Cole sisters' special bond with their softball family at CSU Pueblo, and celebrate Caitlyn's senior season in the RMAC.

As the RMAC gears up for its last championship weekend of the 2025-2026 academic year, The Sidelines highlights an inspiring comeback story that has served as one of the foundations for the UCCS baseball team's record breaking season. Gerrit Erickson, senior pitcher for the Mountain Lions, faced a similar frustration to many baseball pitchers when doctors couldn't quite identify the pain he was having in his throwing elbow. After a doctor with the Colorado Rockies finally diagnosed his UCL tear, Gerrit was told on his 21st birthday that he would need Tommy John surgery. Despite the grueling process that was ahead, Gerrit leaned on positive people around him, including his girlfriend, family, coaches and teammates, eventually making his way back to the mound and earning the RMAC's Pitcher of the Week honor not once, but twice this season. Tune in to Episode 74 to learn how Gerrit has fully embodied the spirit of being a Division II student-athlete, and how the UCCS baseball team, under the leadership of Coach Dave Hajek, plans to continue their momentum into the RMAC Tournament next weekend.

The wait is over for the 2026 RMAC Women's Lacrosse Tournament! To set the stage for the semifinal matchup between Colorado Mesa University and Regis University, guest host, Andrew Regan sits down with two of the Rangers' star seniors, Noemi Ramirez and Shea Murphy. Andrew, who was featured on his own episode of The Sidelines earlier this year, takes the reins for Episode 73, showing off a few of the skills he's been developing through his time as a Global Inclusive Intern at the RMAC office. Tune in to learn more about the Rangers' sustained conference and national success for the past 20 seasons under the guidance of Coach Sarah Kellner, and how this year's senior class plans to bring home yet another RMAC crown.

Colorado Mesa senior and men's javelin school record holder, Izaak Siefken, has undoubtedly made the most of his collegiate career, even though it hasn't looked exactly how he imagined. From a young age, the Broomfield, Colorado native knew that baseball was a passion that could open the door for a Division I college journey. After spending two years as a pitcher for the University of Illinois, Izaak began to face mental blocks in his game, which were only fueled by an early career injury. Throughout the ups and downs of baseball, Izaak's love for training and general throwing mechanics, along with his faith and perseverance, led him to the Colorado Mesa track and field team, where he now enters the 2026 RMAC Outdoor Track and Field Championship as the No. 1 javelin thrower in the conference, and No. 10 thrower in the country. Izaak's story is proof that being a college athlete doesn't always follow a linear path, but rather teaches you to find the good in every opportunity to connect with teammates, try new skills and compete to the best of your ability. Join The Sidelines in celebrating Izaak's incredible accomplishments, while looking ahead to an exciting RMAC Outdoor Track and Field Championship this weekend in Pueblo.

Under the guidance of Coach Brad Lavoie, the Westminster men's lacrosse program has made their mark on the 2026 regular season. Throughout the next week, the Griffins, having recently defeated RMAC foe, Colorado Mesa, look to capitalize on the culture of success that has been building in the program for years. In Episode 71, Coach Lavoie explains the importance of servant leadership on his team, which has fostered selfless competitors who approach each game with an energy and passion that's difficult to beat. As men's lacrosse continues to grow in the west, it's critical to have coaches, like Coach Lavoie, who capitalize on the versatility and uniqueness of the sport of lacrosse, recruiting well-rounded young men who prioritize academics, character and professional journeys beyond the game. Tune in this Saturday as the Griffins take on the Northwest Nazarene Nighthawks in their last outing before the highly anticipated 2026 RMAC Men's Lacrosse Tournament.

The 2026 RMAC Outdoor Track and Field Championships are heading to Pueblo, Colorado's ThunderBowl, April 24-26. Senior, Helen Braybrook, will race at her home track for her last RMAC Championship, looking ahead to continued success at a national stage. Braybrook, an indoor national champion in the 800m and DMR, chases a national outdoor title this year, with plans to continue her running career professionally, post college. A native of the United Kingdom, Helen didn't necessarily start her collegiate career as the RMAC standout she is today, but rather leaned on the guidance of Coach Matt Morris to develop her talents in both the 800m and 1500m races. Tune in to hear Helen share two recent accolades she claims as her most proud collegiate accomplishments, and help the RMAC prepare for the highly anticipated Outdoor Track and Field Championships in just two weeks.

RMAC spring championships are right around the corner! To prepare for the 2026 RMAC Golf Championships in Boulder City, Nevada, Episode 69 highlights Neige Dunn, a junior representing the MSU Denver women's golf program. Originally from Calgary, Alberta, Neige is a true champion of the Division II student-athlete experience and has fully bought in to the unique opportunities she's been afforded through MSU Denver's SAAC. In today's episode, Neige explains how she truly became a new person after her experience representing the RMAC at the 2025 NCAA Student-Athlete Leadership Forum, and how she continues to apply her leadership and personal skills to her team and campus. Tune in to learn more about Neige's commitment to leading with kindness and serving those around her as the RMAC prepares to celebrate her and the rest of the RMAC Golf Championship field in a few weeks.

To kick off the NCAA DII Women's Basketball Tournament, The Sidelines sits down with three-time RMAC Women's Basketball Player of the Year, and the RMAC's career scoring and rebound record holder, Olivia Reed Thyne. The foundation of Olivia's storied career at Colorado Mesa began in La Junta, Colorado, where her dad coached men's basketball at Otero Junior College, before taking his career to Chadron State and the University of Northern Colorado. Throughout her basketball journey, Olivia learned the importance of separating her identity from the sport she loved, allowing her to play freely and perform in high pressure situations and games. Olivia and her teammates take the court for the first round of the NCAA DII Women's Basketball Tournament against Lubbock Christian, chasing a national championship ring to add to their list of accomplishments. Join The Sidelines in celebrating Olivia's legacy as not only one of the most decorated women's basketball players the RMAC has ever seen, but a teammate and leader that has fully made her mark on her community and program.