The Sidelines

The Sidelines is back with a special episode, highlighting one of the RMAC's Class of 2025 Hall of Fame inductees, Lorie Moreno Roch. Starting her career at Adams State, Lorie's journey to becoming Western Colorado's first female national champion had many twists and turns, including a hip injury that forced her to stop running for over two years. With the help of supportive coaches and teammates, including RMAC Hall of Famer and Lorie's eventual husband, Steve Roch, Lorie pushed the boundaries of what was, at the time, the early stages of college athletics for women. After college, Lorie spent time in law school before deciding to reconnect with running in the coaching realm, both at Western Colorado and the University of Colorado. Today, Lorie continues to appreciate all that running has given her, including a community of over 40 people who will be in attendance at tonight's RMAC Hall of Fame and Awards Banquet. Congratulations to Lorie Moreno Roch and the rest of the RMAC's Class of 2025 Hall of Fame.

The Sidelines: Episode 46 helps the league celebrate one of the most impactful leaders the RMAC, and collegiate athletic administration across the nation, have come to know. RMAC Commissioner, Chris Graham, wraps up his 11-year service to the league this week, while looking forward to his new position as the commissioner for Division II's Sunshine State Conference. In today's episode, Commissioner Graham reflects on the goals he set for himself early in his career, highlights the challenges he faced as a commissioner through a global pandemic, and shares the legacy he hopes to leave behind. On behalf of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, I would like to thank Commissioner Graham for empowering student-athletes, coaches and administrators to become the very best version of themselves. Stay elevated, Commissioner Graham!

To set the stage for the NCAA Regional Baseball Tournament matchup between Colorado Mesa and MSU Denver, and to celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, The Sidelines sits down with Kennedy Hara, junior infielder for the Mavericks. Hara, a Hawaiian native, has been surrounded by the game of baseball from a young age, constantly looking up to and competing with his older brothers. In Episode 45, Kennedy shares how his background and upbringing have encouraged him to show respect for others and has inspired him to seek continuous improvement, both on and off the field. Behind the leadership of Hara and the Mavericks' core group of seniors, Colorado Mesa hopes to leave their mark on the 2025 NCAA postseason, continuing to represent RMAC baseball at the highest level.

To celebrate Day 1 of the 2025 RMAC Baseball Tournament, The Sidelines caught up with Regis University's senior standout, Adam Paniagua. The impressive RMAC catcher was awarded Division II's National Hitter of the Week honor in mid-March and now holds Regis's single season home run record. On top of these incredible accolades, Adam was named the 2025 RMAC Player of the Year and earned his way to the midseason watch list for the Golden Spikes award, which recognizes the best amateur baseball player in the country. While baseball will inevitably take him far in his next chapter, Adam emphasizes the importance of the brotherhood him and his teammates have built, along with the familial relationships he prioritizes beyond the field. As Adam enters his last RMAC tournament, the league wishes him and the entire tournament field a safe and healthy week of championship baseball.

The 2025 RMAC Softball Tournament is in full swing! To celebrate, The Sidelines: Episode 43 features Camryn Quilling, senior outfielder for the Colorado Christian Cougars. After starting her collegiate career as a junior college All-American, Camryn quickly found herself in Larry Hays' competitive program at CCU. Throughout her career, Camryn has learned to reframe her mindset from being consumed by the stats and mental challenges of softball, to playing like a kid and serving as a role model to younger players on her team. Before graduating and moving on to her master's degree at Point Loma Nazarene in a few months, Camryn hopes to cap off her impressive career with a successful RMAC tournament and post-season play, all while simply having fun and enjoying the game she loves.

Heading into the 2025 RMAC Softball Tournament this week, The Sidelines highlights pitcher Laci Peskey and catcher Desi Hernandez of Black Hills State. Between Laci's five RMAC Pitcher of the Week honors and Desi's impressive .360 batting average this year, this dynamic duo has helped lead the BHSU softball squad to their first RMAC tournament appearance in program history. In Episode 42, Laci and Desi share how their similar Texas upbringings have impacted the tight bond they share, and how their strong team culture and positive leadership from Coach Englehorn has created a true softball family. Be sure to get your tickets or tune in on the RMAC Network to witness Laci, Desi and the BHSU softball team's historic week in Lakewood.

To kick off the 2025 RMAC Outdoor Track and Field Championships this weekend, The Sidelines: Episode 41 highlights New Mexico Highlands senior jumper, Chisom Obioha. Coming off a second place finish in the long jump at indoor championships, Chisom plans to carry on her confidence and positive mindset to hit a personal best this weekend. As a British Columbia native, Chisom has always found the camaraderie and technical challenges of track and field to be a gift that fuels her in life. Chisom will step on the runway for the last time at an RMAC championship this weekend, with faith in herself and excitement for a future beyond athletics. The league is excited to cheer on Chisom and the rest of the student-athletes at the 2025 RMAC Outdoor Track and Field Championships.

It's semifinal day for the 2025 PBC Rocky Mountain Division Men's Lacrosse Tournament! To kick off an exciting weekend, Episode 40 highlights juniors, Justin Egan and Luke Sillstrop, along with sophomore Daxton Jensen of the Westminster men's lacrosse team. Tune in to hear how this trio of Griffins are grateful for their opportunity to grow Division II lacrosse in the west, and are incredibly proud of the brotherhood their team has built as the foundation for their success. Led by Coach Joe Kerwin, Justin, Luke and Daxton plan to head into today's matchup against the Concordia Golden Eagles with a high level of focus, purpose and gratitude.

Coming off an impressive 2024-25 indoor track season, Zachary Gaumont sits down with The Sidelines to share his experience as a dual-sport athlete at Fort Lewis College. An Arizona native, Zach was originally recruited to play football and quickly found himself as part of the Skyhawks track and field team as an impactful sprinter. Zach took home the gold in the indoor 60m dash this year, and looks to build on that success next weekend at the 2025 RMAC Outdoor Track and Field Championships. Tune in to hear how Zach's dedication and determination in overcoming an injury have led to his success early in his career, and how he hopes to one day represent Fort Lewis sprints on a national stage.

The 2025 RMAC Women's Lacrosse Championship begins in two weeks. To set the stage for a highly-anticipated conference tournament, Regis University twin sisters, Brigit and Becky Goetsch, join The Sidelines for Episode 38. Originally from Maple Grove, Minnesota, Brigit and Becky were raised in a hockey and lacrosse culture. After spending their first year in college apart, the Goetsch sisters reunited at Regis and have been a dominant force for the nationally recognized Rangers women's lacrosse program ever since. Before heading into their exciting post-undergraduate paths next year, Brigit and Becky hope to lead their team to continued post-season success and enjoy each moment competing together one last year as a dynamic duo.