10/29/2026 7:57:00 AM | MGoBlue Podcasts
Brian Boesch • 00:00
We begin with another memorable weekend for Michigan hockey. Fifth ranked Western Michigan was in town. The score was even at two a piece in the final moments. Al Randall take it away.
Al Randall • 00:16
Michigan with one more chance. They bring it in. Hork shot score! With one tenth of a second left. Horkoff has scored!
Brian Boesch • 00:23
a remarkable way to cap a night with a nineteen ninety six national championship team was honored in and to propel Michigan to a seven and O start in back to back season. The Wolverines had never done that before in hockey. Still ranked number one in the land, Michigan begins Big Ten play this weekend with a rare Saturday Sunday series. It is down in Columbus against an Ohio State team that comes in at just two and four. Puck drops six o' clock Saturday seven thirty Sunday Volleyball registered another road weekend split sweeping Northwestern and Evanston on Thursday. Wolverines had ten service aces in the three sets on Sunday. The Wolverines did take set number one from sixth rank Wisconsin, but the Badgers responded with the next three to earn the victory. It is a huge weekend for volleyball this weekend. Top ranked Nebraska in town on Friday for a six thirty match that has already sold out then nineteenth ranked Indiana.
Brian Boesch • 01:16
The assignment one night later Saturday at seven. Women's soccer was also on the road this weekend, earning draws at both Maryland on Thursday one one and Penn State on Sunday two to two. L Irvin had both goals in State College, the second one coming eighty fifth minute to earn the draw. A critical one getting ready for the regular season finale. It's set for Friday night at seven o' clock against first place Ohio State. A win locks the Wolverines into the eighteen. Big Ten tournament. Get your tickets for it M GO blue dot com tickets Friday night at seven Michigan Women's soccer against Ohio State Field hockey's in an almost identically in the same spot. The Wolverines hosting Ohio State. It's their last regular season game on Friday at five o' clock and the winner of this one earns a Big Ten tournament berth. The winner gets a chance to face off with Maryland in the first round.
Brian Boesch • 02:10
That one a five o' clock start. Men's soccer battled to a three three tie in Piscataway on Friday night. They then fell to reigning national champion Washington on Monday in Ann Arbor one nil, thus eliminating the Wolverines from Big Ten tournament contention. Up next two more opportunities for Shaka Daley's team. A Friday trip to Wisconsin than the home finale against Ohio State on Wednesday. Keaton Robar's second place finish highlighted Michigan across country's efforts at the EMU Fall Classic on Friday at Hudson Mills Metro Park. Locally this weekend, the Big Ten Championships up in Madison, Wisconsin. The women's race begins at eleven thirty five AM Eastern. The men's starts an hour later. Both air on Big Ten Network. Women's Golf finished fourth in the fifteen team Pat Bradley Invitational down in Florida. That was their last event of the fall.
Brian Boesch • 03:01
Back in action come mid February. Tennis the women's team performed well at the RTC Collegiate Invite in Rome, Georgia. Just five total matches dropped across twenty two combined singles and doubles matches. They compete in the Thunderbolt Invitational at Arizona State this weekend while the men's team has Big Ten individuals Friday through Sunday here in Ann Arbor. And good luck to Michigan Wrestling kicking off its campaign at VMI on Sunday at two o'clock. Go back a couple of episodes two hundred and eleven of Conqu'ring Heroes a couple of weeks back for our season preview with head coach Sean Bormet. A lot of excitement around a talented and a pretty young squad. That's our recap of the week that was for Michigan Athletics. Now we get into today's guest and begin our hall of Honor interviews. Of course, the eight person class of twenty twenty six celebrated back in September and over the next few weeks we'll catch up with many members of the new class.
Brian Boesch • 03:50
We already had one back in September, sharing that one on Defend the Block with former men's basketball head coach John Beilein. This week we visit with softball star Sierra Romero, one of the best hitters not just in Michigan history, but in collegiate softball history. So Sierra Romero joins us next right here on Conqu'ring Heroes.
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Jeff Laurence • 04:12
Welcome to your One Stop podcast for all things Michigan athletics. Updates on every team on campus and interviews with players and coaches are all on the way. This is Conqu'ring Heroes. Here's your host, Brian Boesch.
Brian Boesch • 04:29
Continuing to reflect, and think back on the hall of Honor Weekend twenty twenty six as we visit with the softball inductee in this year's class, Sierra Romero. Sierra, thank you so much for joining us. Can you just share the excitement, the honor that you felt when you found out back in the summer that you'd be a part of this class?
Sierra Romero • 04:45
Yeah, I was actually in the middle of my pro season and I was at practice and I had a missed call and it was the ward and it was, I had a voicemail. I'm like what, what could this possibly be about? And so we finally connect and I mean I was ecstatic. I mean that was, it was amazing. It was exciting. I just, I couldn't believe that it was happening and it was time and I was looking forward to getting back to Ann Arbor and being back home. And so for me, it was everything I've dreamed of and more, and it was a great event.
Brian Boesch • 05:17
What was the weekend like? What are your foremost memories?
Sierra Romero • 05:20
Oh, man. Honestly, just experiencing it with my fiance and my family. You know, Michigan is so important to me and is such a huge piece of. Of my life and an amazing four years. And I think about it often, and I'm just like, wow, I can't believe this was my life for four years and I got to experience this. So sharing it with them, showing them, you know, some of my favorite spots, taking them to eat at my favorite restaurant, and, you know, just going and doing all of those things with them are definitely going to be just those core memories to be able to experience it with family.
Brian Boesch • 05:56
How do you characterize, quantify how much you developed, evolved, grew as a person while you were in Ann Arbor?
Sierra Romero • 06:05
I mean, I feel like I give Ann Arbor and, you know, even more specifically Hutch so much credit to my development while I was there those four years. I just. I grew up so much as. As a young woman and learned so much about myself, learned about the type of person that I wanted to be after college, not only in college, but the type of person I wanted to be, you know, deep into my softball career and, you know, into business ventures and everything else. And I just learned a lot. I learned a lot from the university, taking classes there, meeting so many different people from all over, but then also from Hutch. I mean, I think everybody knows Hutch and the impact she's had at Michigan, but she's had a tremendous impact on me and my family. And so for me, it's just been, you know, wanting to always give her her flowers and show appreciation just for everything she's done, because it definitely impacted me tremendously.
Brian Boesch • 06:58
Do you have a favorite Hutch story? It can be meaningful. It can be funny. It seems like everybody has something that at least jumps at the top of their mind when they think about her, I think.
Sierra Romero • 07:10
So. I have plenty of funny, but I want to probably go more so on, like, one of the most impactful meetings that we had. It was when I believe it was sophomore year. Going into my junior year, we have the end of the year meetings, like exit meetings, and, you know, I'm asking her what she needs from me when I come back my junior year, and she said, I don't need you to get any better at softball, but I need you to be better at leading. And I was like, okay, well, what does that mean. What does that look like? How do I do that? And, you know, I. From my freshman year, sophomore year, I had applied because we used to, like, apply to be captain. And I would apply, apply, and I would give, you know, speeches, and we had to do speeches, but I just wasn't quite there yet. And so she, you know, I had been applying since my freshman year, even though I was only a freshman. I just wanted to have that impact.
Sierra Romero • 08:02
Like, why not? Like, worst thing that could happen is that I don't get it. So going into my junior year, she just told me, you know, I need you to make everyone else around you better and not focus so much on yourself getting better. And so I'm like, okay. And I didn't know how to do that exactly. I was just so focused on, you know, making sure my softball was good and making sure my game was good. So I went back during the summer, and I just really thought about what she said and how I could do it. And so when I came back that year, we collectively worked together on just me being a better leader. And that was the year that I was announced as one of the captains on the team. And that was, like, the proudest moment because it was something I was learning to do, and I wanted to be great at it. And it was interesting because most people my entire life have always just wanted me for my athletic ability and wanted me to just be the best I could be.
Sierra Romero • 08:54
And she wanted me in a different way. And so it challenged me, but it was like an exciting new challenge. And it was something that changed me forever because I took that leadership and those skills that I learned that year into not only Michigan softball, but now into life. When I handle certain situations, when I handled things in the pro league, how I represented athletes and players and just tried to be that good representative for female athletes.
Brian Boesch • 09:22
With all that being said, did that enhanced leadership and different viewpoint on the game help you with the game itself, the things that show up in the box score?
Sierra Romero • 09:32
Oh, definitely. My game improved even more because I wasn't so focused on myself. I think I took some of that pressure that I was constantly putting on myself to perform and to get certain outcomes. I think it allowed me to play a little bit more free. And so that almost kind of unlocked another side of me. But then not only did it unlock another side of me, but it unlocked another side of my teammates, which for me was even more fun to watch. Seeing their success, seeing them just be great, and feeling like I hopefully had a impact or a part in that Made me feel even more fulfilled. I think I've realized after that whole experience, like, I love accomplishing things and I love doing things, but I really do find so much more joy in helping and making other people better and pulling out the best in other people.
Brian Boesch • 10:23
Along those lines, I want to talk about the wins you accomplished, but you mentioned individual successes. Is there something that you are most proud of, of all of them? You were a three time Big Ten player of the Year, twenty sixteen national player of the Year, NCAA record holder, and runs and grand slams. Is there one thing of those or, or anything else that individually means the most to you?
Sierra Romero • 10:45
Oh, man. I mean, I guess, I guess the biggest one is the, the player of the year for the ncaa, like across the board. That, that one's a big one. And I was definitely, you know, very proud of it. And it's hard to get. It's hard to do. And I think for like three years in a row, I was, I believe, three or two years in a row I finished top three for player of the year. And so I was I close, close, but never quite there. And then winning it my senior year, it was. It just felt like a wow. Like I did it. Like I. I didn't know if this day would ever come. I didn't know if I would ever get that award. And I just knew I was always almost right there, but I didn't know if I would actually get it. So that one was really cool to receive.
Brian Boesch • 11:33
You mentioned two hundred ten wins. Incredible. Do you have one that stands out most of all?
Sierra Romero • 11:41
My favorite, my favorite win is probably. It's funny because it's probably when we be Oklahoma in Palm Springs, more specifically because I was playing against my little sister who was on Oklahoma. My family was there. And it's funny because she did get her revenge later that year at the World Series. She did beat us and then go on to win the World Series. But you know, the competitive side of me and our competitiveness in our family, you know, I loved, I loved beating her that day in Palm Springs.
Brian Boesch • 12:13
Along those lines you mentioned Sydney. What was it like to be with her as much as you were in softball? And now I'm sure you're locked in on Worcester Red Sox, the Woo Sox here with your brother Mikey and his minor league career. What is it? What does it mean to you that unquestionably, in so many ways, I'm sure they look to you for guidance.
Sierra Romero • 12:35
I mean, it was something my parents always asked of me when I was younger, just to be a good role model. For them. So. So I'd like to think that I did a good job and I tried to lead by example and everything that I did. And so seeing Sydney and her success that she had at Oklahoma and watching her continue to succeed in pro softball, she just won the Gold Glove this past season, and then now she's coaching at Oregon, and she's been coaching there for quite some time now. And then, like you said, Mikey with the blue socks, he's doing great. And every time I watch him play, it's unbelievable seeing my little brother, who's not so little anymore, and just how strong he is and how talented he is. And, you know, I hope that call up is coming soon because he's worked his butt off and I'm very proud of him. And then my youngest sister, Sophia, she's at Boise State and I'm excited for her.
Sierra Romero • 13:24
She's been doing an amazing job and I'm excited to watch her with the new coaching staff out at Boise State this year. So she's doing great. And I just think that, you know, it's cool to see all the kids living out their dreams and playing sports and just knowing too, that, you know, wouldn't be possible without the sacrifices that our parents made.
Brian Boesch • 13:43
Sierra Romero with us here on Conqu'ring Heroes. How did your parents. And do your parents follow along with the games of their children? And when you're watching a sibling, are you calm, cool and collected like you're wearing that number thirty two? Or are you more of a typical fan that maybe gets a little feisty watching along?
Sierra Romero • 14:07
So. So my parents, they, they have been, and have always been involved in anything and everything from a young age to, you know, college to pro. My dad passed two years ago, so it's just my mom now. But they have been the biggest supporters our entire lives. And, you know, my mom is out at everything she can possibly be at. You know, she. She's traveling sometimes all over the country since we're so spread out just to be at events and games. And as far as when I'm watching, I definitely like to say that I'm calm, cool and collected. I, I can definitely feel the competitor in me, competitiveness in me coming out when certain moments arise, whether it's big at bats or big moments on defense, when something is needed, I definitely feel it coming out then. But I also know the pressure and what it feels like on the field and how hard the game is. So I'm also not like as much of a, you know, I'm not critiquing every Little thing.
Sierra Romero • 15:03
I'm just like, yeah, that's, you know, that was a good at bat, tough at bat or if it's an O for four day, I'm like, yeah, it happens. You know, it, it sucks but it happens. So I'm definitely enjoying being a fan for my siblings and just watching.
Brian Boesch • 15:17
So after Michigan, you went on to have an outstanding ten year professional career. How have you seen the excitement around softball develop, grow since your time in college to now where, I mean in the summer you see, you see the pro softball league on, on television all the time. It's clear that it is becoming a real factor. And shoot, look at the, the Women's College World Series, the, the response in Oklahoma City every single year is remarkable. How have you seen that grow?
Sierra Romero • 15:45
I mean I'm calling it right now that the pro softball league, specifically the ausl is going to be the next big thing. Just like the WNBA has just grown significantly. Softball's next. It's exciting, it's fast pace and people love it. And it's showing an nil with deals that softball players are getting at the collegiate level. And I'm excited for the opportunity for pro softball players to hopefully make more money so when they retire they can hopefully actually semi retire. And so I'm excited for them to have more opportunities. But it's a fun, fast paced game. If you haven't tuned in, you definitely need to tune in when, when our season start back starts back up. But college softball is also starting. So it's a great place to start is with college softball. And then, you know, the big thing is once college softball ends, don't stop watching.
Sierra Romero • 16:34
Keep watching. The AUSL and pro softball to keep supporting the talent is amazing. AUSL has done a great job with creating a professional platform for us and for us to really feel like pros now. I'm excited for when the salaries start to, to look like it too, so the girls, the women can just focus on playing professional softball and not balance, you know, four jobs at a time.
Brian Boesch • 16:58
Well, I think we all agree on that. So with your career over, have you carved out what is next? Short term, medium term, long term?
Sierra Romero • 17:08
So short slash long term, I guess you could say. I have a softball development app that came out two, three years ago now. It's called the thirty two approach. And so I'm really trying to market and get that out there to softball players. Like I said, I love seeing other players succeed and the experience that I had in college and the experience that all my siblings have had just playing a sport I've seen the impact it has and I've, you know, lived out the impact it's had on me in my life. So there's so many schools out there at all divisions, all levels. And to me, any chance that a young lady can go and play a collegiate sport at any level, it has a huge impact on them and just helps with confidence, it helps with education, it just helps with independence in general. And so I'm a big advocate for that. So for me, the app is a way to make softball development more affordable because it is an expensive sport.
Sierra Romero • 18:03
So it's giving them the things that I know work on defense, hitting, but also in the weight room to help make them stronger and make them, you know, really just stand out for the collegiate college coaches. And so for me, it's going to be promoting that app. But then I know that that's not the only thing I'm going to do. I'm still, I feel like I've been having a lot of meetings, a lot of different interviews, so if anybody has something, let me know. I'm down to have a meeting. But my, my baby right now is the thirty two approach. It's definitely could be a long term thing and so I'm going to continue to focus on that. But I'm also looking for some more opportunities. So we'll see.
Brian Boesch • 18:41
Along those lines, of course, in any sport you need to have some of the skill sets that are specific to that sport. You need to have certain characteristics that are specific to them. What are things that are non negotiables regardless of sport circumstance, situation that, that you've seen work for you, characteristic wise, that you've seen work for other people, whether it was at Michigan or in the pros, that kind of acts as a baseline. You might not have the best skills, but if you do this, this and this, you're going to maximize what you do have skill wise.
Sierra Romero • 19:15
Oh man. What's. What I've noticed because I've seen, I've seen so many different swings and I've seen so many different swings have success. And so to me, you know, that just tells me there's not one right way to do this. There's not one right way to swing, one right way to field or to go about executing a play. But what I have noticed in all my years and even in, you know, watching Mikey and his teammates and all these other athletes, it's, it's how you're, you prepare, your preparation is everything. And I think that that goes with honestly life. Even if you, you Know, have a nine to five job or you're an athlete, like, your preparation is going to be key, and you're either preparing to fail or you're preparing to succeed. And so sometimes you can do all the right things and still not get the outcome. But it's funny because you're much, you know, more okay with that failure that just happened because, you know, you did everything.
Sierra Romero • 20:09
But maybe you just need to change up your approach a little bit to. To get a better outcome next time. Time. So I wouldn't say there's a specific thing or quality as far as, like, skill sets, but the one thing I notice about all athletes who are either just, you know, good at their craft or working towards it and become better later is their preparation. That never changes. They continue to prepare, they continue to put their head down and get to work, and they aren't so outcome oriented. Do they want the outcome? Absolutely. But they know that the game, especially softball, is up and down. So they know that they have to just keep their head down and keep working because, unfortunately, you're going to go into that slump they like to call, and you're riding the wave of the highs and lows and softball. And so you just got to go with it because, unfortunately, you can't, you know, you can't really control what happens in the batter's box all the time.
Sierra Romero • 21:03
I wish you could, otherwise I would have, you know, hit a thousand. But it's not that easy. So, you know, just the preparation is really key because if you focus. Focus on the preparation, the. The bad days don't feel so bad. Yeah, the.
Brian Boesch • 21:17
The softball baseball game of failure concept is. Is so difficult.
Sierra Romero • 21:22
It is.
Brian Boesch • 21:22
And I mean, your stats are ridiculous, and you still weren't getting a hit on fifty of trips in the plate. It's just. It's wild. Before I let you go, how well did you. And have you followed what Hutch continued to do with the program and now what Bonnie has. Has taken and. And led home here the last few years?
Sierra Romero • 21:40
I'm always going to be a fan of Michigan softball and a big fan of Hutch and Bonnie. And having spent this past weekend with them, you know, definitely just reminded me how much I miss it. When I stepped on the field, smelling the dirt, just, I was. So many memories came back. That's funny, because the dirt has a very specific smell in Ann Arbor and so brought back a lot of memories. But I'm excited for the Michigan softball team. I think that there's a lot of good coming. I think that they're you know, evolving and changing. And with the transfer portal, there's I know we have some new transfers that have come in, some commits that they actually got this past weekend while I was in town. So I'm excited to follow along with them and hopefully help any way I can.
Brian Boesch • 22:24
Well, Sierra Romero, great ambassador for softball both at Michigan and beyond and of course, for the university as a whole. Congratulations on the incredible honor and we're so thankful you took some time to reflect on it with us.
Sierra Romero • 22:36
Thank you so much for having me.
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Brian Boesch • 22:45
Thanks so much to Sierra. Thanks to all those who help make these interviews possible, Kelly Bates, Melissa Herter, and many others. It's always a fun time of year for us to reflect with our hall of Honor class. Thanks to Sierra for joining us. Thanks to all of you for listening. Lots more to do on MGO Blue podcast already. A ton we've already shared with you. Excited to keep it rolling as we get closer and closer to November and a ton of crossover season right here on Conqu'ring Heroes. Go Blue.
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Jeff Laurence • 23:13
Thanks for listening to Conqu'ring Heroes, part of our Michigan Athletics Podcast network, MGO Blue Podcasts. The preceding has been a Learfield presentation of the Michigan Sports Network.
