Chase Lawyer: The Hurdler Carrying On A Boise State Legacy
July 18, 2025
Article By Nick Wade
OLYMPIC LEVEL DOMINANCE
As Boise State prepares to enter the reimagined PAC-12 in 2026, the university is making a clear push not just for conference respect—but for Power 5 recognition. While football has long been the face of the Broncos, it’s the rise of Olympic sports like track and field that will define their next era of growth. Building dominance across a broader athletic spectrum is essential to Boise State’s credibility on the national stage. In a conference known for producing world-class runners, jumpers, and throwers, Boise State is investing in elite talent to raise the bar—and Chase Lawyer represents exactly the kind of athlete who can help lead that charge.
Rooted In Blue & Orange: A Family Legacy
Chase Lawyer’s journey to Boise State is more than personal—it’s generational. Born into a family steeped in track and field tradition, Chase’s parents are both decorated Broncos in their own right. His mom was a national championship-winning mainline dancer in 1992, while his father still holds the Boise State 100m record at 10.21 seconds. On top of that, his uncle ran for Boise State, and his aunt, a Stanford standout, was the 1999 NCAA Heptathlon Champion. His older brother currently runs track for the University of Arizona with a personal best of 9.95 in the 100m.
While Chase initially pursued a variety of sports—including football, basketball, lacrosse, and swimming—it was an injury while skiing that pivoted him toward the family tradition. Following knee surgery and a nine-month recovery, he transitioned to track, inspired by watching his older brother compete. With full support from his family, Chase began building a career of his own, one hurdle at a time.
A particularly touching moment in his journey came when he qualified for state after his first season post-surgery. Unable to attend, his grandma called to celebrate his achievement—a conversation that helped him realize he was no longer living in the shadow of his brother’s success. That realization, coupled with a supportive and competitive family culture, has helped Chase thrive in one of the most mentally challenging sports out there.
From Injury to Ascension: The Rise of a Hurdler
Chase specializes in hurdles—specifically the 110m and 300m in high school, with plans to compete in the 110m and 400m hurdles at Boise State. His discovery of the event came soon after his recovery, when his high school hurdle coach invited him to give it a try. Despite being snowed out on his first attempt, Chase knew he had found his calling after clearing his very first hurdle.
His performances back that instinct up. With personal bests of 7.81 in the 60mH, 13.84 in the 110mH, and 36.98 in the 300mH, Chase’s trajectory has been nothing short of impressive. From a sophomore PR of 16.05 in the 110m hurdles to shaving over two seconds off by his senior year, his improvement speaks to both his work ethic and his recovery. Key moments include his underdog state qualification as a sophomore, a pivotal junior-year fall at the Oregon Relays that taught him how to take risks, and senior-year highlights at the Arcadia Invitational, where he placed 3rd in the 300m hurdles.
More Than Just a Hurdler
Chase’s weekly routine reflects the seriousness with which he approaches his sport: Monday 300m hurdle workouts, Tuesday lifts and recovery, Wednesday 110m hurdle work, Thursday sprint technique, Friday pre-meet routines, and Saturday competition. He credits his success to a collective of coaches who each played a vital role in his development.
His pre-meet rituals are consistent and sacred: ice baths, Normatec recovery, meditation, and a home-cooked pasta meal by his mom. Mentally, Chase leans on lessons of resilience—particularly the importance of reflecting on losses just as much as wins. He believes setbacks are part of a greater timeline that must be trusted. “Everything in my life has happened for a reason,” he says.
Homecoming: Why Chase Chose Boise State
Originally recruited by Boise State before his senior year, Chase initially committed to the University of Idaho. Wanting a change of scenery and to be near his brother, he signed with the Vandals. But after a dominant senior year and a deeper maturity, Chase reopened his recruitment—and found his way back home.
“I understood there are bigger things than wanting to go to school away from home,” he reflected. Boise State’s rising success, the vision of Coach Andy Green, and his family’s deep ties to the program pulled him back in. His official visit gave him a new perspective on the city he grew up in, and reinforced his belief that Boise is the place where he can thrive.
More Than Just a Hurdler
Off the track, Chase enjoys fishing, golfing, and spending time with friends and family. While many athletes listen to music pre-race, Chase prefers to take in the atmosphere and feel the energy around him. He looks up to elite athletes like Rai Benjamin, Grant Holloway, Jakobe Tharp, Nathan Green, Cole Hocker, and Noah Lyles—not just for their accomplishments, but for their passion and presence in the sport.
As Boise State sets its sights on Power 5 status and a commanding presence in the new-look PAC-12, athletes like Chase Lawyer represent more than just fast times and podium finishes—they symbolize the future of Bronco Athletics. Rooted in a family legacy of excellence and driven by personal resilience, Chase brings with him not only elite athletic potential but also the character and mindset needed to elevate the program. His journey from post-injury recovery to national-level hurdler mirrors the very trajectory Boise State is aiming for: rising stronger, faster, and more determined than ever. With Chase Lawyer on the track, Boise State isn’t just building a roster—they’re building a foundation for long-term dominance.