Colorado Mesa University’s (CMU) women’s basketball team has been exceptional throughout the past several years thanks to the strong leadership and guidance of head coach Taylor Wagner and his team of hard workers, disciplined students and record-breakers. On Nov. 22, 2025, Wagner surpassed a long-standing record from 2004 for total career wins from a women’s basketball head coach at CMU. With 300 wins to his name, Wagner passed former head coach, Steve Kirkham, who had a record of 299 wins and 157 losses during his tenure from 1988 to 2004.
The longstanding record was broken in outstanding fashion with the Mavericks first 100-point mark since Jan. 14, 2017, when they defeated Colorado Christian 103-72. Wagner officially broke his 300th career win in Salt Lake City, Utah, with a 102-53 victory over the University of Alaska Fairbanks Nanooks.
“I knew that it was coming up, but it’s never been a focal point for me,” said Wagner. “This year I want it to be all about the girls and our team and the success they’re having.”
With 25 years of coaching experience, Wagner is going into his 14th season as head coach at CMU. Those years of experience allowed him to remain calm and poised heading into his 300th game. Wagner was more focused on securing the win for his team and continuing to improve as a unit.
One of the biggest contributors to the women’s basketball program’s success this year is Olivia Reed Thyne, who has continued to establish herself as a standout athlete at CMU. Reed Thyne has set two enduring records for both the university and the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC).
Reed Thyne took over Tonya Stites' nearly 30-year-old career point record for the Mavericks on Jan. 10, 2026, hitting a 1,921-career total. Only three days later, Reed Thyne broke the RMAC rebound record that has been held since 1998 by Nicole Allman of New Mexico Highlands University. Reed Thyne’s efforts secured 1,161 rebounds. Later in the season, Reed Thyne tacked onto her own scoring record, breaking the RMAC scoring record at home against Chadron State on Jan. 24, 2025. These achievements, along with head coach Wagner’s 300th win, are expected to continue growing as the season progresses.
“I am so thankful to get to play for Coach Wagner. He can definitely be tough sometimes, but he is someone who has always believed in me and what I could accomplish even before I had any idea,” Reed Thyne said. “To be able to play for him and help contribute to his 300th win was very special.”
Wagner’s tenure as head coach at CMU demonstrates resilience and passion. Wagner has been thrilled about Reed Thyne’s performance on the court, but said it's her attitude and effort off the court that matters most to him.
“I can’t say enough about Olivia and what she’s meant to the program and CMU,” said Wagner. “I think the one thing that stands out to me, besides her being a great basketball player, she’s a great human being. She goes out there and battles every single day.”
The team recently earned a dominant 71-46 win over Colorado State University Pueblo in the annual Blizzard in Brownson games on Jan. 29, marking yet another win under Wagner’s belt and an outstanding performance from Reed Thyne. The team is looking to continue building toward a conference, regional and national championship season.
Fans can cheer on the Mavericks as their record-setting season continues with their last three regular-season home games in February:
- Fort Lewis College, Feb. 12, 2026, 5:30 pm
- New Mexico Highlands, Feb. 14, 2026, 1 pm
- Western Colorado, Feb. 21, 2026, 1 pm