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New Mexico’s #1 Sports Magazine February 2015 HEATHER DYCHE APS METRO SWIMMING CHAMPIONS NEW HEAD COACH LOBO WOMEN’S SOCCER NEW FIGHT LEAGUE ELITE COMBAT SERIES APS METRO WRESTLING CHAMPIONS

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Page 1: ABQ Sports Magazine

a new beginning atclub rio rancho

New Mexico’s #1 Sports Magazine February 2015

heatherdyche

aps metro swimmingchampions

new head coachlobo women’s soccer

new fight league elite combat series

aps metro wrestling

champions

Page 2: ABQ Sports Magazine

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Page 3: ABQ Sports Magazine

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Page 4: ABQ Sports Magazine

All contents of this magazine are copyrighted by ABQ Sports Magazine, all rights reserved. Reproduction of any articles, advertisement or material from this issue is for-bidden without permission of the publisher.

ABQ Sports magazineP.O.Box 15981 • Rio Rancho, NM 87174

1.855.567.SPORT (7678) abqsportsmag.com

PublisherMontoya Publishing, LLC

TrulaHowe

MartySaiz

Carlos Montoya

BrianBoysen

KaylaMontoya

JordanMontoya

Anthony Griego

DanielMartinez

Dave Friedlander

Carlos Montoya

Hello ABQ Sports Fans!

UNM women’s soccer has a new face at the helm. She’s local Heather Dyche, a former Eagle whose career took her all the way the to pro league in Norway. After making her mark on the national coaching scene and leading her club teams to multiple state championships, she’s ready to share her skills at the collegiate level. What does this mean for New Mexico girls and their chances of playing at UNM? Find out inside.

Some fierce competition at the APS Metro Swim Championships, we’ll have a look at the top boys and girls teams making waves in the weeks before State, and learn more about the man who is quietly developing team after champion team.

Three of the most decorated water athletes in New Mexico have signed with universities, more on their accomplishments and the one big thing that ties them together.

Youth cross country has crowned a new national champion team - they are from Cougar Track Club of Albuquerque.

Wrestling state championships are just weeks away. One of the most decorated high school wrestlers has earned a top ranking nationally, more about the career of Miguel Barreras in NM Notables.

From Longhorn to Wolverine. Yes, we can only be talking about Zach Gentry.

And it is with heavy hearts that ABQ Sports reflects on the life and career of Vicente “Rocky” Arroyo, who passed away just weeks before his induction into the NM Sports Hall of Fame.

These stories, and more, in this February issue of ABQ Sports.

Chris Martinez

Contributing Writers

AdvertisersFor any advertsing information, please contact

505.930.0185 or [email protected]

ReadersWe thank you for investing your time into our magazine. Got any feedback? We appreciate any ideas, suggestions or anything we

missed. Please feel to contact us anytime by phone, email, or mail.

WritersABQ Sports is a monthly magazine dedicated to covering all aspects of the Albuquerque and surrounding communities

scene. We accept stories and photos for consideration. Email: [email protected]

Photographers

Art DirectorDavid Lansa

DL Graphic [email protected]

Sales ManagerSabrina Guzman

[email protected]

Managing EditorSumiko Corley

[email protected]

Rico

Distribution

On the COver

A NEW BEGINNING ATCLUB RIO RANCHO

New Mexico’s #1 Sports Magazine February 2015

HEATHERDYCHE

APS METRO SWIMMING

LOBOS WOMEN’S SOCCER NEW HEAD COACH

NEW FIGHT LEAGUE ELITE COMBAT SERIES

Heather Dyche the new Head coach for the

Lobo women’s Soccer.Cover photo credit

Anthony Griego for Moji Photography

Director of Photography

#abqsportsmag

view our new & improved website!abqsportsmag.com

Being released by the Buffalo Bills was a blessing in disguise for this former Rio Rancho resident. Picked up by the Patriots last fall, Branch walked away from Super Bowl XLIX Sunday with a ring, and bragging rights as Super Bowl champ. Branch is a defensive tackle, a former standout football and basketball player at Cibola.

nfl super bowl XliXnew mexico’s alan branch

new england patriots 28seattle seahawks 24

Page 5: ABQ Sports Magazine

CONTENTS New Mexico’s #1 Sports Magazine FEBRUARY 2015

21cBr At tHe StAr

6LOBO AQuAticS

8ApS metrO Swimming & diving cHAmpiOnS

HeAtHer dycHe- new HeAd cOAcH LOBO wOmen’S SOccer

12

More Sports....10 Lady Lobos

14 Elite Combat Series

16 APS Metro Wrestling Champions

18 USATF All Americans

pHOtO: SAm weSt, SAm weSt pHOtOgrApHy

Page 6: ABQ Sports Magazine

By: SumiKO cOrLey

LOBO AQUATICS CLUBThree athletes making a SPLASH

They have spent more than half of their young lives in the water. And

now, for Cassaundra Pino, Gillian St John and Magnus Holler of the Lobo Aquatics Club, their apparent webbed hands and feet have paid off in a big way, with scholarships to universities around the nation.

At the recent APS Metro Championship St John won her all four of her events, breaking four records. Pino won both her events and broke the 200 free record, Holler captured gold in the 50 free and the 100 free. He also led off the 200 free relay and anchored the 400 free relay for wins in both. Their respective high school coaches get a lot of credit for their success, as does their own hard work. The one big thing they have in common - they have logged a lot of hours with their club team - Lobo Aquatics.

Lobo Aquatics has been developing some of the state’s top water athletes for more than a half-century. Established in 1961, it is a USAS (USA Swimming) registered club team with about 120 swimmers ages 5-24, another 60 in the Masters program for adults.

“Lobo has had many national qualifiers throughout the years,” says head coach Doug Forbes, “(including) a qualifier for the 2008 (Marcus Guttman who just finished his swimming career at the University of Wisconsin) and 2012 Olympic trials (Madison Bridges who is currently swimming for the University of Missouri).”

Lobo, as the club is called, recently finished 3rd out of 44 teams at the 23rd annual Oklahoma City Pro/Am meet in late December, setting 11 new team and individual records.

Training - that’s year round with a two-week break in August and one in March. Admission is by tryout and they practice at the UNM Natatorium.

Find more information at: www.swimlobo.com. You can reach head coach Doug Forbes at [email protected] and 505-417-7807.

gillian St John, eldorado High School Head coach Quint Secklerutah university

College swimming.com #1 ranked New Mexico recruit-88th national, 4-time High School All American, 2-time Scholastic All American, High School State Champion (50 free, 100 free, 200 free plus multiple relays), Eldorado Team Captain, USA Swimming Zone Select Team (fastest 100 free), 3-time USA Swimming National Age Group Top Ten Award, USA Swimming All-Time Top 100 list 50-free 13/14 Age Group, multiple state records holder, USA swimming summer juniors and winter nationals qualifier. Chose Utah over: Arizona, San Diego State, Hawaii, ASU

Top times: • 50 free 23.05scy/26.63 lcm • 100 free 50.78 scy /57.65 lcm

Gillian St. John“I chose Utah,” says St John, “because I loved the atmosphere of Salt Lake City and the team was very welcoming. The coaching staff has some really great ideas and the University was beautiful! I’m really looking forward to the next four years, go Utes!”

pHOtO: JenniFer St. JOHn

pHOtO: JuLie HOLLer

“Lobo Aquatics focuses on proper technique and high quality swimming on the physical side of the sport, and fun and good character on the emotional side of the sport. Lobo has a great record of our 17-18 year old swimmers being recruited and going on to swim at the collegiate level.”- Doug Forbes, head coach

Page 7: ABQ Sports Magazine

800-733-9918www.visitabq.org/sports

For more information about the sports marketing department at the

Albuquerque Convention & Visitors Bureau:

Here are some upcoming events that help drive the economic viability of Albuquerque:

USA Archery and Junior Olympic Archery Development (JOAD) National Indoor Championships

February 20 - 22Albuquerque Convention Center Indoor Track Facility

Mountain West Conference Indoor Track & Field Championships

February 26 - 28February 26 - 28Albuquerque Convention Center Indoor Track Facility

National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA)

Indoor Track & Field National ChampionshipsMarch 6 - 7

Albuquerque Convention Center Indoor Track Facility

New Mexico Rugby High Desert TournamentMarch 7 - 8

Balloon Fiesta Park

USA Volleyball Sun Country Regional ChampionshipApril 24 - 26

Albuquerque Convention CenterAlbuquerque Convention Center

The Albuquerque Convention & Visitors Bureau’s sports marketing department assists in bringing regional and national sporting events to the Duke City. Our facilities, authentic culture and cuisine, and 310 days of sunshine are the perfect combination for any sports event.

Sporting Events

cassaundra pino, Albuquerque HighHead coach Jimmy phillipsuniversity of Kansas

College swimming.com #2 ranked New Mexico recruit, 2-time Scholastic All American, high school state champion (100 fly, 200 free, city and state record holder in 100 fly, city record holder in 200 free, 200 IM) Albuquerque Team Captain, 3-time Outstanding Winter Athlete Award, USA Swimming Zone Select Team, USA Swimming Diversity Select Team (100 Fly), USA Swimming Top Ten National Age Group Award (200 Fly) and Top Twenty Award, multiple state record holder in both individual and relays (with teammate Gillian St. John), USA Swimming Winter Juniors and Nationals qualifier. Chose Kansas over: The University of Nebraska, Cal Poly, Brown University, and San Diego State.

Top Times:100 fly: 55.10scy/ 1:03.10 lcm200 fly: 2:02.43scy/ 2:19.20 lcm200 free 1:51.01 scy/ 2:05.86 lcm

Three athletes making a SPLASH

John ‘magnus’ Holler, cibola Head coach Janey Huffmantexas A&m#1 ranked New Mexico Male recruit, 4-time High School All-American, high school state champion 100 free and 200 free plus relays, 2014 state team champ, multiple NM state record holder, USA Swimming Summer Juniors and Winter Nationals qualifier, current New Mexico Swimming’s Senior Athlete Representative to the USA Swimming House of Delegates. Top times:• 50 free – 20.67 • 100 free – 44.84 • 200 free – 1:39.12• 100 back – 49.99 • 100 fly – 48.53

John ‘magnus’ Holler“I’m ready to be a part of the team,” says Holler, “and see where we can go with it.”

Cassaundra Pino

pHOtO: JuLie HOLLer

pHOtO: eLLiOt mAdriSS

“I chose Kansas,” says Pino, “because I fell in love with the team and the coaching staff there. The campus is beautiful, Lawrence is a wonderful college town, and the school takes great strides in helping student athletes achieve the highest possible success in both the classroom and the pool. I cannot wait to be a part of the Jayhawk family for the next four years!”

abqsportsmag.com • 7

Page 8: ABQ Sports Magazine

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Several weeks of competition at the West Mesa Aquatics Center in late January has put the Eagles on the top of both the boys and girls podiums. Coached

by Quint Seckler, who has more than 30 years experience, Eldorado is the heavy favorite in both categories at state for the team titles. Seckler has developed 11 state champion teams - seven at La Cueva and four at Eldorado. This local graduated from Las Cruces High and UNM, where he swam freestyle sprint. He also coaches the Albuquerque Triton Aquatic Club team. Seckler, by the way, is a licensed minister and teaches math at Eldorado.

“This group of kids has worked so hard this year. The girls are the two time defending state champions but they practice like they are trying to win their first ever. They very much want to win another state title...On the boys side, they are very young, but they are driven to keep pace with the girls squad

and the success that they are having. I am so proud of both teams as they continue to be one of the hardest working teams I have ever coached.” - Quint Seckler, EHS champion swim coach

pHOtOS: drew ScHrimSHer

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Page 9: ABQ Sports Magazine

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Page 10: ABQ Sports Magazine

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UNM women held on for a narrow victory over San Jose State January 31st at the SJSU Event Center. It was two free throws that prevented the game from going into overtime, giving the Lady Lobos their third-straight victory.

The Lobos had the early lead 14-2, but San Jose State came on strong to snatch the lead away by halftime, 31-28. The Spartans stretched that lead to nine points in the second half before UNM rallied. Solid defense and some fine scoring from Khadijah Shumpert (6 points, 8 boards) and Antiesha Brown (17 points and nine rebounds.) Cherise Beynon added another eight points and seven boards.

“People don’t understand how good San Jose State is,” said UNM women’s head coach Yvonne Sanchez, “and how good they are at home. They have very good players.”

10 February 2015

Page 11: ABQ Sports Magazine

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Page 12: ABQ Sports Magazine
Page 13: ABQ Sports Magazine

There are a lot of words to describe Heather Dyche - professional, humble, mentor, coach, rolemodel, killer soccer player. Now, she’s adding university coach to her collection. UNM announced Dyche’s hire January 29th.

“In Heather Dyche, our women’s soccer program inherits a strong mentor and a dynamic addition to our group of head coaches,” says Paul Krebs, UNM Vice President for Athletics. “The fact that Heather has played competitively at a high level – and is nationally connected and respected in the sport of soccer through her involvement with the national development program and club soccer – is a benefit to her and UNM. I am particularly impressed with her work on leadership development for young women.”

Her resume is as long as it is impressive - US Soccer National Instructional Staff, US Soccer National Coaching Staff, CONCACAF Instructional Staff and Region IV Staff, to name a few. For several years now she’s been Rio Rapids’ U14-U19 age group director. This 1997 Eldorado alumni graduated from Florida State University with a degree in child development and holds a Masters in sports administration. She’s earned a USSF National A License, a National Soccer Coaches Association of America Premier Diploma, a CONCACAF D License and a US Youth Soccer Association Youth License.

“I’m excited and motivated to work really hard,” says Dyche, “to provide a great experience for the players on the team and continue to create a program that ABQ is proud of.”

Dyche played professionally for ROA in Norway, helping her team win the Norwegian League Championship in 2004. She is one of the nation’s top talent spotters.

“My goal,” says Dyche, “is to make UNM a place where great players want to be. There is an excellent core of NM players succeeding currently on the team each year. I’ll try to bring in the best NM players who are capable of helping our program and surrounding them with other talented players.”

Dyche has been coaching 11 years, helping her club teams to four state championships and one US Club regional championship. She resigned from her club team, Reign, to join UNM.

“She has taught me so much,” says Reign left forward Lexi Baca. “Her belief in me gave me confidence I never had before. She pushed me to work as hard as I could every practice and every game and taught me how to be a leader, not only on the field but in everything I do. There is no way I would be the player or person I am without her.”

Dyche is also the founder and head coach of the LEAD (Leadership and Empowerment through Athletic Development) Soccer Academy, which she runs with her sister-in-law Terryn Dyche, also a club soccer coach.

See Dyche and the team in action August 21st, when they face defending national champion, and Dyche’s alma mater, Florida State.

www.golobos.com

“I’m excited and motivated to work really hard to provide a great experience for the players on the team and continue to create a program that ABQ is proud of.” -Heather Dyche, new UNM women’s soccer coach

heather dychethe future of lobo women’s soccerBy: SumiKO cOrLey pHOtOS: cArLOS mOntOyA

mirAndA HArt, Lexi BAcA, dycHe, cerA mOOtS in nOrwAypHOtO By: SumiKO cOrLey

abqsportsmag.com • 13

Page 14: ABQ Sports Magazine

Elite Combat SeriesBrand New Fight League with Old New Mexico RootsBy: truLA HOwe pHOtOS: SAm weSt, SAm weSt pHOtOgrApHy

Albuquerque MMA fans witnessed the birth of a new fight league on Saturday night, January 24 at the McKernan Events Center. Elite Combat Series (ECS), the firstborn

brainchild of Eleven O2 Promotions, made its promotional debut, featuring professional and amateur fighters from Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Grants, Taos, El Paso, TX and Brazil.

Steven Cervantes (3-0, Luttrell’s MMA) met Romulo Vilhena Medeiros (0-2, out of Belem Para, Brazil, training at Jackson-Winkeljohn MMA) for the main event. Medeiros struck first with legkicks, but Cervantes caught one, the two clinched, and Cervantes got the takedown to mount. Medeiros attempted to escape, but Cervantes took his back and locked in a rear-naked-choke for the submission at 2:01 of the first round.

Andrew Tenneson of Jackson Winkeljohn’s MMA remained undefeated (3-0) with a win over Santa Fe BJJ’s Joel Whitney (1-2). After a back-and-forth grappling display by two submission specialists in the second round, Tenneson secured the RNC at 3:34.

Dorian Dixon (2-1, ABQ BJJ / Rosales KB) met Jesse Long (Lovato Total Fitness, 1-2) for a 150-lb catch-weigh; however, Dixon weighed in at 155. Dixon used leg and body kicks to drop Long, then, taking Long’s back, he got the rear-naked-choke at 2:53 of the first round.

On an otherwise smoothly-coordinated event, there was one blemish: the fight between Francisco Marin (1-1, Chavez Dojo) and Armando Rivas (0-4, Bushido MMA). In the third round, Marin apparently landed an accidental low blow, then a head kick. When Rivas dropped, holding his groin instead of protecting his head, the referee stopped the fight, ruling TKO at 0:28, not seeing the low blow. New Mexico Athletic Commission officials spoke to referee and both sides afterward. Representatives from Bushido MMA said they would challenge the decision at the next NMAC meeting.

Eleven O2 was founded in 2014 by three NM natives: Matthew Chavez, Jordan Chavez and Eric Gonzales, longtime friends and experienced boxing/MMA promoters. For more information and amateurs’ results, www.eleveno2promotions.com .

Page 15: ABQ Sports Magazine

With the New Year in full swing many individuals have the resolution to make sure they are ready for the “big day” that is finally coming up. I would like to give you some

tips on how to best prepare for your most special day.

Set goals

Be sure to have the big goal that you want to attain and then put it aside. Looking at the end goal everyday can lead to frustration and lack of adherence to your plan. Instead, create smaller daily and weekly goals that you will use to reach the final result. As an example, start with the small goal of eliminating 100-200kcals/day and getting to the gym 3 days/wk for 45 minutes. Also, keep your expectations realistic. Safe and long-term weight loss occurs at 1-2 pounds per week. Use this as a guideline when setting your goals.

eat right

An easy way to begin cutting calories is to eat right. It is crucial to eat a good breakfast that has protein in it. Eating a good breakfast jumpstarts your metabolism and gives you the energy you need for the entire day. Also be sure to eat mid-morning and mid-afternoon snacks between breakfast, lunch and dinner. Eating at regular intervals keeps your metabolism burning calories.

increase the exercise

Depending on how far away from your wedding day you are will help dictate what exercise will help best with helping you reach your goals. If you are only 2-3 months away I recommend more cardiovascular exercise. In such a short time HIIT Training (High Intensity Interval Training) will be most effective. Try a program of high intensity cardio for 30 seconds with 1 minute of rest. If you have several months to prepare, I recommend more time with resistance training. Circuit training is an effective way to burn calories. Try circuits of 3-5 exercises with 12-15 repetitions, little to no rest.

If you ever have any questions about the best and most efficient way to get ready for your wedding day be sure to seek the help of a certified fitness professional. They will give you individualized information specific to our goals and your situation.

By Jim Lezeau, MS, CES, PES, Personal Training Performance Manager, Defined FitnessGet Ready for that Special Day

Page 16: ABQ Sports Magazine

Great mat action at Eldorado the last week of January as the Rams bested a field of talent. Cleveland

and Rio Grande finished second and third, respectively.

individual metro champions106 Gabriel Gray, Rio Rancho113 Noah Mirabal, Cleveland120 Treavon Nicoley, Cleveland145 Clayton Arellano, Rio Grande152 Orlando Gutierrez, Rio Rancho160 Jordan Velasquez, Valley170 Travis Decker, MAN182 Miguel Barreras, Rio Rancho195 Ramon Artiago, Del Norte220 Grant Hermanns, Rio Rancho285 James Romero, Atrisco

2015 metro wrestling champion182lbs - Miguel barreras

pHOtO: AudriAnnA griegO FOr mOJi pHOtOgrApHy

pHOtO cOurteSy: miKe BArrerAS

aps metro wrestling championsrio rancho rams

16 February 2015

Page 17: ABQ Sports Magazine

2015 metro wrestling champion182lbs - Miguel barreras

pHOtO: AudriAnnA griegO FOr mOJi pHOtOgrApHy

pHOtOS: AmAndA nuneZ

aps metro wrestling championsrio rancho rams

abqsportsmag.com • 17

Page 18: ABQ Sports Magazine

By: SumiKO cOrLey pHOtOS: gretcHen Futey

USATF ALL-AMERICANS & NATIONAL CHAMPIONS

“To be an All-American and to win National title, an athlete has to be willing to be uncomfortable! Training takes up a lot of time and a ton of personal effort. On hard workout days, it requires the athletes to push beyond their comfort zone and feel the pain! Pain is temporary, pride is forever!”

- Michelle Lopez, co-head coach, Cougar Track Club of Albuquerque

2014 national champion team9-10 boysJett Smith, Xavier Almodovar, Cody Toya, Jude Lucero, Blayne Howell, Gordon Lee, Angel Delgado and Stoney Cutchen

individual All-America runners

The NM Association of USATF will host the 2015 National Cross Country Championship December 12.

Leah Futey4th place9-10 girls

Cecilia Campos18th place9-10 girls

Elise Toya21st place9-10 girls

Jett Smith8th place9-10 boys

Jett SmitH

You couldn’t ask for a more beautiful day - or venue - for the 2014 USA Track & Field Junior Olympic National Cross Country Championship. Myrtle Beach, SC was good to the Cougar Track Club of Albuquerque, as they raced hundreds of the very finest

cross country athletes from across the nation.

Eleven Albuquerque-area youth runners proved they are among the best in the nation December 13th, each placing in the top 25 of their respective age groups to earn All-America status. CTC’s head coaches are Michelle Lopez and Stephanie Poole.

“During the 2014 XC season,” says Lopez, “of about 90 kids on our practice roster, we qualified almost 70 athletes to Nationals; 3 of whom were too young to compete at Nationals! We had 45 of those qualifiers in South Carolina to represent the Cougars. The 5 teams we sent finished 1st, 4th, 5th, 7th ad 10th! In addition to our National Championship title, we had 4 athletes achieve individual All-American titles. Remarkable!!”

eLiSe tOyA, LeAH Futey, ceciLiA cAmpOS

Page 19: ABQ Sports Magazine

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Page 20: ABQ Sports Magazine

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“During the early years of the company,” says Bill, “Laurie coached soccer running up and down the sidelines while answering the company cell phone. Affordable Service and our family grew up together as we started the company the year our youngest was born.”

Five kids, countless practices and games for their various sports. As their business thrived, the Howlands in turn were able to increase their support of athletic programs in local schools and various organizations.

“We’re very thankful the Albuquerque and Rio Rancho communities have supported our company,” says Bill, “which has allowed us to return that support whenever possible. We look forward to another 30 years of providing the best possible service available to the families and community we’ve grown to love and appreciate.”

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Page 21: ABQ Sports Magazine

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Staying on the final bull of the night, Cody Teel of Kountze, Texas, took home a check for $19,750 on January 31 for winning “Bucking on the Rio Grande” at Santa Ana Star Center.

“Nothing is given to you in this sport, you have to work hard and recognize when you have an opportunity and take advantage of it,” Teel, the Championship Bull Riding’s 2012 champion, said.

1996 PBR world champion bull rider Owen Washburn returned to the winner’s circle after a two-year hiatus and his trio of bucking bulls scoring 291.73 points to win the CBR bull team competition.

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pHOtOS: BriAn BOySen, mOJi pHOtOgrApHy

Page 22: ABQ Sports Magazine

New Mexico NOTABLES

The MLB’s hottest catching prospect joined Albuquerque Academy alumni Max Walla helping to raise funds for the third annual “Throw Cancer a Curve All-Skills Baseball Camp”, put on by the Albuquerque Baseball Academy. The event raised more than $8,000. The ABA was able to give money to four worthy causes: The Martin L. Romero Scholarship Fund (Albuquerque), the Justin Solomon Foundation (Piedra Vista) and $1,000 in equipment to South Valley Little League, home league to Martin Romero before his death. The Academy also donated just over $2,330 to 8-year old Faith Kuhn, who’s endured 11 surgeries connected to spina bifida. Her father Chad Kuhn, coaches baseball at Valley High.

blake swihartshowing hometown love

The most highly recruited QB in metro Albuquerque is headed to Ann Arbor and the University of Michigan, lured away from Texas by new head coach Jim Harbaugh, of the San Francisco 49’ers fame. The 6-foot-7, 238-pound quarterback threw for nearly 3,000 yards and 26 TD’s, a considerable threat on the field for his ability to run the ball.

zach gentrynow a wolverine

This Rio Rancho High senior is ranked #15 in the United States (160 lbs) by flowrestling.com. What a year it has been for this two-time defending

individual state champion - Miguel recently won the Top of the Rockies Championship (160 lbs), holds two state champion team titles (2011, 2014) and he was instrumental in the school’s, and 6A’s, first football state championship victory last fall. He has been selected for 1st Team All State (safety & wide receiver). Barreras carries a cumulative 3.6 GPA and is headed to the University of Central Oklahoma (Div II) on a wrestling scholarship, the same school where his father Mike was a 4-time NCAA All-America wrestler and helped his team to two national team titles. Miguel’s current record is 25-1 (the sole loss to the nation’s #4 ranked wrestler at 160). He looks to leave high school as the reigning king of the mat, with the wrestling state championship in just a few weeks.

miguelbarrerastop nationally ranked nm wreslter

Just weeks before induction into the NM Sports Hall of Fame, this former Olympian and standout coach died at the age of 89. He played basketball for Mexico in the 1948 Olympics, graduated high school in three years (El Paso), which included a state basketball championship, then attended UNM. He was much loved during his 30-some years as an NM

athlete, coach and game official. He led Our Lady of Sorrows to three District 1 titles (1951-53), worked at Sandia National laboratories as an electrical engineer, and officiated at football games across the nation, including the Rose, Peach, Fiesta and Sun Bowls. His death comes just weeks after the passing of his son Craig. He is survived by his wife Leonella and a large extended family.

vicente “rocky” arroyoin memorial

22 February 2015

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