Est. 1956 Fall 2018

THE ATHLETIC MAGAZINE OF ST. PIUS X HIGH SCHOOL FALL 2018

F irst E dition

HONORING THE LEGACY Coach Jorge Tristani

ST. PIUS X ATHLETICS | FALL 2018

1

2018

State Tournaments FOOTBALL

BOYS SOCCER

NOVEMBER 3 Football Brackets Released

OCTOBER 28 Soccer Brackets Released

NOVEMBER 9 – 10 State Football First Round

NOVEMBER 2 – 3 State Soccer First Round

NOVEMBER 16 – 17 State Football Quarterfinals

NOVEMBER 7 – 9 State Soccer Championships Bernalillo Soccer Complex

NOVEMBER 23 – 24 Semi Finals DECEMBER 1 State Football Championships

GIRLS SOCCER OCTOBER 28 Soccer Brackets Released

VOLLEYBALL NOVEMBER 11 State Volleyball Brackets Released NOVEMBER 15 – 17 State Volleyball Championships

CROSS COUNTRY NOVEMBER 10 Cross Country State Championships Rio Rancho High School

NOVEMBER 2 – 3 State Soccer First Round NOVEMBER 7 – 9 State Soccer Championships Bernalillo Soccer Complex

THE ATHLETIC MAGAZINE OF ST. PIUS X HIGH SCHOOL FALL 2018 F irst E dition

4

COVER STORY

HONORING THE LEGACY After 35 years, legendary Soccer Coach Jorge Tristani retires from teaching.

2

WHAT'S COOKING? James Cook: My Hope for the New Season

3

BOOSTER CLUB Support Is Their Mission

8

THE COACHES Dave Montoya • Jordan Russel • A.J. Herrera • David Sullivan, Jr. • Jeff Turcotte • Marlene Barela • Gina Sada Rightley

15

THE TRAINING ROOM A Higher Standard

16

THE TEAMS Senior Portraits and Team Rosters Football • Volleyball • Boys Soccer • Girls Soccer • Cross Country • Cheer • Dorados

24

SIGNING DAY With Clear Intentions

25

THE SARTAN OPEN A Booster Club Success

26

SPECIAL REC0GNITION Haley Rizek: New Mexico Gatorade 2018 Player of the Year

27

SARTAN SHOP The Swag of Champions

28

STEADFAST PERFORMANCE Finding Strength

WHAT'S COOKING?

My Hope for the New Season

Let us all remain true to the idea that everything we do is education based.

JAMES COOK

F

all has always been my favorite time of year. As

the easy tempo of summer blends with the reality of school, the patterns of the daily grind become very apparent. Each year is unique, the new dynamics of personalities and circumstances creates new challenges and opportunities. Within these dynamics are the diverse personalities, interests and aspirations of our student-athletes. Conflict however accompanies any rigorous and disciplined activity. In the spirit of cooperation and the need to talk to one another, we can overcome any problems as they arise. The life and spirit the student-athletes

Jim Cook is a 1983 graduate of St. Pius X High School. He began coaching at SPX in 1991 and was hired as a full-time teacher in 1992, teaching Government. Coach Cook is entering his 22nd year as the St. Pius X Athletic Director.

bring to athletics at St. Pius X High School grows as the year progresses. My hope this year is we can capture the essence of that movement and celebrate their many achievements.

As the excitement of the athletic season begins to fade and the reality of the school year takes shape, let us all remain true to the idea that all we do is

D I R E CTO R O F AT H L E T I C S

James Cook ’83 AS S I STAN T D I R E CTO R O F AT HL E T I C S

David Sullivan

education based. This is the purpose of the athletic

E XE C U T I VE AS S ISTAN T TO T HE D I R E CTO R O F ATHL ETI CS

department and of St. Pius X High School. Athletics

Ashley Turcotte ’07

can serve all of us, the student-athlete, parents and

AT HL E T I C T R AINE R

coaches. I am optimistic that our community is a foundation and will not allow accomplishments to fade into the landscape.

2

THE ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT

FALL 2018 | Est.1956

Juanita Marquez AT H L E T I C E VE N T AND INFO R M AT IO N C O O R D IN ATO R, EDI TO R

Jennifer Maldonado ’91

BOOSTER CLUB

Support Is Their Mission

The St. Pius X Athletic Booster Club works to build good citizens through competitive sport.

T

he St. Pius X Athletic Booster Club is comprised of highly motivated parents, administration, staff and alumni of St. Pius X High School that support all our school’s athletic programs. Our mission is to generate revenue to support capital and non-capital projects within the St. Pius X Athletic Community. We embrace and adhere to the St. Pius X philosophy of teaching goodness, discipline and knowledge. Our board promotes responsible and competitive sports, which strive to build citizens of good moral character. Our programs instill confidence, sportsmanship and leadership skills enabling our athletes to succeed beyond their high school years.

In an effort to help fulfill our mission of supporting our programs and generating revenue, Est. 1956, The Athletic Magazine of St. Pius X High School was created. A new endeavor by the St. Pius X Athletic Booster Club, Est. 1956 will celebrate the rich his-

2018/2019 EXECUTIVE BOARD

tory of athletics, sportsmanship, pride and success of St. Pius X High School and our students. Est. 1956 will be published twice a year, in the fall and in the winter/spring and will highlight our teams, seniors, head coaches and St. Pius X High School success stories. We hope you enjoy the inaugural fall edition and will consider being a part of future editions as an advertiser.

In addition to Est. 1956, the Athletic Booster Club also oversees the Sartan Shop, coordinates the SPX Sartan Open and hosts craft fairs on campus to generate funds for St. Pius X Athletics. All funds produced from these events/endeavors in combination with Booster memberships, are critical for providing our programs and athletes with top of the line equipment that otherwise cannot be purchased with our limited athletic budget. Thanks to the Athletic Boosters, nearly $60,000.00 has been invested into St. Pius X Athletics since the 2015/2016 school year.

PR E S I DE N T

Scott Swallows V I C E PR E S IDEN T

Tammy Chavez T R E AS U R E R

Santiago Chavez SE C R E TARY

Cassandra Dennis ME MBE R S HI P CH AI R

Josette McConnell C O MMUN ICAT I O N S CH AI R

Jennifer Maldonado ‘91 ME MBE R AT L ARG E

Dan Acosta

From left: Dan Acosta, Cassandra Dennis, Scott Swallows, Tammy Chavez and Santiago Chavez.

ST. PIUS X ATHLETICS | FALL 2018

3

Fall 2018 After 35 years, legendary Soccer Coach Jorge Tristani retires from teaching.

HONORING THE LEGACY

4

FALL 2018 | Est.1956

C

oach Jorge Tristani began his soccer career at St. Albans Episcopal Boarding School in Washington, D.C. For a man that has become a legend, not only in the St. Pius X Community but in

the New Mexico Coaching Community, he describes himself as, “a very average player.” From prep school to graduate school, he continued to play intramurals. In 1973, he became a varsity coach at a boarding school in upstate New York. In 1981, Coach Tristani moved to Albuquerque to pursue his career as an architect. He began playing in a men’s league and resumed coaching with AYSO and Duke City Soccer. That is when he was recruited by a St. Pius X parent to take over a brand new soccer program that had lost its coach after the first season. He was hired on the spot by Coach Ray Giannini and the rest is history. At the time, St. Pius X was a 3A school. However, from ’82 – ’93, the St. Pius X Sartans played up with the “big boys” in the 4A division, in which time they won three State Championship titles. The first of those titles was 30 years ago, in 1988.

Coach Jorge Tristani with the SPX Varsity Team and the Alumni.

Over three decades of players are represented.

ST. PIUS X ATHLETICS | FALL 2018

5

Honoring the Legacy During his twenty-four years as Head Varsity Coach at St. Pius X, Coach Tristani won a total of 15 State Championships.

Coach Tristani believes that good players are not always good coaches and often reflects back and thinks, “Did I do that? I strived to communicate both in the classroom and on the field precise goals because that’s what I believed would lead to excellence in both

script we wrote, we had to keep upping ourselves and winning. No como cuentos...I don’t eat stories. It was time.” Coach Tristani has been more than just a coach, a mentor and a friend of over 30 years to Michael Strati. Strati states, “Jorge’s passion for life is contagious, he lives the moment and savors each occasion. He is a man of the utmost integrity and character. Despite his

“JORGE’S PASSION FOR LIFE IS CONTAGIOUS, HE LIVES THE MOMENT AND SAVORS EACH OCCASION.” venues. We were there for the sport. The competitive world is not for everyone.” The thrill of dealing with kids that bought into this mission of excellence is what inspired him to take on coaching a second sport, golf in 2004. In 2006, Coach Tristani handed over the reins of the soccer program to Michael Strati ’91, his Assistant Coach of eleven years and member of the 1988 team.

“Soccer wears on you physically. Given the

national record for State Championships, he chose to remain humble and never wavered from doing what was right for his teams, the players, the school and the community. He makes the hard choices. Jorge loves many and is loved in return. Through his love and leadership, he built respect and challenged each student to be their best and grow to their potential, never allowing them to settle for less than their best.”

Every year at the end of summer, St. Pius X Athletics hosts the alumni games.

Alumni in men’s and women’s soccer and volleyball return to St. Pius X for bragging rights against the newly named varsity teams. However, this year was special! Not only did Coach Tristani retire from teaching after 35 years, but members of the historical 1988 men’s team returned to play in the games. It was a tribute to the great man that influenced them to become everything that he knew they could be with hard work and dedication. During halftime, to commemorate Coach Tristani’s retirement from thirty-five years of teaching and his legacy to St. Pius X Athletics, St. Pius X renamed Coors Fields “Campo de Jorge”. It was a small token of gratitude, paling in comparison to what he has given so many. Campo de Jorge honors the man that shys away from public recognition and would much rather focus on the relationships and memories of his amazing life.

Coach Tristani remains the boy’s golf coach at St. Pius X and has won 21 state trophies in soccer and golf.

Coach Jorge Tristani and members of the 1988 Championship Team, Steve Pacheco ’89, Michael Strati ’91, Mark Trujillo ’89, Larry Espinoza ’91 and Ted Sweetser ’89.

6

FALL 2018 | Est.1956

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ST. PIUS X ATHLETICS | FALL 2018

7

THE COACHES

FOOTBALL

DAVE MONTOYA’95

“

I believe that success takes toughness, both mental

and physical discipline working within a team

2 YEARS AS A HEAD COACH 20 YEARS AS A COACH AT SPX RECORD: 7-5

and recognizing the value

Coach Montoya is a 1995 graduate of St. Pius X. He is 41 years old and married with 2 boys. This is Coach Montoya’s second year as head coach and 20th year coaching football at St. Pius X. Coach Montoya believes that success is rooted in ownership of one’s life. He is assisted by Phil Archuleta, David Ottmar, Matt McCoy ’89. Pete Mora, Matt Wildau ’07, Dallas Peterson and Michael Hyland ’08.

teach these values. Our

of hard work. Football is the perfect game to

program teaches these

skills on a daily basis

to develop each player

and team to the fullest.

We do so while making

sure the experience is a

positive one by fostering

a community with our

”

players.

The Sartan Football seniors

8

FALL 2018 | Est.1956

VOLLEYBALL

JORDAN RUSSELL

“

At the end of practice,

games, and the season,

my athletes still have a

passion to play the game

2ND YEAR AS HEAD COACH 5 YEARS AS A COACH AT SPX SPX RECORD: 20-3

of volleyball. While we

Coach Russell is a 2009 graduate of Moriarty High School where she began her volleyball career with two back to back state titles, was a two-time first team all-state setter and named four-time all-district and two-time all-metro in 2007 and 2008. She went on to play for the Lady Lobos at UNM where she received multiple awards and scholarships and served as Team Captain her senior year. Coach Russell is assisted by Isaiah Bradford and Jim Farmer.

I want to teach my

strive to be competitive

and look to win games, athletes to trust their

teammates and coaching

staff. I care about who

they are as people and

want to see this small

aspect of their life help

them make a difference

”

in the future!

Left: Francesca Bell, ’20 Right: The 2017 5A District Champs in another nail biting win on the road to state.

Left: Coach Russell and Assistant Coach Isaiah Bradford strategize on the sidelines.

ST. PIUS X ATHLETICS | FALL 2018

9

THE COACHES

“

BOYS SOCCER

A.J. HERRERA ’99

10

FALL 2018 | Est.1956

community that transcends

the soccer field and prepares

each player to play at the highest level possible. I

12 YEARS AS A HEAD COACH 4 YEARS AS HEAD COACH AT SPX SPX RECORD: 39-20-8

Coach Herrera is a 1999 graduate of St. Pius X High School. During his time at SPX, he won 4 State Championships, was the SPX Career Goals Scored Leader (103), the SPX Career Points Leader (253), the SPX Single Season Goals Scored Leader (37) and ranked 2nd in SPX Career Assists (47).

In 1998-1999, he was named the NSCAA National Player of the Year and the Parade Magazine High School National Player of the Year. Coach Herrera was also a member of the Youth National Team from 1996-1999. After graduation Coach Herrera continued his success at University of Maryland as a starter for all 4 years, 2 appearances in the final four and multiple accolades, including scoring the winning lone goal in the 2003 ACC Championship game. Coach Herrera’s coaching philosophy is based on the SPX Boys Soccer mission of

My vision is to create a soccer

strive to do this by instilling

knowledge, skill development,

igniting passion, focusing

on competition, establishing friendships and setting an

example of faith and God

through adversity. My ultimate

goal is for St. Pius X to be the

premier men’s soccer program in New Mexico while fostering

a soccer community that

transcends the soccer field and

provides experiences on and

”

off the field. establishing a community of coaches parents and alumni that are proud to support the growth and development of confident young men. He is assisted by Jason Maestas ’04.

The Sartans gather for a pre-game huddle and prayer, "St. Pius X, Pray for Us!"

GIRLS SOCCER

DAVID SULLIVAN JR. ’02 4 YEARS AS A HEAD COACH 16 YEARS AS A COACH AT SPX SPX RECORD: 48-13-2

Coach Sullivan is a 2002 graduate of St. Pius X High School. Coach Sullivan is pursuing a degree in Exercise Science.

He has studied Coaching Performance in Football (Soccer) at Anglia Ruskin in Cambridge, England. Coach Sullivan was a national runner up for the assistant coach of the year in 2014 and 2015. He was assistant coach of the year for the Western Region in 2014 and 2015. Coach Sullivan’s coaching philosophy is centered on leadership and morality. He is assisted

by Stefanie Tierney ’97 and Abby Tarin ’09.

“

I hope to produce future leaders with a high moral compass. I

put leadership at the center of

everything we do. I teach the

importance of doing the right

thing and accountability. I expect

to produce educated young women

who place their faith at the

forefront of all of their actions. On the soccer field, I hope to breed a

culture that allows for personal technical and tactical growth. I

believe that mistakes are necessary

for athletes to improve. I work

on the recognition of mistakes

and loss of focus as the driving

force behind success. Overall, our

program values positivity and

”

seeking the good in all situations.

Left: Isabel Pilon ’19

Above: Esperanza Chavez ’19

ST. PIUS X ATHLETICS | FALL 2018

11

THE COACHES

CROSS COUNTRY

JEFF TURCOTTE 31 YEARS AS HEAD COACH AT ST. PIUS X

Coach Turcotte has been coaching at St. Pius X since 1988. He is also the Director of Marketing and Enrollment. It is often said about Coach Turcotte that he bleeds black and gold and breathes St. Pius! Running has been a lifetime commitment for Coach Turcotte. He is assisted by Gabe Aragon and Neil Silver.

Below: Our seniors: Andres Vigil ’19 Eva Garcia ’19, Davin Ruggles ’19, Sarah Otero ’19, Santiago Montoya ’19 and Maya Martinez-Metzgar ’19.

Right: The girls group: Christy DeGuio ’20, Sarah Otero ’19, Katerina Gallegos ’18, Davin Ruggles ’19, Amanda Salas ’18, Carisa Salcido ’21, Emily Valdez ’21, Isabella Clark ’21, Teresa Moorhead’ 18, Santana Larranaga ’18.

12

FALL 2018 | Est.1956

“

My goal is to always share my joy of running with

our distance runners. We work hard but have fun while running all those

miles! Having athletes

compete in college has been great, but also

hearing of former

Sartans continuing to

run FOR LIFE is equally

”

satisfying.

“

VARSITY CHEER

MARLENE BARELA

This sport has evolved from

what it once was, these girls

are now gymnasts, who

can stunt, who can jump

16 YEARS AS A HEAD COACH 2 YEARS AS HEAD COACH AT ST. PIUS X SPX RECORD: 6TH AT STATE IN 2018

and who can also dance.

Coach Marlene Barela has coached high school, middle school, and all star cheerleading for over 16 years in Colorado and New Mexico. She has been the head coach at St. Pius X since spring of 2016.

Last year, was the first year that the cheer team attended state with Coach Marlene and together they accomplished a noble 6th place in a very tough division. Her dedication to the cheerleaders is immeasurable with a goal for the program to build a solid foundation and to provide growth. Coach Marlene truly believes that every athlete can be successful, in the right position.

to do their part, everyone

Stunting is not a simple

task anymore, everyone has has to be in sync in order to hit. This is not a sport for

the weak, you will get hit,

punched in the face, kicked in the arm, scratched, the wind knocked out of you,

you will fall, but you will get back up every practice and

do it again because this is

what you love. That’s why I

”

do it, because I love it!

The 2018/2019 Varsity Cheerleaders prepare for the upcoming school year.

ST. PIUS X ATHLETICS | FALL 2018 13

THE COACHES

DANCE TEAM

GINA SADA RIGHTLEY,PhD ’81 13 YEARS AS HEAD COACH AT SPX SPX RECORD: NM STATE COMPETITION 2009 – 3RD 2015 – 3RD 2017 - STATE RUNNERS UP (2ND) 2018 - STATE RUNNERS UP (2ND)

Coach Gina is a 1981 graduate of St. Pius X High School and was a member of the Dorados Dance Team. As an alumna of St. Pius X, Coach Gina knows that St. Pius X had a lot to do with setting her on the road to success. It is no secret that being on the Dorados requires hard work dedication to your sport (which is also your art), excelling in academics, and being involved in both the SPX and the local communities. Dance Team has two sides: competition and spirit! The Dorados are

“

There is no doubt that my education here was outstanding, but I attribute part of my success to being on the Dorados Dance Team. Dorados taught me motivation, the value of hard work, how to accept criticism, self-confidence, flexibility (both physically and in life), time-management, teamwork, and the importance of being involved! God has blessed me with the opportunity to coach these amazing young women, so I am committed to my primary coaching objective which is to help develop strong confident, independent women who are active in their communities.

”

successful in balancing these by working hard to be a competitive varsity dance team while still focusing on school-spirit and supporting SPX every chance they

get. Coach Gina is assisted by Marissa Avila ’11.

The 2018/2019 Dorados Dance Team strike a pose at the 2018 Universal Dance Association summer camp.

14

FALL 2018 | Est.1956

THE TRAINING ROOM

A Higher Standard

Juanita Marquez uses the latest technologies to create a teaching clinic for SPX athletes and students.

J

uanita Marquez has been the Athletic Trainer at St. Pius X High School since 2009. During this time, she has worked to establish one of the most recognized sports medicine programs in the state. Students who partake in this semester long sports medicine class are exposed to taping, modalities, injury assessment and evaluation, rehabilitation programs, first-aid procedures and head/ neck injury management. Sports medicine students learn first-hand how to evaluate for injuries and provide treatment to help return the athlete to play. The program is unique because students are required to obtain clinical hours. They must work in the training room and at sporting events as part of the curriculum. This allows students hands on experience about the topics which are being covered in the class.

With the constant changes in healthcare and medicine, Ms. Marquez is consistently looking for new products and new technologies which we can bring to the over 300 student-athletes at SPX. Ms. Marquez states, “In the 9 years I have been at St. Pius, we have expanded our training room to meet the demands of our students and bring in the latest tools for treatment and care. One of the most recent additions to the training room is the new GameReady Med4 Elite Unit. The Med4 Elite Unit is a multi-modality, dual-user recovery system. This touchscreen unit integrates iceless cold, controllable heat, rapid contrast, and active compression therapies like never before. I now have the ability to provide comprehensive and flexible treatment options for diverse injuries, post-surgery recovery, and different stages of rehabilitation. This contributes to the ultimate goal of returning our athletes to play as quickly and as safely as we can.”

Ms. Marquez teaches sports medicine in the fall and the spring semesters and supports every sport at SPX including summer training sessions.

SPX Alumnus, Michael Statzula ’18 and Senior, Danilo Padilla ’19, demonstrate the new GameReady Med4 Elite.

ST. PIUS X ATHLETICS | FALL 2018 15

THE TEAMS

FOOTBA L L • SENIOR S

16

Jason Arnett

Martin Candelaria

Christopher Chadwick

Tristan Chavez

Fernando Fresquez

Robert Godshall

Reyes Gonzales

Lucas Gutierrez

Joshua Lafayette

Phillip Martinez

Joedon McConnell

Jacob McCoy

Taylor Padilla

Matthew Rowe

Colton Sevier

Nicholas Slatton

FALL 2018 | Est.1956

Luis Soto

Donovahn Wyatt

VARSITY

C-TEAM

JUNIORS

SOPHOMORES

FRESHMEN

Brandon Cast

Ulban Aragon

Estevan Abeita

Santino Chavez

Michael Candelaria

Diego Apodaca

Logan Garcia

Eric Coriz

Josiah Baumgardner

Isaiah Griffin

Alec Garcia

Matias Cruz-Moreno

Austin Jaramillo

Patrick Giron

Noah Eldredge

Nathan Kennedy

Joseph Godshall

Dominic Esparza

Ryan McCormick

Andrew Kaplan

Carson Funchess

Scott McGaha

Jason Lujan

Nicholas Hall

William Mummert

Rhett McCarty

Cian Jones

Gabriel Neel

Michael Parrino

Joaquin Medina

Brayden Peyton

Nicholas Pascuzzi

Curtis Ortiz

Marcus Rael

Andrew Pilon

Andrew Pascuzzi

Garris Rivera

Aaron Smith

Matthew Roach

Derek Rivera

Andre Telles

Dominic Salcido

Aaron Swallows

Nicholas Vargas

Christian Salinas

Trebor Toledo

Donovan Vigil

Jonathan Trujillo

Dominic Sais

Gavin Via

SOPHOMORES

Collin Wilson Marco Ybarra

Aaron Deller Ezekiel Jaramillo Andrew Kaplan Nicholas Pascuzzi Dominic Sais

Luis-Miguel Ybarra

Senior Football Photos by Diana Reyes Photography

ST. PIUS X ATHLETICS | FALL 2018 17

THE TEAMS

VOL L EYBA LL • SENIOR S

Hannah Holmes

Natalya Mora

VARSITY

JUNIOR VARSITY

C-TEAM

JUNIORS

JUNIORS

FRESHMEN

Francesca Bell, Captain

Savannah Pacheco

Alyssa Candelaria

Alicia Thies

Dominique Candelaria

Alexandra Velasquez

Audrey Dominick

Ashley Cheshire, Captain Delaney Fenton Lauren Hilton Cameron Martinez Kennedi Rey, Captain Alexandra Salas

SOPHOMORE Megan Dennis

Azure’rae Dunn

SOPHOMORES

Rebecca Espat

Cecilia Calvo

Ainslee Gruber

Geneva Sandoval Dinallo

Erica Olguin

Nicole Gonzales

Emily Randall

Courtney Lohman

Ariana Rivera

Abigail McCoy

Amelia Rosales

Megan Moleres

Sophia Sanchez

Georganna Nunez Aspen Owens Samantha Trejo Juliana Trujillo Amber Weber

18

Jontel Sanchez

FALL 2018 | Est.1956

Alyssa Portee

Marisol Sandoval

BOYS SO CCER • SENIOR S JUNIORS Dylan Armijo Andres Roman Baca Sebastian Ellison Anthony Martinez Michael McGrath Herber Rios Levi Barela

Bryan Carrillo

Cameron Blanchard

SOPHOMORES Elijah Chavez Marcus Garcia Zachariah Pena

JUNIOR VARSITY JUNIORS Anthony Cooper Michael Freisinger

Mason Davis

SOPHOMORES Logan Allard Marcos Cortez Rourke Darwin Aidan Dubois Joshua Salas Derryk Sanchez Joseph Sanchez Ryn De Castro

Abelino Garcia

Isaiah Garcia

Zachary Kolkmeyer

Carlos Tarin

FRESHMEN Elijah Barela Ashton Bischoff Avier Rios Matthew Williamson Frank Gutierrez

Ethan Lash

Jaren Rodriguez

ST. PIUS X ATHLETICS | FALL 2018 19

THE TEAMS

G I RLS SO CC ER • SENIOR S JUNIORS Amber Baker Kristen Hall Hannah Irons Kayla Koory Elena Resta Grace Romero Esperanza Chavez

Isabelle Pilon

Sierra Saenz

SOPHOMORES Trinity Aragon Alicia Barela Katrina Barela Kathryn Busby Emma Donlin Alyssa Doty Nora Hennessy Lillian Wycoff

Gabriela Martin Mariah Sanchez Nicole Taibbi Rose Vigil

FRESHMEN Carmen Brandt Kiana Bogart Kyera Chavez Jaedyn Dominguez Stella Frankel Samantha Fresquez Jenique Gonzales Gabriella Jeantete Alexis Patalan Isabel Roddy Lauren Salas Allyson Swallows Amber Taibbi Enmarae Torres

20 FALL 2018 | Est.1956

C R OS S CO UNTRY • SENIOR S JUNIOR BOYS Caleb Baca Matthew Buerschen Santiago Gonzales Cody Osborn Sean Pinon

SOPHOMORE BOYS Lauren Browne

Sophia Gonzales

Evangeline Garcia

Jonah Arnett

JUNIOR GIRLS Celeste Lucero

Isaiah Gonzales

SOPHOMORE GIRLS Jacquelyn Beckett Isabella Clarke

Jeremy Peinada

Jacob Sedillo Connor Setter

Carisa Salcido

Aidan Trujillo

Emily Valdez

Luke Waddoups

FRESHMEN GIRLS Gracie Baca

FRESHMEN BOYS Michael Barreras

Jessica Otero

Nicholas Hanson

Heaven Perea Santiago Montoya

Donovin Montoya

Alexander Roth

Marie Kalb Chole Pruitt

Mya Martinez-Metzgar

Patrick Jojola

Joaquin Preciado

Rachel Hasse

Lauren Huling

Adam Contreras Aidan Dubois

Kenna Roberts

Jacob Herrera

Armando Carrillo

Zachary Torres

Kendra Townsend

Nathaniel Salazar Aaron Sandoval Alex Sandoval Elijah Tafoya

Sarah Otero

Davin Ruggles

ST. PIUS X ATHLETICS | FALL 2018 21

THE TEAMS

C HEER • SENIOR S SENIORS NOT PICTURED Aurora Telles

JUNIORS Isabella Baumgardner Kaeley Chavez Elena Abeyta

Danielle Baca

Shalyn Caudill

Lisanna Aragon Nevaeh Elevario Alexandria Esparza Gloria Bustamante Danielle Padilla

SOPHOMORES Cierra Sandoval

FRESHMEN Rachel Crespin

Tori Davis

Sarah Olguin

Marissa Silva

Senior Cheer Photos by Luv Leigh Photos LLC

22 FALL 2018 | Est.1956

Hailee Eldredge, Captain

Shiri Howell

DOR A DO S "THE GOLDEN ONES" • SE N I OR S JUNIORS D’Andra Leyba Patricia Lujan Madeline Skipp

SOPHOMORES Morgan Henson Alyssa Christman

Allyson Thomas

Elizabeth Freisinger, Captain

Donielle Torres

FRESHMEN Elicia Rowe

Julia Lopez, Team Manager

Mariah Magness

Isabella Sais, Captain

Amanda Stone, Captain

Megan Thomas, Captain

Senior Dorado Photos by Melissa Sais

ST. PIUS X ATHLETICS | FALL 2018 23

SIGNING DAY

With Clear Intentions

Seventeen SPX Athletes move on to college sports.

L

ast spring, St. Pius X Athletics celebrated our 2018 graduates who signed letters of intent to commit to play a college sport. We are proud to announce that seventeen Senior Sartans signed, seven of which will be attending D1 schools!

Congratulations to the following:

Alexis Acosta

Wheaton College (Division III)

Tennis

Brooke Bower

University of Texas at Austin (Division I)

Dance

Julia Chavez

Trinidad State Junior College (NJCAA)

Volleyball

Calvin Dexel

Oklahoma Christian University (Division II)

Swim

Julian Garcia

University of New Mexico (Division I)

Soccer

Ashlee Garrett

Long Island University Brooklyn (Division I)

Golf

Miranda Hart

Michigan State University (Division I)

Soccer

Cindy Herrera

Missouri Western State University (Division II) Golf

Alyssa Marquez

Our Lady of the Lake University (NAIA)

Arianna Martinez

United States Air Force Academy (Division I) Track & Field

Bryan Martinez

Regis University (Division II)

Cross Country

Jordan Martindale

Mars Hill University (Division II)

Golf

Alex Nana

Grand Canyon University (Division I)

Soccer

Nicole Peery

California State Dominguez Hills (Division II) Volleyball

Jacqueline Pinon

Vanderbilt University (Division I)

Cross Country/Track & Field

Haley Rizek

University of Pennsylvania (Division I)

Track & Field

Nicolas Santistevan

Concordia University Nebraska (NAIA)

Football

24 FALL 2018 | Est.1956

Volleyball

From the top: Sarto and Arianna Martinez ’18; the Chavez Family; Julian Garcia ’18 and Alex Nana ’18; The Garcia Family and Coach A.J. Herrera ’99 Below: Class of 2018 Signing Day Sartans!

THE SARTAN OPEN

A Booster Club Success

SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS:

The 17th annual tournament raises more than $27,000 in support of SPX Athletics.

T

ABQ Jock Shop APA Specialties and Turf Specialties Cap Sponsors

he 2018 Athletic Booster Club Sartan Open was held on May 4, 2018 at Los Altos Golf Course and raised more than $27,000 to benefit Sartan Athletics. We want to thank Chris Moya, SPX Girls Golf Coach and golf professional at Los Altos for all of his assistance in making the tournament a huge success as well as the nearly 100 golfers and event sponsors that supported the tournament.

See you in Spring of 2019 for the 18th Annual Sartan Open!

Tremco Camillia Garcia Sanchez Dr. Alissa Irons, Blink Lunch Sponsor

Berger Briggs Lion Sponsor

John Wyatt (Enterprise Holdings) Morgan Stanley Kirtland Credit Union

Congratulations to the Sartan Open 1st Place Winners and Cap Sponsors, Tremco.

Billy Guhrke, John Marcilla, Joseph Baca and Frank Hennie

Hole in One Sponsor

Quality by DiLorenzo Banner Sponsor

Ambitions Group Photography Sponsor

XL Sports Photography Blanket Sponsor, Team APA Specialties/ Turf Specialties. Marcus Molina ’03, Axel Mayhew ’03, Clay Mearns and SPX Girls Golf Coach Chris Moya

Congratulations to 2nd Place Winners and Lion Sponsors, Morgan Stanley.

Ryan Medhaug, Kit Caldwell, Mike Daly and Cliff Gramer

Thank you to our Hole in One Sponsor, Quality by DiLorenzo. Charles DiLorenzo ’61, Jim Schuyler, David DiLorenzo ’85 and Kent Jones

Congratulations to 3rd Place Winners Perico’s Tacos and Burritos. Josh Garcia ’00, Robbie Sanchez, Dominic Sanchez and John Lujan ’03

Blanket Sponsor, Team ABQ Jock Shop.

Marc Baca, Ed Larranaga ’84, Fr. Edward C. Domme ’67 and Don Yrene

Blanket Sponsors

Team Berger Briggs, Kaelan Brennan ’10, Damon Lucero ’99, Ed Reyes ’82 and Gabe Portillo ’82

The New Mexico 5A State Champions.

Jordan Martindale ’18, Shamyra Sanchez ’18, Ashlee Garrett ’18, Kori Tellez ’18, Coach Roy Turpin, Cindy Herrera ’18 and Sarah Brown ’19.

ST. PIUS X ATHLETICS | FALL 2018 25

SPECIAL RECOGNITION

Success on and off the Field

SPX Alumna Haley Rizek ’18 is named New Mexico Gatorade Player of the Year.

S

PX Alumna, Haley Rizek ’18 was awarded the New Mexico Gatorade Player of the Year in Track and Field for the second year in a row in 2018.

Haley, a well-rounded student and athlete was recognized for not only her athletic achievements, but also her academic success and strong character. An active member of her school’s campus ministry mission, Rizek led a Make-A-Wish Foundation of America campaign that raised over $10,000 in a single week.

On the field, Rizek won a pair of individual titles at the Class 5A meet this past spring season, leading the Sartans to fourth place as a team. Rizek broke the tape in the 300-meter hurdles with a time of 45.02 seconds, then took gold in the javelin with a personal-best and state-record throw of 134 feet, 6 inches. At the Great Southwest Classic, she took fifth in the heptathlon with 4,292 points. The state’s returning Gatorade Girls Track & Field Athlete of the Year, Rizek clocked New

Mexico’s fastest times in the 100 and 300 hurdles times last spring, including an all state record and personal-best 14.39 in the former, and her PR in the javelin ranked as the nation’s No. 95 throw in 2018 among prep competitors at the time of her selection. She graduated as a four-time state champion in the 300 hurdles.

In the classroom, Rizek maintained a 3.72 GPA and is attending the University of Pennsylvania, where she will compete in track and field.

Haley Rizek broke the state record in the 100m hurdles in preliminaries, her time was 14.39.

Another 1st place victory for Rizek at the 2018 NM Track and Field State Championship.

26

FALL 2018 | Est.1956

SARTAN SHOP

The Swag of Champions

The Booster Club saw a need for the store, and students beat a path to its door.

I

n the early ’90s, the St. Pius X Athletic Booster Club saw an opportunity to provide our community with Sartan Spirit wear while generating revenue for St. Pius X Athletics. An office adjacent to the gym lobby was transformed into a small store to outfit our students in hoodies, t-shirts and team gear. The Sartan Shop was an immediate success both for our students and athletic program. As time went on, the Sartan Shop began to expand its inventory carrying the infamous gold X decal, “I Bleed Black and Gold” license plate and beanies.

Because of the success of the shop, the Athletic Boosters wanted to do more for athletics. In the 2002/2003 school year, the Sartan Shop once again expanded

and began providing our students with school uniforms. As time went on, it became apparent that the small office in the gym could no longer accommodate the needs of a full service store and in 2015, it moved to its current location in St. Jude Hall adjacent to the student parking lot.

The approximately 800 square foot store sells school uniforms, spirit shirts, sweats, caps, mugs, ties and all things Sartan! The store is run by one full time employee and several volunteers. All proceeds from the Sartan Shop benefit the St. Pius X Athletic Booster Club.

The Sartan Shop

ST. PIUS X ATHLETICS | FALL 2018 27

STEADFAST PERFORMANCE

Finding Strength

Steadfast Performance provides a safe environment for athletes young and old to achieve their optimum levels.

I

n 2016, after over 3 decades of teaching Physical Education and overseeing the St. Pius X weight room, Pat Weiss, a legend in the St. Pius X community retired. As a result, there became a need to provide a safe environment, certified trainers and instructors to our young athletes. In the fall of 2017, Steadfast Performance was founded to fulfill that need.

Steadfast Performance was created by Trey Casaus, a 2012 graduate of St. Pius X and Roman Escandรณn. Casaus and Escandรณn have spent their lives exploring sports performance coaching. The mission of Steadfast Performance is simple, to help keep athletes, former athletes, and future athletes healthy, strong, and able to perform their absolute best in sport and in life.

Coach Escandรณn demonstrates core strengthening with the girls soccer team.

Above: Coach Casaus focuses on strength and technique during morning summer workouts.

Below: Coach Julian Pedroncelli spots Junior Amber Baker.

28 FALL 2018 | Est.1956

Members of the girls soccer team perform the power medicine ball toss to increase power and strengthen their core.

Mindfulness provides the base of the Steadfast System while improving motor skills and the ability to be coached. Within the first few weeks of training, athletes sense their body in new, empowering, and soon to be more capable ways. Rest, recovery, and nutrition are integral in allowing Steadfast athletes to learn how to fuel for and adapt to the stresses of competition.

Athletes learn to move their own body capably in basic lifting patterns before progressing to any considerable external load.

Additionally, body control and awareness allow for improved transfer to skill and sport. Helping athletes connect movement to sport is a capstone of the Steadfast Performance System. Once athletes are pain and major dysfunction-free, programs become increasingly challenging and fun.

Quality programs are catalysts for physical potential and allow true athletic ability to be realized. Willing to borrow from any discipline, tool, or teacher that can benefit their athletes, impressive results are becoming regular for SPX S&C. Coach Casaus is a Strength and Conditioning Coach who has worked with a wide variety of clientele from youth development to high school and collegiate prep, as well as collegiate athletes. After graduating from St. Pius X, as a varsity level football, basketball and baseball athlete, Casaus spent two years playing football at the collegiate level. Casaus has spent the past four years working with youth athletes all the way to the professional level. Casaus not only knows how to help his athletes reach their full potential, but also creates a plan that will help them stay healthy and strong throughout their athletic career and create habits for a lasting healthy lifestyle. Working with all sports, Casaus has created a wide variety of programs including Sport Specific, Speed Development, and Injury Prevention. Coach Casaus has a certification from National Academy of Sports Medicine and is currently working on a BA in Exercise Science.

Along with being a dad and husband, coaching is life for Coach Escandón. He was a local soccer standout that saw his career cut short due to a host of issues.

After graduating from the University of New Mexico with a BA in History in 2012, he was motivated to help others avoid the pitfalls that can plague talented young

athletes in New Mexico. Finding passion young in his coaching career as a soccer skills coach, Escandón has experienced success at the high school and club level. Having since centered focus toward strength and conditioning, he loves what he does so much that it rarely feels like work. In addition to being a Strength and Conditioning Coach for all of St. Pius X Athletics, he also lends his developmental expertise to the Rio Rapids Youth

Academy, where he has consulted on sports readiness and movement-based injury prevention programs. Coach Escandón’s coaching philosophy is centered on training hard and smart while having fun. He aims to prepare amazing people to do amazing things. Coach Escandón is a Certified Personal Trainer, Performance Specialist and Mobility Specialist and is currently working on a certification as a Strength Coach Specialist.

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ST. PIUS X ATHLETICS | FALL 2018 29

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30 FALL 2018 | Est.1956

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Delivery and compounding available.

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The Arnett family proudly supports all St. Pius X student athletes.

Best wishes for a blessed 2018/2019 season, Jason ‘19 and Jonah ‘21!

“Sartan Saturdays” get 10% off over the counter merchandise. Just mention you are part of the Sartan community.

ST. PIUS X ATHLETICS | FALL 2018 31

ST. PIUS X

Record Board

BOYS SOCCER STATE

STATE

GIRLS SOCCER

DISTRICT

STATE

DISTRICT

RUNNERS UP

CHAMPIONS

CHAMPIONS

RUNNERS UP

CHAMPIONS

1988 1990 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008

2001 2016

1998 1994 1995 1996 1997 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2016 2017

1999 2004 2005 2006 2007 2013 2014 2015

1998 2000 2011 2016

1998 2000 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2009 2011 2014 2015 2016 2017

VOLLEYBALL STATE

STATE

FOOTBALL DISTRICT

STATE

STATE

DISTRICT

CHAMPIONS

RUNNERS UP

CHAMPIONS

CHAMPIONS

RUNNERS UP

CHAMPIONS

1994 1997 1999 2002 2003 2012 2016

1993 1998 2008 2009 2010 2011 2017

1984 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2002 2003 2004 2005 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2014 2015 2016 2017

1973 1999 2016

1975 2001

1973 1975 1976 1978 1979 1982 1984 1985 1987 1988 1989 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2007 2010 2014 2016

DORADOS STATE

CHEERLEADING STATE

CHAMPIONS

RUNNERS UP

1987 1990 1991 1992

1988 1989 1994 2004 2017 2018

GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY STATE

CHAMPIONS

1995 2007 2008

32

STATE

CHAMPIONS

FALL 2018 | Est.1956

STATE

RUNNERS UP

DISTRICT

CHAMPIONS

2008 2011 2012 2015 2016 2017

STATE

STATE

CHAMPIONS

RUNNERS UP

1997 2001 2003 2004 2005

1996 2002

BOYS CROSS COUNTRY STATE

CHAMPIONS

STATE

DISTRICT

RUNNERS UP

CHAMPIONS

1993

1990 1993 2016 2017

THE ST. PIUS X ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT and ATHLETIC BOOSTER CLUB hope you enjoyed the first of many editions of

If you would like to market your company in the spring edition, please contact JENNIFER MALDONADO ’91

jmaldonado@spxabq.org 505-831-8437

ST. CLARE HALL

At the close of the 2018/2019 school year, St. Pius X High School looks forward to acquiring St. Clare Hall, adjacent to Ben Rios Field.