Est. 1956 Spring 2020

THE ATHLETIC MAGAZINE OF ST. PIUS X HIGH SCHOOL SPRING 2020

As a Catholic School

WE RELY ON OUR FAITH

ST. PIUS X ATHLETICS | SPRING 2020

1

CLASS OF 2020

Athletic Awards ST. PIUS X SCHOLAR-ATHLETE OF THE YEAR

The recipients excel equally in both academics and athletics. The requirements for this award include being an honor student (3.5 GPA and above) and a varsity multi-sport athlete or a year-round varsity athlete of exceptional leadership and performance.

MALE SCHOLAR-ATHLETE OF THE YEAR

FEMALE SCHOLAR-ATHLETE OF THE YEAR

RYAN SCHWANER

MIRANDA PLUEMER

ATHLETE OF THE YEAR

The male and female recipients demonstrate the highest skills, leadership, teamwork, coachability and work ethic of athletes in all sports.

MALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR

HAYDEN WALKER

FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR

ALEXANDRIA ESPARZA

DANNY M c KAY MEMORIAL MANAGER OF THE YEAR

The award is given to an individual that most resembles the character and work ethic of Danny McKay.

DANNY MCKAY MANAGER OF THE YEAR

AMBER BAKER

OUTSTANDING SPORTS MEDICINE STUDENT OF THE YEAR The award is given to the student or students who most resemble what the sports medicine program is all about. This year, the Sports Medicine Program was full of wonderful students who attended every game amassing over 1000 hours of clinical experience and two were selected.

OUTSTANDING MALE SPORTS MEDICINE STUDENT OF THE YEAR

MASON ASHCRAFT

OUTSTANDING FEMALE SPORTS MEDICINE STUDENT OF THE YEAR

SIERRA SAENZ

THE ATHLETIC MAGAZINE OF ST. PIUS X HIGH SCHOOL

SPRING 2020

2 COVER STORY

TRUST IN GOD Our gym may be empty, but not our hearts.

4

WINTER WRAP UP Boys Basketball • Girls Basketball • Wrestling • Swim • Dorados

8

THE COACHES Baseball • Softball • Track & Field • Tennis • Golf • Water Polo • Rugby

16

THE TEAMS Senior Portraits and Team Rosters Baseball • Softball • Track & Field • Tennis • Golf • Water Polo • Rugby

24

RECORD BOARD

THE ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS

James Cook ’83 ASS ISTA NT DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS

Ashley Turcotte ’07 ATHLETIC TR A INER

Dr. Juanita Marquez AT HL ET I C E VENT A ND INFORMATION COORDINATOR E ST. 1 956 EDITOR, WRITER, PHOTOGR A PHER

Jennifer Maldonado ’91

Cover story photos: Jose Samora of JPS Photos Special thank you to Jose Samora of JPS Photos, Matt Lopez and our SPX Parents for contributing photos to Est. 1956.

If you would like to market your company in the Fall Edition, please contact Jennifer Maldonado ’91 at jmaldonado@spxabq.org or 505-831-8437.

Spring 2020

TRUST IN GOD Our gym may be empty, but not our hearts.

O

n Thursday March 12, 2020, St. Pius X Athletic Director Jim Cook made a decision under the

guidance of the NMAA that all athletic games

and events were to be cancelled until March 30th due to the impending threat of COVID-19 on New Mexico. At the time, only spring sports could hold practices and any out of season sports could not attend trainings or practices. The only exceptions were to finish the SPX softball tournament that was already in progress and to allow the Dorados and Cheerleaders to continue practice sessions for the State Spirit Competition that was to be held at the end of March.

Beyond St. Pius X Athletics, the State Basketball Tournament was being played to an empty venue at The Pit.

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SPRING 2020 | Est.1956

The decision held for less than 24 hours before Governor Lujan Grisham ordered that all APS schools be closed for 3 weeks beginning March 16th due to the COVID-19 pandemic. No classes, no school activities and no high school athletics. COVID-19 has put the world in a situation that we were not prepared for. On a much smaller scale, St. Pius X High School as well as the elementary Archdiocesan schools, have been proactive in continuing education. Our teachers did not skip a beat and began utilizing online tools and Google classroom to keep our students on track. There is no doubt that the priority for St. Pius X is education, however one thing that can’t be virtually provided is athletics. The effects of an entire spring sports season my seem trivial to some when there are people sick or enduring financial hardship because they can’t work or provide for their families. And, rightly so. However, to the athlete that relies on their baseball season because he may not be a straight A student or the hurdler that may not have the ideal homelife; their teams, their coaches and the season are the center of their world. These concerns are felt by students, parents and coaches throughout the state. St. Pius X Coaches are still communicating with their teams, sending inspiration emails encouraging their players to stay in shape mentally, spiritually and physically.

The hope was to return to school on April 6, 2020 to finish off the year, making adjustments to schedules and trying to provide some sense of normalcy to our students. The biggest concern being our seniors and senior athletes. Questions about prom, graduation, senior retreats and some semblance of a spring sports season circled around social media and on group texts. Most colleges throughout the country had already announced that they would be completing their semesters online. Dorm rooms were packed up and campuses had been evacuated. The fate of our New Mexico elementary and high schools was decided on March 27th by The Secretary of Education. New Mexico public schools would close for the remainder of the year. That same day, Superintendent Susan Murphy announced, “The principals, teachers, support staff and the Office of Catholic Schools are committed to ensuring that your children are receiving quality instruction while in a different fashion. I want to assure you of the dedication that these individuals have for the success of your children. Our buildings may be closed, but we are still open, we are still providing education, we are still supporting your students and we do take our mission very seriously.” Only time will tell and as a Catholic school, we need to rely on our faith and trust in God.

ST. PIUS X ATHLETICS | SPRING 2020

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Winter Wrap Up BOYS VARSITY BASKETBALL

GIRLS VARSITY BASKETBALL

The Boys Varsity Basketball team ended their season with a record of 9-16, with a fourth place finish in the District Tournament.

The Lady Sartans ended their season with a record of 14-14, taking second in the District Tournament and the sixteenth seed for the State Championships.

Congratulations to the following Sartans:

ALL DISTRICT 1 ST TE AM

Jonah Arnett

Congratulations to the following Sartans:

ALL DISTRICT 1 ST TE A M

Katrina Kelley 2 ND TE AM

Sebastian Ellison

2 ND T E A M

Amelia Gallegos A LL-M ETRO ALL-ACADEM I C

Gabriel Neel

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SPRING 2020 | Est.1956

WRESTLING The SPX Wrestling Team finished their third season under Coach Damacio Page with continued success; winning an individual state championship, a district championship, a tournament championship and both state and district places and qualifiers.

Congratulations to the following Sartans: Matthew Sanchez (12) STATE C H AMPION 120lb DISTRICT C H AMPION 120lb JOE VIV IAN CL ASSIC CH A M P I ON

120lb

Ryan McCormick, 1st Year Wrestler (12) STATE 6TH PL AC E 160lb DISTRICT 4TH PL AC E 160lb Jared Robbins (10) 138lb PL AC E 138lb

STATE QUALIFIER DISTRICT 4TH

Tyler Brown (12) DISTRICT 4TH PL AC E

145lb

Santino Chavez (12) DISTRICT 4TH PL AC E

220lb

Ulban Aragon (11) DISTRICT 4TH PL AC E

138lb

Benjamin Bustamante (10) DISTRICT 4TH PL AC E 160lb

ST. PIUS X ATHLETICS | SPRING 2020

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WINTER WRAP UP

SWIM The 2019-2020 season was excellent for the SPX Swim Team. Both the boys and girls team won the annual Horseman Invite leading up to district where the boys repeated their 2nd place finish and the girls team finished 3rd. At the State Competition, 13 swimmers represented St Pius X. The team qualified in all six relay events and the boys team medaled in both the 200 and 400 free relays. The Sartans look to have another great season in 2020-2021 with seven of the finalists returning to lead a strong squad next year.

STATE CHAMPIONSHIP FINALISTS BOYS

William Mummert (12) Thomas McCarthy (11) Christopher Perea (11) Elijah Barela (10) Leo Kim (10) G IR LS

Adrienne Dexel (12) Olivia Gordley (12) Ella Johnson (10) Sara Swinson (10) Lauren McCarthy (9)

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DORADOS It was a great winter season for the SPX Dorados. The dancers attended three state qualifying competitions, placing in the top three at each. The girls then held their annual showcase, bringing teams from around the state to compete locally. As always, the event was a huge success. The highlight of the season was attending and performing at many home basketball games, supporting their fellow Sartans. Sticking true to tradition, the Dorados spent an afternoon making over 20 blankets that were donated to the UNM Children’s Hospital. Winter is the final preparation time for the Dorados as they practice endless hours training for the State Spirit Competition that is held at the end of March. On March 27, 2020, The NMAA announced that the 2020 State Spirit Competition would be cancelled due to the New Mexico Public Education Department’s decision to close NM public schools for the remainder of the academic year.

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ST. PIUS X ATHLETICS | SPRING 2020

7

he Coaches BASEBALL

“

I am lucky to be able to spend

almost every day in the late

winter and spring with these

amazing young men and the

best coaching staff in the state.

Each coach has a distinct skill set which is transferred over to our

players. We have a new addition to the staff this year which we

were very lucky to hire. Coach

Stebbons comes to St. Pius X after

coaching at Rio Rancho for the

past decade. He is a great addition

”

to an already stellar staff.

MAT T HE W M cC OY, HE A D VA R SI TY COACH

MATTHEW McCOY ‘89, HEAD VARSITY COACH Coach Matthew McCoy is a 1989 graduate of St. Pius X High School. He received his Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Wayland Baptist University. Coach McCoy is a retired Sergeant from the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Department. He began his coaching career at St. Pius X as a volunteer C Team baseball coach in 2007. He has been an assistant and head coach at all levels of the baseball program and was promoted to Head Varsity Coach in 2017. Coach McCoy was an Assistant Coach when the baseball program won the State Title in 2013. As a Head Coach, McCoy has led the Sartans to three District Championships, and in 2019, the boys brought home the tenth State Title. Coach McCoy was the 2019 Coach of the Year in Class 4A and holds a record of 51-16 over the last three years. In addition to baseball, Coach McCoy was a Varsity Assistant for the St. Pius X Football Program, coaching wide receivers and defensive backs.

NOEL BACA ASSISTANT VARSITY COACH Coach Noel Baca is in his third season with St. Pius X as the Varsity Assistant and Pitching Coach. Coach Baca is a 2002 graduate of Rio Grande High School. Post-graduation, Coach Baca went on to play collegiate athletics at Otero Junior College. As a result of an elbow injury, he sat out the 2004 season. In his sophomore year, he transferred to Crichton College in Memphis, Tennessee where he compiled a record of 14-2 and, led the nation and NAIA in strikeouts with 141 batters in 110 innings pitched. Coach Baca was named Captain of the National Championship Team of 2005. He also holds the title of First Team All-American and National Pitcher of the 8

SPRING 2020 | Est.1956

Year. Returning to Crichton College in 2006, and in 2007, he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Secondary Education from the University of West Alabama. With aspirations of chasing his dream, he was signed as a free agent to the Pensacola Pelicans of the American Association. In 2008, he played in Canada for the Ottawa Rapidz of the Can-Am League. After one season, a trade sent Baca to Sioux Falls, South Dakota for the 2009 season. 2010 marked Baca’s last on the field after suffering a line drive comebacker to his pitching hand while playing for the Lincoln Saltdogs of the American Association. Trying to rehab the broken hand, he committed to the Australian Baseball League with the Adelaide Bite where he spent six months in Australia.

Coach Baca owns and operates his own lighting and electrical company and he is the proud father of two beautiful girls, Braelyn (3) and Madison (1) and husband to Camille Baca. In addition to coaching at St. Pius X, Coach Baca coaches at Albuquerque Baseball Academy where he has been a coach for their summer teams since 2011.

His dedication, love for the game, and the passion he passes on to his players, makes him an asset to the 2020 defending 4A State Champion St. Pius X Sartans.

GARY P. ROMERO ‘87 ASSISTANT VARSITY COACH Coach Romero attended St. Pius X High School and graduated in 1987. During his time at St. Pius X High School, he played varsity basketball and baseball for the Sartans. After graduating from St. Pius X, Coach Romero attended New Mexico State University and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Hospitality and Tourism Services. Coach Romero worked in hotels after graduation and has worked for the State of New Mexico for over 25 years. Coach Romero has been coaching baseball for over 10 years and is in his fifth season coaching at St. Pius X High School.

JAMES LEE STEBBINS HEAD JV COACH Coach James Lee Stebbins of Scio, New York, is a 1993 graduate of Scio Central High School. He was a multi-sport varsity athlete, excelling in baseball, basketball and soccer. In 1996, Coach Stebbins relocated to New Mexico where he raised two boys, Julian, 20 and Riley, 14. Coach Stebbins started coaching high school baseball at Rio Rancho High School in 2010, winning his first State Championship in 2013. He is currently employed at DC Home Improvements and is enrolled at The University of New Mexico obtaining a teaching degree in Mathematics.

MATT WILDAU ’07 ASSISTANT JV COACH Coach Matt Wildau is a 2007 graduate of St. Pius X High School. He was a three-year varsity letterman in football, a two-year varsity letterman in baseball and member of the First All-State Football Team in 2006 while attending SPX. The 2019 season was his fifth season coaching football and this will be his second season as an assistant

coach on the State Championship Sartan Baseball Team. He currently teaches math at West Mesa High School.

RICH COE

ASSISTANT JV COACH Coach Rich Coe is a recently retired Brigadier General from the United States Air Force. He received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering from North Carolina State University, a Master of Arts in Organizational Management from George Washington University and a Master of Science in National Security Strategy from the National War College. He served as both a B-1 and F15E Instructor Weapons Systems Officer with over 3000 flight hours, seven combat deployments and 460 combat fight hours. He was a Fighter Squadron Commander, Commandant of the U.S. Air Force Weapons School and a Deputy Division Commander with the U.S. Army deployed in Iraq. Before learning to fly, Coach Coe’s first love was baseball. Playing since he could pick up a ball, through a summer of 1-A minor league ball, prior to college. As a player, he was an infielder and a pitcher and, has coached several years of

little league over the years. Coach Coe has been a C Team and JV Coach at St. Pius X since 2019. Both of his children, Ryan Coe ’19 and Jenna Coe ‘18 are graduates and his wife Paula, teaches Physics.

CHRISTOPHER LOBATO ’12 PROGRAM CATCHING COACH Coach Christopher Lobato is a St. Pius X graduate of the class of 2012. During his tenure at SPX, Coach Lobato was a four-year varsity catcher with three All-District selections, two All-State selections, and was a Team Captain for the Sartans. Post graduation, he played a year of Junior College at Garden City Community College in Garden City, Kansas.

Coach Lobato finished his college career playing three seasons for the University of Central Oklahoma. His senior year, he helped UCO advance to the Super Regional Championship Game, coming one win short of a trip to the Division II College World Series. Coach Lobato graduated from UCO with a Bachelor’s Degree in Kinesiology/Exercise Science. He currently works as a Firefighter with the Santa Fe Fire Department.

The 2020 SPX Varsity Baseball Team

continues

ST. PIUS X ATHLETICS | SPRING 2020

9

THE COACHES

SOFTBALL

“

Coach McBride and I have

known each other for 15 years.

The first time we met was at

softball practice. She has a stellar work ethic and can anticipate the next move. She has the

same goals and visions as I do

”

for this softball program.

ME L A N I R O N I MA R Q UE Z , HE AD S O F T BA LL C OAC H

MELANI RONI MARQUEZ, HEAD SOFTBALL COACH Coach Melanie Marquez graduated from Belen High School in 2007. In the 8th grade, she showed interest in the sport of softball for the first time and found her passion for the game. With the help of great leadership from her coaches and teammates, she became a three-year varsity player. In addition to playing at Belen High School, she also played for the Albuquerque Heat, where she had the opportunity to play with and against some of the best softball players in New Mexico. In 2007, Coach Marquez participated in The Softball World Series in McKinney, Texas. Her passion for coaching started young and she was influenced by her father who was a state champion track and football coach. It was through his influence that she knew coaching was in her blood. Coach Marquez is a graduate of The University of New Mexico where she received her Bachelor’s Degree in Family Studies and Psychology. She plans on pursuing her MA in Clinical Mental Health and works for a non-profit organization for the New Mexico FIT Program.

When at Belen High School, St. Pius X was the team to beat. In recent years, the SPX Softball program has struggled due to numbers. As a coach, her first priority was, “to get girls out there.” At the end of the 2019 season, Coach Marquez sent a personal letter to all females in the school inviting them to come out and play softball. On the first day of summer workouts, there were 11 new girls that showed interest, not including the returning players from last year. She is very excited to have the opportunity to rebuild the softball program. Coach Marquez states about the 2020 season, “I have high expectations for my athletes on the field, in the classroom and in their community.”

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SPRING 2020 | Est.1956

JESSICA MCBRIDE ASSISTANT COACH Coach Jessica McBride graduated from Belen High School in 2008. She enjoyed playing soccer, volleyball, basketball and softball in high school and being a part of a team. Coach McBride competed at the varsity level in multiple sports throughout high school and played club softball with the Albuquerque Heat. While participating in club softball, she attended multiple tournaments, where she competed with the top players in the state. For two years, she had the opportunity to participate in The Softball World Series in McKinney, Texas and in Peoria, Arizona. Coach McBride is currently pursuing a degree in Nursing at CNM. When the opportunity to coach at St. Pius X arose, she did not hesitate as she wanted to be able to give back and teach the game she loves to other female-athletes.

Coach McBride states, “I love to coach because it teaches great lessons in life both on and off the field. I strive to share my knowledge for softball and pass it on to other athletes to help them excel and push themselves beyond what they think they are capable of. I am very excited to be coaching with Coach Marquez this season and for many seasons to come.”

“

TRACK & FIELD

We are blessed to have such

dedicated assistant coaches in the track and field program. Coach

Silver trains our athletes in the

fall for cross-country season

in preparation for track. Coach

Aragon, is a coach in the mold of

having competed at the collegiate

level (as a Lobo), knowing what it takes to succeed in distance.

Coach Garcia brings experience,

dedication and encouragement

to our athletes. Coach Pollard is

JEFF TURCOTTE, HEAD TRACK & FIELD COACH

a longtime volunteer assistant

Coach Turcotte has been coaching at St. Pius X since 1988. He is a 1980 graduate of El Dorado High School and was a four-year varsity athlete in cross country, track & field and basketball. Post high school, he attended The University of New Mexico and graduated in 1985 with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing. During his time at UNM, he walked on to the UNM Track & Field Team his freshman year and earned an athletic scholarship after his second year, lettering seven times in track & field and cross country.

Coach Turcotte is also the Director of Marketing and Enrollment at St. Pius X High School.

GABE ARAGON ASSISTANT COACH Coach Aragon was born and raised in Albuquerque, NM where he graduated from Valley High School in 2009. He was a State Champion athlete in the 800m as a junior and senior. Post-graduation, Coach Aragon went on to run collegiately at UNM for Coach Franklin, specializing in the 800m. In 2011, he was an All-American as a member of the Distance Medley Relay Team (800m leg). He was also a two-time Mountain West Conference Champion in 2012 and 2014.

Coach Aragon currently works as a Project Manager for Inixta Technologies. The 2020 season will be his fourth year coaching distance events for track and field at St. Pius X High School.

NEIL SILVER ASSISTANT COACH Coach Silver is a lifetime athlete who

began running track in his youth and continued throughout high school, college and beyond. As a coach, he has coached football at Queen Heaven where he led the boys to two championships. In addition, he has been the head track coach at Queen of Heaven, the Duke City Dashers and St. Pius X High School in the 80s. He returned to St. Pius X to assist Coach Turcotte in Cross Country and Track. Coach Silver focuses on sprinting and jumping events for the track and field program.

JUAN GARCIA ASSISTANT COACH Coach Juan Garcia was born and raised in Fresno, California where he graduated from Coalinga High School in 2004. He began his athletic career at the age of 8 years old, running track and field. Coach Garcia is a lifelong runner, participating in track and field in elementary, middle and high school where he excelled in the 400 Meter

who was also a Lobo! Our entire

staff certainly ‘practices what we preach’, as we continue to keep

running and physical fitness as a

”

priority in our lives.

JE F F T U R C OT T E , HE A D T R AC K & F I E L D C OAC H

Dash and still holds the school’s JV record.

Post-graduation, he attended California State University, Stanislaus where he was a member of the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA). Coach Garcia participated in the Track and Field League Conference from 2004-2010 and the NCAA II Indoor all American 4x400 meter relay for CSU, where he placed 5th in 2007. In 2008, he received the Most Improved Athlete for Track and Field. In 2010, his final year, he placed 8th at the NCAA II Outdoor AllAmerican 400 meter relay for CSU and was awarded The CCAA Hal Charnofsky Memorial Award in Men’s Track and Field. Coach Garcia graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Kinesiology and Physical Education in 2010.

This will be Coach Garcia’s sixth season coaching sprints, relays and hurdles for St. Pius X High School.

JENNY POLLARD VOLUNTEER ASSISTANT COACH ST. PIUS X ATHLETICS | SPRING 2020

11

THE COACHES

TENNIS

“

With the experience of Coach

Acosta, we have put together a

team of coaches who represent the Christian values of St. Pius

X. We are focused on providing

the training and skills to make

our team the best that they

can be. Coach Lang and myself have competed in National

Championship level play, at the collegiate level, and at the United States Tennis

Championships in 2019. Coach

Acosta has also won National

YVONNE WILSON, HEAD GIRLS VARSITY TENNIS COACH Coach Wilson attended Occidental College in Los Angeles and was a member of their NCAA Division III National Championship Tennis Team. She started Always Green NM Synthetic Turf in Albuquerque eight years ago and is currently on the Board of Directors for the Children’s Cancer Fund of New Mexico. As a first year coach of the Girls Varsity Tennis Team, Coach Wilson is committed to making our athletes the best that they can be while maintaining a high level of sportsmanship and academic excellence. Recently married to Chris Wilson, Coach Wilson is grateful and blessed to coach the student athletes of Saint Pius X High School.

DAN ACOSTA, HEAD BOYS VARSITY TENNIS COACH This is Coach Acosta’s fifth year coaching at St. Pius X and first year as Co-Head Coach.

During his tenure, the girls team qualified for the New Mexico State Championships four years in a row and qualified two singles players and three doubles teams for individual State Championships, placing fourth in 2018. The boys team qualified for state two years in a row and the doubles team placed second in the 2019 State Championship. The girls JV teams were undefeated in the regular season and the 2017 team placed fourth at the City Championship. Prior to coaching at SPX, Coach Acosta was a tennis instructor to children and adults for six years and played tennis at Austin High School in El Paso, TX. Post graduation, Coach Acosta attended Harvard University. In college, he placed second at the 1975 National Collegiate Championships and was awarded a Varsity Letter for Individual Sports from Harvard. He won three National Championships and 20 State Championships, in singles and doubles, during his career. He played handball until his retirement from the sport in 2015. Additionally, he has run one marathon, 15 half marathons and competed in two duathlons (running and biking).

Professionally, Coach Acosta received his Bachelor’s Degree from Harvard University and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Texas at Austin. He has been a practicing attorney for 37 years, specializing in Insurance Defense Litigation. He was awarded the Outstanding Young Lawyer of the Year for New Mexico in 1992, nominated for 12

SPRING 2020 | Est.1956

”

Championships in handball.

Y VO NNE W ILS O N , HE A D G I R LS VA R S I T Y T E NN IS C OAC H

District Court Judge in 1993 and US Magistrate Judge in 1995 and 1998. He has been employed with Farmers Insurance since 1995.

CAROL LANG JV TENNIS COACH

Coach Carol Lang is graduate of Highland High School and former three-time New Mexico State High School Tennis Champion. Coach Lang was a top ranked player in Northern New Mexico as well as the Southwest Section. She went on to play college tennis for San Diego State University. SDSU was ranked in the top ten in the NCAA and finished fourth in her last year. Coach Lang spends time playing on local leagues and is rated a 5.0. In addition to assisting at St. Pius X, she also teaches tennis at the Lobo Tennis Club and for Rio Rancho City Tennis Program. Coach Lang earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Respiratory Therapy (Summa Cum Laude) and in Business Management. She enjoys working with student-athlete tennis players and is looking forward to coaching the JV team at St. Pius X.

“

GOLF

Coach Beach is an outstanding

human being. He brings

passion to a game he loves and intelligence to a sport which

”

requires nothing less.

C H R I S MOYA , HE A D G O L F C OACH

CHRIS MOYA, SPX HEAD GOLF COACH Coach Chris Moya is a 1979 graduate of Albuquerque High School. He was a two-sport varsity athlete in golf and basketball. He was on the 1978 State Champion Golf Team and the 1978 Runner-up Basketball Team. He then attended University of Albuquerque where he graduated with a BS in Criminal Law with a focus in Pre-law in 1984. Postgraduation, Coach Moya, worked for the Albuquerque Police Department as a Crime Scene Detective. Coach Moya has also been a member of the PGA since 1991.

Coach Moya has spent almost his whole life on a golf course having been employed at Los Altos Golf Course since 1975 under his lifelong mentors, his father, Eddie Moya and his uncle, Billy Moya. At ages 92 and 95, they continue to educate and inspire him daily. He has worked every aspect of the golf course as an instructor, manager and even as a cook in the kitchen.

Coach Moya began his coaching career at St. Pius X in 2014 as an Instructional Coach. The following season, Coach Moya became the Head Coach for the girls program. In the 2019/2020 season, Coach Moya became the Head Golf Coach for both the boys and girls teams.

Throughout his career, he has coached several state champions, and has continued his success at SPX. Four of his players from the 2018 State Champion Team are now competing at the collegiate level on scholarship, and the 2019 Golf Team sent one of three seniors to collegiate golf. His goal is to continue to send such deserving student

DAVID BEACH SPX ASSISTANT GOLF COACH Coach David Beach has always been passionate about athletics as both a participant and a coach. He played collegiate basketball at the College of San Mateo in California and later coached at St. Mary’s Catholic School in Albuquerque. He is a lifelong golfer and recently became a member of the PGA of America. This is Coach Beach’s first year coaching at St. Pius X High School.

In his professional life, Coach Beach has worked in the field of Higher Education for 15 years as a Professor and Academic Affairs Director at Central New Mexico Community College (CNM) before retiring in September 2017. He continues to teach Computer Information Systems courses at CNM as a part-time instructor and is a substitute teacher at St. Pius X High School.

athletes onto secondary education and a chance to compete at the next level.

ST. PIUS X ATHLETICS | SPRING 2020

13

THE COACHES

WATER POLO

“

I am looking forward to coaching

with Coach Nick in the upcoming

season. He is a recent Sartan MVP swimmer and brings a strong

connection to the tradition of

athletic excellence embodied by

”

St. Pius X Student Athletes.

DA RYL WE L LS, SPX HE A D WAT E R PO LO C OAC H

DARYL WELLS, SPX HEAD WATER POLO COACH Coach Daryl Wells, a California native, graduated from Homestead High School where he began his swim career as an MVP in both swimming and water polo. He then went on to serve six years in the United States Air Force and completed his education at Cal Poly Architecture School and Virginia Tech. Coach Wells holds many accolades including, New Mexico High School Water Polo Coach of the Year, New Mexico Swimming Coach of the Year and New Mexico Swimming Volunteer of the Year for work with the New Mexico Swimming Zones All-Star Team. He also served as the New Mexico Swimming Age Group Chair for four years and has been a club swim coach in New Mexico for the last eight years. Several of his swimmers have ranked in the top five in the nation in multiple events including two swimmers ranked at #1 in the nation for their age group and event. He was a National Level Swimmer and has coached all levels of swimming all the way up to the National Level. Coach Wells looks to have three of his former swimmers attending the USA Swimming Olympic Trials this summer in Omaha. He has achieved a State Championship for the girls and multiple runner-up finishes in water polo over the last four years. The 2020 season will be Coach Wells’ fifth season at St. Pius X. Coach Wells successfully runs and owns an award-winning design studio with his wife, New Mexico Santera Retablo Artist, Sean Wells. They have two sons, Phoenix (13) and Griffin (11) who also swim and play water polo.

14

SPRING 2020 | Est.1956

NICK CHRISTMAN SPX ASSISTANT WATER POLO COACH

Coach Christman is a 2016 graduate of St. Pius X High School and a two sport varsity letterman. While at SPX, he was the MVP for boys swimming all four years. In the 2016 NMHS State Championships, he was one of the top three sprinters in his best event, the 50 Freestyle. Coach Christman also competed at the varsity level for boys water polo under Coach Wells.

Since graduation, Nick has coached groups of young swimmers for various teams in Albuquerque. In addition to coaching, Nick is attending the University of New Mexico where he is studying Education as his major. This will be his first year as a coach for the St. Pius X Water Polo Team.

“

RUGBY

Rugby is a warrior sport. It

teaches field leadership,

decision making at the speed

of the game, and outstanding

athleticism. Our focus is to teach the St. Pius X Ruggers a love for the game that they can take

into their next phase of life.

The boys strive for excellence

and to ultimately play in the

”

championship game each May. C O LO NE L MA R K NE I C E , HE A D SPX R UG BY C OAC H

COLONEL MARK NEICE, HEAD SPX RUGBY COACH Retired Colonel Mark Neice is entering his 18th year as the volunteer Rugby Coach at St. Pius X High School. He began his athletic career in Hurley, WI, where he was a multisport high school athlete in football, wrestling and track. He graduated from the United States Air Force Academy where he developed his love of rugby. In addition to playing rugby at the Academy, Coach Neice played football and was a boxer. While flying for the USAF, Coach Neice played rugby for 15 years before an injury forced his early playing retirement. He then became a referee and carried that on for 25 years. Coach Neice has a total of 43 years invested in the game of rugby as a player, referee and coach.

Rugby is considered a club team and the St. Pius X Ruggers consists of male & female student athletes from St. Pius X, Ace Charter Academy, Albuquerque Academy, Atrisco Heritage, West Mesa and Volcano Vista. Coach Neice is assisted by Ed Cole & Red Jones.

ED COLE ASSISTANT SPX RUGBY COACH A native of Southern New Jersey, Coach Cole played soccer and hockey growing up and was actively involved in water sports.

After a lengthy playing career in soccer, Coach Cole turned to coaching the game.

During his high school soccer coaching career, he was a New Mexico State Coach of the Year twice, and received the National Soccer Coaches Association of America’s Region 7 Coach of the Year and the NSCAA State Coach of the Year in 2008. It was also in 2008 that the team he was coaching won

the state championship. His introduction to rugby came at the University of Maine and again at New Mexico Tech where he played both in the forward pack as a number eight and as a center and fullback. After that the game disappeared from his life until 15 years ago when his sons Eamonn and Connor started playing at age 7 and he started one of the first youth teams in the area. There he coached the youth program from the U-7 to U-13 age group. After his sons started playing for SPX Rugby in 2012, Coach Cole joined Coach Neice’s staff as a volunteer assistant and has been with the program ever since.

JAMES (RED) JONES ASSISTANT SPX RUGBY COACH Growing up in Tulsa Oklahoma, Coach Red played baseball, and was a varsity and AAU swimmer. He attended Oklahoma State University receiving a BS/MS in mechanical engineering and is currently a Distinguished Member of the Technical Staff at Sandia National Laboratories.

Coach Red has 18 years coaching experience in martial arts, football, and rugby, and has trained athletes age 4 to adult. Formerly, Coach Red was an assistant rugby coach for the Jr. Eagles and is excited to join St.Pius X Rugby Team for the 2020 season.

ST. PIUS X ATHLETICS | SPRING 2020

15

he Teams BASEBAL L • SENIOR S

Mason Ashcraft

Logan Garcia

Alexander Gruber

Austin Jaramillo

Nathan Madrid

Jacob Martinez

Scott McGaha

Brayden Peyton

JUNIORS Matthew Cornelius Ezekiel Jaramillo Evan Muhlberger Nicholas Pascuzzi Jacob Petrovich Justin Romero Nathaniel Sanchez

Alexander Toya

Joshua Salas Brendan Salceies Chris Ulibarri

SOPHOMORES Estevan Abeita Santiago Chavez Nolan Esterly Isaac Lucero Jude Montoya Hayden Walker 16

SPRING 2020 | Est.1956

Christian Nelson

Matthew Roach Jordan Rodriguez

FRESHMEN Bryan Deller Lucas Martinez Cohen Mulville Robert Nuñez Malachi Peña Jacob Sena Miguel Sena Evan Taylor Eugene Trujillo

S O F TBAL L • SENIOR JUNIORS

FRESHMEN

Hailey Baca

Desarae Chavez

Alexis Statzula

Evelyn Gruber Natasha Montoya

SOPHOMORES

Celeste Lucero

Abrianna Notah-Johnson

Jaclyn Bolivar

Stevie Nunez

Aiyana Chavez

Zola Ortiz

Jocelyn Chavez

Mykel Torres

Faith Molina Julianne Leon

Ariana Rivera Andrea Toledo

The 2020 SPX Softball Team

ST. PIUS X ATHLETICS | SPRING 2020

17

THE TEAMS

T R ACK & F IELD • SENIOR BOYS JUNIORS Jonah Arnett Armando Carrillo Aaron Deller Joseph Godshall Ezekiel Jaramillo Adrian Leyba Kelvin Agbemadzo

Caleb Baca

Matthew Buerschen

Leif Martin Donovin Montoya Nicholas Pascuzzi Michael Parrino Aidan Trujillo

SOPHOMORES Diego Apodaca Dominic Esparza Carson Funchess Isaiah Griffin

Ryan McCormick

Gabriel Neel

Joaquin Medina Curtis Ortiz Andrew Pascuzzi Aaron Sandoval Dominic Salcido Isaac Salsberry Collin Wilson Marco Ybarra

FRESHMEN Andres Lucero

Marcus Rael

Derek Rivera

Samuel Buerschen Christopher Coash Andrew Garcia Isaac Leyba

Darren Romero 18

SPRING 2020 | Est.1956

Aaron Swallows

T R ACK & F IELD • SENIOR G IRLS

Amber Baker

Lauren Hilton

JUNIORS

FRESHMEN

Anna Browne

Grace Aragon

Cecilia Calvo

Rayann Chavez

Nicole Gonzales

Trista Cordova

Illiana Encinias

Maricia Marquez

Marie Kalb

Alisia Sisneros

Katrina Kelley

Elena Valdez

ShayLyn Morales

Marisol Valdez

Carisa Salcido Jordan Smith

Amber Weber

SOPHOMORES Gracie Baca Kyera Chavez Tea Gonzales Gabriella Jeantete Kenna Roberts

Jessica Otero

Grace Romero

Isabel Roddy Allyson Swallows

The 2020 SPX Track & Field Team

Kayla Weber

ST. PIUS X ATHLETICS | SPRING 2020

19

THE TEAMS

T E NN I S • SENIOR S

Marisol Aguilar

Christy DeGuio

Andrew Gaudette

Joshua Howell

Ryan Moya

Sean Pinon

Isaiah Sanchez

David Stotzer

JUNIORS

SOPHOMORES

FRESHMEN

Amanda Garcia

Mia Hernandez

Allyson Kawane

Gabrielle Gomez

Antonia Mondragon

Gavin Richards

Nicole Gonzales

Sophia Sanchez

Nora Hennessy

Shiri Howell

Luke Waddoups

Victoria Stone Montgomery Taylor

Vanessa Vazquez

2 0 SPRING 2020 | Est.1956

The 2020 SPX Tennis Team

G O L F • SEN IOR S JUNIORS

FRESHMEN

Jayden Bates

Analisa Blair

John Dieterichs

Gabriel Garcia

Ella Gossett

Cohen Mulville

Samuel Jones

Zachary Pecos

Daisy Lente Jacob Moehn Matthew Buerschen

Marcos Lujan

SOPHOMORES Emeline Armijo Carolina Maestas Jessica Otero

Matthew Sanchez

Ryan Schwaner

The 2020 SPX Girls and Boys Golf Teams

Trebor Toledo

ST. PIUS X ATHLETICS | SPRING 2020

21

THE TEAMS

WATER POLO • SENIOR S

Olivia Gordley

Isaiah Griffin

William Mummert

Miranda Pluemer

JUNIORS Madison Davis Hendrik De Bruijn Chole Pruitt Thomas McCarthy Jacob Quezada Liam Ruggles Marcus Rael

Aaron Swallows

Emily Swinson

Jacob Sedillo

SOPHOMORES Kiana Bogart Ella Johnson Leo Kim Sara Swinson

FRESHMAN Presley Olguin

2 2 SPRING 2020 | Est.1956

R UGBY • SENIOR S NON-SPX STUDENTS

SOPHOMORES

SENIORS

Javon Alexander

Volcano Vista

Tyler Bush

Volcano Vista

Aiden Gurule

Ace Charter

Job Maes

West Mesa

Harrison Richerson SAMS

Michael Hulett Albuquerque Academy Jude Perea

Volcano Vista

JUNIORS Brandon Cast

Gabriel Moreno

JUNIOR

FRESHMEN

Derryk Sanchez

Dilan Caballero

SOPHOMORES

Adrian Sanchez

Angel Banuelos

Volcano Vista

Isiah Benally

Volcano Vista

LaDarius Clark

Volcano Vista

Rico Guzman

Volcano Vista

Ian Nelson

Volcano Vista

Cian Jones Matias Cruz-Moreno Matthew Walden

The 2020 SPX Rugby Team

The 2020 SPX Girls and Boys Water Polo Teams

ST. PIUS X ATHLETICS | SPRING 2020

23

ST. PIUS X

Record Board

BASEBALL

STATE

STATE

CHAMPIONS

RUNNERS UP

1964 1977 1979 1981 1983 1984 1988 2003 2013 2019

1982 1986 1996 1997 2001

DISTRICT

CHAMPIONS

1963 1964 1968 1977 1979 1981 1982 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1993 1996 1997 1998 2000 2001 2003 2012 2014 2016 2017 2018 2019

STATE

CHAMPIONS

1986

BOYS GOLF STATE

STATE

CHAMPIONS

RUNNERS UP

1981 2016

1983 2012 2014 2015

BOYS TENNIS

STATE

STATE

CHAMPIONS

RUNNERS UP

1977 1985 1986 1987 1990 2002

2001 2004

DISTRICT

CHAMPIONS

1988 1989 1995 1996 2001 2004 2013 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

DISTRICT

CHAMPIONS

1991 2000 2004 2019

STATE

CHAMPIONS

2009 2011

STATE

CHAMPIONS

RUNNERS UP

2002 2004 2010 2011

STATE

CHAMPIONS

2 4 SPRING 2020 | Est.1956

RUNNERS UP

2015

STATE

2018

1992 1995 2007

1988 1990 1991 1992 1994 1995 1996 1997 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2011 2013 2015

STATE

DISTRICT

RUNNERS UP

CHAMPIONS

1998 2016 2017

2006 2007 2016 2017 2018 2019

GIRLS TENNIS

STATE

CHAMPIONS

1999

STATE

STATE

RUNNERS UP

2004 2019

DISTRICT

CHAMPIONS

1990 2004 2005

2005 2010 2012 2017

DISTRICT

DISTRICT

CHAMPIONS

STATE

GIRLS WATER POLO

CHAMPIONS

CHAMPIONS

DISTRICT

STATE

CHAMPIONS

1993 2009

DISTRICT

CHAMPIONS

GIRLS GOLF

CHAMPIONS

RUNNERS UP

BOYS TRACK STATE

STATE

RUNNERS UP

RUGBY

BOYS WATER POLO STATE

SOFTBALL

2015 2016

CHAMPIONS

STATE

RUNNERS UP

2017

DISTRICT

CHAMPIONS

GIRLS TRACK STATE

RUNNERS UP

1978 2007 2009

DISTRICT

CHAMPIONS

2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018

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This issue of Est. 1956 is dedicated to the loving memory of

DEACON RENE GREIVEL “God is good, all the time. All the time, God is good.”

JULY 4, 1941 – MARCH 31, 2020

SAVE THE DATE!

19TH ANNUAL

Sartan Open I N M E M O RY O F D EAC O N R E N E G R E I V E L

WILL BE HELD ON ALUMNI WEEKEND IN THE FALL OF 2020!

Friday, August 14, 2020 SARTAN OPEN

SCHEDULE

Paradise Hills Golf Course 8:00 a.m.

Friday, August 14, 2020

ALUMNI VOLLEYBALL GAME

6:00 p.m.

Saturday, August 15, 2020

Saturday, August 15, 2020

WOMEN’S ALUMNI SOCCER GAME

MEN’S ALUMNI SOCCER GAME

10:00 a.m.

Noon

Saturday, August 15, 2020 ALUMNI FLAG FOOTBALL GAME

5:00 p.m.

BENEFITING SPX ATHLETIC BOOSTER CLUB For Information about Partnership Opportunities or to Register a Team, contact, Jennifer Maldonado at jmaldonado@spxabq.org.