Est. 1956 Winter 2020

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

A NEW ERA BEGINS Bree Rode and Ryan Myers step up.

ST. PIUS X ATHLETICS | WINTER 2020

1

2020

State Tournaments BOYS BASKETBALL MARCH 1 Basketball Brackets Released MARCH 7 Boys State Basketball First Round MARCH 10 – 14 Basketball State Championships Dreamstyle Arena “The Pit”

GIRLS BASKETBALL MARCH 1 Basketball Brackets Released MARCH 6 Girls State Basketball First Round MARCH 10 – 14 Basketball State Championships Dreamstyle Arena “The Pit”

SWIMMING & DIVING FEBRUARY 21 – 22 Swimming & Diving State Championships Albuquerque Academy

WRESTLING FEBRUARY 17 Wrestling Brackets Released FEBRUARY 21 – 22 Wrestling State Championships Santa Ana Star Center

THE ATHLETIC MAGAZINE OF ST. PIUS X HIGH SCHOOL

WINTER 2020

2

WHAT'S COOKING James Cook: Agents of Change

4

COVER STORY The Torch Is Passed

6

FALL WRAP UP Football • Boys Soccer • Girls Soccer • Volleyball • Cross Country • Dorados

12

WHERE ARE THEY NOW? Homecoming of Champions

13

THE COACHES Swimming • Boys Basketball • Girls Basketball • Wrestling

17

THE TEAMS Senior Portraits and Team Rosters Boys Swimming • Girls Swimming • Boys Basketball • Girls Basketball • Wrestling

24

RECORD BOARD

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

WHAT'S COOKING

Agents of Change

Embrace it for the better, and look forward to the outcome.

JAMES COOK

I

want to wish all of you a Happy New Year! As we move forward into a

new year and a new decade, the recurring theme that keeps appearing is CHANGE. Some of us embrace change and some of us dread it.

Despite our feelings, change will happen. This winter season, we welcomed new Head Coaches in both of our basketball programs. During their interviews I posed the question, “What short-term and long-term changes are you going to make?”

Each coach had their own perspective and a desire for transformation. As someone who believes we can always do better, change is a necessity for growth and I am excited to see their outcomes.

At the end of each season I meet with each of the

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 in his 23rd year as the St. Pius X Athletic Director.

coaches individually and ask them what changes they would like to make to their program. No program is perfect, nor will it ever be, and I always look forward to their plans for improvement. At the biannual head coaches’ meetings, I ask all the head coaches what changes in the Athletic Department would they like to see. I always strive to implement their suggestions whenever possible because in doing so, we can only get better. For the Athletic Department as a whole, change is constant with each new day, each new school year and each new season.

Ultimately, we have to change with the times because the times will not change for us. The hope is that we remain fluid, and as our successes and failures evolve, we learn and grow from them.

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THE ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT D I R E CTO R O F AT HL E T I C S

James Cook ’83 AS S ISTA N T D IR E CTO R O F AT H L E T I C S

Ashley Turcotte ‘07 AT HL E T I C T R A INE R

Juanita Marquez AT H L E T I C E VE N T A ND INFO R MAT I O N C O O R D IN ATO R E ST. 19 5 6 E D I TO R I N C H I E F, WR IT E R , PHOTO GR AP HER

Jennifer Maldonado ’91

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ST. PIUS X ATHLETICS | WINTER 2020

3

Winter 2020

“

BREE RODE The game of

basketball is a fun

way to teach life

skills. I have been

“

so blessed to have

amazing coaches in

Coaching is

something I have

always wanted to

do. When I was a

freshman at St. Pius

my goal was to one

my own life and I

day be the head boys

be able to share my

am very excited and

at my mom’s alma

opportunity to coach

am really excited to love for the game

mater with these

amazing girls!

4

RYAN MYERS

”

THE TORCH IS PASSED WINTER 2020 | Est.1956

basketball coach. I

thankful to have the

at my alma mater.

”

A

fter over two decades, there is a new era in

St. Pius X Basketball. Last year, at the end of the 2018/2019 season, the basketball programs went through a shakeup.

After 20 years coaching at St. Pius X, Boys Head Coach, Damian Segura, announced his retirement. Not long after, Girls Head Coach, Phil Griego, ended his twenty-three year reign. Enter Coach Ryan Myers and Coach Bree Rode.

At the time of Segura’s retirement, Coach Ryan Myers ’09 was the Boys Assistant Varsity Coach that was not only Coach Segura’s protégé but also one of his highly accomplished players. As a 2009 graduate of St. Pius X, Coach Myers was a three-year varsity player, won two district championships in 2008 and 2009 and two state championships in 2007 and 2008. In his senior year, Myers was named District Player of the Year, First Team All-Metro and a North All Star. He was also a member of the National Honor Society. In the 2010/2011 season, Ryan Myers returned to St. Pius X as an Assistant Varsity Coach while attending the University of New Mexico. As an Assistant Coach, the boys program had a five year reign, winning district from 2011-2015 and the state championship in 2013. Coach Myers credits his success to his mentors, Coach Damien Segura and Coach Marcos Rivera, “One of the many things I learned under Coach Segura was how hard he worked and the amount of preparation that went into every practice, film session and game. That is something I will always keep with me and try to emulate as much as I can.”

Coach Myers earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Construction Management with a Minor in Business. He currently works at Berger Briggs Insurance, a company owned by three St. Pius X Alumni, and is married to his high school sweetheart, Amanda Graham, a 2010 graduate of St. Pius X High School.

Coach Bree Rode has a long history with basketball and St. Pius X High School. She is the oldest of seven children and the daughter of Pius basketball legend and First Team All-State recipient, Charlotte Goodwin Rode ’83.

Coach Rode is a 2004 graduate of Rio Rancho High School where she had the privilege of playing for ex-St. Pius X Coach, Bobby McIntyre ’75 who was her moth­er’s coach as an assistant under George McAffee ’74 while she was at St. Pius X. At Rio Rancho High School, Coach Rode was a two time Gatorade Player of the Year in 2002 and 2004 and was named All-State and All-District all four of her high school years. After graduation, she attended Cal Berkley on a basketball scholarship and graduated from San Francisco State in 2009 with a Bachelor’s Degree in International Business.

After college, Coach Rode received her first coaching job, Head Assistant Coach for the Women’s Basketball Program at Dominican University. She then moved to San Diego where she started her program, Student Athlete Headquarters “SAHQ,” a nonprofit which she moved to Albuquerque in 2011.

SAHQ is a program that focuses on performance training and sports nutrition education. They emphasize building strength, power, speed and endurance specific to each sport and athlete, while creating mobility and flexibility to decrease injuries. SAHQ’s programs are intended to go beyond the student athlete by preparing youth physically and mentally, giving them the competitive edge to attain success in what they do.

As Coach Rode begins her journey at St. Pius X, she is enthusiastic and optimistic about what’s to come, “Having worked with hundreds of families though our program, guiding them though life lessons, using hard work and sports, my passion is to coach and walk alongside my kids in order to help them learn and grow into amazing young men and women.”

The 2019/2020 St. Pius X Basketball Season brings change that promises to transform both programs. “The teams are young, hungry and full of promise. It will be exciting to see what these young coaches do in the coming years as they honor the legacy of St. Pius X Basketball while laying the foundation for a new era,” James Cook, St. Pius X Director of Athletics.

ST. PIUS X ATHLETICS | WINTER 2020

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Fall Wrap Up FOOTBALL

OVERALL RECORD: 4-7 9TH SEED IN THE PLAYOFFS, LOSING IN THE FIRST ROUND Senior Isaiah Griffin finished his career breaking two school records. His junior year he became the single season leader in receiving yards at 891 and this year, broke his career receiving mark with 1937 yards. His 107 career receptions and 24 touchdowns are second in St. Pius X Football history.

Senior Derek Rivera was able to finish his career placing himself in the top four all time in stats for a Quarterback at St. Pius X with 212 completions, 3119 yards and 33 touchdowns.

ALL-DISTRICT 1 ST TE AM OFFEN SE

Brandon Cast (12), Tight End Isaiah Griffin (12), Wide Receiver Trebor Toledo (12), Running Back Aaron Deller (11), Offensive Line Ezekiel Jaramillo (11), Offensive Line Nick Pascuzzi (11), Wide Receiver 1 ST TE AM DEFEN SE

Ryan McCormick (12), Defensive Back Scott McGaha (12), Inside Linebacker Joaquin Medina (10), Defensive Tackle 2 ND TE AM OFFEN SE

Derek Rivera (12), Quarterback 2 ND TE AM DEFEN SE

Brandon Cast (12), Defensive End Brayden Peyton (12), Defensive End Aaron Deller (11), Defensive Tackle Dominic Sais (11), Defensive Back HONO R ABLE MEN TION , OFFENSE

Logan Garcia (12), Wide Receiver Aaron Swallows (12), Wide Receiver Adam Contreras, (11), Offensive Line Marco Ybarra (10), Running Back 6

WINTER 2020 | Est.1956

H ONOR A B LE ME N T IO N , DE F E N SE

2 ND T E A M O F F E N SE

Marcus Rael (12), Outside Linebacker Nick Torresmith (12), Defensive Back Nick Vargas (11), Outside Linebacker

Aaron Deller (11), Tackle Trebor Toledo (12), Running Back Nick Pascuzzi (11), Wide Receiver

ALL-METRO 1 ST TE A M O F F E N SE

Isaiah Griffin (12), Slot 1 ST TE A M DE F E N SE

Ryan McCormick (12), Safety

2 ND T E A M DE F E N SE

Brandon Cast (12), Defensive End Scott McGaha (12), Inside Linebacker Dominic Sais (11), Corner Joaquin Medina (10), Defensive Tackle

BOYS SOCCER

OVERALL RECORD: 12-6-2 DISTRICT RECORD: 8-0, DISTRICT CHAMPIONS STATE RESULTS: #3 SEED, SEMIFINALIST The St. Pius X Boys Soccer team had a great season this year, winning a very tough district for the 4th year in a row, and making it to the Semifinals in the state tournament.

The boys excelled academically, competed with class, and played their hearts out every game of the season.

ALL-DISTRICT DISTRICT PL AYER OF THE YE A R

Marcus Garcia (11), Striker DISTRICT C OACH OF THE YE A R

A.J. Herrera 1 ST TE AM

Ethan Johnson (12), Defender Michael McGrath (12), Midfielder Zach Pena (11), Defender Coleman Speer (12), Goalkeeper Heber Rios (12), Midfielder Marcus Garcia (11), Striker 2 ND TE AM

Roman Baca (12), Striker Sebastian Ellison (12), Center Back HONO R ABLE MEN TION

Elijah Chavez (11), Midfielder

ALL-STATE 2 ND TE AM

Ethan Johnson (12), Defender Michael McGrath (12), Midfielder Coleman Speer (12), Goalkeeper Herber Rios (12), Midfielder Marcus Garcia (11), Striker Zach Pena (11), Defender

ST. PIUS X ATHLETICS | WINTER 2020

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FALL WRAP UP

GIRLS SOCCER

OVERALL RECORD:16-5 DISTRICT RECORD: 8-0, DISTRICT CHAMPIONS STATE RESULTS: #1 SEED, STATE CHAMPIONS 2019 The Lady Sartans had an incredible season finishing their quest for the state title with 14-1 in Divison 4A, scoring 73 goals and giving up 5. On the 20th anniversary of their first state title in 1999, the Lady Sartans won their 9th state championship.

ALL-DISTRICT DISTRICT PL AYER S OF T HE YE A R

Sierra Saenz (12), Midfielder Emma Donlin (11), Midfielder 1 ST TE AM

Hannah Irons (12), Defender Grace Romero (12), Striker Sierra Saenz (12), Midfielder Emma Donlin (11), Midfielder Nikki Taibbi (11), Defender Mykel Torres (9), Defender 2 ND TE AM:

Alicia Barela (11), Goalkeeper Kyera Chavez (10), Midfielder Enmarae Torres (10), Defender

ALL-STATE 1 ST TE AM

Grace Romero (12), Striker Emma Donlin (11), Midfielder Alyssa Doty (11), Defender Nikki Taibbi (11), Defender 2 ND TE AM

Hannah Irons (12), Midfielder Sierra Saenz (12), Midfielder Alicia Barela (11), Goalkeeper Kyera Chavez (10), Midfielder Enmarae Torres (10), Defender Mykel Torres (9), Defender 8

WINTER 2020 | Est.1956

UNI T ED S O C C E R C OAC HE S 4 A P L AYER O F T HE YE A R

Sierra Saenz (12), Midfielder M A XP R EP S 2 019 STAT E TO UR N A ME N T M OST VA L UA B L E PL AYE R

Grace Romero (12), Striker

VOLLEYBALL

OVERALL RECORD: 22-3 DISTRICT RECORD: 8-0 REGULAR SEASON DISTRICT CHAMPIONS AND DISTRICT TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONS STATE RESULTS: #1 SEED, STATE CHAMPIONS 2019 St. Pius X Volleyball had an amazing 2019 season. Early in the season, the Lady Sartans suffered losses against La Cueva and Cibola.

In the Rio Rancho Varsity Tournament, they were flawless through pool play and won the tournament beating Santa Fe High in the Semifinals and Cleveland in the Championship Match. Later in the season, they were named regular season District Champs with a record of 8-0. The Lady Sartans were also named the District Tournament Champions, beating Los Lunas in four games to solidify the title and entered the State Tournament as the #1 seed. At State, they faced Hope Christian in the second round and won in three sets. On day two, they met up with rivals, Academy Chargers and lost in a not so thrilling three set sweep. With the new state tournament format, the Sartans still had a chance to work their way through the contenders’ bracket to have a shot at the title. On day three, they were set to face Los Lunas for the fourth time this season and swept them in three sets. Next was Goddard and the Sartans were unstoppable in another three set sweep.

With that win, they were headed to the State Championship Match to once again face the Academy Chargers. The St. Pius X community showed up to support the girls with the biggest crowd in the Santa Ana Center. The Sartans took the Championship Stage with a three set sweep of the Chargers and were named the 2019 4A State Champions!

Francesca Bell (12), Left Side/Right Side Hitter Megan Dennis (11), Left Side/Right Side Hitter

Delaney Fenton (12), Middle Hitter Cameron Martinez (12), Libero Kennedi Rey (12), Libero Megan Dennis (11), Left Side/Right Side Hitter

ALL-DISTRICT

A L L - D IST R ICT ACA DE MIC AWARDS

2 ND T E A M

1 ST TE A M

Francesca Bell (12), Left Side/Right Side Hitter Ashley Cheshire (12), Setter Kennedi Rey (12), Libero Cameron Martinez (12), Libero Ally Salas (12), Setter Megan Dennis (11), Left Side/Right Side Hitter

Ashley Cheshire (12) Lauren Hilton (12) Cameron Martinez (12) Kennedi Rey (12) Ally Salas (12) Megan Dennis (11) Cecilia Calvo (11) Juliana Trujillo (11)

2 ND T E A M

Delaney Fenton (12), Middle Hitter Lauren Hilton (12), Outside Hitter

ALL-STATE 1 ST TE A M

SE N IO R A LL - ME T R O ACA DE MI C AWARDS

Ashley Cheshire Lauren Hilton Cameron Martinez Kennedi Rey Ally Salas

Francesca Bell (12), Left Side/Right Side Hitter Ashley Cheshire (12), Setter

ALL-METRO 1 ST TE AM

Ashley Cheshire (12), Setter Cameron Martinez (12), Libero Kennedi Rey (12), Libero Ally Salas (12), Setter

ST. PIUS X ATHLETICS | WINTER 2020

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FALL WRAP UP

CROSS COUNTRY

GIRLS DISTRICT CHAMPIONS, 9TH PLACE STATE BOYS DISTRICT RUNNERS-UP, 8TH PLACE STATE

ALL-DISTRICT G IR LS

Trista Cordova (9) Gracie Baca (10) Marie Kalb (11) Carisa Salcido (11) BOYS

Caleb Baca (12) Leif Martin (11) Aidan Trujillo (11) Matt Buerschen (12) DISTRICT C OACH OF THE YE A R

Jeff Turcotte

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WINTER 2020 | Est.1956

DORADOS The Dorados’ season began in July with the Dance Team Union Camp, where they earned top honors both as a team and as individual dancers. Once the school year began, the Dorados have been very busy supporting their fellow Sartans. They performed and showed their school spirit at every home football game and cheered on volleyball and both girls and boys soccer. The Dorados also showed their Sartan pride at the St. Pius X Open House by welcoming and performing for our prospective families. In addition to being school ambassadors, the Dorados have been preparing for their upcoming competition season and are so excited to represent St. Pius X. The Dorados ended their fall season and welcomed winter with their 12th Annual Christmas show which showcased all of their routines, including some new and innovative styles that are not usually performed by the team.

ST. PIUS X ATHLETICS | WINTER 2020

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WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

Homecoming of Champions

Members of the winning 1999 Sartan football team are honored 20 years later.

T

he year was 1999 and each fall sport had their own battles to overcome. Boys soccer was after their 7th state title and wasn’t willing to give up their reign. Girls soccer lost the district title to longtime rivals, the Academy Chargers in their second loss to them of the season. Volleyball lost only one game in their season to the Cibola Cougars. Finally, the Sartan Football team had not won a state title since 1973 and was going to be facing football legends, the Artesia Bulldogs. One by one, the Sartans showed up and took home the blue, beginning with the first of nine state titles for girls soccer and finishing with a memory making game for the 1999 Football Team.

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WINTER 2020 | Est.1956

Flash forward twenty years to Homecoming 2019, and in honor of their win, members of the 1999 team attended the game with their families and were recognized at halftime. Each of the players was excited and humbled to attend the game. Will Gater ’00 expressed his emotions while recollecting the state win and his time at St. Pius X High School, “What I remember most is joy. Especially the celebration with teammates I had played with or known since I was in the1st grade. It was just one of those special moments that shows the beauty of being a part of the Pius community. The redemption of winning against Artesia was the best. They had beat us

the year before, and along with that motivation, we all wanted to win for our teacher, Scott Howard ’85 who had lost to them in the semifinal when he played for Pius.”

From left to right: Paul Ortiz ’02, Stanley Grey ’00, Sam Baca ’00, Will Gater ’00, and Curtis Pino ’02

The Coaches

“

SWIMMING

I am looking forward to

working with a brand new

staff this swim season. Coach

Kathy brings a wide variety of

experience as a coach, official, athlete and swim parent.

Coach Nick, a recent Sartan

MVP swimmer, brings a strong

connection to the tradition of athletic excellence embodied

”

by St. Pius X Student Athletes.

DA RYL WE L LS, SW IMMI N G HE AD COACH

DARYL WELLS, SPX HEAD SWIM 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.

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. Coach Wells is assisted by Coach Kathleen Whitson and St Pius X Alum, Nick Christman.

KATHLEEN WHITSON, SPX ASSISTANT SWIM COACH Coach Whitson was a two sport varsity high school athlete in volleyball and tennis. She graduated from Indiana University in 1999 with a BS in Therapeutic Recreation. Post graduation, she spent many years working with both corrections and residential treatment populations. Coach Whitson

began her coaching career with the club team, Caprock Swimming, located in Hobbs, NM. She had been a swim parent for years and was originally asked to be an official for USA swimming. She officiated for several years before becoming an assistant coach.

Coach Whitson has been married to her husband Chad for 20 years. They have four boys, most of who participate in athletics at a highly competitive level; three of them

are swimmers, the other excels in cross country and track. They have enjoyed living in Texas, Tennessee and NM. Upon moving to the Albuquerque area, Coach Wells approached her about coaching with his club, Barracuda. After taking nearly a year off, she eventually agreed. Coach Whitson has been a club swim coach for six years.

This will be her first year coaching at the high school level.

NICK CHRISTMAN ’16, SPX ASSISTANT SWIM 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 Swim Team.

ST. PIUS X ATHLETICS | WINTER 2020

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THE COACHES

BOYS BASKETBALL

“

My staff is full of young,

hardworking, passionate

individuals that have all

experienced success as high

school athletes and will bring

that winning mentality to our

program as we look to create

our own culture and success

”

here at St. Pius X.

RYA N MYE R S, SPX BOYS

BAS K E T BA L L HE A D C OAC H

MICAH SANCHEZ ‘13, VARSITY ASSOCIATE HEAD COACH

JUSTIN GOMEZ, JUNIOR VARSITY ASSISTANT COACH

Coach Sanchez attended St. Pius X High School and graduated in 2013. Coach Sanchez was a three-year varsity starter. He won three district championships between 2011-2013 and was a state champion in 2013.

Coach Sanchez was a First Team All-District player and a First Team All-Metro player in 2012 and 2013. In 2013, Coach Sanchez was District Player of the Year, First Team AllState, First Team All-Metro, and a North All Star. He is currently working on getting his contractor’s license and works at the family business; San Bar Construction. Coach Sanchez is entering his fifth year coaching at St. Pius X High School.

Coach Gomez attended Sandia Prep High School and graduated in 2013. At Sandia Prep, he played varsity basketball, soccer, and baseball. He was on the state winning team for soccer his junior and senior years. He was also on the state runner up team for basketball his freshman and sophomore years. In 2013, Coach Gomez was First Team All-District for basketball and also received the 12 Letterman Award for obtaining 12 varsity letters throughout his time at Sandia Prep.

TAYLOR WHITENER ‘13, JUNIOR VARSITY HEAD COACH Coach Whitener attended St. Pius X High School and was a 2013 graduate. During his time at St. Pius X, Coach Whitener played basketball, football, and was a member of the National Honors Society.

He won district championships in 2011, 2012, and 2013 and was an integral member of the 2013 State Championship Team.

After graduating in 2013 he went to New Mexico State University where he earned a business degree. Coach Whitener is currently working at San Bar Construction.

He is entering his second year as part of the boys basketball coaching staff.

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WINTER 2020 | Est.1956

After high school, Coach Gomez went to Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska where he received his Bachelors of Science in Chemistry. During his time at Creighton, Coach Gomez started the first club basketball team to play against other university club teams around the Midwest.

He was the Vice President his junior year and President of the club team his senior year.

Coach Gomez is presently an AEMT at Superior Ambulance and an ER scribe at Kaseman Presbyterian. He is currently applying to graduate programs for Physicians Assistant School.

TRES CHAIRES, FRESHMEN COACH Coach Chaires is a 2013 graduate of Santa Fe High School. He earned his bachelor’s

degree in Business from the University of New Mexico. Additionally, he has earned two master’s degrees from New Mexico Highlands University and George Washington University. In high school, Coach Chaires was a star varsity athlete in soccer, basketball, and baseball and was selected as the 2013 Athlete of the Year amongst other city and state recognitions.

Coach Chaires is currently an assistant soccer coach here at St. Pius X High School and is entering his first year as a coach in the boys basketball program.

AARON LUJAN ‘15, FRESHMEN ASSISTANT COACH Coach Lujan is a 2015 St. Pius X graduate.

He played two years of varsity basketball, winning two district titles in 2014 and 2015. In his senior year, the St. Pius X Boys Basketball team had the highest win percentage in Coach Damian Segura’s tenure. Coach Lujan currently works at the University of New Mexico Hospital as an office assistant. He will graduate from the University of New Mexico with a Bachelors in General Management in the spring of 2020 and plans to earn an MBA in Marketing. This will be Coach Lujan’s first year as a basketball coach at St. Pius X.

“

GIRLS BASKETBALL

I am very blessed to have my

assistant coaches. They are all loyal and individually bring

something amazing to our

program. I am honored to have

”

them by my side this year.

B R E E R O DE , SPX G IR LS BAS K E T BA L L HE A D C OAC H

RICK LUCERO, VARSITY ASSOCIATE HEAD COACH

MELISSA HAAS, JUNIOR VARSITY HEAD COACH

VICTORIA HICKMAN, JUNIOR VARSITY ASSISTANT COACH

Coach Lucero was born and raised in El Paso, TX where he began his love of sports.

He is the third of six children from a military family that lived around the world including Germany before settling back in Texas. He attended Coronado High School where he was a two-year varsity quarterback. In his senior year, Coach Lucero was First Team All-District, First Team All-City and was named the leading passer for yardage in touchdowns. In 2004, he was inducted into the Golden T-Bird Hall of Fame for Coronado High School in El Paso, TX. Post-graduation, he attending Sul Ross State University in Alpine, TX where he studied Physical Education and continued to play football.

Coach Lucero has lived in Albuquerque for the last thirteen years and has been working in sales and marketing for nearly three decades. He is married with three children, three grandchildren and two dogs.

Coach Lucero refers to himself as a Dallas Cowboy and Chicago Bulls, “fanatic” and enjoys classic rock music, golfing, playing basketball and a good BBQ in his spare time. He has volunteered as an assistant coach for the last six years for a local club basketball team and one season at an Albuquerque middle school. This is Coach Lucero’s first year at St. Pius X High School.

Coach Haas was born and raised in Portland, OR. She has a Degree in Restaurant Management with a Minor in Business. After obtaining her degrees, she was a chef for two years and eventually ran a restaurant before getting her Master’s Degree in Elementary Education.

Her educational background includes teaching at Seneca Family Agencies, an organization in the San Francisco Bay Area which provides education for foster and group home students who have experienced high levels of trauma.

While at Seneca, Coach Haas created and oversaw the first classroom that integrated Seneca’s special needs students back into the Oakland, California Public School system. Upon moving to Albuquerque, she has worked as a resource teacher for Albuquerque Public School Title I: Homeless Shelter Project.

In the Homeless Shelter Project, she managed after school programs that met the needs of Albuquerque’s homeless students and their families. In her free time, Coach Haas loves to snowboard, run, mountain bike, fly fish, and play basketball. This is Coach Haas’ first year at St. Pius X High School.

Coach Hickman of Gallup, NM began her love of basketball at the age of seven. As the youngest daughter of seven children, she was raised by a single mother. She attended Miyamura High School and was a four-year varsity basketball athlete and a starting point guard her junior and senior year. Of her four years playing ball, she made an appearance at the state championship three times and was a member of the first team to make it to The Pit for Miyamura High School. In Coach Hickman’s senior year, Miyamua lost to the Sartans by three. Post-graduation, she attended Fort Lewis College in Durango, CO. With over 17 years coaching experience, Coach Hickman has coached for Senior Olympics and The Albuquerque Academy before coming to SPX. She has played AAU basketball since she was nine, she has played at the national level five times and has played ball in ten different states.

In addition to basketball, she is a lifelong runner, completing one marathon and over 15 half marathons. She is currently enrolled at CNM and UNM, majoring in Environmental Science and Native American Studies. Coach Hickman’s goal is to stay in Albuquerque until she obtains her dual degrees, then move overseas to play basketball. This is her first year coaching at St. Pius X, and she brings excitement and energy to the program.

ST. PIUS X ATHLETICS | WINTER 2020

15

THE COACHES

WRESTLING

“

This is my third year coaching alongside my coach and

mentor, Coach Lenny Lovato.

He brings expertise, dedication

and respect that goes beyond

the mat. Coach Lovato instilled

in me the values and discipline that are needed to excel in

wrestling and anything else

these boys want to accomplish.

We’re building champions, and

”

will accept nothing less.

DA MAC I O PAG E , SPX HE A D WR E STL I N G C OAC H

DAMACIO PAGE, SPX HEAD WRESTING COACH Coach Damacio Page, former two time All-American and Junior College National and New Mexico State Champion Wrestler, is in his third year coaching at St. Pius X High School.

Coach Page coached high school wrestling at West Mesa and Sandia High Schools, before coming to SPX in 2017. He is a 2001 graduate of West Mesa, where he won the New Mexico State Championship his senior year with an undefeated record. He was also a High School All-American in 2001. He later attended Cerritos Junior College in Norwalk, CA where he received national recognition. After college, Coach Page spent the last 14 years competing in the WEC, the UFC and K-1 Dream. He held the WEF World Title in 2008 and the Legacy World Title in 2014; his overall record is 20-10. Coach Page believes that by challenging young men in a sport like wrestling, they are put on a path to success. In the last two seasons, Coach Page has laid the groundwork for creating a wrestling dynasty at SPX. He is striving for a tough program that has already made its mark at the district and state level.

The 2020 SPX Wrestiling Team

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WINTER 2020 | Est.1956

LENNY LOVATO, SPX ASSISTANT WRESTLING COACH Coach Lovato is a lifelong resident of Albuquerque who has made his mark in the local wrestling community. A graduate of West Mesa High School, he was a state wrestling champion and three time state placer in the New Mexico High School State Championships. Coach Lovato attended the University of New Mexico where he earned a degree in Physical Education and a Master’s Degree in Bilingual Multicultural Special Education. At UNM, he was a fouryear letterman and a two time conference placer. Post-graduation, Coach Lovato was the Head Wrestling Coach at his alma mater, West Mesa High School from 1987 to 2014. Winter 2020 will be his 3rd season coaching at SPX. During his high school coaching career, he has had four-time state champions, three-time runners-up and two third-place finishes at the New Mexico State Wrestling Championships.

He has coached 35 high school state champions, three high school national champions and 15 all-Americans. In addition to assisting at St. Pius X, he is a current coach of UFC and MMA fighters.

The Teams

THE TEAMS

BOYS SW I MMING • SENIOR S JUNIORS

SOPHOMORES

Kenneth Bole

Elijah Barela

Hendrik De Bruijn

Leo Kim

Ryn De Castro

Aaron Sandoval

Thomas McCarthy

Alex Sandoval

Christopher Perea

Marco Ybarra

Jacob Quezada Tyler Johnston

William Mummert

Jesse Robinson

FRESHMEN

Alexander Roth

Nicholas Bole

Jacob Sedillo

Samuel Beurschen

Connor Setter

Luke Garcia

Liam Ruggles

The 2020 SPX Swim Team

ST. PIUS X ATHLETICS | WINTER 2020

17

THE TEAMS

G I RLS SW I M M ING • SENIOR S

Adrienne Dexel

Olivia Gordley

Kristen Hall

Mia Kroeter

Miranda Pluemer

Alexia Silva

Emily Swinson

Kayla Weber

JUNIORS

SOPHOMORES

FRESHMEN

Jordan Allard

Kiana Bogart

Grace Aragon

Jayden Bates, Manager

Haley Cordova

Ashley Bendinskas

Katrina Barela

Sasha Hindi

Analisa Blair

Madison Davis

Jocelyn Huffaker

Lauren McCarthy

Megan Dennis

Ella Johnson

Emma McGonigle

Daisy Lente, Manger

Gabriella Mantelli

Faith Montoya

Chloe Pruitt

Jessica Medina

Presley Olguin

Amber Weber

Frances Ochs

Fallon Setter

Alexandra Sanchez

Annabella Tannaz

Sara Swinson

18

WINTER 2020 | Est.1956

BOYS BASKETBALL • SENIOR S

Caleb Baca

Sebastian Ellison

JUNIORS

FRESHMEN

Jonah Arnett

Christopher Coash

Michael Candelaria Alec Garcia

Raphael Danga, Manager

Isaiah Gonzales

Aidan Garcia

Ezekiel Jaramillo

Roman Guerra

Drew Kaplan, Manager

Brian Kalb

Zachary Neel

Malachi Peña

Nicholas Pascuzzi

Johnathan Pham

Nicholas Vargas

Alejandro Sapien Jacob Sena

SOPHOMORE

Miguel Sena

Tanner Davis

Gene Trujillo

Dominic Esparza

Ethan Valencia

Joshua Garcia Dominic Gomez Frankie Gutierrez Andres Lucero

Mateo Maestas

Gabriel Neel

Jordan Rodriguez

The 2020 SPX Boys Basketball Team

Derek Rivera

ST. PIUS X ATHLETICS | WINTER 2020

19

THE TEAMS

GI RLS BASKET BA LL • SENIOR S JUNIORS

FRESHMEN

Iliana Encinias

Rebekah Carpenter

Amelia Gallegos

Ilyana Gonzales

Marie Kalb

Evelyn Gruber

Katrina Kelley

Karla Lucero Reagan Morris

Watyah James

Mikayla Taylor

SOPHOMORES

Emily Sanchez

Kyera Chavez

Anisa Valdez

Tea Gonzales

Elena Valdez

Alexis Patalan

Marisol Valdez

Isabel Roddy Victoria Stone

The 2020 SPX Girls Basketball Team

20 WINTER 2020 | Est.1956

WRESTL I NG • SENIOR S JUNIORS Ulban Aragon

SOPHOMORES Benjamin Bustamante Jared Robbins

FRESHMAN Tyler Brown

Santino Chavez

Lawrence Havelka Aaron Moya Lucas Roberts

Ryan McCormick

Matthew Sanchez The 2020 SPX Wrestling Team

ST. PIUS X ATHLETICS | WINTER 2020

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SAVE THE DATE!

SPX Baseball & Softball Alumni please mark your calendars for the

Annual Winter Alumni Games Baseball Saturday, February 22nd @10:00 am Softball Saturday, February 29th @10:00 am Please contact Jennifer Maldonado ’91 at jmaldonado@spxabq.org or 505-831-8437 for more information.

Spread the word to SPX Baseball & Softball families!

Calling all SPX Families that own restaurants!

The Athletic Booster Club wants to hold their monthly meetings in your establishment. Please contact

Jennifer Maldonado 505-831-8437 if you are interested.

22 WINTER 2020 | Est.1956

Save the Date

MARDI

GRAS la a G

Saturday, February 15, 2020 Hotel Albuquerque at Old Town An evening of fine dining, elegance, entertainment, auction and dancing benefitting the

St. Pius X High School Foundation

For more information, please contact Jean Marie Skipp at jskipp@spxabq.org or (505) 831-8500

ST. PIUS X ATHLETICS | WINTER 2020

23

ST. PIUS X

Record Board

BOYS BASKETBALL STATE

CHAMPIONS

1980 1982 1985 2006 2007 2008 2013

STATE

RUNNERS UP

1973 1977 1984

GIRLS BASKETBALL

DISTRICT

CHAMPIONS

1963 1965 1966 1967 1971 1978 1979 1980 1981 1983 1985 2002 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015

STATE

CHAMPIONS

1979 2006 2008 2009

BOYS SWIMMING STATE

CHAMPIONS

STATE

RUNNERS UP

2000 2002

STATE

RUNNERS UP

1978 1985 1986

DISTRICT

STATE

CHAMPIONS

STATE

RUNNERS UP

1984 1985

WRESTLING STATE

24 WINTER 2020 | Est.1956

1978 1979 1984 1985 1986 1998 1999 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2008 2009 2010 2013 2015

GIRLS SWIMMING

CHAMPIONS

CHAMPIONS

DISTRICT

CHAMPIONS

STATE

RUNNERS UP

DISTRICT

CHAMPIONS

2005

DISTRICT

CHAMPIONS

THANK YOU to all of our parents for providing photos for the Winter Edition of Est. 1956. We could not publish this magazine without all of your support!

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

jmaldonado@spxabq.org 505-831-8437

SAVE THE DATE!

19TH ANNUAL

Sartan Open IS MOVING TO ALUMNI WEEKEND IN THE FALL OF 2020!

SCHEDULE Friday, August 14, 2020

Friday, August 14, 2020

SARTAN OPEN

ALUMNI VOLLEYBALL GAME

Paradise Hills Golf Course 8:00 a.m.

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

BENEFITING SPX ATHLETIC BOOSTER CLUB