With the high school season at an end, it’s time to take a look back the area’s top girls players in each sport across fall, spring and summer.
Cross country
Senior Neavah Cachora, Española Valley High School. Cachora made a late push to move into 10th in the Class 4A state meet, finishing in 19 minutes, 41.4 seconds to earn All-Status for the third time. “She’s one of the most decorated cross country runners in the state,” Sundevils coach Loren Martinez said. “And one of the best runners to ever come out of our school. She leaves with four all-district medals and three all state medals.
Soccer
Junior Nyanna Reyes, Pojoaque Valley High School. A rookie soccer player, all Reyes did was accept the challenge of playing one of the most difficult positions in the sport. And then excel. “She earned the ranking of No. 1 goalie in District 2-4A,” Elkettes coach Andrew Romero said. “This was her first year playing soccer and she stepped up to a very difficult and, for most, the scariest position.” Reyes recorded 280 saves, almost 15 a game, to keep an experienced Pojoaque squad competitive.
Volleyball
Senior Kaylee Martinez, McCurdy. The District 5-2A player of the year, Martinez dished out 738 assists and served up 73 aces. Her assists led 2A and the aces were second in the classification. Her “leadership and unwavering commitment were instrumental in the growth of our volleyball program,” Bobcats coach Maxine Martinez said. “Her work ethic and skill in all areas of the game were truly special.” Martinez led McCurdy to the Elite Eight in the state tournament with a 2-2 mark.
Basketball
Freshman Aaliyah Boies, Mesa Vista. Where to start with this precious freshman? Probably with the Class 2A championship game as her buzzer-beating 3-pointer capped a wild comeback to give the Trojan girls their first state championship. She scored 24 points in the finale, while averaging 18 on the season, along with eight steals and 4.2 assists. Her 235 steals are the No. 2 single-season, all-classes mark in state history. “She had an amazing year and was a great teammåate, always helping them and picking them up by encouragement,” Trojans coach Jesse Boies said.
Powerlifting
Senior Olivia Suazo, Española Valley. For Suazo, finishing second in the 105-pound weight class was a huge disappointment after she won at 114 pounds a year ago. Still, it was a capper on a weight room career that saw her take home another runner-up medal as a sophomore, as well as a third place finish as a freshman. “She’s a very unique athlete,” power lifting coach Rudy Martinez said. “Olivia is very strong willed. She’s very determined. She’s probably the most dedicated athlete I’ve ever worked with.”
Wrestling
Junior Natalie Romero, Pojoaque Valley. Romero came into the state meet seeded third, and that’s exactly where she finished, losing just once in her five matches. She saved perhaps her most impressive performance for last, gaining the podium with an impressive 9-1 win over No. 4 Paige Atma of Las Cruces. She was never truly challenged in the match, winning it with three separate, 3-point take downs.
Golf
Sophomore Kyla Moore, Española Valley. Moore, in her second year of playing golf, has shown herself to be a quick study and ended up taking over the top slot for the Sundevils. She shot her best round on the road, carding a 106 at the Artesia Invitational in April. “She is steadily improving,” coach James Flores said. In the district tournament, she slugged through the trees and 140 yards, hitting the flag on the par 5 No. 15 at Arroyo del Oso and then finishing off the birdie.
Softball
Senior Aliah Villalobos, Española Valley. A true, two-way player, Villalobos was a power hitter in the middle of the line-up with a gaudy .451 batting average that included 16 extra base hits: nine doubles, six triples and a home run to go along with a team best 26 RBI and 30 runs scored. For good measure, she stole 10 bases. And, she was an ace on the mound, logging 79 innings with 53 strikeouts.
Track and Field
Tie: Junior Avery Knight, McCurdy; senior Averi Schultz, Española Valley. Yup, taking the easy way out here, although both are certainly deserving. Knight runs the anchor leg of the 4×800 meter relay team that won consecutive Class 2A state championships, before breaking the record and finishing second this season. “Her dedication, determination and work ethic are exceptional,” McCurdy coach Carlos Martinez said. “She is an ideal athlete for a coach, consistently putting in extensive effort and giving her all in every endeavor.”
Schultz broke three school records in her standout season, including nearly topping 17 feet in the long jump to erase a mark that stood since 1987, as well as in the 400 meter dash and the medley relay. “She had one of the best track seasons in our school history,” coach Loren Martinez said. “She broke multiple school records and finished ranked top 10 in multiple events.”
Tennis
Senior Gabriela Fulgenzi, Española Valley. Despite battling an injury, Fulgenzi still finished 11-4 as the No. 1 player for the Sundevils. During the state tournament, she helped lead Española to its first-ever Class 1A-4A championship match appearance and trophy as team runner-up. In individual state play, Fulgenzi teamed with her sister, freshman Sofia Fulgenzi, to march to the championship match, as well, again, earning the program’s first individual honors. The duo finished the season with a sparkling 12-1 record, and she also went 7-1 while teaming with fellow senior Olivia Suazo.