ABQ Sports Magazine by ABQ Sports Magazine

New Mexico’s #1 Sports Magazine September 2014

special issue! albuquerque metro’s

top 10 players see page 16

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Hello ABQ Sports Fans, A chill is in the air, and that means the boys of fall are leaving it all on the gridiron, looking toward top seedings as district play approaches. Eldorado’s Zach Gentry is a powerhouse player, topping our list of the top 10 players in the Albuquerque-metro area. Current stats and potential college interest, just inside, courtesy of Kyle Henderson of NMPreps.com.

ABQ Sports magazine P.O.Box 15981 • Rio Rancho, NM 87174 1.855.567.SPORT (7678) abqsportsmag.com Publisher Montoya Publishing, LLC

Cougars and Rams top the competition at the APS Metro Soccer Championship. Both teams incredibly strong on defensive, tying that all-important foot and mind game together to capture the crown. Details inside in NM Notables. Cross country - not a sport for the weak - The annual Lobo Invitational draws competition from around New Mexico and neighboring states. It’s a local high school that’s earned bragging rights in the girls division, and a freshman has earned the top finish of all metro girls. She’s Andi Almodovar - a two-time USATF cross country All-America runner who is now taking on the prep scene.

Managing Editor Sumiko Corley Sumiko@abqsportsmag.com

Sales Manager Sabrina Guzman sabrina@abqsportsmag.com

Thousands gather to fight breast cancer and raise money for a cure. Images from the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure.

Art Director David Lansa DL Graphic Design design@abqsportsmag.com

The Coleman Vision Tennis Championship showcases the best young talent from around the globe. More than five dozen ferocious athletes battled it out on the courts at New Mexico’s only USTA Pro Circuit event for women. Learn who won and how the event helps youth in our state.

Director of Photography

One of the most popular sprint triathlons in the state celebrates seven years with a challenging course and a mission to help New Mexicans. Andie Talmadge and the Patriot - Curtis Gillen shows us the action. Anthony Griego

A rundown of college football action from around the state, including NMSU, ENMU and Highlands, as well as a look at the New Mexico Open, held at the beautiful Santa Ana Golf Course. How did former Lobo DJ Brigman fare? All that, and much more, inside the October issue of ABQ Sports!

Photographers

Carlos Montoya

view our new & improved website! abqsportsmag.com

Brian Carlos Montoya Boysen

Jordan Montoya

On the Cover

New Mexico’s #1 Sports Magazine September 2014

Another wonderful cover, featuring Zach Gentry of Eldorado High School. Photo shot by Anthony Griego

#abqsportsmag

Daniel Elliot Kayla Martinez Montoya Madriss Contributing Writers SPECIAL ISSUE! ALBUQUERQUE METRO’S

TOP 10 PLAYERS

A NEW BEGINNING AT

CLUB RIO RANCHO

SEE PAGE 16

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Dave Chris Friedlander Martinez

Marty Saiz

Trula Howe

Distribution

ABQ Sports corrects the photo credit in the following story that appeared in the Sept issue: Joc Peterson story page 29 Tim March, MOJI Photography

Rico

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We thank you for investing your time into our magazine. Got any feedback? We appreciate any ideas, suggestions or anything we missed. Please feel to contact us anytime by phone, email, or mail.

Writers

ABQ Sports is a monthly magazine dedicated to covering all aspects of the Albuquerque and surrounding communities scene. We accept stories and photos for consideration. Email: carlos@abqsportsmag.com All contents of this magazine are copyrighted by ABQ Sports Magazine, all rights reserved. Reproduction of any articles, advertisement or material from this issue is forbidden without permission of the publisher.

New Mexico’s #1 Sports Magazine October 2014

Photo: COURTESY, CURTIS GILLEN, GILLENPHOTO.COM

CONTENTS

61st new mexico open

resurrection Fighting alliance rfa 18

16 albuquerque metro’s football top 10 players

More Sports.... 10 College Football 12 The Patriot 15 Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure

15th annual coleman vision tennis championship

28 Coleman Vision Tennis 30 Inaugural Bike for Brain Trauma Food Tour & wine Fesitival

NM Open

Denver golfer claims NM Open title

STAFF REPORT | PHOTOS: COURTESY, SUN COUNTRY GOLF

ick Mason made his drive down I-25 from Denver worthwhile in mid-September, when he won the 61st New Mexico Open at Santa Ana Golf Club.

Before the first tee shot has been struck on Sept. 17, former University of New Mexico golfer D.J. Brigman predicted it’d take a score at least 10 strokes under par to win it – and the winner would need to “make a bunch of birdies.” Brigman, who won the Open in 2000 and was among a handful of former winners in the hunt for the state’s most prestigious golf prize, led the way in the latter category, making 18 birdies in the three-day tournament. Mason was next, along with Justin Shin, with 17. 2012’s Open champ Wil Collins racked up 16 birdies. Mason carded rounds of 67-64-65 for a final score of 196, not 10 strokes under par but 14, and won a check for $10,000. Brigman and Collins, also a former Lobo, tied for second at 197 – Collins held the lead the first day with a 63, but his 68 on Thursday all but doomed him, even after a 66 on Friday. Brigman and Collins cashed in at $5,400 apiece for tying for runner-up honors. Five out-of-state golfers finished fourth through eighth: Steven Friesen of Scottsdale and Shin, from Lewsiville, Texas, finished with 199s and pocketed $3,400 each; Nathan Lashley, also from Scottsdale, and Jim Knous (Highlands Ranch, Colo.) tied for sixth at 200 and won $2,250 apiece; Derek Tolan of Highlands Ranch, Colo., was eighth at 201 and won $1,800. There was a four-way deadlock for ninth place at 202; earning $1,412.50 each were Bobby Bell of Scottsdale, Clay Ogden of Farmington, and Kent Jones and Madalitso Muthiya, both of Albuquerque. Rio Rancho’s Tim Madigan, the 2012 winner, shot rounds of 67-68-70 and finished in a tie for 15th place, winning $812.50. Past winners of the New Mexico Open include Lee Trevino, Paul Stankowski, Brian Kortan, Brigman and Notah Begay Ill. Last year’s champ, Charlie Beljan, didn’t enter. This year’s event featured players from all of the nation’s major tours competing for $65,000 in projected winnings. “(Winning 14 years ago) was a nice stepping stone for my career, because I was able to move on and play at other places: web.com tour, PGA Tour – and I didn’t have a very good year on the web. com Tour,” Brigman said heading into the tournament. “That means I’m off this week, which allows me to play in this. I’m looking forward to being at home, sleeping in my own bed, having a homecooked meal; I didn’t get to do that all for a long time, so I’m excited about that. And, use this again: Win this tournament, propel myself back to where I’d like to be.” As it turned out, it was the proverbial “close, but no cigar,” but the $5,400 pay check probably came in handy. Santa Ana Golf Club has hosted the most major championships in New Mexico: nine New Mexico Open Championships; three Nationwide Tour events; two PGA Professional National Championships; the U.S. Women’s Amateur Public Links Championship; the Regional PGA Club Professional Championship; qualifiers for the U.S. Open and Senior U.S. Open; more than 15 Sun Country Amateur Golf Association Four-Ball Championships; and more than 40 USGA qualifying events. “Santa Ana Golf Club is honored to once again host New Mexico’s largest and most prestigious professional golf tournament,” said Derek Gutierrez, director of golf at Santa Ana Golf, Inc. “We’re excited to be part of a state open that has positioned itself as one of the most anticipated championships on the schedule every year.”

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abqsportsmag.com • 7

Warm Up the Right Way – Part II By Jim Lezeau, MS, PES, CES Personal Training Performance Coordinator - Defined Fitness

or those of you who read last month’s article, you learned that one of the best ways to warm up and prepare for any type of workout is foam rolling. But foam rolling is not enough if you truly desire to get the most out of your warm up, get the most out of your exercise routine, avoid injury and maintain/increase functionality. In review, foam rolling helps to turn off overactive muscles as well as break up adhesions (knots) in muscular tissue and fascia (the tissue that surrounds muscles). As effective as foam rolling is by itself, the next important variable is flexibility. Lack of flexibility leads to lack of range of motion (ROM), which can then lead to injury. One way that we can help to increase flexibility is static stretching. The main premise behind static stretching is it helps to lengthen myofascial tissue in order to maintain joint range of motion, maintain functionality and decrease the chances of injury. Some everyday examples of a lack of flexibility are arched backs with hunched over shoulders, inability to reach over your head and (most prominently) the shuffling of the feet when walking. Not being able to take a full-length stride is lack of flexibility and mobility through the hip joints! In order to continue a proper warm up after using a foam roller, it is important to complete static stretching for approximately 10 seconds per muscle group, 1-2 times each. I define static stretching as lengthening a muscle only to the point of discomfort

and holding that position. Be sure that there are no ballistic, bouncing type movements, as these can lead to injury. In summary, static stretching is an effective way to warm up before an exercise routine if it is implemented with foam rolling and mobility, which is next month’s topic. However, in order to make significant gains in flexibility, it is important to stretch after workout routines and add programming such as Yoga into your weekly workout routines. Be sure to look out for part three of Warm Up the Right Way where I will be talking about mobility.

New Mexico Cop

Victorious in Cage Comeback at RFA 18 BY: Trula Howe PHOTOS: Brian Boysen

ucumcari police officer Abel Cullum made his triumphant return to the cage after three years away from the action of professional mixed martial arts on Friday night as the comain event of Resurrection Fighting Alliance (RFA) 18, which took place at the Albuquerque Convention Center. Cullum, who holds a record of 19 wins and only six losses, is the former King of the Cage (KOTC) Flyweight Champion. His rapid victory over Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) veteran Ulysses Gomez (9-5) made it clear that his time in the police department has not blunted his fighting edge. If there was any “cage rust” to shake off for Cullum, no one saw it. Cullum checked a few leg kicks, then wrapped both arms around Gomez, taking him to the ground. Gomez reversed from his guard, but Cullum held on to Gomez’s head in a precise guillotine choke, from which Gomez tapped, at 1:29 of the first round. Several of New Mexico’s rising MMA stars were also featured on the main televised card. Brenda Gonzales, (5-1 of FITNHB) who is the reigning KOTC Flyweight Champion, went back up a weight class to face Wisconsin bantamweight Heather Bassett. Gonzales showed off her boxing prowess, drilling in jabs while dodging headkicks and spinning backfists. Bassett was able to land a takedown but Gonzales controlled her opponent’s wrists, pulling one arm through and forcing the tap, winning by arm bar submission at 2:48 of the first round. The crowd was stunned into silence by the sickening crack from the meeting of simultaneous legkicks thrown by Rio Rancho’s Adrian Cruz and Las Vegas prospect Justin Linn. Cruz tried to reset but collapsed when his leg was unable to bear his weight, Linn won by Technical KO (leg injury) at :22 of the first round. Cruz’s tibia was completely broken and he went into surgery the next morning. Cruz relayed to his friends and fans that the surgery was a success and he is focused on healing. Tim Sosa (2-2, FITNHB) took on Zac Riley (1-2, Pariah MMA) for a 3-round back-and-forth bout, which showed off his versatility, strength and stamina against a worthy opponent. However, Sosa dominated the fight and won the unanimous decision. Jesse Long (1-0, Lovato Total Fitness) made his successful professional debut against Federico Betancourt (0-1), who came at Long with powerful striking. Long survived the early flurry and established his dominance with wrestling. Long applied a D’Arce choke, to which Betancourt did not tap and subsequently went to sleep. It was several seconds later that the referee noticed Betancourt’s unconscious state and called a stop to the match, at 3:35 of the first round. Full fight results, including the rest of the main card as well as the amateur preliminaries, may be found at www.sherdog.com/ events/RFA-18-Manzanares-vs-Pantoja-39537. RFA is an MMA promotion, based in Las Vegas, NV, which was founded in 2011. abqsportsmag.com • 9

State’s colleges use a lot of former area prep players STAFF REPORT PHOTOS: COURTESY, Sports Fanatic Photography & Eddie Morelos, NMSU

he University of New Mexico beat host New Mexico State 3835 on Sept. 20 in Las Cruces, showing the Lobos must be considered the best big-school collegiate team in the state.

But because both were defeated by UTEP, Rio Grande Rivalry gridiron bragging rights are in El Paso this fall. UNM depends largely on players from the Land of Enchantment, as Rocky Long once did and third-year head coach Bob Davie continues to do; 25 New Mexicans are on this year’s roster. The Lobos have counted among their starters on offense these guys from New Mexico: quarterback Cole Gautsche and tight end Reece White (Cleveland) and wide receiver Jeric Magnant (Rio Rancho) on offense; end Randy Williams (Volcano Vista) and defensive back Brandon Branch (Albuquerque Academy) on defense; and kicker/punter Zack Rogers (Rio Rancho) on special teams. Down south, NMSU coach Doug Martin has 18 New Mexicans on his current roster, with a few of them – wide receiver Adam Shapiro (Rio Rancho), running backs Brandon Betancourt (Mayfield) and Xavier Hall (Las Cruces), and safety Jason Fitzpatrick (Rio Rancho) playing roles in the Aggies’ early success. Of course, there are four other state colleges playing football and relying somewhat, in the case of some, heavily for others, on talent from New Mexico. Eastern New Mexico: There are more than three-dozen former in-state football players in Portales, playing at Blackwater Draw for the Greyhounds, including the 2012 Gatorade Player of the Year, running back Kamal Cass (Clovis). 10 October 2014

New Mexico Highlands University: The Cowboys’ roster contains the names of only 10 New Mexicans, along with two redshirts, for the 2014 season. NMHU set a Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference record in completions (56) and touchdown passes (eight) for a game in the Cowboys’ 59-38 win over rival Western New Mexico in September in Las Vegas, The Cowboys’ offense racked up 700 yards on an amazing 100 plays from scrimmage; WNMU finished with 593 yards of offense. It was the most points scored in a game for the Cowboys since a 60-14 win over Oklahoma State Panhandle on Sept. 10, 2011. New Mexico Military Insititute: The two-year college that boasts among its alumni NFL Hall of Famer Roger Staubach has eight New Mexicans on its roster, including three from Roswell, where the Broncos play their home games. Western New Mexico University: The Mustangs are the lone team in the Land of Enchantment without a lot of players who once toiled on the local gridirons. WNMU has just five former state players.

The

PATRIOT BY: SUMIKO CORLEY | PHOTOS: COURTESY, CURTIS GILLEN, GILLENPHOTO.COM

his triathlon honoring local law enforcement and military is a late season favorite. The 400-yard swim, 25k bike and 5k run takes over the Rio Rancho Acquatics Center and the surrounding hills, drawing a solid field each year.

Jeremy Liska

Whitney Wilson #188 Michi Seagrist #113

Virginia Williams

“Some pros do use this event for training purposes,” says event creator and director Andie Talmadge, who also owns FIT FUNdamentals, a personal training business. “Most participants are age group athletes who are looking for a good race near the end of the season. The heroes (firefighters, police, EMS and military personnel) like to race because they get to compete against each other. There was a good percentage of firsttimers in this years race. The kid’s race is for children age 5-12 who want to give triathlon a try in a non-competitive arena, just for fun.” Upwards of 300 athletes took on that challenge - the only flat portion of this course being the swim. The bike course climbs some 500 feet, with two miles of climb on the run which includes some potential ankle-snapping sand. Talmadge says New Mexico is one of the premier states in the nation for triathlon because of weather conditions and terrain - the sport itself - one of the best for overall conditioning. “The physiological mechanics of cycling, running and swimming are different enough that when doing workouts in all three the entire body is worked and conditioned. This is especially true if the athlete is doing a program that includes strength-based workouts within the running, cycling and swimming (usually programmed by a coach). They are all cardiovascularbased activities, so the heart and lungs get an amazing amount of conditioning as well.” A minimum 20% of proceeds benefit the Ten-82 Foundation, a New Mexico Police program assisting the families of fallen officers and the Jim Franklin Bike Giveaway, in which local fire departments give disadvantaged kids new bicycles. The Patriot is in its 7th year, and running strong.

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New Mexico

NOTABLES

Photos: Courtesy, Javier Almodovar

LOBO INVITATIONAL CHAMPS Rio Rancho High School Varsity Girls CC This talented team of distance runners captured team gold at the Lobo Invitational in early September at the UNM North Golf Course. Freshman Andi Almodovar was the highest placing metro-area girl, with a third place finish. Solid performances by her teammates secured the victory with four runners in the top 16, winning with 81 points. Sal Gonzales, head coach.

APS METRO SOCCER CHAMPS Cibola High School Varsity Boys

Photo: Brian Boysen, MOJI Photography

Outstanding defense on the part of Cibola, particularly keeper Rico Chavez, kept the game against La Cueva tied at 0-0 until the last 15 minutes of the September 5th game. Step in Joe Ortiz with a goal off a cross from Christian Canales, heading it into the lower left corner for the only goal of the game, a Cougar victory at 1-0. They are the 2013 defending champs, currently 9-1-1 at press time. Coach Cameron Clarke recognizes Sergio Rivas, Joe Ortiz, Canales and Sanchez as key to the win.

APS METRO SOCCER CHAMPS Rio Rancho High School Varsity Girls

Photo: carlos montoya

14 October 2014

Defensive back Lexi Nutter secured both goals for Rio Rancho against archrival La Cueva on free kicks, resulting in a 2-1 victory in the final. The Lady Rams controlled most of the game in a solid defense. Coach Uwe Balzis credits team captains Mariah Baker and Kinzi Woodring for strong leadership, goalkeeper Sara Wilmot for strength in the box, and a seasoned, experienced team all playing club in the spring and aiming for the state title. Their season record is currently 9-2.

Susan G. Komen

Race for the Cure 2014 Photos by: Carlos Montoya

abqsportsmag.com â&#x20AC;˘ 15

Zach Gentry #11 Eldorado High School • Quarterback

By Kyle Henderson | Photo Credit: MOJI Photography

very few years comes a high school football player in New Mexico who is larger than life and has a playing ability that is simply on another level. 6-foot-7, 240-pound University of Texas commit Zach Gentry is that prospect and will likely be one of the greatest quarterbacks to ever come out of New Mexico when we look back in time. “Zach is going to the University of Texas,” says head Eldorado football coach Charlie Dotson, “so there (are) high expectations on their end, he wants to have success here at Eldorado in his last year, and I think he’s gotten faster and stronger, I think he improves every year, and I think he (will) probably be a better college football quarterback than a high school player. Hopefully he can continue to stay healthy here at Eldorado and go onto Texas and do great things.” Stats and record-wise the Eldorado Eagles and Gentry are off to a great season start at 4-0. On the year he has passed for 770-yards and accounted for 14 touchdowns through 4 games. Gentry is a Rivals.com 4-star prospect with a rating of 5.8. “My final top 4 were Texas, Alabama, Tennessee and Oklahoma State,” says Gentry. “In the end it came down to where I was most comfortable. The new staff at Texas had first offered me when they were still at Louisville. Coach Strong, along with Texas quarterback coach Shawn Watson and I really formed a great relationship and once I visited Austin I just fell in love with their campus and their facilities.” This standout is the grandson of Bill Gentry, a retired New Mexico Hall of Fame coach who won over 300 games coaching at Highland and Eldorado. “I really feel that I have a shot to compete and play early at Texas,” says Gentry. “Obviously I need to continue to develop more as a quarterback, but early playing time at Texas was also a key factor in my decision.” Henderson’s Take On Gentry: His ability to make big plays is amazing, he’s a game changer. He is also one of the state’s top basketball players.

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blair manly #2 Cibola High School • WR, CB

By Kyle Henderson

lay maker, game breaker and Cibola super star Blair Manly is committed to play football at the University of New Mexico. The 6-foot-1, 180-pound defensive back/receiver is one of the fastest, most versatile athletes in the metro area. “Blair is a kid with great size and speed combination,” says Cibola head football coach Rod Williams. “He has all the God-given physical intangibles to become a tremendous player at the next level. He is a kid that finds a way to dig down deep come game time with great ability to stretch the field which forces teams to double team him, freeing up other players to make plays. Defensively Blair is a shutdown corner that consistently takes on the challenge of covering the opponents best receivers.” Manly’s thoughts this summer after he committed to New Mexico: “The most exciting part about becoming a Lobo,” says Manly, “is the opportunities it brings. I get to play in front of my family here at home, and UNM is one of the best in the nation for what I want to major in (health care). I really have the potential to be successful at UNM.” Henderson’s Take On Manly: Incredible athlete who will make you hold your breath when he touches the football each Friday Night. At the NMPreps.com Elite Combine he ran a 4.4 40-time and had a broad jump of 10 feet and 4 inches, topping more than 265 kids.

abqsportsmag.com • 17

Easton Bruere #2• Rio Rancho High School• Quarterback By Kyle Henderson Photo Credit: MOJI Photography

n the first four weeks of the season Easton Bruere, a senior at Rio Rancho High School, has been pretty much perfect. The 6-foot-2, 205 pound pro-style quarterback has thrown for 1,180 yards and 16 touchdowns, but the most impressive part of this is that he has thrown zero interceptions this year, leading the Rams to a 4-0 season start. In week 3 against top ranked Las Cruces, Bruere threw for 301 yards and 2 touchdowns as Rio Rancho beat Las Cruces 30-22. Bruere is a three-year starter at Rio Rancho who has thrown for over 6,000 career yards and is one of New Mexico’s top prospects still looking for a home college recruiting-wise. “I ran track this past year and I feel that it helped with my speed and mobility,” says Bruere. “As a team in the weight room this summer we are all working really hard in there. I think our offense is a little different than most years, we don’t quite have the size we have had in the past. We have a bunch of guys that are slightly undersized, but they work hard and compete. We have a bunch of guys who want to win such as Brady Patterson, Miguel Barreras, Angelo Lujan and Jacob Perez.” Henderson’s Take On Bruere: It’s really amazing to think that one of the local schools have not offered for such an established gunslinger like Bruere. He has been a proven winner since his sophomore year.

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David mcgee Laguna Acoma Jr. Sr. High School • RB, FS

By Kyle Henderson

hen you talk New Mexico high school football, you mention teams like Las Cruces, Mayfield, Artesia, Goddard, La Cueva, Rio Rancho, Cleveland, etc. You never hear anyone in the room mention Laguna Acoma. However, over the past two years David McGee has changed that, building an impressive resume - racking up tons of yards rushing the football in the tiny town just 54 miles west of Albuquerque. In the first game of the season, McGee accounted for 475 yards and 8 touchdowns against Navajo Prep. In his second game of the season he accounted for 370 yards and again scored 8 touchdowns (simply incredible). In week three he ran for 266 yards and 4 touchdowns against West Las Vegas, putting his touchdown total count at 20 after just three weeks of play. You might think to yourself that he is just an above average athlete playing against poor competition, but that’s not the case. He is one of the most well-conditioned athletes in New Mexico. This past summer at the NMPreps. com Elite Combine McGee showed off his skills by benching 185 pounds 22 times, running a 4.40 40-time, a 4.3 shuttle time and having a broad jump of 9 feet and 9 inches. Last year as a junior he ran for over 2,500 yards and scored 51 touchdowns. Henderson’s Take On McGee: He would be the starting running back at any high school in New Mexico flat out. He has an amazing talent for seeing the field, just an incredible running back.

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abqsportsmag.com • 19

Gabe ortega #12• Cleveland• FS, QB

By Kyle Henderson

ne of the best junior prospects in New Mexico is Gabe Ortega.

Last year as a sophomore, Ortega started at Cleveland in the secondary, returned kicks and kicked PAT’s. This year he takes over at quarterback, replacing Kian Homme, and is doing a wonderful job leading the Storm to a 3-1 season record. “I saw Gabe when he was in 7th grade at our youth camp,” says commented Cleveland head coach Heath Ridenour, “and I told Kirk Potter (former Cleveland Head Coach) that (this) kid is going to be the future of our program. He has all the intangibles, he’s got the competitive nature, he wants to win, and not to mention he is a great athlete.” Henderson’s Take On Ortega: Last year I watched Ortega return a kick for a touchdown 87 yards and then he kicked the PAT. He later returned an interception for a touchdown in the same game.

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brian trujillo #77• Volcano Vista• OL

By Kyle Henderson Photo Credit: MOJI Photography

ince Volcano Vista opened its doors in 2007, the Hawk’s football program has been known for producing next-level caliber offensive and defensive linemen.

This year Brian Trujillo fits that mold at 6-foot-3 and 271 pounds. Trujillo had college-level interest from schools like Arizona and New Mexico before committing to the New Mexico State Aggies. “It’s great being a leader here at Volcano Vista High School,” says Trujillo, “but it’s hard at the same time. You have to be a role model for everyone, if you’re not doing the right thing, others will follow.” The three-year starter was All-State as a junior and has really started to separate himself talent-wise from other metro area linemen as a two-way standout. “We’re led by Brian Trujillo on the offensive line,” says Volcano Vista head football coach Chad Wallin. “He’s known on the team as ‘SHAQ’ because of his size. He’s a three-year starter who all the players look up to.” Henderson’s Take On Trujillo: Brian is know for his abilities on offense, but he is also a top level defensive tackle and against top ranked Las Cruces in week 3 he made some plays in the backfield that clearly showed he is capable to play defensive in college because of his speed/size combination. It’s likely that his best days of football are ahead of him and the colleges that did not offer him will be regretting it over the next 4 years.

abqsportsmag.com • 21

By Kyle Henderson Photo Credit: MOJI Photography

he 6-foot-1, 238-pound senior linebacker is one of the best inside linebackers to come out of New Mexico in the last few years. Cantwell also is known to line up at fullback for the Bears inside the red-zone where he is a major threat with his overall size, making him very difficult to take down. Another D-1 prospect who has not had offers, strangely enough, even though he is a three-year starter at one of the top overall programs in New Mexico. Against Cibola in week 3, Cantwell made one of the best sacks you’ll see a high school football player make. Deep inside Bear’s territory, Cantwell read the play, leaped over an offensive lineman to make the big hit on the quarterback. Not only can Cantwell chase down quarterbacks, he is also very solid in pass coverage when the Bears do play zone - and of course he can lay the wood with some major bone jarring hits. Henderson’s Take On Cantwell: I was speaking with Eldorado head coach Charlie Dotson last year and he told me this when talking about La Cueva:

Mitch cantwell #11• La Cueva High School• MLB

“Cantwell is one of the best defensive players to come out of New Mexico since Brian Urlacher.” Quite the compliment from an opposing coach. Cantwell has been busy on the recruiting circuit and I have the feeling he could get some bites recruitingwise from Abilene Christian University, the same place that recently signed Las Cruces Top Linebacker Sam Denmark.

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jimmy gallegos #2• Sandia• RB, DB

By Kyle Henderson Photo Credit: MOJI Photography

allegos is just a junior at Sandia and likely their best overall football player.

He started as a sophomore and has emerged this year as their featured running back. At 5-foot-7 and 165 pounds, Gallegos lets his pads do the talking he’s a playmaker. In Week 4 against Valley he racked up 217 yards and 3 touchdowns. He is a major two-way threat as he is one of the top defensive backs in the metro area. Last year as a sophomore he recorded 5 interceptions and was named to the NMPreps.com All-Sophomore Team (Class of 2016). Henderson’s Take On Gallegos: At the NMPreps.com Elite Combine Gallegos had some very solid testing numbers for a junior, but he is more of a Friday Night guy, meaning once it’s showtime it’s going to take some major game planning to stop him.

abqsportsmag.com • 23

jesus ricci alvidrez #10• Atrisco Heritage• RB, CB By Kyle Henderson

icci Alvidrez is likely the fastest running back in New Mexico. Literally.

At the NMPreps.com Elite Combine last year, he ran a 4.4 40-time as a junior. Atrisco Heritage High School is the perfect place to play if you are a running back as they run the football on nearly every down. Alvidrez, who is a three-year starter for the Jaguars, ran for over 1,000 yards as a sophomore, 2,000 yards as a junior and has already rushed for over 300 yards in 4 games this season. Henderson’s Take On Alvidrez: With pure speed and lightning-quick reflexes, Alvidrez is the type of player who can change the momentum of the game. He is a very fun player to watch who has that homerun effect with the football. The more touches he gets per game the more difficult it is to beat Atrisco Heritage.

24 October 2014

charles countee #1• Manzano High School• ATH By Kyle Henderson Photo Credit: MOJI Photography

ith a squat of 430 pounds and a bench press of 300 pounds you might think Charles Countee is an offensive linemen.

Not the case. Countee is a 5-foot-7, 169-pound athlete who is a very dynamic twoway player for the Manzano Monarchs. The Class of 2015 prospect ran a blazing 4.5 40time at the NMPreps.com Combine, as well as a 4.19 shuttle time. This three-year starter has impressed on both sides of the football. “We lacked leadership last year here at Manzano,” says Countee. “This year that is something we have worked on over the summer time and try to become more of a brotherhood.” Henderson’s Take On Countee: Another player in the metro area who can make that big play to break the game wide open. Manzano has had some good ones, Countee might be the best of the bunch.

abqsportsmag.com • 25

jordan velasquez #10 Valley High School • ATH

By Kyle Henderson Photo Credit: MOJI Photography

ast year the Valley Vikings won 10 games during the regular season and at the end of the year quarterback Bo Coleman was named New Mexico Gatorade Player of the Year. Jordan Velasquez, a 5-foot-11, 175-pound athlete, has some big shoes to fill taking over at quarterback, but has some great athleticism and is known as one of the top defensive backs in New Mexico. He won the NMPreps.com Defensive Back MVP at this summer’s Elite Combine. “I learned a lot from Bo, but it’s not all about me, we have a lot of guys on this team that can make big plays,” says Velasquez. “We did lose a lot of seniors, but are working hard to make this an easy transition for everybody.” Henderson’s Take On Velasquez: He ran a 4.53 40-time, a 4.41 shuttle, and had a broad jump of 9 feet and 7 inches.

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15th annual COLEMAN VISION Tennis Championship BY: SUMIKO CORLEY PHOTOS: BRIAN BOYSEN

ixty-four of the world’s rising tennis stars, more than a dozen countries. They all met for match play that culminated September 21st on the Tanoan courts.

Anna Tatishvili (USA) faced Irina Falconi (USA) in the singles final, taking the early lead 6-2. Tatishvili won the second set 6-4, capturing the title and $11,400.00 in prize money. Falconi’s runner-up purse - $6,080.00. This is Tatishvili’s third appearance in a Coleman Vision final. Doubles action saw Melanie Oudin (USA)/Jan Abaza (USA) on the other side of the net from Allie Will and Nicole Melichar. Oudin/Abaza led the first set 6-2, finishing with impressive foot and racquet action and a 6-3 second set. They split $4,180.00 in prize money, their opponent sharing $2,090.00. Each of these three ladies have a long list of accomplishments: Tatishvili has won seven USTA Pro Circuit singles titles, three ITF Pro Circuit singles titles and reached the fourth round of the 2012 US Open. Oudin defeated former world No.1 Jelena Jankovic in 2009, earning a spot in the fourth round at Wimbledon. She’s beat five-time Grand Slam tourney champ Maria Sharapova at the US Open. She’s staging a comeback after a 2011 injury. Falconi has won Pan Am gold (singles), silver (doubles), played in each Grand Slam tournament twice and holds three USTA Pro Circuit singles titles. This event draws serious athletes for the prizes and the points. “Those points are the method by which these players gain entry into the higher level tournaments, “ says tournament director Sue Jollensten, “including the Grand Slam events. As a player progresses through the tournament, the number of points and the amount of prize money earned increase.” Jollensten says all proceeds, after payment of prize money and expenses, go to the NM Youth Tennis Foundation. One of the Foundation’s activities bussing some 700 young people to the courts to see top-level playing, meet the athletes and get some tennis pointers. “Bringing the elementary kids and the middle school league players, high performance players and others to the event exposes these young people to an international group of young professionals and exposes them to the opportunities available to them through tennis and education. We also utilize the University of New Mexico coaches and team members with the young people so they realize that tennis may be their ticket to academic success as well. These community events are one of the primary reasons the NM Youth Tennis Foundation, our title sponsor and other sponsors and patrons continue their involvement in the event.”

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io Rancho High School now has a sports hall of fame. RRHS inducted its inaugural class on Oct. 3 at a reception in the school cafeteria.

“This is such a positive move for our athletic program and Rio Rancho High School in general,” said the district’s athletic director of the past seven years, Bruce Carver. “It seems that 20 years is a perfect time to start a hall of fame at a high school.” The district celebrated its 20th anniversary this summer; RRHS opened its doors in time for the 1997-98 school year and two of its earliest individual state champions were honored: Danyel Longmire, who won the school’s first title as a cross country runner in 1997, and Trent Rommann, who won Class 5A golf medalist honors in May 2001. “If you wait many more years, it becomes difficult to catch up as deserving individuals are left out,” Carver added. “The first class is outstanding.”

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The class included four coaches on board since RRHS’s first day: volleyball coach Toby Manzanares, girls soccer Uwe Balzis, baseball coach Ron Murphy and softball coach Paul Kohman. Combined, the quartet has led their teams to a dozen state championships. Rounding out the first class, chosen by an anonymous committee, was Rio Rancho Dairy Queen owner Tony Otero. Many RRHS students got their first jobs schlepping ice cream for Otero, a former student-athlete at Valley High School. Although Longmire recently started a new job in Montana, she sent the selection committee a letter thanking it for her honor. “The biggest thrill I had as an athlete at RRHS was the opportunity to run with an amazing team under the direction of a highly skilled and knowledgeable coach (Larry Chavez, now athletic coordinator at Cleveland High) — and winning state was an added bonus,” Longmire said. “My education at RRHS prepared me to be diligent and work hard to attain my goals on an academic and professional level.” Although Rommann’s biggest moment was being medalist in 2001, not many knew what was next. “My second biggest thrill was skipping class (the only class that I skipped at RRHS) to play golf with a couple friends at Desert Greens golf course. I was midway through the front 9 when RRHS contacted my parents, letting them know that I was not in class. My mother knew right where I would be; she drove to the course, borrowed a cart, pulled up to our group on the seventh tee and told me that I could finish my round but that would be the last round for quite some time. I spent the next Saturday in ‘Saturday School’ for eight hours — and that was the last time I ditched class…but it was a thrill!” Gary Hveem, the school’s first athletic director, served as master of ceremonies and provided some anecdotes about his experiences hiring each coach. Otero started working with Hveem to help promote school sports and activities at RRHS in 1998, and continues to volunteer to help promote and support the students of RRHS. Otero sponsors the annual Mel Otero Invitational, one of the premiere girls high school tournaments in the Southwest. abqsportsmag.com • 29

Inaugural Bike For Brain Trauma Food Tour & Wine Festival BY: SUMIKO CORLEY PHOTO: COURTESY, TARA ARELLANO

n idyllic, autumn ride through Albuquerque’s beautiful north valley.

Sixteen miles winding through Los Ranchos, sampling food and beverages at some of the most popular area restaurants Vernon’s, St. Clair Winery & Bistro and Casa Rodena Winery, to name a few. The event culminated with a silent auction. This inaugural tour made for a relaxing August afternoon, while benefitting those living with a traumatic brain injury (TBI). The fruits of this event resulted in some desperately needed money for 21-year old Nikki Lardner. Life changed drastically for Lardner early this year when a car accident left her with a traumatic brain injury. The can-do young woman was strong, fit, smart and career-oriented. This firefighter from Belen suddenly found herself unable to do the most basic of things that before the accident, came with no effort. It wasn’t only her life that changed - Nikki’s care fell to her mother Janice. Costly medical procedures, many of which were not covered by insurance, Nikki’s Belen mortgage plus her living expenses while in Texas for treatment not available, says her mother, in Albuquerque. The $13,000.00 check presented to Nikki via her mother September 7th came at a very critical time for the Lardners.

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Tara Arellano, President of Mariposa Network and the found of Bike for Brain Trauma, knows first-hand the difficulties of a family member with TBI. “My passion and goal,” says Arellano, “is to give back to others the support, love and care that has been given to my family. So many TBI victims and families are neglected everyday due to lack of information, support and a failed system that denies insurance coverage to those that need it in the most timely manner. The brain is a very fragile and precious gift that we must protect. Therefore, it will always be our mission at Mariposa Network to fight for those who can’t fight for themselves in effort to cause change!” Arellano is pushing for change in legislation, «funding for a postacute facility in New Mexico and support for these precious families!» She says the bike tour operated 100% on donations and sponsor funding. Learn more at www.MariposaNetwork.com.

“Our mission is to raise awareness and financial support for victims and families of traumatic brain injuries through fitness, fun and community involvement.” - Tara Arellano, Mariposa Network

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