Post by CrimsonPhantom on May 18, 2012 9:21:44 GMT -7
Centennial to change competitive landscape
By Craig Massey
Las Cruces Bulletin
The 2011-12 school year has ended for the city’s high school sports teams, and while there may not have been as many state champions as in years past, there was a lot to like about the accomplishments this year.
“It was another good year,” said Las Cruces Public Schools Athletics Director Ernest Viramontes. “Everybody went to the state tournaments in the majority of sports. And it’s exciting starting a new high school.”
Centennial High School will open its doors and begin competition at the Class 4A level in August, but the school has already begun hiring coaches.
Head coaches hired so far this spring include Al Rosen for volleyball, Aaron Ocampo for football, Steve Heredia for boys basketball, Lori Selby for girls basketball, Mike Montoya for cross country, Daniel Loya for boys soccer and Oscar Mendoza for girls soccer.
Viramontes said the Hawks’ wrestling coach and coaches for the spring sports will be hired in the coming weeks.
The school year began with Mesilla Valley Christian Schools winning the state championship in football for the first time in the young program’s history. After winning the Class A title, head coach Charles Gleghorn took the head coaching job at Hobbs and was replaced this spring by former Mayfield head coach Mike Draper.
Mayfield and Las Cruces High once again qualified for the state football playoffs.
Mayfield came close to yet another state championship, but fell to Cleveland, 42-28, in the title game.
The city’s first state champions didn’t come until February when Las Cruces High School wrestler Gabriel Castillo won it all in the 152-pound division. Castillo defeated Jimmy Quintela of Carlsbad 13-7 in the championship match and had a 42-4 record as a senior.
Also in February, Las Cruces High School’s swim team won gold when the 400-yard freestyle relay team won the state championship. The team was made up of Moranda Madero, Lauren Salas, Josi Gabaldon and Samantha Harding.
Harding, a senior, also won the 500-yard freestyle for the fourth straight year. She was named All-American and has signed to swim at the University of Minnesota next year.
In March, Las Cruces High won another state title – this one in cheerleading. In the second year as an official sport under the New Mexico Activities Association, LCHS won the State Spirit Competition, Co-ed Division. The team finished second last year.
Earlier this month, Mayfield’s girls tennis team won the state championship, and the doubles team of Brooke Coffeen and Lindsay Harlas also captured the state title. The rest of the girls team includes Kelli Duran, Laura Carbajal, Molly Olson, Ellie Williamson, Victoria Smith, Rebeca Boyd and Jordan Gass.
The city had one state champion in track and field when Oñate High School’s Andrew Keppler cleared 14 feet to win state in the pole vault.
“We have about 1,900 student athletes and they do a great job of maintaining a tough schedule with academics and whatever athletics they’re involved in,” Viramontes said. “It’s a tribute to the kids.”
From- www.lascrucesbulletin.com/ee/lascrucesbulletin/default.php?pSetup=lascrucesbulletin
By Craig Massey
Las Cruces Bulletin
The 2011-12 school year has ended for the city’s high school sports teams, and while there may not have been as many state champions as in years past, there was a lot to like about the accomplishments this year.
“It was another good year,” said Las Cruces Public Schools Athletics Director Ernest Viramontes. “Everybody went to the state tournaments in the majority of sports. And it’s exciting starting a new high school.”
Centennial High School will open its doors and begin competition at the Class 4A level in August, but the school has already begun hiring coaches.
Head coaches hired so far this spring include Al Rosen for volleyball, Aaron Ocampo for football, Steve Heredia for boys basketball, Lori Selby for girls basketball, Mike Montoya for cross country, Daniel Loya for boys soccer and Oscar Mendoza for girls soccer.
Viramontes said the Hawks’ wrestling coach and coaches for the spring sports will be hired in the coming weeks.
The school year began with Mesilla Valley Christian Schools winning the state championship in football for the first time in the young program’s history. After winning the Class A title, head coach Charles Gleghorn took the head coaching job at Hobbs and was replaced this spring by former Mayfield head coach Mike Draper.
Mayfield and Las Cruces High once again qualified for the state football playoffs.
Mayfield came close to yet another state championship, but fell to Cleveland, 42-28, in the title game.
The city’s first state champions didn’t come until February when Las Cruces High School wrestler Gabriel Castillo won it all in the 152-pound division. Castillo defeated Jimmy Quintela of Carlsbad 13-7 in the championship match and had a 42-4 record as a senior.
Also in February, Las Cruces High School’s swim team won gold when the 400-yard freestyle relay team won the state championship. The team was made up of Moranda Madero, Lauren Salas, Josi Gabaldon and Samantha Harding.
Harding, a senior, also won the 500-yard freestyle for the fourth straight year. She was named All-American and has signed to swim at the University of Minnesota next year.
In March, Las Cruces High won another state title – this one in cheerleading. In the second year as an official sport under the New Mexico Activities Association, LCHS won the State Spirit Competition, Co-ed Division. The team finished second last year.
Earlier this month, Mayfield’s girls tennis team won the state championship, and the doubles team of Brooke Coffeen and Lindsay Harlas also captured the state title. The rest of the girls team includes Kelli Duran, Laura Carbajal, Molly Olson, Ellie Williamson, Victoria Smith, Rebeca Boyd and Jordan Gass.
The city had one state champion in track and field when Oñate High School’s Andrew Keppler cleared 14 feet to win state in the pole vault.
“We have about 1,900 student athletes and they do a great job of maintaining a tough schedule with academics and whatever athletics they’re involved in,” Viramontes said. “It’s a tribute to the kids.”
From- www.lascrucesbulletin.com/ee/lascrucesbulletin/default.php?pSetup=lascrucesbulletin