Albuquerque’s 2021 mayoral candidates Eddy Aragon ’93, Manuel Gonzales and Tim Keller ’96 each had ties to St. Pius X High School. Incumbent Mayor Keller and Aragon are alumni and Gonzales’ three children are recent SPX graduates. 

With such a Sartan-centric slate of candidates, St. Pius X track coach Jeff Turcotte decided to host the city’s first “Mayoral Punt, Pass & Kick” competition. The friendly match was held during halftime of the St. Pius X football game versus Albuquerque Academy on Oct. 28.

Wearing a No. 3 Sartans jersey and track pants, Bernalillo County Sheriff Gonzales started things off with a 23 yard punt. He is the father of Manuel Gonzales ’18, Sophia Gonzales ’19 and Isaiah Gonzales ’21.

“St. Pius will always hold a special place in my heart,” Gonzales expressed before the competition. “My three children attended school here and have fundamental faith in Christ and the educational foundation to accomplish anything they dream to pursue. I appreciate and love all of the school staff who have played a vital role in my children’s faith and education.”

Aragon, owner of radio station KIVA-AM 1600 and host of the “Rock of Talk” radio show — whose logo decorated the red shirt he wore for the competition — punted next and recorded the best punt of the night at 41 yards. During his Sartan football career, he earned All-State recognition at four positions — punter, kicker, wide receiver and safety.

When asked before the competition what St. Pius X means to him, he said: “St. Pius means fraternity, fidelity and poetry. Purpose, passion and piety.  But most of all it means Goodness, Knowledge and Discipline!”

In an oversized St. Pius X parka taking him back to days as a Sartan quarterback, Keller kicked the second longest punt at 29 yards and the night’s longest place kick of 39 yards. He had this to say about St. Pius X: “SPX taught me the values of social justice, deep contemplation and authentic leadership; and gave me wonderful lasting friendships that continue today and even help me run the Duke City.”

The competition continued with each candidate throwing a pass and completing a place kick. The three competitors ended the night with Aragon in first place with a total of 117 yards, Keller in second place with 106 yards and Gonzales in third with 81 yards.

“This is a great way to have a little fun on the campaign trail, which there has been almost none of,” Keller told the Albuquerque Journal. “This is a welcome respite.”

Voters on Nov. 2 elected Keller to a second term as mayor of Albuquerque.