Spring Brings SPX Sports Championships
SPX Baseball Wins 2022 Class 4A Championship
St. Pius X High School baseball is the 2022 Class 4A Champions, beating Albuquerque Academy 15-2 in five innings. The Sartans were led by senior pitcher Nolan Esterly who gave up only 4 hits in 5 innings. Esterly also hit a single, a double, and a triple with 4 RBIs. The team also won the 4A District 5 Championship and finished the season 23-4. Esterly, pitcher, and Jordan Rodriguez, infielder, were named to the State All-Star Red Team, representing the best of 4A and 5A players in the state. See video of the Sartans’ state championship win at https://www.facebook.com/sartanx/videos/710994503545432.
Water Polo: SPX Girls Take State, Boys Team Member Earns Spot on the State Team
The St. Pius X girls water polo team won the 2022 State Championship by a score of 13-12. The Sartans on the team were Sara Swinson, Alex Sanchez, Presley Olguin, Samantha Olguin, and Ava Marie Machtinger. In SPX boys water polo, freshman Joshua Caintic earned a spot on the state team and finished the season a state runner-up.
Boys Golf Wins Green Trophy for SPX
At the 2022 State Golf Tournament, the SPX boys golf team earned the third place trophy, just two strokes behind second place. The team was led by Cohen Mulville who tied for sixth and Christian Montoya, ninth place. The team was District Champion over Belen, Highland, Grants and Valencia, with Mulville, second and Montoya, third. Earning All-District honors were Mulville, Montoya, Tristen Toledo, Jax Mulville and Jackson Minick.
St. Pius X Girls Golf Ties for State Third
The St. Pius X girls golf team tied for third place at the 2022 State Golf Tournament. Taylor Sarracino tied for sixth at state to earn All-State honors. Also in the top ten was Emeline Armijo in ninth. The team finished second by two strokes in the District Championship. Golfers making All-District were Sarracino, Armijo, Madison Armijo and Macy Freeze. Out of eleven tournaments this season, the Lady Sartans won six, three runners-up, and a third-place finish
St. Pius X Track and Field Athletes Place at State Meet
At the State Track and Field Championship, Savannah Ellison placed fourth in the 400m; Maricia Marquez, Athena Martinez, Trista Cordova and Gracie Baca placed fifth in the 4x800m; Kendrew Agbemadzo, Christopher Coash, Isaac Leyba, and Brian Kalb placed fifth in the 1600m medley; and Gabriella Jeantete earned sixth in the triple jump. Boys track and field repeated as district champs and Coach Jeff Turcotte was named Boys Coach of the Year. The girls team earned 2022 district runner-up. At the Metro meet, Savannah Ellison was the 400m champion, joined by Brian Kalb in the 1600m, Grace Aragon in the 100m hurdles, Sam Buerschen in the 800m, and Bryan Thomas, Chris Coash, Isaac Leyba, and Kendrew Agbemadzo in the 400m relay. Both Sartan teams finished top three.
SPX Softball: District Champs with 19-6 Record
The SPX softball team went undefeated in district play earning the 2022 district championship and a 19-6 overall record. The team advanced to the first round of the 4A State Championship, losing to Silver City. Jocelyn Chavez, catcher, was named to the All-Star softball team. The District Player of the Year is Desarae Chavez. Named First Team All-District are Ariana Rivera, Ashley Chavez, Desarae Chavez, Gabriella Casco, Jocelyn Chavez, Mckayla Cable, Mykel Torres. Named Second Team All-District are Desirey Ortiz, Greyse Pitre and Julie Leon. Honorable mentions went to Abrianna Notah-Johnson and Tatiana Montoya. Named to the All-Academic All-District Team are Abrianna Notah-Johnson, Ariana Rivera, Desarae Chavez, Erica White, Jocelyn Chavez, Julie Leon, Mykel Torres and Natasha Montoya. Coach Melanie Roni Marquez was named 4A District 5 Coach of the Year.
SPX Tennis Boys District Champs, Girls Runner-Up
St. Pius X boys tennis team won their district championship. Gavin Richards finished second in district, along with Monte Taylor in fourth. The girls team earned district runner-up. Mia Hernandez finished second in singles and Allyson Kawane and Victoria McElhanon finished second in doubles.
Pius Rugby Wins in Third Place State Tournament Match
The St. Pius boys rugby team completed their spring season with a victory in the 3rd place match at the NM State Rugby Tournament. The team was led this year by SPX senior Cian Jones, a 4-year rugby player. Cian was awarded a rugby scholarship at New Mexico Tech for next year.
Winter Sports Updates
St. Pius X Cheer put on two great performances at state and so many more throughout the year.
St. Pius X boys basketball players received the following honors for their 19-9 season: Tanner Davis, First Team All-State, Second Team All-District and Second Team All-Metro; Brian Kalb, Second Team All-State; First Team All-District, Second Team All-Metro and All-Academic Team; and Chris Coash, First Team All-District and Third Team All-Metro.