PREP GIRLS ATHLETES OF THE YEAR
This week, it is time to recognize the outstanding girl performers per sport. Some of the decisions were particularly difficult as northern New Mexico is loaded with talented female athletes across the sporting spectrum.
FALL CROSS-COUNTRY
NORISSA VALDEZ, SOPHOMORE, LOS ALAMOS
There were several strong contenders for this category but, in the end, the competitiveness of Valdez won out. Trailing teammate Sophie Chadwick as the runners entered Rio Rancho’s football stadium, Valdez sprinted the final 50-some yards, catching her teammate just before the tape to win in a time of 18 minutes, 47.00 seconds, 0.30 seconds ahead of Chadwick. The two pushed the Hilltoppers to a handy win over rival Albuquerque Academy.
SOCCER
RACHEL MORGAN, JUNIOR, ST. MICHAEL’S
Morgan had been a mainstay with the varsity team since her freshman year, but this season she stepped up into a leading role on top, scoring 26 goals, sixth in Class 1A-3A, and adding 10 assists to give her 62 points overall, tied for fourth in the class. Among the highlights were a hat trick against Robertson in the state quarterfinals and two goals in a rare win over Los Alamos.
VOLLEYBALL
SALOME ROMP, SENIOR, SANTA FE
An outside hitter extraordinaire, Romp was actually a do-everything player for the Demonettes, leading them to a 20-6 record and a top-eight finish at the state tournament. Romp finished with team-bests for kills (333), aces (49), digs (174) and serves received (222). She even added 30 assists and 60 block assists. The 5-foot, 9-inch Romp has signed to play at Newman University in Wichita, Kansas.
WINTER BASKETBALL
CARLY GONZALES, SENIOR, PEÑASCO
Although there were plenty of top-notch players across the north, none compared with the overall game Gonzales displayed night in and night out. The leader of a Panthers squad that reached the 2A championship game for the second time in three seasons, the 5-10 Gonzales averaged 21.7 points with 12.3 rebounds. For good measure, she added 2.2 assists, 2.6 steals and 2.6 blocks per outing. She is selecting from her college offers.
SWIMMING & DIVING
SOPHIA GOSSUM, SOPHOMORE, SANTA FE PREP
Gossum delivered notice that she aims to dominate the sprint freestyle events over her final two seasons. As it was, she finished second in the 50 free in a time of 24.41 seconds, just 0.08 seconds off the top rung of the podium, and second in the 100 free in 52.98, an event she was leading midway through before fading down the stretch. Gossum also helped the Blue Griffins’ 200 free relay squad take fifth. And the team finished it off with a second straight small-school championship.
GIRLS WRESTLING
ANNALIZ DURAN, SENIOR, TAOS
Local wrestlers were underrepresented at the first ever officials girls state meet this season, but Duran turned in a strong performance. She reached the semifinals and just barely lost to eventual champion Santii Santiago of Atrisco Heritage 7-5. Duran finished the season with a 7-5 record and was an ambassador for girls’ participation in wrestling during her career.
TEAM
LAS VEGAS ROBERTSON VOLLEYBALL
The story behind the Cardinals’ run to the first championship in program history has been well documented. Playing without suspended head coach Stacy Fulgenzi, who missed the last three weeks of the season, Robertson rallied to romp through the state tournament, winning its first three matches in straight sets. The finale came down to a rubber match in a fifth meeting with rival and defending champion St. Michael’s, and it went to a fifth set before the Cards pulled out the victory.