High-caliber teams and individual performances captivated spectators throughout the 2022-23 high school sports season in Socorro County, which brought home titles.
The Socorro girls golf team had the best season. Tivonne Anaya won the individual title and the Lady Warriors won their third consecutive state title.
The Lady Warriors, the only county team to win a state championship, will have bragging rights over the Warriors, who finished second.
Many teams struggled with inexperience and required more senior players, which led to only one county-wide state championship. Most coaches say COVID is still affecting statistics, and it may take another year or two to balance squads.
Magdalena’s boys basketball teams survived COVID-19. The Steers were unbeaten until their season finale versus Fort Sumner, missing a three-peat.
The Steers offered spectators an exhilarating ride, and they were supported by Alamo, Magdalena, and Socorro.
Alamo Navajo boys and girls basketball teams won their first district title and state playoff game. The Lady Cougars had a playoff basketball team and a state volleyball final-four spot.
Before the district season, Socorro basketball looked bad. After district play, Socorro won both the boys and girls crowns.
Socorro County has six playoff varsity basketball teams.
The Warriors won their sixth consecutive district football championship and entered the playoffs rated No.
David Gutierrez Jr. and Caden Moreland won wrestling state titles, among others.
D’Shaun Vinyard won the high jump and long jump, and Kael Stephens retained his 110-meter hurdles title.
Both athletes achieved a Class A 4×400 relay record of 3:34.56 with Josh Baca and Ayden Herschbach. The new record was over two seconds faster.
After junior Braden Mounyo won the state 300-meter hurdles and freshman Jay Lee won the pole vault, Socorro will likely break more records next year.
Socorro County had several New Mexico High School Coaches Association all-stars.
In football, Socorro’s Xamien Aguilar, Caden Moreland, and Brian Armijo were selected, while Magdalena’s Kael Stephens and Kaleb Castanon were top selections.
Alamo sent Hailey and Mathis Apachito, Magdalena sent D’Shaun Vineyard and Kael Stephens, while Socorro sent Marcus Armijo and Warren Chewiwi.
Magdalena, Castanon, and Josh Baca played a three-game series at Cleveland High School in Rio Rancho on June 2-3. Magdalena was the sole baseball all-star.
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