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Deep in the Southwest, there’s a deep pool of athletes who have hailed from New Mexico high schools.
Athletes like Brian Urlacher, Alex Bregman, and Nancy Lopez all hail from the Land of Enchantment, creating names for themselves and their home states through success in their respective fields. Athletic feats go beyond the everyday; others have become local legends.
Who is the all-time best New Mexico high school athlete?
As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, USA TODAY is launching its 250 for 250 series, looking to answer that question by celebrating the best athletes from each state.
With your votes, five will be selected to represent the athletes who have defined high school sports.
Here are the nominees for New Mexico high school athletes. The 12 players (listed in alphabetical order) were all standouts at the high school level.
A three-time New Mexico Gatorade Player of the Year, Kenyon Aguino only experienced four losses throughout his high school career as he helped Volcano Vista win four straight championships. Ove his career, he recorded more than 2,000 points and 1,000 rebounds, according to his University of Montana bio.
Alex Bregman was the first high school player to win the USA Baseball Player of the Year Award, doing so as a sophomore. In his junior year, he batted a remarkable .678 and hit 19 home runs.
A three-time NBA All-Star, Bill Bridges led Hobbs to back-to-back championships as one of the first integrated high school teams in 1956-57. Over those two seasons, the team went 57-5.
Highland created its girls swimming team just in time for a future Olympian. Cathy Carr, who competed on the school’s inaugural team, became the first New Mexico athlete to win an Olympic gold, doing so in the 100-meter breaststroke in 1972.
The longtime NFL quarterback played both sides of the ball at Eldorado, lining up at quarterback and in the secondary as he led the team to a championship victory in his senior season.
Carla Garret’s discus record is one of the most impressive in high school sports — at a distance of 162 feet, it is more than 20 feet longer than the second-best in state history. Her records in discus and shot put have stood for over 40 years, and she won seven track and field championships, including a medley relay.
Bubba Jennings set the state record with 75 points scored in a game — before the 3-point line was implemented. He led Clovis to a state championship in 1979 and was named Player of the Year in 1980.
Goddard High School did not have a girl’s golf team, so Nancy Lopez golfed with the boys. She helped the team win two state championships before embarking on the LPGA Tour, where she became one of the all-time great professional golfers.
Tommy McDonald set the state scoring record in football as a fullback, the city scoring record in basketball, and won five gold medals in track in the 100, 220, low hurdles and a pair of relays, according to the NMAA.
A two-time Pro Bowler and Super Bowl champion with the Dallas Cowboys, Ralph Neely was an all-state tackle in football, all-state center in basketball, and competed in shot put and baseball.
Before Brian Urlacher starred in the NFL, he played around the field in football at running back, wide receiver, return specialist and defensive back, scoring 20 total touchdowns in an undefeated, championship season for Lovington.
Duane Ward was drafted out of high school to the Atlanta Braves following a highly successful high school pitching career (among other positions). He also helped the Farmington basketball team go 26-0, winning the title and being named a first-team forward.
Who is the greatest New Mexico high school athlete of all time?
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Vote for greatest New Mexico high school athlete of all time
Continue reading...
Athletes like Brian Urlacher, Alex Bregman, and Nancy Lopez all hail from the Land of Enchantment, creating names for themselves and their home states through success in their respective fields. Athletic feats go beyond the everyday; others have become local legends.
Who is the all-time best New Mexico high school athlete?
As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, USA TODAY is launching its 250 for 250 series, looking to answer that question by celebrating the best athletes from each state.
With your votes, five will be selected to represent the athletes who have defined high school sports.
Here are the nominees for New Mexico high school athletes. The 12 players (listed in alphabetical order) were all standouts at the high school level.
Kenyon Aguino, Boys Basketball, Volcano Vista High School (Albuquerque)
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A three-time New Mexico Gatorade Player of the Year, Kenyon Aguino only experienced four losses throughout his high school career as he helped Volcano Vista win four straight championships. Ove his career, he recorded more than 2,000 points and 1,000 rebounds, according to his University of Montana bio.
Alex Bregman, Baseball, Albuquerque Academy
Alex Bregman was the first high school player to win the USA Baseball Player of the Year Award, doing so as a sophomore. In his junior year, he batted a remarkable .678 and hit 19 home runs.
Bill Bridges, Boys Basketball, Hobbs High School
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A three-time NBA All-Star, Bill Bridges led Hobbs to back-to-back championships as one of the first integrated high school teams in 1956-57. Over those two seasons, the team went 57-5.
Cathy Carr, Girls Swimming, Highland High School (Albuquerque)
Highland created its girls swimming team just in time for a future Olympian. Cathy Carr, who competed on the school’s inaugural team, became the first New Mexico athlete to win an Olympic gold, doing so in the 100-meter breaststroke in 1972.
Jim Everett, Football, Boys Basketball, Golf, Wrestling, Eldorado High School (Albuquerque)
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The longtime NFL quarterback played both sides of the ball at Eldorado, lining up at quarterback and in the secondary as he led the team to a championship victory in his senior season.
Carla Garret, Track and Field, Santa Fe High School
Carla Garret’s discus record is one of the most impressive in high school sports — at a distance of 162 feet, it is more than 20 feet longer than the second-best in state history. Her records in discus and shot put have stood for over 40 years, and she won seven track and field championships, including a medley relay.
Bubba Jennings, Boys Basketball, Clovis High School
Bubba Jennings set the state record with 75 points scored in a game — before the 3-point line was implemented. He led Clovis to a state championship in 1979 and was named Player of the Year in 1980.
Nancy Lopez, Golf, Goddard High School (Roswell)
Goddard High School did not have a girl’s golf team, so Nancy Lopez golfed with the boys. She helped the team win two state championships before embarking on the LPGA Tour, where she became one of the all-time great professional golfers.
Tommy McDonald, Football, Boys Basketball, Highland High School
Tommy McDonald set the state scoring record in football as a fullback, the city scoring record in basketball, and won five gold medals in track in the 100, 220, low hurdles and a pair of relays, according to the NMAA.
Ralph Neely, Football, Boys Basketball, Baseball, Track and Field, Farmington High School
A two-time Pro Bowler and Super Bowl champion with the Dallas Cowboys, Ralph Neely was an all-state tackle in football, all-state center in basketball, and competed in shot put and baseball.
Brian Urlacher, Football, Boys Basketball, Lovington High School
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Before Brian Urlacher starred in the NFL, he played around the field in football at running back, wide receiver, return specialist and defensive back, scoring 20 total touchdowns in an undefeated, championship season for Lovington.
Duane Ward, Baseball, Boys Basketball, Farmington High School
Duane Ward was drafted out of high school to the Atlanta Braves following a highly successful high school pitching career (among other positions). He also helped the Farmington basketball team go 26-0, winning the title and being named a first-team forward.
Who is the greatest New Mexico high school athlete of all time?
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Vote for greatest New Mexico high school athlete of all time
Continue reading...
