Sartans Cross Country
Cleveland Meet
Boys Highlights (9th of 16)
- Mateo Sanchez (Fr.) — 21st, 16:44.90
- Silas Brown (So.) — 27th, 16:54.80
- Liam Brown (Sr.) — 46th, 17:30.90
- Vicent Cichy (Fr.) — 74th, 18:49.70
- Levi Lopez (Fr.) — 81st, 19:05.90
- Displacer: Ryan Castillo (Jr.) — 85th, 19:18.80
Girls Highlights (14th of 15)
- Stella Copeland (Jr.) — 54th, 22:42.90
- Sage Yepa (Fr.) — 57th, 23:00.20
- Vanessa Castro (8th) — 59th, 23:00.60
- Kaylee Gray (So.) — 76th, 25:11.00
- Sophia Lebreche (So.) — 80th, 25:37.30
- Displacer: Takira Konico (So.) — 85th, 26:40.10
Super Cinco
St. Pius X hosted the annual Super Cinco Invitational on the school’s picturesque campus the weekend of September 5–7, and the Sartans once again proved their strength in distance running. Competing against some of the state’s top programs, the boys team placed second overall, highlighting the program’s depth and consistency early in the season.
More Pictures from Super Cinco: St. Pius X School Pictures
Sartans Soccer - Boys
The Sartans enter the 2025–26 campaign with high expectations, and through the first six matches, the St. Pius X Sartans have shown both resilience and flashes of dominance. They hold a 3-1-2 overall record, outscoring opponents 16-9 while navigating a tough non-district slate.
The Sartans opened the year with a statement win, a 6-1 rout of Cibola on August 23. Since then, the schedule has tested them with close calls, including ties against Atrisco Heritage Academy (1-1) and Sandia Prep (2-2). Their lone loss came in a narrow 3-2 battle with Sandia, a match that showed both the attacking firepower and defensive vulnerabilities of this young squad. Most recently, the Sartans bounced back with a convincing 4-1 win at Santa Fe to regain momentum heading into the second half of September.
Standout Players
Leading the charge is Nico Reyes (Jr.), who has been electric in the attack with six goals and two assists, averaging more than a goal contribution per game. He is supported by senior leadership in Ethan Wright, who has tallied three goals, and Mateo Certain, who adds three goals and two assists from the forward line. Kenneth Calderon (Jr.) and Diego Herrera (So.) have also contributed offensively, giving the Sartans multiple scoring threats.
Defensively, senior goalkeeper David Bunnell has been the anchor, logging 439 minutes in net with 21 saves. While the defense has allowed nine goals, Bunnell’s steady presence and command of the box have kept St. Pius X competitive in every match.
Sartan Soccer - Girls
The St. Pius X girls’ soccer team has kicked off the 2025–26 season with a strong 4-2 record, proving they are once again a contender in Class 4A. Through six matches, the Sartans have outscored opponents 13-10, showing flashes of dominance while also gaining valuable lessons in early-season battles against some of the state’s top programs.
The year began with an impressive 3-0 win at Atrisco Heritage Academy on August 23, setting the tone for the defense-first mentality of this squad. A setback followed in a 3-0 loss to La Cueva, but the Sartans quickly rebounded with back-to-back wins: a 2-0 shutout at Rio Rancho and a thrilling 2-1 overtime victory over Albuquerque High. After dropping a tough 5-2 result against Eldorado, St. Pius X responded in style with a convincing 4-1 win over Mayfield on September 13.
Standout Players
The attack has been paced by Vanessa Cichy (Jr.), who has netted four goals in just three matches, giving the Sartans a reliable scoring presence. Supporting the offensive push are Kayla Herrera (8th), Kaylee Perea (Sr.), and Amara Torres (So.), each of whom has scored once and added assists, giving St. Pius X multiple threats across the field.
In the midfield, Genesis Guajardo (8th) and Analucia Torres Rael (So.) have been valuable playmakers, combining for key assists and steady possession in the middle third. Their ability to control tempo has helped spring Cichy and the forwards into attacking positions.
On the back line, the Sartans have leaned on a dual-keeper rotation that has paid dividends. Juliana Warren (8th) has logged 175 minutes, recording 10 saves and one shutout, while Elizabeth Ouellette (So.) has emerged as a steady force with 13 saves and two shutouts in 166 minutes. Together, the pair has anchored a defense that already boasts three clean sheets in the opening stretch of the season.
Sartans Football
The St. Pius X football team has stormed out to a 3-0 start in the 2025 season, showcasing explosive offense and timely defensive plays. With wins over West Mesa (47-29), Grants (34-20), and Organ Mountain (28-21), the Sartans have combined for 109 points across their first three games while allowing 70. The fast start has positioned them as a clear contender in Class 4A heading into district play.
Offensive Firepower
The Sartans’ attack is fueled by a dynamic trio: quarterback Isaiah Carpenter (Jr.), running back Hershul Olloway Jr. (Jr.), and receiver Cayl Cox-Liggins (Jr.). Carpenter has passed for 689 yards and 7 touchdowns, averaging nearly 230 yards per game. He’s also added 99 rushing yards, giving St. Pius X a versatile playmaker under center.
Olloway has been nearly unstoppable on the ground, rushing for 533 yards and 7 touchdowns in just three games, averaging an eye-popping 177.7 yards per contest. Cox-Liggins has emerged as the top target in the passing game with 242 receiving yards and 2 touchdowns, giving Carpenter a reliable deep threat. Supporting the aerial attack are Christian Morales (So.), who has two touchdowns on 114 receiving yards, and Curtis Flakes III (Jr.), who’s contributed 176 yards and two scores.
Altogether, the Sartans are averaging over 500 total yards per game, a testament to the balance and explosiveness of their offense.
Defensive Standouts
Defensively, St. Pius X has made plays in key moments, led by sophomore linebacker Kane Huffmyer, who has piled up 31 total tackles and a sack. Senior Kolbe Padilla has been a force with 27 tackles and 4 tackles for loss, while junior Chase Nelson has anchored the defensive line with a team-high 3.5 sacks.
In the secondary, Flakes has been a ballhawk with two interceptions, while sophomore Ezra Ocampo has added another, returning his pick 50 yards. The Sartans’ defense has forced three turnovers and recorded seven sacks, giving the unit a disruptive edge even as it continues to tighten up against the run.
Sartans Volleyball
The St. Pius X volleyball team opened the season in dominant fashion before running into stiff competition at the APS Metro Championships. The Sartans sit at 3-2 overall, highlighted by straight-set sweeps of Cibola (twice) and Rio Rancho. Their only setbacks came against Cleveland and Albuquerque, both by 3-1 margins, during Metro tournament play.
Offensive Leaders
Senior outside hitter Alyssa Bendinskas has been the focal point of the attack, already registering 41 kills across the opening matches while hitting at a .230 clip. She’s been complemented by Sienna Harrington (Jr.), who has added 26 kills, and Mireya Sauceda (Sr.), who contributes 23 kills with a .286 hitting percentage. Sophomore Katelyn Sweetin has emerged as a rising force in the middle with 18 kills and 8 total blocks, giving the Sartans balance at the net.
Serving & Ball Control
The Sartans’ serve game has been a weapon, led by Grace Grady (So.), who has tallied five aces and 30 service points with an impressive 97.8% serve rate. Senior Aliyah Lucero has been steady as well, delivering 40 serves at a 97.5% success rate, while Bendinskas has chipped in with 19 points from the line. Defensive specialists Maya Perea (Sr.) and Lucero have anchored the back row, combining for nearly 50 digs across the opening stretch.
Defensive Standouts
Defensively, Sweetin leads the blocking effort with eight total blocks, while juniors Claire McCarthy and Sophia Eakes have added key presence at the net. Perea has been the anchor in the back row, already compiling 34 digs, while Bendinskas adds versatility with 30 digs of her own. Collectively, the Sartans have been averaging more than 15 digs per set, giving them the ability to extend rallies and counter opposing offenses.
Pictures submitted to us by volleyball parent
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