More: 2025 St. Pius X Athletic Pictures
CROSS COUNTRY
Boys
The St. Pius X boys cross country team continues to establish itself among the top programs in Class 4A, showing steady improvement through each meet of the fall season. The Sartans most recently competed at the Albuquerque Academy Invitational on October 18, where they placed several runners inside the top 25 overall against a deep and competitive field.
Sophomore Silas Brown led the charge once again, clocking a 16:18.04 to finish 9th overall in Class 4A, marking one of his best performances of the season. He was closely followed by Mateo Sanchez (15th, 16:47), John Paul Rimbert (18th, 17:08), Liam Brown (21st, 17:17), and Vincent Cichy (22nd, 17:17), as the Sartans placed five runners within the top 25, a key indicator of team strength and postseason readiness. Levi Lopez (39th, 17:51), Diego Gomez (56th, 18:33), and Ryan Castillo (79th, 19:18) rounded out a deep varsity lineup that continues to lower times and close the team gap each week.
Earlier in the season, St. Pius X placed 8th overall at both the Cleveland Invitational and Metro Championships, competing against several 5A and 6A programs, strong showings that demonstrate the team’s ability to run with the state’s best. With a mix of experienced upperclassmen and developing depth across the roster, the Sartans are peaking at the right time heading into the District 5-4A Championships on October 31 at Bullhead Park, hosted by Highland High School.
The team’s focus now turns toward qualifying for the NMAA State Championships, where St. Pius X aims to build on its strong district standing and finish among the top contenders in Class 4A.
Girls Cross Country
The St. Pius X girls cross country team continues to show steady growth and depth as the postseason approaches. The Sartans turned in a solid effort at the Albuquerque Academy Invitational on October 18, where several runners posted personal-best times against some of the strongest competition in the state.
Vanessa Castro led the way for the Sartans with a time of 20:55.67, finishing 24th overall in Class 4A and continuing her role as the team’s front-runner. Behind her, the pack of Sage Yepa (22:55.78, 57th), Mckenzy Crilley (23:07.85, 58th), Stella Copeland (23:26.82, 67th), and Mia Cahill (23:42.99, 74th) provided the crucial scoring depth that has defined the team’s strength all season. Kaylee Gray, Olivia Weber, Chloe Turek, and Takira Konico rounded out the varsity lineup, each finishing under 25 minutes to give St. Pius X a complete team performance.
Earlier this season, the Sartans placed 8th overall at both the Cleveland Invitational and the Metro Championships, competing well against larger 5A and 6A programs. With consistent improvement from meet to meet and a tightly packed scoring group, the team looks ready to make a strong push at the District 5-4A Championships on October 31 at Bullhead Park, hosted by Highland High School.
The St. Pius X girls are poised to compete for a top finish at district and a potential team berth to the NMAA State Championships.
FOOTBALL
The St. Pius X Sartans football program continues its strong 2025 campaign, improving to 6-1 overall and 3-1 in District 2-4A following a commanding 50-0 victory over Chaparral on October 18. The Sartans hold first place in the district standings and have outscored opponents 274-140 this season, showing balance and consistency on both sides of the ball.
Junior running back Hershul Olloway Jr. has been sensational, averaging 182.5 rushing yards per game and scoring 16 rushing touchdowns on the year. He added two more scores in Saturday’s rout, including a 44-yard burst late in the first quarter. Quarterback Isaiah Carpenter, a junior, continues to lead a well-balanced offense with a 53 percent completion rate and 12 passing touchdowns this season. Carpenter connected with Ezra Ocampo and Cayl Cox-Liggins for touchdowns in the Chaparral win.
On the perimeter, Cayl Cox-Liggins (102.2 yards per game, 5 TDs) and Curtis Flakes III (53.8 yards per game, 5 total TDs) have formed one of the district’s most dangerous receiving tandems. Defensively, the Sartans have allowed just 70 points in district play, thanks to standout efforts from sophomore linebacker Kane Huffmyer (9 tackles per game), senior Kolbe Padilla (7.5 tackles per game, 10 QB hurries), and junior lineman Chase Nelson, who leads the team with 3.5 sacks.
The Sartans will hit the road to face Valencia on October 24 at 7 p.m., then close the regular season at home against Manzano on November 1 at 11 a.m. as they aim to lock up a district championship and favorable playoff seeding.
At the sub-varsity level, the C-Team completed a perfect 6-0 season, highlighted by dominant wins over Valencia, Valley, Santa Fe, Albuquerque Academy, Highland, and Moriarty, outscoring opponents 220-38 across six contests.
SOCCER
Boys
The St. Pius X boys soccer team continues to dominate the 2025 season, standing at 15-1-3 overall and a perfect 7-0 in District 5-4A, extending their winning streak to 12 matches. The Sartans have been nearly untouchable on both ends of the field, outscoring opponents 97-13 while maintaining a spotless 9-0 home record. Their latest statement win came on October 18, a 5-0 victory over Artesia, as they close in on another district title and the top seed in the Class 4A state tournament.
Junior forward Nico Reyes continues to lead the high-powered Sartan attack with 26 goals and 11 assists, averaging 1.4 goals per match and 63 total points this season. Sophomore midfielder Diego Herrera has been just as dynamic, tallying 13 goals and 16 assists, while senior forward Ethan Wright adds 13 goals and 36 points to a potent front line. Defensively, Landon Mileshosky has not only anchored the back line but contributed offensively with 13 assists.
In goal, senior David Bunnell has been exceptional, posting 10 shutouts with a 0.874 goals-against average and 48 saves. Junior Dominic Vollbrecht has also impressed when called upon, allowing just 0.25 goals per game. Together, they have helped the Sartans record nine clean sheets in their last ten matches.
St. Pius X will return to action on October 23 at Highland (6:30 p.m.), their final district match before postseason plya begins.
Girls
The St. Pius X girls soccer team is closing in on another dominant regular season, holding a 14-4 overall record and a perfect 7-0 mark in District 5-4A. The Sartans have been one of the most explosive offensive teams in the state, scoring 103 goals while allowing just 20, and are currently riding a six-match winning streak. Their latest victory, a 10-0 shutout of Valencia on October 16, extended their undefeated district run and kept them atop the Class 4A standings. The team returns to action on October 21 at West Mesa (4:30 p.m.), followed by their district finale at home against Highland on October 23.
Junior forward Vanessa Cichy has powered the Sartan attack with 26 goals and 59 points, averaging 1.7 goals per match. Eighth-grader Kayla Herrera has been a revelation in her debut season, contributing 15 goals and 11 assists for 41 total points, while junior Maddilyn Garcia adds another layer of scoring with 14 goals and 33 points. Senior Kaylee Perea leads the team in playmaking with 13 assists, while sophomore Analucia Torres Rael adds 8 assists from the midfield.
Between the posts, the Sartans have relied on a strong duo of young goalkeepers. Eighth-grader Juliana Warren has recorded seven shutouts and owns a 1.09 goals-against average, while sophomore Elizabeth Ouellette adds six shutouts, 32 saves, and a 1.57 GAA. Together, they’ve helped St. Pius X secure nine clean sheets in their last ten contests.
Under the direction of a balanced attack and a disciplined defense, the Sartans look poised to make another deep postseason run after last year’s semifinal appearance. With a mix of veteran leadership and emerging young talent, St. Pius X continues to set the standard for excellence in New Mexico Class 4A girls soccer.
VOLLEYBALL
The St. Pius X Sartans volleyball program continues to roll through the 2025 season with impressive momentum. The varsity squad sits at 13-3 overall and 3-0 in District 5-4A, riding an eight-match winning streak after a convincing 3-0 sweep of Valencia on October 14. The Sartans have dominated district competition, dropping only two sets in league play as they eye another postseason run. Up next, they travel to Highland High School on October 21 at 6:00 p.m. for their next District 5-4A matchup.
The offensive attack is led by senior Alyssa Bendinskas, who averages 4.1 kills per set and anchors the floor on both sides of the ball with 3.6 digs per set and 154 receptions. Sophomore middle blocker Katelyn Sweetin adds balance to the front line with 2.3 kills per set and a team-high 16 total blocks, while senior Mireya Sauceda continues to be a steady force, hitting at a .271 percentage. Junior Sienna Harrington contributes 2.3 kills per set, giving the Sartans multiple scoring options at the net.
Defensively, senior libero Maya Perea leads the team with 3.9 digs per set and 86 total digs, while sophomore setter Grace Grady has orchestrated the offense with 88 assists and a team-leading seven aces. Senior setters Sierra Sanchez and Ava Robertson have provided valuable depth and leadership, combining for more than 125 assists this season.
At the sub-varsity levels, the success continues across the program. The JV team holds a 10-1 record (1-0 in district), with standout wins over Rio Rancho, Hope Christian, and Albuquerque Academy, and is currently on a three-match win streak. Meanwhile, the C-team remains perfect at 10-0 overall, 1-0 in district, and has swept nine of ten opponents. The program’s dominance at all levels highlights the depth and strength of St. Pius X volleyball heading into the final stretch of the regular season.