ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — St. Pius X School has announced that Curtis Flakes and Sandy Martin will serve as co-head coaches of the Sartans Track & Field program for the upcoming 2026 season.
Coach Flakes, who currently has the Sartans football team ranked No. 2 in the state and led St. Pius X to the Class 4A state championship game last season, brings a competitive mindset and strong leadership to the track and field program. Flakes, who served as an assistant track coach last season, has played a vital role in elevating the athletic culture across campus through his commitment to player development and team unity.
Joining him as co-head coach is Sandy (Fortner) Martin, one of the University of New Mexico’s most decorated track and field athletes and a soon-to-be UNM Hall of Honor inductee on November 14. A former All-American in the indoor pentathlon, Martin finished third at the 2010 NCAA National Championships and captured four Mountain West Conference titles across both indoor and outdoor seasons in 2009 and 2010. Her dominance earned her the title of Mountain West Female Athlete of the Year in 2010, the same year she was also recognized as the Albuquerque Journal Female Athlete of the Year.
Martin’s legacy extends beyond her collegiate success. She remains the University of New Mexico’s record holder in both the heptathlon and pentathlon—a testament to her versatility and all-around excellence. In 2017, she was honored as the Great Southwest Track & Field Invitational Honorary Referee, further cementing her impact on the sport.
In addition to her athletic accomplishments, Martin brings years of coaching experience, having worked with athletes from the elementary through high school levels and serving as head coach of middle school volleyball for two seasons.
“Both bring a wealth of experience,” said Jim Cook, St. Pius X School Athletic Director. “This is a major hire for our school, and both will be outstanding additions to our track and field program. These are major gets for St. Pius X athletics.”
The Sartans look ahead to a promising 2026 season under the new leadership of Coach Flakes and Coach Martin, who are expected to blend championship experience, teaching excellence, and passion for developing student-athletes on and off the field.