The New Mexican Sports Den with Will and James

The 2026 season for the Santa Fe Indian School baseball team is history in the making. The Braves, who finished at the bottom of District 2-3A last year, captured their first-ever district crown in Class 3A on Saturday with a win at West Las Vegas. Now, the determined squad is looking to make some more noise as the No. 2 seed in the Class 3A state tournament. In the latest episode of “The Sports Den” podcast, SFIS head coach Jude Torres joins Santa Fe New Mexican sports writers Will Webber and James Barron to discuss the Braves’ turnaround and their approach to the postseason. Torres shares how a focus on sound defense and pitching have propelled the program to new heights. He also talks about how the tight-knit squad plays as a brotherhood, saying “some seasons you can just feel something special, and this season there’s something special with this group.” In the second segment, the guys share their thoughts on the upcoming state baseball and softball tournaments. They end by talking a bit about the upheaval at New Mexico Highlands.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In a decade and a half with the West Las Vegas Dons baseball team, Sal Archuleta has seen the program go from an afterthought in its district to a title contender. Now in his fourth season as head coach, Archuleta has the Dons in the hunt for their first district title in more than four decades. Archuleta joins Santa Fe New Mexican sports reporters Will Webber and James Barron in the latest episode of “The Sports Den” podcast to talk about his team’s strong season and how it is approaching a challenging final week of the regular season that includes a game against St. Michael’s and a crucial doubleheader against district leader Santa Fe Indian School. Archuleta talks about his squad’s strong pitching rotation and its lineup that’s been hitting at a blistering rate. He also shares what it’s taken to develop a winning mentality within the program.  The second segment begins with Will’s Movie Reviews, where he offers his negative feelings about Project Hail Mary and recommends reading the book instead.  Will has a more positive take about the University of New Mexico’s football team is shaping up after watching the Lobos’ recent spring game, saying they will have one of the most talented rosters in the Mountain West.  The guys also chat about the different vibes between attending New Mexico United and Albuquerque Isotopes games at Isotopes Park.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

University of New Mexico sports fans got a big lift late last week with star sharpshooter Jake Hall announcing he’ll be returning to the men’s basketball team for his sophomore season. The only underclassman on the All-Mountain West First Team, Hall will be a key cog for head coach Eric Olen as the Lobos vie for a conference crown and another trip the the NCAA Tournament in the 2026-27 season. In the latest episode of “The Sports Den” podcast, Santa Fe New Mexican sports writers Will Webber and James Barron chat about Hall’s decision, which came just after Hall’s younger brother, Dax, announced that he would be joining the Lobos. Will shares what Jake Hall had to say during a Monday Zoom meeting with New Mexico media members and the significance of Hall’s return to the program. The guys then transition into talk about the New Mexico United’s push to get a new soccer-specific stadium and the challenges of sharing Isotopes Park with the Albuquerque Isotopes. Before the break, Will and James share their favorite memories of getting splattered with blood while covering boxing matches. In the second segment, the guys talk about their selections for NorthStars for the winter season and dive into district races in prep baseball. They also delve into the struggle of Santa Fe’s large school’s competing at the 5A level in baseball and softball.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With state championships in football and basketball in hand, Kamal Stith has visions of a perfect senior year in focus as his attention turns to the track. Santa Fe New Mexican sports reporters Will Webber and James Barron have spent a lot of time speaking with Stith over the years following big wins and had him back on “The Sports Den” podcast this week for a chat about his decorated career, his family support, his shoe game and his plans for the future. The guys spoke with Stith about his performance at the recent Marilyn Sepulveda Meet of Champions, where he finished third in the long jump and fourth in the 300-meter hurdles. He also discussed his desire to wrap up his high school career with another title. Stith then gets into what he wants to do after graduating from St. Mike’s. He took a recent visit to Santa Monica, where he said he plans to play quarterback at the collegiate level. The multi-sport star discusses why he is leaning toward football over other sports. In the second segment, Will and James discuss the exodus from the University of New Mexico men’s basketball team since the Lobos' run to the NIT Final Four. They also address the hiring of Paul Weir as St. Michael’s new president.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Santa Fe New Mexican Sports Editor Will Webber has a lot on his mind after returning from the Final Four in Indianapolis — the uncertainty around the University of New Mexico men’s basketball team that will experience a major retooling this offseason, the expansive gap between UNM and the power programs that have the money to stay at the top of college athletics, and a hotel elevator ride that he and one unfortunate soul won’t soon forget. Will shares it all on the latest episode of “The Sports Den” podcast. He and fellow sports scribe James Barron offer their perspective on how the NIL era is making it more challenging for mid-major programs to compete with the big dogs of college basketball. In a watered-down Mountain West, they think it may even become more likely to see the UNM football team to make the College Football Playoff than the men’s basketball team to make the Sweet 16. The guys also talk about the roster turnover the basketball program is likely to see, and the players Eric Olen is likely prioritizing to try to convince to return. After the break, Will overshares a bit when discussing how his road trip diet of three-meat sandwiches and chili cheeseburgers resulted in an agonizing elevator ride for an unsuspecting hotel guest in Indianapolis. He also recounts his whirlwind experience covering the basketball bonanza in Indianapolis, from the intimate atmosphere of Hinkle Fieldhouse for the men’s NIT Final Four to the cavernous, expensive environment in Lucas Oil Stadium for the men’s NCAA Final Four.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The rims may be the same height at Hinkle Fieldhouse as they are at The Pit, but they weren’t kind to the University of New Mexico men’s basketball team Thursday as a rough shooting night from 3-point land bit the Lobos in a 74-69 loss to Tulsa in the National Invitation Tournament semifinals in Indianapolis. In a postgame edition of “The Sports Den” podcast, Santa Fe New Mexican Lobos beat writer Will Webber reports from Hinkle after visiting UNM's locker room to provide the reaction from players and coaches and break down what went wrong against the Golden Hurricane. Webber and colleague James Barron share their thoughts on the team’s first season under head coach Eric Olen, which ended with a 26-11 mark. They then talk about the team’s uncertain future and Will offers his opinion on the likelihood of Olen, Jake Hall and Uriah Tenette returning next year.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Santa Fe New Mexican Lobos beat writer Will Webber is about to live out a sports writer’s dream by experiencing college basketball euphoria in Indianapolis, where the NCAA Division I, Division II, Division III and NIT men’s Final Fours will play out in the next handful of days, but is the highlight of his epic road trip from Albuquerque to the Hoosier state already in the rearview mirror? In the latest episode of “The Sports Den” podcast, Webber reports from his driver’s seat during a brief stop in Tulsa to share with listeners his newly discovered passion for Buc-ee’s after a life-changing visit to a location in Amarillo. He also spends some time talking about the UNM men’s basketball team, which has trounced its competition to reach the NIT Final Four and will take on Tulsa Thursday. Will and fellow Santa Fe New Mexican sports writer James Barron discuss the opportunity for the UNM program, which has never won a postseason event outside of the conference tournament. While some teams that miss the NCAA Tournament skip the NIT, coach Eric Olen and the Lobos have clearly been locked in. The guys talk about how this is likely the last time much of this group will play together, though they think there’s a good chance Olen and a couple of key players will return next season. For more from The New Mexican's sports guys, sign up for their "In the Huddle" newsletter at https://santafenewmexican.com/huddle.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

They just missed out on the Big Dance but the Lobos have been having fun at home while routing their first two opponents in the National Invitation Tournament. In the latest episode of “The Sports Den” podcast, Santa Fe New Mexican sports writers Will Webber and James Barron discuss the University of New Mexico men’s basketball team’s NIT run heading into Tuesday night’s quarterfinal matchup against Saint Joseph’s. The guys talk about the lively atmosphere at The Pit and what may lie ahead with the semifinals and finals in Indianapolis. In the second segment, James shares his experience at the state spirit championships over the weekend. Will and James then chat a bit about prep baseball and other spring sports, which are already off and running.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The most exciting sports week in New Mexico is in the books and three local teams capped it off with a dream ending. In the latest episode of “The Sports Den” podcast, Santa Fe New Mexican sports writers Will Webber and James Barron are joined by a few newly crowned state basketball tournament champions — Santa Fe Indian School girls coach Khadijha Jackson, Mesa Vista girls coach Jesse Boies and St. Michael’s boys coach Dakota Montoya. The coaches relive moments from their title runs and share life has been like in the days following their teams’ immense achievements. In the first interview, Jackson discusses the Lady Braves’ journey to winning the program’s first state title since 2011 and ending Navajo Prep’s quest for a three-peat. Jackson, who played for coach Rainy Crisp at Navajo Prep, talks about what it was like playing for Crisp and the experience of coaching against her former coach in the 3A state title game. In the second interview, Boies talks through the final moments of the Lady Trojans’ thrilling 2A championship game win over defending champ Tatum. Mesa Vista clawed back from a nine-point deficit and capped its comeback with a deep 3-pointer by freshman Aaliyah Boies, Jesse’s daughter, with two seconds left for a 49-47 win. Jesse Boies shares what it was like to see his daughter come up clutch such a monumental moment and what the program’s first state title means for its basketball-crazed community. In the last interview, which was cut a bit short due to some recording issues, Montoya discusses St. Michael’s 3A championship game rematch with Robertson and what allowed the Horsemen to avenge last year’s difficult loss. Montoya talks about his team being blessed with size and depth, and shares what he’s been doing to decompress since the big win.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

State basketball week is a grinder for The New Mexican’s sports guys as they pump out several stories each day, but the excitement generated from the atmosphere and the memorable games keep them going. This season has been no exception. On the latest episode of “The Sports Den” podcast, Will Webber and James Barron share their favorite memories through Thursday and look ahead at the storylines and matchups for the semifinals and finals on Friday and Saturday. The guys start off by discussing the Mesa Vista boys team’s heartbreaking loss to Rehoboth Christian, which rallied from a 22-point second-half deficit to advance to the 2A semifinals. They also talk about the high level Santa Fe Indian School and St. Michael’s are playing at as they prepare for a 3A semifinal that they guys say could just as well be the championship. On the other side of the bracket, Robertson and Bosque have their own interesting storylines. And oh look, the Pecos boys are back in another state semifinal. On the girls’ side, Will and James talk about Santa Fe Indian School’s dominant semifinal win over Robertson and how the Lady Braves could match up with top seed Navajo Prep. They also look at Mesa Vista’s run to its first state title game in program history. Between the boys and girls tournament discussion, Will and James chat a bit about the University of New Mexico men’s basketball team ahead of its opening game of the Mountain West Tournament against San Jose State.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fans from across the state will pack The Pit and the Rio Rancho Events Center this week to watch their favorite teams vie for a blue trophy at the boys and girls state basketball tournaments. In the latest episode of “The Sports Den,” Will Webber and a dapper James Barron zero in on the quarterfinals matchups that catch their eye, including 3A boys showdowns involving Santa Fe Indian School versus Navajo Prep and Cobre against Bosque. The guys also chat a bit about the University of New Mexico men’s basketball team, which will likely need to win the Mountain West Conference Tournament to reach the NCAA Tournament. In the second segment, Will and James chat with St. Michael’s graduate Estevan Sandoval about his journey from student manager at UNM to assistant coach at the University of North Dakota. Sandoval discusses his close ties with newly named UNM athletic director Ryan Berryman as well as what he learned under Craig Neal and Paul Weir. Check back Thursday evening for a bonus episode of "The Sports Den" as Will and James discuss the state semifinals and finals. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The seedings are set and the most anticipated high school sporting event of the year is about to tip off. In the latest episode of “The Sports Den” podcast, Santa Fe New Mexican sports writers Will Webber and James Barron take a look at all the brackets in the state basketball tournament before switching gears to chat with Highlands baseball coach Steve Jones about his return to Las Vegas. The North is well represented in the state tournament, sporting contenders in a at least a few of the brackets. Will and James spend some extra time discussing the Class 3A boys bracket, where top seed St. Michael’s could face Santa Fe Indian School in the semifinals and fellow district foe Robertson lurks on the other half of the bracket. James also expresses his disagreement with the seeding in the 3A bracket. Before the break, the guys touch on University of New Mexico men’s basketball. The Lobos still have a chance to finish atop the Mountain West if they can beat Colorado State and league leader Utah State in their last two regular season games. In the second segment, Will and James have a chat with their old pal Steve Jones. The longtime New Mexico Highlands baseball coach left the school in 2014 to start the NAIA program at Texas A&M-Texarkana. Last year, he was an assistant coach on a LSU Shreveport team that went a record-breaking 59-0 and won the NAIA national championship. Jones shares what it was like to coach on the unbeaten squad and talks about his decision to return to Las Vegas to try to revive the Cowboys program.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’re entering the most wonderful time of the year for New Mexico hoops fans with the beginning of postseason play as prep teams position themselves to make a run at a blue trophy. With its first winning season since 2021-22, the Santa Fe High girls basketball team has put itself in the mix to compete at state in Class 5A. The Demonettes are looking to improve their seeding with a strong showing in their district tournament. In the latest episode of “The Sports Den” podcast, Santa Fe New Mexican sports reporters Will Webber and James Barron speak with Santa Fe High girls basketball head coach Nate Morris about his squad’s strong season and how he has been working to get his players to believe they can compete with top teams. Morris discusses the upcoming postseason path for the Demonettes and shares what he feels have been the strengths of this year’s squad. The guys also ask Morris about his playing days on the University of New Mexico football team and his opinion on what coach Jason Eck has done to energize the program. In the second segment, Will and James offer some thoughts on local prep basketball teams as they head into district play and speak a bit about a critical stretch for the UNM men’s basketball team’s hopes to make the Big Dance.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After each home game at the Steve Loy Family Foundation Arena, the men’s basketball players at Eastern New Mexico University make the rounds to shake hands and visit with the Greyhound faithful. Head coach Daven Võ says the fans’ relationship with the team is a big reason why ENMU leads the Lone Star Conference in attendance and has created an intimidating atmosphere for visiting opponents. While embracing a small-town culture, Võ has assembled a tight-knit group that is reaching new heights. Winners of nine straight games, the 21-3 Greyhounds sit atop the Lone Star Conference standings and are now No. 9 in the Division II rankings. It’s the highest ranking for the program in the NCAA era. In the latest episode of “The Sports Den” podcast, Võ joins Santa Fe New Mexican sports reporters Will Webber and James Barron to speak about his team’s impressive run. Võ says the squad’s success largely stems from its continuity, as it returned eight players from last year’s team that went 18-11. The roster includes players from four countries and states across the U.S., but Võ says the centerpiece is 6-foot-9 senior forward Jose Murillo. The Albuquerque Highland graduate is among the conference leaders in points, rebounds and blocks this season. In the second segment, Will and James talk about the upcoming state wrestling and swimming tournaments before touching on Will’s recent curling experience and James’ planned participation in the New Mexico Senior Olympics Winter Games.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s that time again. Every four years, curling has its moment in the spotlight as sports fans fixate on the mesmerizing Winter Olympic event. Associated with cold climates, the game has also found a foothold in the high desert. In the latest episode of “The Sports Den” podcast, Santa Fe New Mexican sports writers Will Webber and James Barron speak with a local curling expert to learn more about the sport, its social culture and upcoming opportunities to play in Santa Fe. Patrick Reid, who runs the curling program at the Genoveva Chavez Community Center, has been involved in the sport for more than a decade. Hooked by the camaraderie and intricacies of the game, he participates in events around the region and teaches newcomers his passion. Reid says curling is really built around its social aspect and describes a term new to Will and James — broomstacking. It’s a custom where teammates and their opponents socialize, often while drinking, after or between games. From 2-4 p.m. the next two Sundays, Feb. 15 and Feb. 22, anyone interested in curling will have the chance to give it a try for free at the GCCC and get involved in some broomstacking afterward. Sign up for a 30-minute curling session at santafecurling.com. In the second segment of the podcast, Will and James talk prep hoops, discuss the implications of a rough week for Lobos men’s basketball and share their thoughts on the announcement that longtime FCS powerhouse North Dakota State will be joining the Mountain West Conference in football.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dakota Montoya was a surprise pick to some when he was named head boys basketball coach at St. Michael’s in 2024. The Clayton graduate who played football at Eastern New Mexico University said he recognized there were some critics and question marks early on, but he was excited to step up to the challenge of the school’s high standards. Following a state runner-up season in 2024-25, Montoya has the Horsemen atop the Class 3A rankings this season as they look to take care of “unfinished business.” In the latest episode of “The Sports Den” podcast, Montoya joins Santa Fe New Mexican sports reporters Will Webber and James Barron to discuss his squad’s strong season, his passion for athletics and how he handles high expectations. Montoya talks about the luxury of his team having size that’s unusual at the 3A level. He also touches on how the squad has dealt with injuries and how his players have improved at shooting and playing inside-out basketball. The former ENMU player ends by sharing his thoughts on the school hiring Art Briles to lead its football program, and offers his Super Bowl prediction. After the break, Will and James dive into some Lobo talk ahead of the University of New Mexico men’s basketball team’s big matchup with Utah State. They also give their predictions for Super Bowl LX.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From a men’s basketball team student manager to interim athletic director, Ryan Berryman has made a meteoric rise up the ranks of the University of New Mexico’s athletics department. The 31-year-old has seen Lobo athletics go through some turbulent times, and in 2025 achieve one of the most successful years in its history. In the latest episode of “The Sports Den” podcast, Berryman joins Santa Fe New Mexican sports writers Will Webber and James Barron to discuss his path to attaining his position, the figures who served as his influences, UNM’s recent success and the department’s ambitions for the future. A standout basketball player at East Mountain High School, Berryman explains his decision to pursue administrative roles instead of going down the coaching path. He talks about his early days at UNM, where he got his first opportunities working in athletics under former men’s basketball coaches Craig Neal and Steve Alford. Berryman shares what he learned during a stop at the University of Washington, where he served as senior associate athletic director and chief financial officer before returning to UNM in March of 2025 as deputy athletic director — chief operating officer under Fernando Lovo. He was named interim AD soon after Lovo accepted the AD job at Colorado in late December. Looking to the future, Berryman discusses renovation plans for University Stadium and the potential for development near UNM’s athletic complexes. He also speaks on the athletic department’s ambitions in a new-look Mountain West Conference, where he wants to see the Lobos positioned for conference championships in every sport. In the second segment, Will and James run through a big week of district games for local prep hoops teams. They also marvel at Diego Pavia, the incredible shrinking quarterback. The guys wrap things up trying to decide which events they want to compete in during the upcoming New Mexico Senior Olympics Winter Games in Santa Fe.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s the dog days of winter, prep basketball teams are entering district play, and at least one of The New Mexican’s sports writers is distracting himself with random bits of news until the blissful arrival of postseason hoops. In the latest episode of “The Sports Den” podcast, Will Webber and James Barron review the latest developments that have caught their eye in the local high school basketball scene, touch on the University of New Mexico men’s basketball team’s upcoming games and talk about the Santa Fe Fuego’s new manager. James says the St. Michael’s boys are “hands down the team to beat” in Class 3A, rising above Santa Fe Indian School and Navajo Prep in his mind. In 2A, the guys say there’s probably a five-team race involving Texico, Mesa Vista, Pecos, Santa Rosa and Escalante. Will keeps turning the discussion to the Fuego, because who can get enough Pecos League baseball talk in January? Along with welcoming the team’s new manager, Will launches his campaign to be the Fuego’s play-by-play announcer in 2026. Will also brings attention to the University of Illinois’ gargantuan new video board, which stretches 250 feet wide and 69 feet tall. He makes a plea to local teams to up their video board game.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A big week of regular season tournaments is in the books and we’re getting a clearer picture of the contenders as teams head into the second half of the season. In the latest episode of “The Sports Den” podcast, Santa Fe New Mexican sports writers Will Webber and James Barron offer their observations of what they’ve seen so far for boys and girls teams across classes. Among the topics of conversation, the guys discuss how St. Michael’s, Santa Fe Indian School and Navajo Prep are looking like they could be battling among each other a trophy in Class 3A, while Pecos made a statement in the Northern Rio Grande Tournament and looks to be a top two or three team in Class 2A. James also talks about what he’s seen from Santa Fe High. On the girls’ side, the guys go over some area teams including Santa Fe High, Robertson, Santa Fe Indian School and Mesa Vista.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The high school basketball regular season revs up this week with big tournaments around the region. In the latest episode of “The Sports Den” podcast, Santa Fe New Mexican sports writers Will Webber and James Barron offer an overview of the action and highlight the matchups to watch. James discusses the Jason Abeyta Memorial Tournament at Santa Fe Indian School, the St. Michael’s Shootout and the Northern Rio Grande Tournament at Española Valley. The NRG showcases some of the area’s top Class 2A schools and brings the possibility of a Pecos-Mesa Vista battle in the boys tournament. In the second segment, the guys make some NFL playoff predictions before discussing the athletic director opening at the University of New Mexico following the departure of Fernando Lovo to Colorado. Will shares his thoughts on interim AD Ryan Berryman, a 32-year-old graduate of UNM and East Mountain High School, and advocates for a youth movement for the department.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Santa Fe New Mexican sports scribe James Barron is turning 50 as the calendar turns to 2026 and his birthday wish is to one day see successful coaches and administrators at his alma mater stick around for a while. In the latest episode of “The Sports Den” podcast, Barron and University of New Mexico beat writer Will Webber discuss the latest departure from Albuquerque as 37-year-old athletic director Fernando Lovo heads to Colorado after an eventful 13-month stint at UNM. Will and James talk about the big decisions Lovo had to make in his short time in charge of Lobo athletics, including the hiring of Jason Eck as head football coach and Eric Olen as the men’s basketball coach. Eck went on to become Mountain West coach of the year as the football team’s success ignited a dormant fan base. The guys touch on why it’s tough for UNM to keep successful coaches and administrators, and share their thoughts on what Lovo is getting into as he heads to Boulder, where Deion Sanders’ presence looms large. Will and James also share some of their most memorable moments from 2025 and take a look at the local prep hoops scene.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Santa Fe High boys basketball team is off to a 6-1 start and showing signs of being a contender in Class 5A. Ahead of the Demons’ trip to The Holiday Classic in San Diego, where they will face off with teams from across the country, head coach Cisco Rivera took some time to chat with Santa Fe New Mexican sports writers Will Webber and James Barron about what he’s learned about his team so far. The guys start with questions about the upcoming holiday tournament, which will place Rivera in his former stomping grounds. The coach talks about his ties to the San Diego area and discusses the opportunity this offers for his players. Rivera gets into his evolution as a coach and describes what led to the success he and former Santa Fe High coach Zack Cole had together. He also offers credit to the Demons’ assistants, who have provided stability to the program over the years. After the break, Will and James chat a bit more about prep hoops before talking about college football. They discuss the University of New Mexico's upcoming matchup with Minnesota in the Rate Bowl, as well as the New Mexico Bowl which will pit San Diego State against North Texas.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia, an Albuquerque native and former New Mexico State Aggie, wasn’t exactly gracious after his runner-up finish for the Heisman Trophy and had some choice words for voters in a social media post afterward. Will Webber, Santa Fe New Mexican sports editor and one of 870 media members with a Heisman vote, has some words to share on Pavia, too. In the latest episode of “The Sports Den” podcast, Will explains why he left Pavia off his ballot and speaks with fellow sports writer James Barron about how Pavia's antics and stature could impact his pro prospects. The guys compare him to other Heisman finalists and discuss other flawed athletes to come out of New Mexico. Will and James turn to hoops talk in the second segment, discussing recent prep basketball results and the University of New Mexico men’s team. The guys chat a bit about Santa Fe High’s promising start to the season and the impressive displays the Santa Fe Indian School boys and girls have had so far. The Lobo men, meanwhile, are 9-2 heading into Mountain West Conference play. The guys talk about how the conference seems up for grabs this year and that, at this point, it seems like UNM could be in the mix.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Mesa Vista boys basketball team seized a win heard ’round New Mexico last week when the Class 2A Trojans took down perennial Class 5A powerhouse Hobbs in the Española Shootout. With a school enrollment of 87, Mesa Vista's 60-58 victory over the Hobbs, which has an enrollment of nearly 2,300, caught the attention of prep hoops coaches and fans of teams from all classes. In the latest episode of “The Sports Den” podcast, Mesa Vista boys basketball coach Thomas Vigil joins Santa Fe New Mexican sports writers Will Webber and James Barron to discuss the Trojans’ impressive victory over one of the state's most storied teams and the reaction he has received. Vigil also reflects on his roots in the community and what he has focused on to build a winning program at Mesa Vista. In the second segment, the guys talk about the University of New Mexico getting picked to face Minnesota in the Rate Bowl in Phoenix on Dec. 26. They also talk about Diego Pavia’s days in New Mexico ahead of the announcement of this year’s Heisman Trophy winner on Saturday. Will and James also chat a bit about UNM men’s basketball and the Lobos’ dominant win over Santa Clara before closing out the show by returning to prep hoops talk.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It was a big two days for local sports coverage last week as the University of New Mexico football team defeated San Diego State on Friday to finish in a tie for first in the Mountain West Conference and then St. Michael’s football team won another championship game thriller against Dexter for its third straight Class 3A title. In the latest episode of “The Sports Den” podcast, Santa Fe New Mexican sports writers Will Webber and James Barron share their takeaways from St. Mike’s and Lobos’ victories. They start by discussing the Horsemen-Demons showdown and the rare adversity St. Mike’s had to overcome to fight back and edge out Dexter for the second year in a row. The guys talk about key moments in the game, then highlight the legacy of the Horsemen seniors and look ahead to what the team may look like next year. Will and James then focus on the Lobos, offering their thoughts on the incredible run UNM has had under first-year coach Jason Eck, who has helped infuse excitement around a program that was in the doldrums. With the Mountain West Conference about to undergo an overhaul and the Lobos experiencing some positive momentum, Will discusses why this could be one of the most crucial times in UNM athletics history.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

St. Michael’s powerhouse football program is in the midst of a 32-game winning streak heading into its Class 3A championship game showdown Saturday in Dexter. Senior standouts Kamal Stith and Isaiah Dominguez have had a big hand in the team’s success. In the latest episode of “The Sports Den” podcast, Stith and Dominguez join Santa Fe New Mexican sports writers Will Webber and James Barron to reflect their football careers, which they hope to cap with a three-peat. Stith and Dominguez discuss their memories of last year’s championship game against Dexter, share how being multi-sport athletes helps them from season to season, and give some props to the unsung heroes of the team.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Both teams have held up their end of the bargain all year and now the game everyone’s been talking about is almost here. In a rematch of last year’s Class 3A championship game that came down to the wire, St. Michael’s will look to cap off another unbeaten season when the Horsemen take on No. 2 seed Dexter on Saturday in Dexter. In the first of two “Sports Den” podcast episodes this week previewing the big game, Dexter coach Sonny Duran joins Santa Fe New Mexican sports writers Will Webber and James Barron to discuss the strength of the Demons and what it’s going to take to stop St. Mike’s 32-game winning streak. The Demons were the last team to really push the Horsemen, who have cruised through their 2025 schedule. St. Mike’s needed a gutsy drive to come from behind and win 28-26 in the final minute of the 2024 title game against Dexter. Duran recalls that game and the challenge of moving past that emotional loss. Ranch and farm boys are spread through the Dexter roster, which Duran says has a big impact on the team’s hard-working mentality. The Demons don’t have a lot of height on the line, but they’ve got strength, and Duran said “if we’re going to win, it’s going to be in the trenches.” In the second segment of the episode, Will and James offer their own thoughts on the St. Mike’s-Dexter matchup and then talk University of New Mexico football ahead of one of the program’s biggest regular season games in its history when the Lobos take on San Diego State for a chance to play for the Mountain West Conference title. Tune in for a second episode of "The Sports Den" on Thursday when Will and James chat with St. Mike's standouts Kamal Stith and Isaiah Dominguez. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The state volleyball tournament is a wrap and state football is all that remains of the prep fall sports season. And wouldn’t you know, the University of New Mexico football is still playing meaningful games. In the latest episode of “The Sports Den” podcast, Santa Fe New Mexican sports writers Will Webber and James Barron put a bow on the volleyball season and discuss prep football semifinal matchups for St. Michael’s and Taos. The unbeaten Horsemen will take on No. 5 seed New Mexico Military Institute in the Class 3A semis and are looking to make it to their fifth straight state championship game. Taos, meanwhile, is a game away from the finals but has to take on powerhouse Bloomfield in the Class 4A semis. The guys also talk about the scenarios that could play out for the UNM football team, which is in a tight battle to earn a spot in the Mountain West Conference championship game. Next up is Air Force, which Will and James say has less talent than the Lobos but could pose a challenge with their tricky triple option offense. If they win, the Lobos would take on San Diego State in what would be one of the most important regular season games in the program’s history. The UNM men’s hoops team scuffled in a loss to New Mexico State and now heads to Kansas City for the Hall of Fame Classic, where the Lobos will take on Nebraska on Thursday and either Kansas State or Mississippi State on Friday. Will and James offer their impressions on first-year coach Eric Olen’s squad so far.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Several prep sports teams have hoisted a blue trophy to cap their season but there are still plenty more to earn. In the latest episode of “The Sports Den” podcast, Santa Fe New Mexican sports writers Will Webber and James Barron review the success of local teams in cross country and soccer, then preview the week ahead for the state volleyball and football tournaments. James will be camped out at the Rio Rancho Events Center for volleyball this week and discusses what he expects from local teams, including three-time Class 3A defending champion St. Michael’s, Santa Fe Indian School, Santa Fe Prep and Santa Fe High. The guys then talk about the local teams left in state football. Undefeated St. Mike’s road to another title goes through rival Robertson, while Pojoaque, Los Alamos and Taos also look to extend their seasons. In the second segment, Will and James talk about the University of New Mexico football team’s possible path to the Mountain West Conference championships game and the challenge head coach Jason Eck has laid down for fans this weekend against Colorado State. They also discuss college hoops, including the UNM men breezing by lesser opponents and the Highlands men’s team busting at the seams with 45 players listed on the roster.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With his development of the Northern New Mexico Youth Sports League, Zeke Villegas was already a well-known name in the regional football community by 2022-2023 when he was applying to various schools in search of his first high school head coaching job. He got his shot at Pojoaque Valley, where he was hired to turn around a program that had gone winless the previous season. Fast forward three years and Villegas has the Elks in the playoffs for the second straight season with their highest-ever seed. Pojoaque landed the No. 4 seed in Class 3A to earn a first-round bye and will face the winner between No. 5 New Mexico Military Institute and No. 12 Wingate in the quarterfinals. In the latest episode of “The Sports Den,” Villegas joins Santa Fe New Mexican sports writers Will Webber and James Barron to discuss the Elks’ run this year and how he’s worked to build a winning mentality within the program. A 2001 Capital grad and former coach at a variety of levels at the school, Villegas shares what he learned from coaching legend Bill Moon that he uses with his players today. He also talks about his aggressive coaching style and his openness to listen to his players’ input during critical moments in games. In the second segment, Will and James talk a bit more about the state football tournament as well as state soccer. They then discuss the University of New Mexico’s football and men’s basketball teams, with Will bringing up the wild-sounding possibility of the football team competing for a Mountain West Conference title if it can win out.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’re well into fall and the University of New Mexico football team is vying for a bowl bid, the Lobos men’s basketball team has tipped off its exhibition season and prep sports postseason kicks off this week with state soccer. In the latest episode of “The Sports Den,” Santa Fe New Mexican sports writers Will Webber and James Barron discuss the UNM football team’s convincing win over former coach Bronco Mendenhall and Utah State and the Lobos men’s basketball team’s loss to Washington State in its exhibition opener. With the football team’s strong start to the season under Jason Eck, Will discusses the rarity of UNM first-year coaches finding success. The guys also talk about New Mexico Highlands’ ambitious plans for a massive upgrade of its athletic facilities, which would cost an estimated $85.5 million. Will shares what he learned from a long conversation with Highlands President Neil Woolf and other school officials about the plans, and offers his take on how much money he thinks the school is likely to actually receive. In the second segment, the guys turn to prep sports. James shares his thoughts on the state soccer tournament and offers his favorites to win titles. They then discuss the last week of the prep football season, which includes a matchup between St. Michael’s and Robertson that they say doesn’t seem to have as much hype as in past years. They also talk about Capital and its chances of making the playoffs.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One of the big stories from last week was the suspension of the Academy for Technology and the Classics girls soccer coach Vilma Ontiveros for violating the school’s social media policy. In the latest episode of “The Sports Den,” Santa Fe New Mexican sports writers Will Webber and James Barron discuss the fallout at the school following the suspension. Will and James also take a look at local prep football teams as the end of the regular season approaches, including St. Michael’s dominance and if there is hope for Robertson to make some noise in the playoffs after dealing with recent suspensions in its program. In the second segment, the guys are joined by St. Michael’s multi-sport athlete Brandon Meyer, who has had to endure heartbreak during his senior year with the loss of his father as well as the disappointment of a severe knee injury in the football team’s first game of the season. Meyer discusses the support he has received from the St. Mike’s community, the pride that he has for the football team as it has continued to roll despite many injuries to key players, and his aim to return from injury for the track and field season in hopes of helping the Horsemen claim another state title.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Adam Diehl is a play-by-play broadcaster for everything from college cross country to prep football and volleyball, to New Mexico United soccer and more. Working for ESPN Radio 101.7, Sports Primo and the Mountain West Network, the New Mexico native is well-versed in the sports scene throughout the state. As high school fall sports head into the home stretch of the regular season, Diehl joins “The Sports Den” to share his outlook on football playoff seeding and contenders in soccer and volleyball. He also shares a rant on the state volleyball format. Diehl, who played soccer at Eastern New Mexico University, talks about how he got into broadcasting, including being mentored by Doc Elder. He also discusses how he handles making mistakes, how he deals with criticism, and his first experience calling a game one of his children played in.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The University of New Mexico football team’s momentum was stopped cold with a disappointing loss against San Jose State last week, but the prep sports storylines keep heating up. In the latest episode of “The Sports Den” podcast, Santa Fe New Mexican sports writers Will Webber and James Barron talk about the Pojoaque football team’s first-ever win over a shorthanded Robertson squad. They discuss what the victory means for the Elks’ playoff outlook and look ahead for a Robertson team that has been dealing with suspensions. The guys also talk about St. Michael’s continued dominance following last week’s throttling of Hope Christian. The victory extended the Horsemen’s win streak to 27 games. James talks about the significance of the streak and the excellence of coach Joey Fernandez. Will and James also talk about their new weekly prep athlete spotlight, which kicked off this week with a feature on St. Mike’s standout quarterback Kamal Stith.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s a new day in Loboland. Social media stars and Albuquerque celebrities were part of a rare sellout crowd at University Stadium on Saturday to provide an electric atmosphere for the Lobos’ Rio Grande Rivalry win over New Mexico State. Santa Fe New Mexican sports reporters Will Webber and James Barron have seen a lot of UNM games over the years, but it was hard to compare the environment of Saturday to anything they’ve experienced before. In the latest episode of “The Sports Den,” Will and James discuss what they called a “special experience” for Lobo fans. They also discuss how first-year UNM coach Jason Eck has used his personality to draw in the fans and the community like no football coach has since Rocky Long. At 3-1, Will says the Lobos join Utah State and Hawaii as the Mountain West teams that are exceeding expectations so far this year. Needing three more wins to become bowl eligible, Will says they should shoot for trying to qualify for a postseason appearance beyond the comfortable New Mexico Bowl. In the second segment, Will and James talk about the return of professional hockey to the state with the unveiling of the New Mexico Goatheads, and hate on the team’s logo. The guys then get into a prep sports update, talking about local football, volleyball and soccer teams.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What a time to be alive. The University of New Mexico football team dominated a Big Ten team on Friday, defeating UCLA 35-10 at the Rose Bowl for one of the biggest wins in program history. Also on Friday, Santa Fe High’s football team took down Albuquerque High 18-6 for the Demons’ first district win since 2023. On the latest episode of “The Sports Den,” Santa Fe New Mexican sports writers Will Webber and James Barron discuss the recent momentum of these two programs that have struggled to find success over the decades. The Lobos take a 2-1 record into their Sept. 27 home game against rival New Mexico State. Will says 30,000-35,000 fans are expected for the matchup. The guys talk about first-year UNM coach Jason Eck's early season success, which has already brought rumors of him being a candidate for other jobs around the country. Santa Fe High, meanwhile, faces Sandia at home on Friday as it looks to build on its district success and make a push for a spot in the playoffs. The guys also talk about St. Michael’s, which takes on Eunice Saturday in a battle of unbeatens. The Cardinals could offer an interesting challenge, as their high-flying offense has averaged nearly 60 points per game during their 4-0 start. Will and James touch on Capital’s first win of the year and discuss the impact of Garnett Stokes at UNM on the day she announced her planned retirement as school president.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Santa Fe’s big three football teams have all had a go at each other through the first three weeks of the season and St. Michael’s again has proven to be at the top of the class. On the latest episode of “The Sports Den,” Santa Fe New Mexican sports writers Will Webber and James Barron discuss St. Michael’s dominance of Santa Fe High and Capital, then delve into some of the other prep football highlights from the past week that caught their eye. In the second segment, Will and James talk college ball, including the University of New Mexico’s victory in its home opener against Idaho State, the first win of the Jason Eck era. The game drew 17,600 fans, which was the highest attendance for a home opener in seven years. Will talks about the improved gameday experience and the guys look ahead to the Lobos’ chances against scuffling UCLA on Friday. Will and James then chat about the early season exploits of Highlands running back Jeffery Jones, a true freshman who has amassed more than 600 yards rushing in his first two games, including an NCAA Division II freshman rushing record of 385 yards against Western New Mexico on Saturday. They compare the 5-foot-7, 170-pound Florida native to former NFL star Danny Woodhead, another player overlooked by big-time college programs who was small in stature but put up massive numbers in Division II.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The prep football season is heating up and Week 3 brings some big games for area teams. In the latest episode of “The Sports Den,” Santa Fe New Mexican sports writers Will Webber and James Barron discuss their excitement for games between unbeaten teams, including Santa Fe High against St. Michael’s and Pojoaque versus Los Alamos. The guys talk about Kamal Stith growing into his role at quarterback for the Horsemen, then share their favorite memories of St. Mike’s-Santa Fe High games of the past. In the second segment, James discusses his experience covering the All American Futurity at The Downs Racetrack & Casino in Albuquerque, then the conversation turns to the Lobos. The University of New Mexico football team gave a better fight than many expected in its game at Michigan in front of a national television audience on Saturday and now looks ahead to its home opener under Idaho State, coach Jason Eck’s first game in front of the home fans. Will and James talk about their first impressions of Lobo quarterback Jack Layne, who took a pounding in the game but showed toughness in the team’s 34-17 loss. Will also talks about game day improvements that fans can expect this season in and around University Stadium.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’re in it now. With Week 1 of the prep football season in the books, Santa Fe New Mexican sports writers Will Webber and James Barron have some thoughts to share about what stood out from area teams’ season openers.  James covered Santa Fe High’s win over Capital and offers his insight on what he saw. He thinks the Demons’ Week 2 game at Belen will be a good test to see if they’re legit.  After picking against St. Michael’s in their season opener against Taos, Will admits the Horsemen look pretty good again this year but that won’t stop him from picking against them again.  The University of New Mexico football team begins its season Saturday at the Big House in Ann Arbor where the Lobos will have their hands full with No. 14 Michigan. Will shares what UNM head coach Jason Eck had to say during his media availability on Tuesday and offers thoughts on how the Lobos might handle Wolverine freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood, who was the No. 1-ranked high school recruit in the nation in 2025. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The prep football season kicks off this week and Santa Fe New Mexican sports writers Will Webber and James Barron are celebrating by providing some bulletin board material for area teams and making their picks for Week 1. The guys start the latest episode of “The Sports Den” by sharing their parting takes from visiting area team practices for their Tour of the North series. They then get into picking winners in the Week 1 matchups, which include Santa Fe High squaring off against Capital and St. Michael’s taking on Taos. Spoiler alert — one of the guys picks against the defending Class 3A champion Horsemen right off the bat. After football talk, James gives an overview of the landscape in prep soccer and volleyball while Will nods his head and smiles.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The prep football season is less than 10 days away and Santa Fe New Mexican sports writers Will Webber and James Barron are on the move, checking out the practices of local teams for their Tour of the North series that runs through Aug. 22. The guys spend the latest episode of “The Sports Den” discussing what they’ve seen from the practices they’ve attended so far.  The Tour series kicked off with a story Tuesday on the Robertson Cardinals, who have a new head coach and are replacing some key players from last year’s team that made the state semifinals. Will and James also chat about West Las Vegas, St. Mike’s, Española and Pojoaque, who they say could be a wildcard this year.  Will also talks about his stop at New Mexico Highlands, where he spoke with second-year head football coach Kurt Taufa’asau. He didn’t have much time to put together a roster last season and feels this year’s squad has the tools to build on a 2-9 record in 2024.  There’s also talk of Will’s family losing a dog (RIP Jasmine), Zozobra bobblehead night at an upcoming New Mexico United game, and the University of New Mexico football team being named the dirtiest team in the nation.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

They’re young and they don’t have the largest roster, but Capital head football coach John Michael Salazar has liked what he’s seen from his Jaguars in the early days of practice for the 2025 football season. Coming off a 2-7 year, the Jaguars bring back some strong athletes at their skill positions and an improved culture in the locker room, which gives Salazar hope for the team to take another step this year.  In the latest episode of “The Sports Den,” Salazar joins Santa Fe New Mexican sports writers Will Webber and James Barron to discuss his expectations for the Jaguars. He talks about their struggles to finish tight games last season and what they need to do to get over the hump next year. He also talks about the importance of a strong line and the need to balance the team’s propensity for passing with a serviceable ground game.  Salazar expects his varsity roster to be in the low to mid 30s, a small number for competing in Class 5A. He says he may have lost some kids due to how he’s run the program, but he feels he’s got a solid group of high-character, hard-working players.  In the second half of the show, Will and James talk about a new video put out by the University of New Mexico this week to promote their plan to allow children 12 and under to get in free to Lobo home football games. Featuring head coach Jason Eck and athletic director Fernando Lovo, the humorous video gained traction on social media. The guys say efforts like that are needed to help drum up interest in a program that is often an afterthought in the state. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bored with the limited summer sports offerings, Santa Fe New Mexican sports reporters Will Webber and James Barron decide to dive into prep football talk for the latest episode of “The Sports Den.” The football season starts in just under a month, with Santa Fe Indian School facing Cuba on Thursday, Aug. 21, to kick off the slate of games for local teams. Will and James discuss the prospects for several schools in the area. With St. Michael’s bringing back plenty of talent from last year’s title team, they see the Horsemen as favorites again in 3A. The guys say it could be a rough road for Santa Fe High as they try to compete in a difficult district under a new head coach. For Capital, they think the Jaguars have talent but will need to show improvement on the offensive line to ramp up their scoring from last year. Española had a resurgent season last year, making it to the state semifinals. It could be more of a rebuilding year this season as they look to replace their coach and several key players. Will and James also tease their upcoming “ask an official” content.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

August 1 will mark five years since the death of JB White, but the legacy of former Santa Fe High basketball standout lives on. The JB White Foundation was founded in 2021 to raise gun violence awareness among the region’s youth, to provide academic scholarships to high school seniors and to support children in sports through assisting with registration fees and shoe apparel.  The foundation is also in its third year of hosting the JB White Memorial Basketball Tournament, which will take place July 18-20. Tournament organizers Britney Lucero and Michael Roybal join “The Sports Den” to preview the event, which will include 94 teams this year — more than double the number of teams that took part last year.  Roybal and Lucero share their experiences with White and discuss his legacy. They also talk about the growth of the JB White Foundation and its mission in the community.  Learn more about the JB White Foundation at www.jbwhitefoundation.org.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Carl Vigil has been officiating games in New Mexico for two decades and is now the New Mexico Activities Association’s commissioner of officials. He’s witnessed a decline in referee staffing, which has become a problem nationwide in part because of the abuse officials endure from fans.  Vigil joins the latest episode of “The Sports Den” with Santa Fe New Mexican sports writers Will Webber and James Barron to discuss bad fan behavior, the struggle of recruiting and retaining officials, and much more.  The guys ask Vigil if, as some have suggested, New Mexico’s referee shortage has reached a crisis level. He also discusses how the median age of officials has been on the rise, making it critical to recruit young officials as others age out.  A former athlete at Las Vegas Robertson and New Mexico Highlands, Vigil talks about what got him into officiating. Will and James ask him who was the better athlete between him and his brother, Curtis Vigil, and who is now the better referee.  Vigil also discusses what it takes to be a good official, the teamwork and communication that connect a crew, the wear and tear referees can experience, and how he goes about choosing officials to staff state tournaments. He closes by sharing his Mount Rushmore of officials from New Mexico and makes a plea to fans to help improve behavior toward referees.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s media day on “The Sports Den” as Santa Fe New Mexican sports writers Will Webber and James Barron welcome Ryan Tomari of The Pit Press to the show. Tomari discusses the origins and growth of the media outlet that focuses on University of New Mexico athletics, and the team that churns out podcasts and content at thepitpressnm.com.  The guys talk to Tomari about his infamous run-in with former UNM football coach Mike Locksley when Locksley was none too pleased by a column Tomari wrote for the Daily Lobo student newspaper that said the football program was “in shambles.” Tomari delves into gaining respect as a new media entity, his relationship with the UNM athletic department and the opportunities that have come for The Pit Press as the site and podcasts have grown in popularity.  The guys also ask Tomari about his thoughts on the future for UNM and other Mountain West Conference teams. He also talks about why he’s an advocate for the football program dropping to the FCS.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s the dog days of summer for sports coverage and Santa Fe New Mexican sports writers Will Webber and James Barron are talking hoops in the latest episode of “The Sports Den.” Will attended last week’s 30-minute University of New Mexico men’s basketball practice to check out the new-look Lobos under their new head coach, Eric Olen. He shares his impressions on what he saw, including which players he thinks fans should keep an eye out for. James also watched some basketball last week, peeking in on a Sandia Prep boys basketball camp that included local powers St. Michael’s and Robertson. He talks briefly about his thoughts on the programs. James closes the episode by sharing thoughts about his father, Joseph Morse, who passed away last week. He talks about the struggle of losing a parent and the ray of light sports provided for him in the difficult days following his father’s death.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There’s no guest on the “Sports Den” this week, and maybe that’s for the best after the disorder of last week’s episode. Santa Fe New Mexican sports writers Will Webber and James Barron begin their latest episode by reminiscing about their memorable interview with Pecos League president Andrew Dunn and also talk some Santa Fe Fuego baseball before diving into prep and college athletics. The guys discuss NCAA conference realignment and its impact on the Mountain West Conference and the University of New Mexico. They also discuss how the recent $2.8 billion settlement in the House vs. NCAA case will impact UNM athletics. Will and James close the show by discussing local high school sports, starting with a bevy of coaching vacancies. They also chat about their picks for the NorthStars male and female athletes of the year — St. Michael’s Soren Annon and West Las Vegas’ Alexis Pacheco.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pecos League founder and president Andrew Dunn surely has many great stories about the independent baseball league that is home to the Santa Fe Fuego. Unfortunately, Santa Fe New Mexican sports writers Will Webber and James Barron will have to wait to hear them.  In the latest episode of “The New Mexican Sports Den,” Dunn struggles to communicate his Pecos League stories and knowledge as he boards a plane to travel from Kansas City to Houston. The guys try to keep it together as they conduct the shortest and most chaotic interview of the podcast’s brief history.  Things go much smoother as Fuego general manager Yvonne Encinias makes an appearance. Encinias discusses how she became the Fuego’s GM, talks about how operating the organization has become a family affair, and shares how her experience with nonprofit organizations has helped her in running the team.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Santa Fe New Mexican sports writers Will Webber and James Barron discuss their most memorable moments from the 2024-25 high school sports seasons, including the good and the bad. They also discuss some of the changes they’d like the New Mexico Activities Association to implement in coming years. Back from his Indy 500 birthday weekend, Barron shares a bit about his experience at the Greatest Spectacle in Racing. And reporting from Fort Marcy Ballpark, Webber talks gives an update on the Santa Fe Fuego ahead of their Pecos League opener. The guys also chat a bit about the recent Mountain West and Pac-12 meetings, which Webber wrote about in his latest column, and what possible outcomes could mean for the University of New Mexico.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.