The New Mexican Sports Den with Will and James

Even during an 0-2 start to the season, the Santa Fe High football team showed it was going to be a formidable squad that plays at a fast pace. Since a 3-0 overtime loss to perennial Class 3A power St. Michael’s in Week 2, the Demons has racked up two blowout victories and seem to have found their stride. 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 head coach Adrian Gonzales about his team’s strong play and aspirations for the season. Since their 41-33 loss at Alamogordo in their season opener, the Demons have locked in on defense and upped their physicality, Gonzales said. The tight loss to St. Mike’s was followed by a 35-0 throttling of Clovis, a team that had had Santa Fe High’s number for years. Last week, the Demons had an offensive explosion in a 55-24 win against Highland. For a program that rarely sees the playoffs, Gonzales said “everybody’s bought in to our goals” this season and the Demons are aiming to host a first-round playoff game this year. In the second segment, Will and James chat about the University of New Mexico football team’s big game Saturday in Norman against No. 24 Oklahoma. The Sooners will be motivated after a stumble against Michigan last week. The Lobos will be motivated by the chance to notch a landmark win against a ranked team. The guys then share their Week 5 prep football picks, including what could be a competitive clash between Santa Fe High and Los Lunas.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’re three weeks deep into the prep football season and the University of New Mexico football team has finally kicked off its highly anticipated campaign. In the latest episode of “The Sports Den” podcast, Santa Fe New Mexican sports writers Will Webber and James Barron offer their thoughts on the Lobos’ dominant 38-7 victory over Central Michigan and share their Week 4 prep football picks. The guys came away impressed with UNM on both sides of the ball in their lopsided win over the Chippewas. The defense held Central Michigan to just 66 total yards through the first three quarters, while the offense amassed 205 of its 364 yards on the ground with a balanced rushing attack. Will and James also discuss the tragic death of Alexia Verdugo Sigala, a 24-year-old who was the C-team coach for Capital High School’s volleyball program. In the second segment, the guys make their picks for the upcoming slate of prep football games. They discuss Santa Fe High’s impressive win over Clovis, West Las Vegas’ strong start to the season and more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The past week of The Santa Fe New Mexican's sports coverage was an eventful one for being so early in the fall sports season. It included the return of former Baylor football coach Art Briles to college football after a decade and a Santa Fe football rivalry going down to the wire.  In the latest episode of "The Sports Den" podcast, sports writers Will Webber and James Barron discuss Briles' debut as head coach of Eastern New Mexico University in the Greyhounds' opener against New Mexico Highlands in Las Vegas, N.M. The Division II showdown delivered on the drama, with Highlands making a goal-line stand on a two-point conversion to sneak out a 35-34 victory.  Briles didn't have much to say after the loss. Barron talks about his brief interview and the guys discuss how it will be difficult for Briles to escape questions about his past at Baylor as he travels around the Lone Star Conference in his first season with Eastern New Mexico.  There also happened to be a thrilling — yes, thrilling — 3-0 overtime win for St. Michael's football team over intracity rival Santa Fe High at Ivan Head Stadium last Friday. Will and James reflect on what they learned about each team after a game where the result wasn't so much a surprise but the score certainly was.  The guys then get into previewing the University of New Mexico's season opener against Central Michigan, a team they think has the potential to give the Lobos trouble. UNM will have to play without returning starting quarterback Jack Layne, who has an elbow injury that coach Jason Eck says will keep him out for the season.  In the second segment, the guys make their Week 3 picks for local prep football teams. Saturday's St. Mike's showdown with rival Robertson could be a big test for the Horsemen.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

School’s back in session, Week 1 of the prep football season is in the books and The Santa Fe New Mexican’s sports writers have purpose in their lives once more. In the latest episode the “The Sports Den” podcast, Will Webber and James Barron share their takeaways and surprises from the first week of action on the gridiron, offer their picks for Week 2, chat about prep soccer and look to the start of the college football season. The guys open the pod by discussing the games they attended on Friday, with James offering his impressions of the St. Michael’s-Capital blowout and Will talking about Santa Fe High’s loss at Alamogordo. Their findings? St. Mike’s is still really good, Capital could use some conditioning, and Santa Fe High could give some teams trouble with its fast pace of play. The guys also chat about Santa Fe Indian School’s win over Zuni, Pojoaque’s victory over Taos, Española Valley's win over Los Alamos and more. College football begins this week, and Will and James have their eye on the matchup between New Mexico Highlands and Eastern New Mexico, where former Baylor coach Art Briles will make his return to the sidelines with the Grehyounds. New Mexico State, meanwhile, will have its hands full in its opener in Tallahassee against Florida State. The University of New Mexico Lobos will make their 2026 debut Sept. 5 against Central Michigan. James then shares his outlook for local soccer squads, focusing on the girls teams at Santa Fe Prep and St. Michael’s. The guys end the show with their Week 2 prep football picks, including the intracity rivalry game between St. Mike’s and Santa Fe High.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The return of high school football is just a couple days away and optimism is abundant as teams look to kick off the 2026 season on a positive note. Ahead of their intracity matchup Friday night, St. Michael’s coach Joey Fernandez and Capital coach John Michael Salazar join “The Sports Den” podcast to discuss the outlook and expectations for their teams. In the first segment, Santa Fe New Mexican sports writers Will Webber and James Barron offer their analysis of Week 1 matchups and make their picks. Fernandez joins for the second segment to talk about the lofty standards the Horsemen have set as they ride a 33-game winning streak into the season. St. Mike’s has some talented stars to replace from last year’s Class 3A championship squad, including quarterback Kamal Stith. Fernandez said the roster is thin this year and won’t have much room to deal with injuries but he likes the makeup of his squad as it looks to make another run at a title. Salazar comes on for the third segment to discuss how his team is hoping to build on a 4-7 record and playoff appearance last year. Pointing to a win last season against Highland where his team overcame a 21-0 deficit, Salazar says his players bring a bounce-back mentality to the field. With a difficult schedule that includes eight straight games against 2025 playoff teams to start the year, Salazar says he’s looking forward to seeing how his players handle the challenge.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you look at St. Michael’s trophy case you probably wouldn’t know it, but the school has been experiencing a declining enrollment since 2008. Now in place as St. Mike's new president, Dr. Paul Weir hopes to set the Santa Fe school on the path for a sustainable future while maintaining its dominant athletic tradition. Weir joins “The Sports Den” podcast to discuss his plans and priorities for the St. Michael's. He also talks to Santa Fe New Mexican sports reporters Will Webber and James Barron about his time as head men’s basketball coach at New Mexico State University and the University of New Mexico. Weir, who was named St. Michael’s president in April, starts the interview by discussing some the changes that have been implemented so far, including a new cell phone policy, changes to the dress code and updated standards involving disciple, expectations and accountability at the Catholic school. The guys ask Weir some questions about athletic facilities, including the possibilities of replacing the grass football field with field turf and adding lights around the field to allow for night games. Weir said he’s exploring all options, with a focus on what decisions will best facilitate a sustainable future for the school. Weir also speaks about his recruitment of Santa Fe High star JB White when he was coach at the University of New Mexico, how White’s death impacted him and how he hopes to help White’s legacy live on. Weir, who coached at UNM during the COVID-19 pandemic, addresses the challenges of leading the program through that time, saying he doesn’t know if he’ll ever have the time or emotional capacity to unwrap that difficult period. “It was traumatic,” he said. “It was powerful in a lot of ways.” A Toronto native, Weir also talks about how New Mexico has become his home and the passion that he has developed for the state. Before bringing Weir on, Will and James talk about the start of their Tour of the North series highlighting the football programs of Northern New Mexico teams ahead of the season. They also discuss the Frijoles Fire and how the smoke spreading across the region could impact athletics.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The first official week of prep football practice is underway and the season kicks off Aug. 21. Santa Fe New Mexican sports writers Will Webber and James Barron have begun visiting schools for their Tour of the North series previewing the region’s squads and they’ve got some thoughts to share already. In the latest episode of “The Sports Den” podcast, Will and James discuss how they think the teams from Santa Fe will fare this season. Will St. Michael’s go undefeated yet again? If they drop a game, who would it be to? Will Santa Fe High and Capital make the playoffs? The guys go over these questions and more. And what about who will officiate the games? The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a crisis point for officials as numbers dropped significantly. Will goes over some numbers that show a positive uptick, but James says there’s still a great need for referees in Northern New Mexico. Will and James also chat about a recent ruling involving the NCAA’s new five-for-five eligibility rule and speculate on how it could impact the college sports landscape.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Summer break is nearly over, the Santa Fe Fuego’s season has come to an end and Will Webber and James Barron are about to be drowning in sports to cover once again. In the latest episode of “The Sports Den” podcast, the Santa Fe New Mexican’s sports writers chat about gearing up for the fall sports season and offer a postmortem on another rough campaign for Santa Fe’s semi-pro baseball team. The Fuego finished among the worst teams in the Pecos League once again as they dealt with constant pitching struggles. Out of the 21 players who pitched for the team this year, 20 had an ERA of 10 or above. The organization has had basically one good season in its history when it won the Pecos League in 2014. According to Will and James, many of the squad’s struggles can be attributed to one big issue — its home field. With a horrible pitcher’s mound, tiny dimensions and poor field conditions, the guys say Fort Marcy ballpark is a venue where no hurler wants to toe the rubber. Without serious changes to the field, Will and James say the team will continue to struggle to attract any pitching talent. Will the city of Santa Fe ever step up to invest in improving the field? The guys share their thoughts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Donovan Dent has been back in the state where he gained college hoops stardom, putting on basketball clinics at multiple schools around Northern New Mexico in July. The former University of New Mexico All-Mountain West Conference guard, who played at UCLA last year, is seeking a fifth year of eligibility following the NCAA’s new five-for-five rule. In the latest episode of “The Sports Den” podcast, Santa Fe New Mexican sports writers Will Webber and James Barron discuss Dent’s prospects for another year on the hardwood and if there’s a possibility he could return to the Lobos. Will shares clips from an interview of a conversation he had with Dent at a recent camp where Dent discussed his engagement, his time playing in the Big Ten and how he enjoys being back in New Mexico. The guys also chat about former UNM runner Josh Kerr recently breaking the world record in the mile, and New Mexico United’s recent surge in the USL Championship standings.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Scott Waterman’s life has been in boxes in recent years as he has followed coaching opportunities, but he’s hoping he’ll now be able to fully unpack and settle down for a while. The former University of New Mexico’s men’s basketball assistant coach was named the head coach of the program at New Mexico Highlands in late June and has been hard at work assembling a squad that can compete in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference. In the latest episode of “The Sports Den” podcast, Waterman joins Santa Fe New Mexican sports writers Will Webber and James Barron to talk about his coaching journey and why he was drawn to the opportunity in Las Vegas, N.M. Waterman first talks about building a winning program at Division II Academy of Arts University in San Francisco. He inherited a program that had never won more than 12 games and helped the team win 20-plus games in four straight seasons, including two NCAA Tournament appearances. The school decided to discontinue its intercollegiate sports programs at the end of the 2024-25 season, leaving Waterman looking for another job. He ended up joining Eric Olen’s staff at UNM last season as the Lobos made a deep run in the National Invitation Tournament. In the episode, Olen shares his thoughts on Waterman and what he brought to the Lobos’ program. Waterman discusses the differences between coaching at the Division I and Division II levels and offers some insight on how his roster is shaping up. 
In the second segment, the guys discuss quarterback situations at Santa Fe High and St. Michael’s, then about a change coming to high school baseball that could lead to an increase in offensive output.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Eight matches remain in what's been a pretty thrilling World Cup as the cream of the crop national teams head into what’s sure to be a scintillating quarterfinal round, but the tournament is effectively over for Santa Fe New Mexican sports writers Will Webber and James Barron. The U.S. men’s national team is out and so are these two, who tune into soccer but once every four years. In the latest episode of “The Sports Den” podcast, the guys express their frustration over the USMNT’s epic flame-out against Belgium in the Round of 16. They also chat about the NCAA’s new five-year eligibility rule and the quarterback situations for Santa Fe’s prep football teams. Will and James feel like they were played by the U.S. men’s national team, having their hopes raised during group play and a gutsy Round of 32 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina, only to have them dashed with a dud of a performance against Belgium. Will the U.S. ever be able to compete with the top-tier powers? Not with Matt Freese’s disasterclass of a clearance, old Tim Ream frozen in time on the back line and “Captain America” Christian Pulisic laying an egg on home soil. After venting, the guys chat a bit about American football and Capital quarterback Ace Bachicha, who is hoping to make his final season with the Jaguars a winning one. In the second segment, Will and James discuss the NCAA’s new five-year, aged-based eligibility rule and its potential impact on the college sports landscape. Will the rule hold up against litigation? Should all eligibility rules be thrown out the window and college athletes be able to play as many years as they want? The guys have some interesting thoughts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Disregarding the world’s most popular sport for most of their days, Santa Fe New Mexican sports writers Will Webber and James Barron can’t help but get caught up in the drama of the World Cup when it rolls around every four years. Will filled out his bracket for the knockout rounds on Sunday, and by Monday his pick to win it all (the Netherlands) was sent packing. Nevertheless, in the latest episode of “The Sports Den,” the guys feel a moral responsibility to fulfill their duty as sports pundits and spout off some takes. There’s too much flopping and flailing. Players should be able to use their hands. Are some of these teams even from real countries? The classic All-American gripes are on full display. In a short interview with University of New Mexico men’s basketball player Federico Grani last week, Will greeted the 6-foot-9 forward by prodding him about how his nation’s team — a four-time World Cup champion — hasn’t qualified for the tournament the last three cycles. Welcome to New Mexico, Federico! After an unprecedented full segment of soccer, the guys come out of the break talking about a new era for the Mountain West, which will look quite different this year. The Lobos should now be the big dogs of the conference, Will and James say. A trip to the College Football Playoff could eventually be in the cards, as odd as that sounds. With little else to talk about in this slow period for local sports, the guys bring up high school football, making some predictions about how the Santa Fe squads could look this year.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The highly anticipated vote on instituting a “one-time” transfer rule took place Monday, with New Mexico Activity Association member schools approving the measure by a narrow 67-60 margin. Student-athletes will now have the option to transfer to another school once without losing eligibility for their respective sports. In the latest episode of “The Sports Den” podcast, Santa Fe New Mexican sports reporters Will Webber and James Barron discuss the vote and the impact it could have on New Mexico high school sports. James gives his forecast on how much he expects the number of transfers to increase, and the guys talk about how small schools, large schools and charter schools could be impacted differently by the change. After discussing the new transfer rule, Will asks James what he thinks the next big shakeup for high school sports in the state may be. In the second segment, the guys chat about coaching and administration moves in the area, including an athletic director change at St. Michael’s and a boys basketball opening at Capital following the resignation of longtime coach Ben Gomez. And what’s this? Have Will and James caught World Cup fever? Not exactly, but they’re getting at least a little excited about the USNMT’s impressive start to group play and enjoying videos showing our foreign friends reacting to America’s food and culture.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The New Mexico United launched as an expansion franchise of the USL Championship in 2019 to overwhelming support, leading the league in attendance in its inaugural season and developing an electric atmosphere that generated buzz across the state. While many other Albuquerque-area pro sports franchises have come and gone over the decades, the United has shown to have staying power. Now in its eighth season, the club has hosted over 100 matches and drawn more than 1,000,000 fans. In the latest episode of “The Sports Den” podcast, United Owner/CEO Peter Trevisani joins Santa Fe New Mexican sports writer Will Webber to discuss the franchise’s journey from an idea to a community-building sensation. Trevisani shares what was going through his mind during the lead-up to the club’s launch and the dream first season that blew away his expectations. Webber also asks Trevisani about the struggles of trying to get a soccer stadium built for the club and the challenges that come with sharing a stadium with the Albuquerque Isotopes baseball team. Trevisani talks about the current proposal of having the stadium built at the New Mexico State Fairgrounds, and the revitalization he thinks it could bring to that part of the city. In the latter portion of the interview, Webber asks Trevisani about his college football playing days as a walk-on at Boston College, including his debut that came against a future NFL linebacker legend and photo-bombing a team picture next to Doug Flutie.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The biggest sporting event in the world is nearly upon us, but it’s of little concern to Santa Fe New Mexican sports writers Will Webber and James Barron. Although it’s summer and prep sports are on hiatus, there’s plenty going on locally to keep them occupied. In the latest episode of “The Sports Den” podcast, the guys address some of the feedback they got for their prep athlete of the year picks and discuss the proposal before the New Mexico Activities Association that could allow a “free” one-time transfer for high school athletes. James says the change isn’t a foregone conclusion and talks about the odds of it passing. In the second segment, touch a bit on the World Cup before getting into a bit of Santa Fe Fuego talk. Will also provides an update on what’s been going on with the University of New Mexico football and men’s basketball teams.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Influenced by championship-winning coaches early in his career, St. Michael’s graduate Damian Segura has built his own legacy by becoming one himself. A longtime boys basketball coach at Albuquerque St. Pius X, where he guided the Sartans to four state titles, Segura is now trying to make contenders of Sandia Prep. In the latest episode of “The Sports Den” podcast, Segura joins Santa Fe New Mexican sports reporters Will Webber and James Barron to discuss his coaching career and philosophy, his mentors and his thoughts on the possible “free” one-time transfer rule that’s being considered by the New Mexico Activities Association. Segura talks about his early years at St. Pius, where he went up against coaching legend Mike Brown and powerhouse Albuquerque Academy. He also talks about his decision to leave St. Pius after winning four titles, and what he learned from his time away from coaching before he returned to the sidelines to guide Sandia Prep. Segura discusses the challenge of competing in a loaded Class 3A, and what he thinks of his squad heading into next season. In the second segment, Will and James chat about the NBA Finals, where another Mike Brown will be on the sidelines. Will talks about the first-year New York Knicks head coach’s ties with the University of New Mexico men’s basketball program and the rumors that were swirling that he was going to succeed Richard Pitino as the Lobos’ coach when Pitino left for Xavier. The guys then chat about this year’s spring NorthStars and reveal who The New Mexican’s male and female athletes of the year.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The celebratory parade in Las Vegas, N.M., had to be put on a hold for a day when the bus of the Class 3A softball champion West Las Vegas Lady Dons broke down in the hours following their 2-1 victory over Cobre in Friday’s final. The misfortune couldn’t spoil their elation from winning their second title in three years, and the Lady Dons broke out in a karaoke session outside of a restaurant while waiting for a new bus. In the latest episode of “The Sports Den” podcast, West Las Vegas coach Julie Esquibel said her players are still riding high after capturing another title. She spoke to Santa Fe New Mexican sports writers Will Webber and James Barron to discuss the program’s 73-13 run over the past three years, including a 24-4 record in 2026. In her second year coaching the Lady Dons, Esquibel said she prioritized building team chemistry. In addition to winning another Class 3A championship, she said it’s moments such as the impromptu karaoke session that her players will remember forever. The mother of sophomore sensation Malie “Moogie” Satete, who broke the state’s home run record as an eighth-grader, Esquibel also talks about her daughter’s drive, her busy sports schedule and the first time she blasted a home run. In the second segment, the guys touch briefly on the upcoming season for the Santa Fe Fuego and share some of their most memorable moments from the end of the 2025-26 high school sports season.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s the last week of spring sports and much remains to be decided, with state softball, baseball and large school track and field squads competing to lift a blue trophy. Santa Fe New Mexican sports writers Will Webber and James Barron are looking not blue but red, with the smoldering sun melting their brains and crisping their skin as they cover all the action. In the latest episode of “The Sports Den” podcast, Will reports from Isotopes Park where the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Kiké Hernández is on a rehab stint with Triple-A Oklahoma City. He got the chance to speak with Hernández before Wednesday night’s game against the Isotopes and shares what the charismatic fan favorite had to say. James then gets into the prep action he’s seen this week, starting with slow play at state golf in Elephant Butte. He then covers what he saw Wednesday at state softball, where St. Michael’s and West Las Vegas took the stage. The guys continued into state baseball, previewing some of the action ahead involving Santa Fe Indian School, St. Mike’s and West Las Vegas. In the second segment, attention turns to college sports. Will shares his thoughts on University of New Mexico men’s basketball coach Eric Olen’s big extension with the Lobos after a successful first year at the helm. Then the guys talk about the turmoil at New Mexico Highlands, which is experiencing a major shake-up with top administrators.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.