A Big Year for CHS Sports and Trivia

By Don Eskins

With the Cavemen’s 11-2 loss to the Cleveland Storm in the semifinal round of the state baseball tournament on Friday, May 15, the 2025-26 sports calendar at CHS officially came to an end.

And what a year it was! So, Carlsbad, let’s hit some of the high spots!

CHS Fall Sports Slate 2025

The Cavemen football team, after a two-year leave of absence, was invited back to the NMAA’s State Football Playoffs. And for the first time in 15 years, they delivered!

Under the direction of third-year head coach Cale Sanders, the 11th-seeded Cavemen rolled over the favored sixth-seeded Rio Rancho Rams 35-13 in round one of the state playoffs before falling to the third-seeded Hobbs Eagles, 30-19, in the quarterfinals.

Class 6A All-State selections went out to First Team: slot receiver Robert Castaneda and junior inside linebacker Colton McKibben. Second Team: senior cornerback Rio Sanchez, junior kicker Lennon Ananins, and junior running back Brock Wright. Receiving Honorable Mention were sophomore defensive lineman Sean Cruz and senior offensive lineman Jeremy Vargas.

As two of the top prep football seniors in the Land of Enchantment, Cavemen Robert Castaneda and Rio Sanchez were also selected as New Mexico All-Stars.

Overall, the CHS gridiron boys closed out the season at 6-6 and were ranked eighth in Class 6A football.

The Cavegirl soccer program, piloted by head coach Misty Long, also made some noise. Despite logging a record of 4-13-3, Cavegirl Hayden Brose was named the District 4/5A Player of the Year.

CHS Winter Sports Slate 2025-26

The Cavemen basketball team, led by head coach John Zumbrun, stepped up to take center stage during CHS’s winter sports slate. Finishing second in District 4/5A, they drew a 10th seed for the state tournament.

Wasting no time, they upset the favored seventh-seeded Centennial Hawks 52-47 in the opening round of the playoffs before losing in a tight one to the No. 2-seeded Cleveland Storm 54-53 in the quarterfinals.

The District 4/5A runner-up Cavemen finished 2026 with a record of 19-10 and were ranked ninth among Class 5A basketball teams.

In wrestling, Cavegirls Ellianna Campos (who grabbed a gold medal for placing first at regionals) and Atria Wells both medaled at the state tournament. Campos earned a silver medal for placing second, and Wells, in her first year competing in the program headed by coach Mark Pratt, finished third.

Jay Norris, who placed third at the New Mexico big dance, picked up a bronze medal for the Cavemen after placing third. Norris also placed second at regionals. Also collecting bronze medals were Juan Rubio, fifth; Francisco Calderon, fifth; Justin Owens, sixth; and Mathyis Meier, sixth.

The CHS swim team saw Cavegirl Olivia Jang grab gold by capturing first place in the 100 yard breaststroke at the District Championships.

CHS Spring Sports Slate 2026

The Cavegirl powerlifting team, in only its second year of existence and led by head coach Mike Widenor, won state!

In doing so, Cavegirls Campbell Foster, Cassandra Bielstein, and Atria Wells picked up gold medals for winning individual state titles. Picking up silver medals for second-place finishes were Pauline Siazon and Sophia Trujillo.

Carlsbad’s boys, although placing sixth, saw Caveman Reenson Akwiembi grab a gold medal for capturing an individual state title, while teammate Sean Cruz, who placed second, collected a silver medal.

The Cavemen baseball team captured the District 4/5A championship. It was the third straight district title for Carlsbad, piloted by third-year head coach Mike McGaha.

For his effort on the mound, at the plate, and in the field, Caveman Wade Cozart was named the District 4/5A Player of the Year.

For this year’s big dance, CHS was given a No. 6 seed.

During round one play of the New Mexico Class 5A state tournament, the Cavemen downed the 11th-seeded Organ Mt. Knights 9-2 and 4-3 in a best-of-three series. They then upset the third-seeded La Cueva Bears 10-2 in the quarterfinals before dropping an 11-2 decision to the second-seeded Cleveland Storm during semifinal play.

CHS closed out the season at 19-11 and were ranked as Class 5A’s 5th best team in the state.

The CHS track program, led by head coach Charles Millar, saw Cavegirl Atria Wells grab a gold medal for winning the shot put at the state tournament. It marked the second time in three years that she collected state titles in the event. In 2025, she was the state’s Class 5A runner-up.

Picking up a bronze medal for a fifth-place finish, also in the shot put, was Sophia Trujillo.

Collecting gold medals for District Championships were discus, Atria Wells, and shot put, Lexus Munoz.

The Cavemen’s Marley Munoz picked up a silver medal for a second-place finish in the triple jump. Picking up a bronze medal for a fifth-place finish in the event was Bennett Adsero.

Grabbing gold medals for District Championship performances were javelin, Lennon Ananins, and the sprint medley relay team consisting of Trey Barta, Lennon Ananins, Rex Reynolds, and Bryan King.

Carlsbad High’s softball program, under the direction of head coach Brian Santo, placed second in conference play and saw Cavegirl Katrina Ortega tabbed as the 2026 District 4/5A Player of the Year.

Ortega also earned Class 5A 2nd Team All-State Honors, while teammate Mari Reyes received All-State Honorable Mention.

The CHS tennis program, headed by coach Ryan Galindo, saw Caveman senior Lucas Bluth win the District 4/5A singles title.

Good Year for CHS Trivia

For those out there who love to delve into CHS sports trivia, here’s a good question for you.

Previous to the 2025-26 school year, when was the last time that Cavemen football, Cavemen basketball, and Cavemen baseball all reached the state tournament quarterfinals during the same calendar school year?

This one even stumped Carlsbad High’s coaches and me. How about you? Looks like it could use some help from CHS’s old timers. Go Cavemen!