Peerman's Power Rankings: 10 best things in New Mexico sports this week (April 7)

Welcome to Peerman's Power Rankings (PPR), the 10 athletes, teams and story lines that have Journal sports editor Lucas Peerman's attention. Look for a new power rankings list every Sunday.

Have a suggestion, complaint or compliment? Email lpeerman@abqjournal.com or contact me on X @LucasPeerman.

10. Rio Rancho boys long distance runners

The Rams' elite cross country team hasn't lost a step in its transition to the track this spring. The Rio Rancho trio of Cody Sullivan, Mateo Herrera and Skyler Galbraith finished 1-2-3 to sweep the 3,200-meter final at the Albuquerque Invitational on Friday. The scariest part of this equation? The Rams' top runner, Charlie Vause, the state cross country champion, didn't even compete as he was out of town.

9. Desirae Spearman

The NCAA Softball social media accounts posted a video Friday showcasing the best freshman in the nation, and among those spotlighted was Spearman. Video host Michella Chester said this about New Mexico State's sensational player who can pitch and hit: "A two-way absolute superstar with a 0.83 ERA in the circle and a .414 average with nine homers at the plate." On Saturday, Spearman hit another two dingers (she now has 11 on the season) to lead NMSU to an 18-10 win over Jacksonville State. The Aggies are now 21-15 overall and tied for third in Conference USA with a 7-5 league record.

8. UNM men's tennis

After defeating Nevada 4-0 on Saturday, the Lobos are 11-7 overall and 2-0 in Mountain West and getting nationwide attention. The team is ranked No. 66 and will play three of its remaining four matches of the regular season at home, so look for this team to only rise in the polls. The final home match, on April 20, is a big one as No. 56 Boise State comes to town.

7. UNM women's tennis

The weekend didn't quite go as planned for the Lobos as the team dropped a 4-3 heartbreaker to No. 65 San Diego State at home on Sunday. However, the team is still 17-2 overall and in first place in the Mountain West with a 6-1 record in league play with two matches to go. This team is experienced, competitive and no doubt will be looking for redemption in the Mountain West Championships.

6. Jaelen House

Bitter taste of defeat? Get rid of it with some Reese's. We'll let the UNM guard — MVP of the Reese’s-NABC College All-Star Game after leading his West team to an 87-75 victory on Friday — explain. House, who was caught on camera taking out his frustration on a water bottle as his team was getting clobbered in a March 26 loss to Clemson in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, said Friday's all-star game was a better way to go out in his senior season. “I’m glad I got to leave on a win and not a loss," he said. Also, House became the second Lobo in as many years to win MVP of the college all-star game in his hometown (House in Phoenix this year and Morris Udeze in Houston last year).

5. Marco Micaletto

New Mexico United's midfielder had a statement game in a 3-2 come-from-behind home win over rival El Paso Locomotive on Saturday. Micaletto's first message came with a strike in the seventh minute to lift the Black and Yellow to a 1-0 advantage. After the Locos went up 2-1 on a penalty kick in the 87th minute, Micaletto answered with a beauty of a chip to teammate Jacobo Reyes, who headed in a goal to tie the game at 2-2 in the 89th minute. Moments later, Nicky Hernandez put one in the back of the net for the final tally. This United team, now 3-1-1, is starting to take the shape of a contender.

4. Dance dynasties

In 2021, the Roswell and Hope Christian dance teams won state titles in their respective classifications. In 2022, the Coyotes and Huskettes did it again. Each squad went for a three-peat in 2023. And in 2024? Roswell and Hope Christian came home with the blue trophies yet again. Pure domination on the dance floor.

3. Michael Cooper

The greatest Lobo? Probably not. The best Laker? Far from it. But Cooooop! is a legend among both fan bases and that legacy will be cemented with enshrinement in the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. On Saturday, it was announced Cooper — an All-American while at UNM in 1978 before becoming one of the NBA's premier defenders and having a hand in the Lakers' five championships in the 1980s — will be one of 13 inductees in this year's hall of fame class. It's worthy recognition for a player, and later coach, whose teams won almost every time he stepped foot on a court.

2. Bella Hines

The most highly regarded girls basketball player in New Mexico history announced this past week that she would be taking her talents to the bayou for college, committing to play for LSU and coach Kim Mulkey. The Eldorado senior-to-be still has one more year of wowing teammates, fans and even opponents in New Mexico before she swaps orange for purple. Hines, ranked No. 31 in her class, is a special player headed to a special program. PPR is especially excited to have the Land of Enchantment be represented on what will no doubt be a national stage.

1. Women's basketball

The NCAA women's tournament semifinal game between Iowa and UConn was the most watched basketball game on ESPN. More people watched that game than watched any men's college basketball game or NBA game broadcast on the sports leader. How's that stat for showcasing the meteoric rise of women's basketball this season? Thank you Dawn Staley. Thank you Paige Bueckers. Thank you Caitlin Clark. The trickle-down effect will only enhance what is already an exceptional fan base for the UNM women's basketball program. And with New Mexico's Hines, Sydney Benally and Harper Dunn all being Division I-caliber prospects, the girls/women's game will be a staple here for years to come.

Honorable mention

La Cueva cheer: Despite the music in the arena going out twice while the Bears were performing at the State Spirit Championships on Saturday, the team didn't lose a beat and went on to win their first title in 12 years.

Albuquerque Isotopes: The team's first eight games this year were all decided by either one or two runs. Those close games make for fun days at the ballpark, and at the Triple-A level, that's what it's all about.

Justin Slaten: The former UNM Lobo is now a relief pitcher for the Boston Red Sox. He recorded a save on March 31 in his second big-league appearance ever.

End of the bench

The wind blows. (Thanks, Captain Obvious). It blew so much Saturday that at least two sporting events in Albuquerque were canceled (a prep track and field meet and a college baseball game). Let's hope Mother Nature got it out of her system this weekend and that we have a month or so reprieve before the excessive heat and monsoons make being outside unbearable again.