Prep notes: NMU summer event brings together top soccer teams; La Cueva and Academy win Director's Cup awards

A preview of the high school season? Maybe, maybe not, but the inaugural New Mexico United High School Summer Classic did bring together a dozen of the state’s top boys soccer teams for its first tournament this month.

La Cueva defeated Rio Grande in the championship game 5-4 in penalties after tying 1-1 during regulation. There was no overtime; the teams went straight to a shootout.

“It was first class, man,” Bears coach Easy Jimenez said of the event, held at the United’s Mesa del Sol complex.

Each team was guaranteed five matches, albeit in a somewhat shortened format. The early bracket games were 40 minutes long (20-minute halves) and the title match was 70 minutes long,

Top ranked teams from the end of the 2024 high school season were invited. The dozen also included Albuquerque Academy, Albuquerque High, Atrisco Heritage, Centennial, Eldorado, Hobbs, Rio Rancho, Roswell, St. Pius and Volcano Vista, which made it a stellar field for this first venture.

“They made sure we didn’t lack for anything,” Jimenez said.

The tournament was contested over two weeks, with United staff on hand to do some scouting and possible recruiting for their Academy team.

Last year, NMU made the decision to allow local players who were in their Academy to participate in their high school season before rejoining the Academy once their prep season ended.

“I think it was huge in order to put something (like this tournament) on,” Jimenez said. “It was a huge thing for New Mexico United to keep building the strength of their club.”

Each of the 12 teams received two United jerseys as part of their participation. By and large, but not completely, the rosters were comprised of each school’s 2025 expected varsity team.

Official practices for the 2025 high school season begin on Aug. 11.

DIRECTOR’S CUP: La Cueva was the recipient of the 2024-25 Director’s Cup for Class 5A, the competition for the top performing schools from the last school year. The Cup is given each year the top member schools of the New Mexico Activities Association, and the standings are based on athletics, activities and sportsmanship. La Cueva won sports titles in girls soccer, cheerleading, plus boys and girls tennis.

Cleveland was second, Centennial third in 5A.

Albuquerque Academy, which won a whopping 10 state titles in the 2024-25 school year, was first in Class 4A. The Chargers swept blue trophies in cross country, swimming/diving, golf and tennis, and also won state in boys soccer and boys track and field.

Los Alamos and St. Pius were second and third, respectively, behind Academy.

St. Michael’s claimed the 3A Cup; the private school in Santa Fe won state in volleyball, football and boys and girls track and field. Robertson and Santa Fe Prep were next.

Texico was first in Class 2A, followed by Albuquerque’s Legacy Academy and Mesilla Valley. Texico was a state champion in football, volleyball, boys basketball and both track teams.

Logan, Melrose and Gateway Christian were 1-2-3 in Class 1A. Logan captured state in football, boys basketball and boys track and field.

NMOA HALL OF FAME: During the recent state conference for high school coaches, two new members were formally inducted into the New Mexico Officials Association Hall of Fame.

Tom Litchfield, a longtime baseball official, and wrestling’s Victor Romero earned entry this year. Litchfield worked 25 years doing prep baseball games in New Mexico, and also worked 12 doing college games.

Romero, once an elite wrestler himself and former head coach at Eldorado, and was an official for 35 years. He is a member of the state’s wrestling Hall of Fame.

THIS AND THAT: Carlsbad High’s junior linebacker, Colton McKibben, earlier this week was named the top New Mexico player by MaxPreps.com. He also this week received a scholarship offer from the University of Oklahoma. … La Cueva guard Jordyn Dyer, who is arguably the top Class 5A girls basketball player in the state headed into the 2025-26 season, has recent D-I offers, from Lamar and Coppin State.