New Mexico Highlands Fall Sports Preview
Las Vegas, New Mexico—As the college sports landscape undergoes division, conference, and coaching changes, New Mexico Highlands is set to enter the 2024 Fall sports season with three new head coaches at the helm. These coaches bring a wealth of experience and success to their respective sports, promising an exciting season ahead.
Cross Country: Highlands Cross Country was the only fall season sport that kept their Head Coach from the previous season. Bob DeVries and the Highlands Cross Country Team have been phenomenal in his 32 years at Highlands. This year, Coach Devries had a couple of crucial departures; on the women's side, Irma Berkowitz, Lucía Harrison, and Faith Amor (Lovato) all graduated, and Gracey Lovato transferred. Meanwhile, John Hall, Mart Nijhuis, and the All-American star Andrew Amor graduated on the men's side. Some names that could fill these spots on the women's side are Josey French and Welona Sanchez, and on the men's side, Celso Garcia and Christian Corona.
Football- Since the introduction of the college transfer portal in October of 2018, the college football landscape has changed from saying players come and go as they please to NIL playing a factor. This can also work to the advantage of some teams while being disadvantaged. After Highlands and former head football Coach Rod Hudson parted ways, a national search for his predecessor began immediately. Co-Athletic Directors Shanna Halalilo and Jim Deisler went 2 Hours and 45 Minutes SE to New Mexico Military Institute (NMMI), where they hired Kurt Taufa'asau as the Head Coach of the Cowboys football program. In his time at NMMI, Taufa'asau was 27-10 over the past three seasons and the 2021 season, where the Broncos went 12-1 en route to an NJCAA Division I National Championship. In his playing days, the former Bronco Head Coach started as a Bronco before becoming a Cowboy at the University of Wyoming. He would later spend time in the NFL with the Raiders, Titans, and Colts. Coach Taufa'Asau is no stranger to winning. The question will be what it will look like as many players have entered the portal or graduated. Key Departures include RB Shawntay Mills, LB Devin Coney, LB Nigel Thomas, DL Mark Simon, DB Brendon Luper, Quarterbacks Hunter Watts, Jonathan Jerry, and Gage Guardiola. The 2023 Cowboys saw four quarterbacks under center, including JR Joey Cave, who is expected to be back with the Cowboys in the fall. Coach Taufa'asau begins his first season as the Head Coach of the Cowboys on Thursday, August 29th at 6 PM at Sanchez Family Stadium against Eastern New Mexico.
Soccer- New Mexico Highlands soccer announced the hire of Amanda Evans on March 14th after she spent her last six seasons at Mary Baldwin University in Staunton, Virginia. She compiled an overall record of 34-47-6. During her six seasons, she encountered many challenges, including the COVID season, another season that could not be completed due to scheduling issues and weather per source. Evans also started the soccer program at Salt Lake Community College (SLCC), now one of the top JUCO Soccer programs in the nation after she handed the reins over in 2009. Coach Evans's team will be without four seniors who graduated: Manon De Fonseca, Giselle Pinal, Melissa Olivares, and Mia Ortiz. Ortiz was named a captain her senior year. Highlands lost Ortiz, Keeper Parker Frei, Defender Gentri Granere, and Forward Grace Bonzoumet to the transfer portal. Along with some players with RMAC experience, Coach Evans signed two Junior College transfers, Sydnee Smith and Arianna Dimartino, both Colorado Natives by way of Lamar Community College, as well as Estrella Albright of Aztec, New Mexico, to the Cowgirl Family. The Cowgirls open the 2024 season on September 5th at home against Sul Ross State University.
Volleyball-Highlands Volleyball brings back a familiar face as the Head Coach, Meg Grose. Meg was the assistant under former Head Highlands Volleyball Coach Tom Dukes. She spent the past season at Lawerence University in Appleton, Wisconsin. Grose was a standout player and a four-year Peru State College (NAIA) (NE) starter. Grose has been busy since being named the Head Coach, signing five players: two from the state of New Mexico, Olivia Archuleta and Gianna Benneli, a JUCO transfer from Larimer County Community College, Nicole Shaver, and two players from the state of Wisconsin, Aaliyah Kren, and Meg Pfannerstill. The Cowgirls lost MB Layla Hooks. Expect big things from Jada Lawson and RS Angelina Burton in their second season in the Cowgirls Program. Grose also brought Cody Cartisser onto her staff after the graduation and departure of former Cowgirl standout Soleil Gandara, the Assistant Coach, last season.
Highlands Athletics is trending up with some excellent hires and current coaches looking to build a winning culture at Highlands. Catch all the action for the fall athletics this fall on the RMAC with New Mexico Broadcaster of the Year Scott Galetti on the call.
Quote from Jace: Highlands Athletics will have exciting times and bright futures in the fall season. As always, Media Man is excited about the fall sports season ahead at New Mexico Highlands University.
