The start of the school year is quickly approaching and with it, the beginning of the Fall sports seasons of football, soccer, volleyball and cross country. However, the accolades for last year’s Colt baseball team that won the Class 3A state championship title are still rolling in, with the New Mexico High School Coaches’ Association recently releasing their selections for both All-State and the Senior All-Star teams.

Six NMMI players were tagged for the 3A All-State team - some in multiple positions - including senior Tegin Maloney being named the 3A Player of the Year:

1^st Team Pitchers - Tegin Maloney and Javier Yepiz
1^st Team Infielders – Tegin Maloney and Javier Yepiz
1^st Team Outfielder – Nicolas Barcenas

2^nd Team Infielder – Grant Maloney
2^nd Team Catcher – Nicolas Barcelo

Honorable Mention Infielder – Noah Martinez

In addition, third-year head coach Brad Blackwell was chosen as the 3A Coach of the Year.

On the All-Star side, three NMMI seniors were selected, allowing them to compete in the annual 1A-3A Red/Green All-Star game, organized and hosted by the NMHSCA:  Tegin Maloney as a pitcher, and Javier Yepiz and Noah Martinez as infielders.

“I think this was extra special for these kids, because they’ve wanted to get back to the state championship since they were freshmen,” said Blackwell. “Their sophomore and junior seasons, we got beat in the first round of state. But they came out at the start of this season with determination and just had a great work ethic the entire time. They went out with a bang and these awards are proof of that excellence all season.”