NMAA News:
ALBUQUERQUE – The New Mexico Sports Hall of Fame celebrates 50 years this June. The first Induction Banquet was March 5, 1974.
As part of this celebration, the New Mexico Sports Hall of Fame announced today its special recognition recipients for the past year, celebrating accomplishments by fellow New Mexican individuals or teams.
Special Recognition Recipients:
- Chase Ealey – World Champion in shot put;
- Josh Kerr – World Champion 1500 meters;
- Mitch Garver – Member of the World Series Champion Texas Rangers;
- Gianna Rahmer, Eldorado High School – 6A State Champion, SW Nike Regional Champion & 6th in Nike Nationals cross-country;
- Jack Nixon, NMSU – 500th football game – play-by-play;
- Jerry Kill and the NMSU Football Team – 2 straight bowl appearances;
- Savannah Sanchez – Hope Christian School Soccer – broke the state girls’ soccer record for goals at 170 and 407 points;
- Jalyn Montes – Cibola Softball player – broke the state girls’ softball record for home record with 20 home runs in the 2023 season;
- Makayla Munoz, Aztec High School – the only four-time state champion in girls’ wrestling;
- Albuquerque Isotopes – 2023 Bob Freitas award winner for best overall Triple-A organization in Minor League Baseball. 11 millionth fan in September. Named the 2023 Copa de la Diversión Campeón;
- Habtom Samuel, University of New Mexico – finished as an NCAA Men’s Cross-Country Runner-Up;
- Brian Mendoza – won the WBC interim junior middleweight championship; and
- NMSU Cheer Team – NMSU comes away from USA Collegiate Championships with two first-place finishes.
These special recognitions will occur at the 50th Anniversary Induction Banquet June 23 during the Induction Celebration Weekend. The Induction Banquet will be held at the Albuquerque Convention Center.
