Mike Powers

3 days ago | news-bulletin.com | Mike Powers

BELEN — For a second time in an eight-year span, Steven Contreras is retiring as Belen Consolidated Schools athletic coordinator. This time it may stick. “I’m going to take care of some projects at home,” said Contreras. “Maybe do some traveling with my wife.”His wife, Melissa, is also retiring but from Los Lunas Schools. After 32 years in education, Contreras is ready to step away, taking fond memories with him.

3 days ago | news-bulletin.com | Mike Powers

Post season awards for high school baseball and softball teams are starting to come in, with All-State selections on the horizon. Many Valencia County athletes were recognized with district honors. Belen’s Lorissa Scott, who will play at Eastern New Mexico University next season, was named both the softball Player of the Year and Pitcher of the Year in District 5-4A. In addition, Scott earned All Academic status and was named All-Metro at second base by the Albuquerque Journal.

3 days ago | news-bulletin.com | Mike Powers

It was a redemption tour and a silver swan song all in one for Jonathan “Jonny” Gurule, of Los Lunas, at the U23 Pan American Games, an international wrestling tournament. Gurule, a state champion and 2021 Los Lunas High School graduate, earned a silver medal for USA Wrestling in Greco-Roman in April at 63 kg, 138 pounds, in Queretaro, Mexico. Flash back one year earlier, with Gurule flaming out at the same tournament in Rionegro, Columbia, losing both his matches. “I just didn’t perform right.

3 days ago | news-bulletin.com | Mike Powers

TOMÉ — It may be difficult to come home on weekends or Thanksgiving break, but defensive end Aiden Gonzalez, of Valencia, is eager to start his college football career at Virginia University of Lynchburg. Gonzalez has committed to make the 1,731 mile journey, swapping his VHS Jaguars gear for that of the VUL Dragons. “I’m feeling great, really excited to keep my athletic career going,” Gonzalez said following a ceremony at VHS.

2 weeks ago | news-bulletin.com | Mike Powers

ALBUQUERQUE — Carried by a talented group of sprinters and distance runners, the Belen Eagles took fifth place last week in the 4A State Girls Track & Field Championship at the University of New Mexico Track-Soccer Complex. Not only is Sophia Cox the state champion in the 400 meters (57.01), but the Eagles sophomore was also second in the 100 and 200 meters and was a member of the BHS 4x400 relay team that was also runner-up. Individually, Cox was third in total points. “I’m very excited.