Jeff Young helps to bring Challenge home to Los Lunas

LOS LUNAS — After an 11-year stint coaching softball at Valencia High School, Jeff Young departed for southern New Mexico in 2021 to be an assistant coach at New Mexico State and now Western New Mexico University.

Even though Silver City is a long way from Valencia County, Young still resides not far from VHS.

“This is my I home, I love it,” Young said shortly before the Mustangs took the field for the first game of the South Central Regional Challenge at Los Lunas Sports Complex.

Young’s wife, Jennifer, maintains the family home in rural Valencia County while working for the state of New Mexico.

“She stays here and commutes on the weekend when she can,” while Young is also mobile, living in his fifth-wheeler while at WNMU.

If it wasn’t for Young, the Challenge may not have found a home in Los Lunas. While still at NMSU, Young was contacted by WNMU head coach Ashley Hickman.

“She was looking for a venue to host this because Albuquerque was asking too much money,” Young recalled.

With that, Young reached out to Jorge Venegas and Jason Duran with Los Lunas Parks and Recreation and the tournament, with eight Division II schools, made its debut in 2023.

“I want this to be a marquee event and have Los Lunas really embrace it, take pride in it,” he said.

Both Young and Hickman agree that the Challenge will need more sponsorships if it will return to Los Lunas for a fourth year.

For now, Young is enjoying life as an assistant coach under Hickman, who “does give me a huge say in what we do.” Still, after 11 years as a head coach at Valencia, including one state championship and four district titles, Young says, “I think at some point, it’s possible, I’ll end my career as a head coach at the college level.”

South Central Regional Challenge, featuring eight Division II schools, did not crown a champion, with the matchups predetermined. However, it was clear West Texas A&M was the most dominant team.

The Lady Buffs were never really challenged, going 5-0, including a 33-0 victory over Adams State.

Eastern New Mexico University was next with a 4-1 record, followed by WNMU, 3-2, Colorado-Colorado Springs, 3-1, New Mexico Highlands, 2-4, with Adams State, Sul Ross State and Simon Fraser, all at 1-4.

Hickman, the WNMU coach, called the Challenge a success.

“We had beautiful weather and great games,” said Hickman, adding the village of Los Lunas recreation department staff, “did an excellent job helping us set up for the event and continued to help over the weekend.”