Top 2025 Sports Stories in Valencia County

Mike Powers Mike Powers Mike Powers News-Bulletin Sports Writer

Published December 30, 2025 - 12:00 p.m.

It has been a busy, exciting and controversial year of athletic competition. Here are some of the top sports stories in Valencia County in 2025, in no particular order.

New look, new coach

A recent addition to this list is the forced resignation of Greg Henington as Los Lunas football coach. Henington was asked to step down, without an explanation, despite capturing a state title and winning nearly 75 percent of his games. Lots of questions, few answers.

Henington won’t be around as the Tigers begin play in 5A after being moved down from 6A by the New Mexico Activities Association. Belen was also affected, dropped into 4A, leaving both schools in a more competitive situation. It also brings BHS and Valencia together in the same district, adding spice to the rivalry.

Rylee “the legend” Salome

In the spring, Rylee Salome swung into New Mexico high school golf history at Pinon Hills Golf Course in Farmington.

By winning the individual 4A State Championship for Belen, Salome joined January Romero and Edie Murdoch as the only female golfers to win four state titles.

Salome is now representing New Mexico State University, with a fantastic future ahead.

Frequent flyer

Growing up in Bosque Farms, Katherine “Kat” Lindenmuth may have dreamed of traveling the world. However, could she have ever envisioned what happened in 2025?

Lindenmuth won a WIBA minimum weight title in Thailand, lost a bout in California, then won the WBA Gold super flyweight championship during a wild, controversial trip to Egypt.

BHS Controversy No. 1

Belen athletics was smack dab in the middle of a couple of controversies, with the firing of Buddy York as volleyball coach drawing plenty of questions.

No public explanation was given for the dismissal, which took place just days before the Eagles learned they had earned a berth in the state tournament.

The mystery left players and fans wondering about the reasoning and the timing.

BHS controversy No. 2

You wouldn’t think a piece of clothing would be the centerpiece of another controversy involving BHS athletics, but that was the case with the do-rag worn by Jeremiah Lord at the 4A State Track Championship.

Track officials disqualified the Eagles 4x100 relay team after the preliminaries because Lord wore the head-covering. After a weeks-long investigation, the New Mexico Activities Association acknowledged the ruling was a “mistake,” and “that a variety of new processes and procedures” will be put in place to avoid future errors.

Best in breeding

The small community of Veguita is huge when it comes to breeding. Breeding horses that is.

In August, Mac and Janis Murray, owners of MJ Farms in Veguita, were selected the American Quarter Horse Association’s Champion Breeder of the Year.

Plus, the top two finishers in the prestigious and lucrative All American Futurity, King of the Tide and Political Twist, are out of MJ Farms.

New bosses

Both Los Lunas and Belen welcomed new athletic coordinators in 2025 after two veteran administrators retired.

Bill Hays took over for long-time Los Lunas Schools fixture Wilson Holland, while Jim Collins replaced Steven Contreras in Belen Consolidated Schools.

Hays made an impact by hiring athletic/activities managers at both LLHS and VHS. At BHS, Collins quickly established the Belen High School Athletic Hall of Fame.