Cleveland inducts 2024 Hall of Fame class

RIO RANCHO — Big smiles and blue trim were everywhere in the Cleveland High School cafeteria and auditorium on Friday night as a ceremony and dinner were held for the CHS Hall of Fame Class of 2024.

Family and friends of the inductees joined CHS principal Scott Affentranger and athletic director Matt Martinez to honor the newest inductees. In total, Cleveland welcomed 11 new members to its Hall — six students, two coaches and three contributors.

This was the third class to be inducted into the CHS Hall of Fame.

Affentranger took the podium for a brief message about the inductees before a group photo was taken. After photos, dinner was served before the assembled group walked across the parking lot to Lightning Bolt Stadium for the Storm’s Friday night football game versus district rivals, the Volcano Vista Hawks. (A blowout 38-3 win for the Storm.)

Hall of Fame honorees are commemorated on a plaque in the auditorium and in a digital Hall of Fame that can be accessed at the CHS main office using a QR code.

2024 Cleveland High School Hall of Fame HonoreesStudentsAmy Salinas: This track star, basketball phenom, swim athlete and soccer stud led her Storm soccer squad to a 20-2 season in 2009. In 2010, they went 19-2. She was a five-year letter winner and went on to play soccer for Adams State.

Azuré Dorsey: A breakout soccer star, Dorsey was named District Player of the Year as a senior. She was also All-State three times, Honorable Mention as a freshman, Second Team as a junior and First Team as a senior. She led her team to four straight district titles and a State Championship in 2007.

Caitlyn Espinosa: Espinosa lettered in three different sports: soccer, basketball and track and field. In soccer, she led her team to two district titles. Espinosa was recruited to play both basketball and soccer, but ultimately signed an NIL deal to play goalkeeper at Fort Lewis College in Colorado.

Macario Borrego: A Cleveland High School legend, Mac Borrego was a wrestling All-American and a state champion who led his team to both district and state championships. He later returned to coach wrestling at CHS and was named the 2024 NWCA New Mexico Girls Coach of the Year.

Michael LiRosi: A fierce middle linebacker for the Storm, LiRosi was part of the “Perfect Storm” team of 13–0 under Coach Kirk Potter. LiRosi later joined the coaching staff with his brother and uncle.

Matthew Romero: In his senior year, 2011, Romero helped lead the Storm football team to the state championship as part of the 13-0 “Perfect Storm” season. He later played at Adams State.

CoachesEddie Kilmer: A 50-year head coach, Kilmer is a member of just about every hall of fame there is for high school coaches, including the National High School Athletic Coaches Association Hall of Fame. Kilmer is an exception to the CHS Hall of Fame rules in that he is not actually retired. In fact, he was unable to attend the ceremony due to a previous commitment preparing the Storm defense to take on the Hawks.

Jim Tillery: This longtime Cleveland golf coach was there from the beginning and led his team to Cleveland’s first state title.

ContributorsBob Tyler: A major contributor to Cleveland giving both his time and resources to the school, Bob Tyler is also an assistant coach for the Storm varsity baseball team.

Michael Franklin: Mike has been a major contributor to CHS since it opened its doors in 2009.

Joseph Perez: When acknowledging this young man, Affentranger said, “This guy has been on the sidelines, faithfully, for 16 years at Cleveland High School working with the football team. You’ve probably seen his face down there. He’s a major contributor.” After receiving his award, Perez worked with the chains crew on the sidelines at the football game that same night. Enough said.