RRPS coaches recognized by NMHSCA and School Board

RIO RANCHO — The Rio Rancho Public Schools Board of Education met Aug. 12 to honor several employees who recently received recognition and awards. Among the honorees were six coaches, assistant coaches and assistant athletic directors who were given awards from the New Mexico High School Coaches Association (NMHSCA).

The NMHSCA awards dinner was held July 25 at the Albuquerque Convention Center with additional “Milestone” awards handed out the following day.

Todd Resch, RRPS executive director of athletics, was on hand at the board meeting to introduce the honorees and give some insight on why these coaches were recognized by the NMHSCA.

“[This] group of individuals ... represent the very best of the best,” said Resch. “They’re dedicated, hard-working coaches who serve as exemplary mentors to our student-athletes.”

Cleveland High School wrestling coach Marcario “Mac” Borrego, Rio Rancho High School track and field coach Michael Gonzales and RRHS cheer and spirit coach Wendy Lopez were among the 18 head coaches presented with the 2024 Coaches of the Year Award.

RRHS assistant coach Victoria Collins was also among the 15 assistant coaches honored at the dinner.

“I just love these coaches, because some of them coached my kids and I know you make a huge difference in their lives,” said school board president Amanda Galbraith. “And for some of our students, this is why they come to school — so that they can be with you guys and have these opportunities. So, on behalf of the parents in our district, I’d just like to say thank you.”

For Lopez, the board meeting was bittersweet. She retired at the end of the 2023-24 season after a long and successful career heading up the RRHS cheer program. The meeting offered an opportunity for Lopez to say some farewells and express her gratitude.

“It’s been an amazing time for me,” she said. “I’ve been with Rio Rancho Public Schools coaching for 11 seasons. [We won] three state championships and we were top 10 in the nation for six of those 11 years. So, it’s just been phenomenal. I loved coaching. Thank you.”

On July 26, the NMHSCA gave out honors in recognition of coaches around the state who have reached specific milestones. CHS wrestling coach Evan Copeland, a 2019 Coaches of the Year recipient, was one of 11 coaches to reach the Level I Milestone.

To receive a Level I Milestone in wrestling, a coach must achieve 400-plus points in the NMHSCA’s award system. Coaches are awarded 20 points for a state team championship, five points for a state team runner-up or third place finish, three points for an individual state championship, five points for a district team championship, and 10 points for every year as a head coach.

“Someone asked me, ‘What does that mean to get a Level I coaching Milestone?’” Resch said. “Coach Copeland has eight years as a head coach. His dual meet record as head coach is 131-5. He has 36 tournament championships, four district championships and a state title. That’s what it means.”

RRHS athletic department secretary Debbie Garcia was also honored and received special recognition from Resch at the board meeting, though she was unable to attend.

Entering the 2024-25 school year, RRPS has 99 state championship titles in athletics in its 30-year history. Resch also took the opportunity to acknowledge the coaches who helped increase that number last season.

RRHS cross-country coach Phillip Keller, RRHS powerlifting coaches Ally Salata and Rocky Ramirez, RRHS girls track coach Michael Gonzales, CHS girls track coach Greg Rusk, CHS wrestling coach Mac Borrego, CHS boys powerlifting coach Steven Steel, and CHS cross-country coach Kenny Henry were all recognized by Resch. Salata and Rusk were both in attendance.