La Cueva, Albuquerque Academy and Cottonwood Classical Prep are among the 2025-26 Directors Cup winners.
The Cup is awarded to the highest performing schools in athletics, activities and sportsmanship.
Among multiple criteria, schools are graded based on participation and success across 22 sports and 13 activities under the New Mexico Activities Association umbrella.
La Cueva scored 3,180 points to capture first place in Class 5A, with Cleveland (2,990) and Volcano Vista (2,470) also in the top three.
The Bears won state championships in boys soccer, cheerleading, boys tennis and boys golf.
Academy had yet another huge year in the Class 4A ranks, and scored 3,440 points in the Directors Cup standings. Artesia and Los Alamos tied for second place, each with 2,860 points.
The Chargers bagged blue trophies in boys cross country, boys and girls swimming/diving, boys and girls tennis, girls golf, and boys and girls track and field. Academy also was a state runner-up in a number of other sports.
Cottonwood Classical Prep in 3A scored 1,950 points to capture first place. It was followed by St. Michael’s (1,820) and Navajo Prep (1,710). The Coyotes won state swimming/diving championships in both genders.
Rehoboth Christian (1,590) was the Class 2A Directors Cup champ, and Logan (1,790) was first place in Class 1A.
VOTING: The Section 6 eligibility portion of the NMAA handbook captured virtually all the headlines in a voting ballot last month. But it was not the only item schools voted on.
For example, schools, by an overwhelming 78-3 margin, have voted to update the state’s soccer overtime rule.
Overtime has been removed completely from the regular season, except during a tournament where a winner is necessary to move forward in a bracket. Player safety was an issue here, as it pertains to teams who might play two or even three games in a single week.
According to the NMAA ballot, 41 states do not play OT in the regular season.
Secondly, varsity games that have gone into OT have impacted the ability of teams to stage a JV contest (especially later in the season), which frequently follows the varsity on the same field but does not have lights.
By a 78-2 vote, schools also voted to eliminate card count misconduct progression for both players and coaches. There will still be ejections for either a red card, or a second yellow, and that coach/player would have to miss the next scheduled game.
James Yodice covers prep sports for the Journal. You can reach him at jyodice@abqjournal.com or via X at @JamesDYodice.
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