New Mexico arrived at the 2026 NASP® Western National Bullseye Tournament with confidence, composure, and a wave of rising archery talent—and the results did not disappoint. From elementary rookies to seasoned high school competitors, New Mexico's athletes posted personal records, cracked national top tens, and proved the state's archery programs are rapidly climbing the national ranks.
High School Division: Veterans Lead the Charge
New Mexico's high school girls fired off some of the state's strongest-ever national performances. Early College High School junior Ashlynn McGinnis headlined the group, blasting a 291 with 22 tens to finish 7th in the nation and 3rd among 11th‑grade girls. Sams Academy freshman Rhiannon Ramos added a powerful 285, good for 27th nationally, while Axiom Christian Classical junior Lily Zunic secured a top‑50 finish with a clean, disciplined 282. Early College's Aerona Stewart and a deep group including Kealanie Tyquiengco, Raya Morgan, and Isabel Figueroa kept New Mexico well represented throughout the top 100–150 ranks.
On the boys' side, Sams Academy's Wyatt Otero led New Mexico with a 281 and a 71st‑place national finish. Estancia Valley Classical's Uriah Cruz followed close behind with a 280, while Early College's Cody Warren posted a personal‑best 278 in a tightening field of national contenders. Another strong 276 from teammate Luis Armendariz capped a deep bench of more than a dozen high school boys scoring 251–273.
Middle School Division: A Breakout Star Emerges
The middle school division delivered one of New Mexico's biggest national moments. Sixth grader Hugo Hashagen of Albuquerque Academy electrified the field with a stunning 290—earning 4th among all middle school boys nationwide and 1st among 6th‑grade boys. His performance marked one of the highest national placements in New Mexico NASP® history.
Estancia Valley Classical's Dean Cillessen (281) and Red Mountain MS standout Isaac Ramirez (279) added depth to the state's national impact, both securing top‑40 placements among hundreds of competitors.
New Mexico's middle school girls carried their momentum too: Red Mountain's Johana Gonzalez shot a personal‑best 268 to place 108th nationally, followed closely by teammates Fabiola Villagran (267) and Irene Gomez (265). Taylor Middle School sixth grader Lily McWenie added a 264 to finish 31st nationally for her grade, anchoring a growing wave of young female shooters.
Elementary Division: Rising Talent Takes the Stage
New Mexico's youngest archers showcased grit and poise rarely seen at the national level. Cubero Elementary's Aliya Chino punched an impressive 251 to finish top 55 in the nation and 6th among all 4th‑grade girls, marking her as one of the state's brightest up‑and‑coming archers. Maggie Cordova's Ashlie Rogers followed with a strong 248 finish.
In the boys' division, Estancia Valley Classical's Nikolas Griego posted a personal‑best 262, landing inside the top 40 nationally and 31st among 5th‑grade boys. Teammate Carson Rose added a 255 and a top‑60 finish, while Maggie Cordova's Isaiah Nieto achieved a personal‑best 241. A long list of emerging shooters—including David Lansa, Shaun Sausa, Eli Chavez, Daniel Grajeda, Dominic Goins, and Arjay Mathews—rounded out a promising elementary roster.
Team Performances Highlight Growing Statewide Strength
New Mexico teams also held their own against the region's strongest programs. Early College High School finished 25th nationally, Sams Academy secured 37th, and Red Mountain Middle School placed an impressive 17th in a deep field of 41 teams. Maggie Cordova Elementary gained crucial national experience with a 21st‑place finish among elementary teams.
A State on the Rise
With a national top‑10 finisher, a 6th‑grade national champion, and a wave of personal bests across all divisions, New Mexico's presence at the 2026 Western Nationals was impossible to ignore. These results signal a powerful surge in the state's NASP® programs and set the stage for even bigger moments as athletes turn their sights toward upcoming national and state competitions.
ARE YOU READY TO BRING NASP TO YOUR SCHOOL?
The National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) is an action‑packed, in‑school archery experience—with an awesome after‑school component that keeps students coming back for more! Designed for grades 4–12 in public, private, and home schools, NASP delivers high‑energy target and 3D archery through fun, structured lessons like the 11 Steps to Archery Success, all using top‑quality Genesis equipment.
And here's the best part: the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish offers FREE Basic Archery Instructor Certification Workshops plus new‑program grants to help you launch with confidence.
Ready to get NASP started at your school?
Contact the New Mexico NASP Program Coordinator, Bruce Atencio, at 505‑467‑9929 or Bruce.Atencio@dgf.nm.gov.
Let's get your students aiming high and hitting their goals!