Kirtland Central High School

Updated on Nov 22, 2024

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School type Public, High School Enrollment 973 (2008) Campus Suburban Phone +1 505-598-5881 Color Purple & Gold		Principal Shawna Becenti Average class size 19 Athletics 17 sports Number of students 790 (2013)
Address 550 Rd 6100, Kirtland, NM 87417, USA District Central Consolidated Schools Similar Farmington High School, Piedra Vista High School, Navajo Preparato School, Shiprock High School, Kirtland Middle School Profiles Facebook

Kirtland Central High School (KCHS) is located in the town of Kirtland, New Mexico (USA) its colors are Purple & Gold and their mascot is the Bronco. KCHS is a part of the Central Consolidated School District along with Newcomb High School and Shiprock High School.

Athletics

Kirtland Central is a New Mexico Activities Association (NMAA) AAAA school in District 1-4A. KCHS competes in 15 NMAA sport and Activity Events. KCHS has taken a total of 31 State Championships in 3A & 4A.

Girls' Basketball

The Kirtland Central girls basketball program has put together one of the most astonishing dynasties in New Mexico high school sports. Since 1979, the Lady Broncos have appeared in 30 State Championship games and has a total of 19 state titles and 11 runners-up. Kirtland Central which is also nationally ranked in girls basketball for having numerous state titles among with other programs in the USA by the National Federation of State High School Associations. The girls program has produced many All-Americans, such as; Colette Hatch (New Mexico State), Cara Priddy (University of Texas), Karina Zapata (Brigham Young) and Karyn Karlin (University of Arkansas). Kirtland Central also had numerous great outstanding standouts such as Nadia Begay (Boise State), Jaimey Tanner (Montana State), Sharon Max (Eastern New Mexico) and many others.

The girls' program began with making it to the state championship game in 1979 before falling to St. Pius X High School. They then won eight consecutive state titles (1980-1987). Kirtland Central then became major rivals with Shiprock High School. Together, they have met for state championship a total of nine times, with Kirtland winning five: (1987, 1993, 1994, 1995, 2010) and Shiprock winning four: (1988, 1989, 1990, 1992). Kirtland Central also won four state titles in 1993, 1994, 1995, and 1996, and made a 3-peat from 2003 to 2005. The Lady Broncos had undefeated seasons in 1981 (27-0), 1984 (26-0), 1986 (27-0), and 1996 (27-0). In addition, the Lady Broncos were runners-up in 1979, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1992, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2007, 2008, and 2011.

In 2011, the Broncos were defeated by Gallup High School. The most recent state title occurred in 2012 as the Broncos defeated Roswell High School.

Championship Games

1979…First title appearance, Kirtland falls short to St. Pius X 51-44

1980…Coach Jim Karlin leads Kirtland Central to first of many titles after a 52-46 over Los Lunas in Class 3A championship

1981…Kirtland’s first undefeated season as 26-0 Broncos beat back Portales by a 50-36 count

1982…No doubt who’s best in 3A as Kirtland Central clobbers Tohatchi 66-35 in championship matchup

1983…A tight Class 3A championship battle sees Broncos beating Bernalillo 56-54 for state crown

1984…An unblemished 26-0 campaign ends with Kirtland smothering Four Corners rival Bloomfield 65-28

1985…Last title with coach Jim Karlin in charge of the Kirtland Central squad as Broncs handle St. Pius 44-30

1986…A perfect 27-0 season culminates with a rematch against St. Pius in 3A championship. Final: Broncos 52, Sartans 43

1987…Eight straight titles, the last two under coach Don Cluff, as KC squeezes by Shiprock 62-61

1988…Shiprock ends Kirtlands title runs, as Shiprock beats Kirtland 60-58

1989…Kirtland falls short to Shiprock, as Shiprock dominates Kirtland 83-55

1990…For the 3rd year consecutively Shiprock beats Kirtland 57-36

1992…After Kirtland and Shiprock missing out in 1991, once again Shiprock outlasts Kirtland 58-54

1993…Kirtland Central, coached by Larry Sorenson, nips Shiprock 47-46 for the first of four straight Class 3A crowns

1994…New coach Dexter Irvin takes over and KC continues winning, this time with a 57-54 win over Shiprock

1995…Four straight times, Kirtland meets up with district rival Shiprock in the Class 3A championship. For third time in a row, it’s a Broncos title after a 68-49 victory

1996…Four straight championship as Broncos outlast Pojoaque 61-55 in 3A finale led by standout Karyn Karlin and finishing 27-0

1998…The Lady Broncos come up short 67-65 as they fall to unbeaten Pojoaque

1999…After two-year drought, Kirtland Central reclaims Class 3A crown with a 46-33 win over Artesia

2000…Silver races past Kirtland 60-57

2001…Broncos take on rival Farmington in the big one, with the 4A title going to Kirtland after a 66-55 victory

2002…Kirtland and Farmington meet again but this time with Farmington winning 71-63

2003…Led by standout Nadia Begay and the second title for Kirtland under coach Dan Scroggins after an 89-59 bludgeoning of Moriarty

2004…New coach Mike Christie takes over, Broncos don’t skip a beat. Class 4A title game: Kirtland 42, Farmington 35

2005…Kirtland Central wins third straight championship in 4A by knocking off Deming 65-50 in finale

2007…Kirtland faces district foe Aztec and falls short 52-46

2008…For the 2nd year in a row Kirtland falls short but to St. Pius X 57-48

2010…Four years without a title means a major drought for the Broncos. It ends when Kirtland beats rival Shiprock 71-52 for the 4A crown

2011…Gallup runs over Kirtland 60-46, thus coming before Gallup dropping from class 5A to 4A

2012…Kirtland Central nips Roswell 42-41 in Class 4A championship game and adds another blue trophy to the case

References

Kirtland Central High School Wikipedia

(Text) CC BY-SA

Contents

Athletics

Girls' Basketball

Championship Games

References