Lacrosse Fiesta participants are, from left, are Elijah Martinez, Steven Richardson, Iszakiah Chacon, Matt Martinez, Daniel Certik, Corbin Wakeford, Quentin Adams, and David Hargather. Brian Cardon and Ronan Parton not pictured. Photo by Vanessa Richardson.

BY DAN WAKEFIELD
Head Coach

Los Alamos 12U Youth Lacrosse wrapped up its 2026 season by winning the championship trophy at the Lacrosse Fiesta Tournament, held May 9–10 at Balloon Fiesta Park in Albuquerque.

Two round-robin games were played on Saturday, May 9. That morning, Los Alamos outlasted a large Albuquerque squad, earning a hard-fought 9–6 victory. Saturday afternoon brought uncomfortably warm temperatures of 92 degrees and a matchup against a combined Santa Fe/El Paso team, with Los Alamos prevailing 8–4.

With two games and two wins, Los Alamos earned a bye into the championship game — a high-noon showdown on Sunday, May 10, against Albuquerque. Los Alamos entered Sunday short-handed, missing the playmaking of Ronan Parton and the shutdown defense of Brian Cardon, and managing to field only eight players in the 7-vs.-7 format. The team made up for it with determination and grit, battling to a tie with Albuquerque by the end of the first half.

In the second half, Los Alamos relied on stingy goaltending from Iszakiah Chacon, stifling defense from David Hargather, Daniel Certik, and Quentin Adams, and tactical offensive play from Elijah Martinez, Steven Richardson, Matt Martinez, and Corbin Wakeford. Los Alamos pulled away for a 10–7 victory, securing the tournament championship.

The 12U team, made up of players ages 11 and 12, included 10 players from Los Alamos this season. Over the course of the year, the team traveled throughout the Southwest, competing against teams from Pueblo, Colorado Springs, Salida, Crested Butte, El Paso, Santa Fe, and Albuquerque. Los Alamos finished the season with a record of 12 wins, 6 losses, and 1 tie.