Aztec High Senior Villanueva Heads to Adams State After Stellar Season

On November 12, 2025 the Tri City Record recognized Aztec High senior Autumn Villanueva as the Legend of the Fall for girls soccer, highlighting a season and career that elevated both her program and the broader San Juan County sports community. Villanueva finished her senior campaign with 19 goals, bringing career totals to nearly 78 goals and 43 assists across 98 games, numbers that place her among the county's most productive high school players in recent memory.

Villanueva also plays a key role on Aztec High's basketball team, demonstrating the athletic versatility that has become a hallmark of her high school tenure. Coaches and teammates have cited her on field vision and consistent leadership, and she has taken on a mentoring role for younger players coming into the program. Those qualities were noted by program staff when the Record selected her for the season honor, reflecting both individual achievement and contribution to team development.

Her announcement that she has signed a letter of intent to play at Adams State in Colorado marks a new chapter and a concrete example of San Juan County athletes moving to the collegiate level. The commitment offers a tangible pathway for local players who aspire to compete after high school, and it will bring attention to Aztec High from regional coaches and recruiters. For families and youth athletes in the county, Villanueva's progression underscores the opportunities available through sustained participation and supportive school programs.

Villanueva's recognition arrives alongside honors for other San Juan County high school athletes this fall, illustrating a productive season across local programs. While individual awards draw headlines, the broader effect is on community engagement and the pipeline between youth leagues, high school teams, and college recruiting. Local coaches and athletic directors often point to such seasons as evidence of program stability and as leverage when seeking resources, scheduling competitive matches, and building feeder systems with youth clubs.

As Villanueva prepares for the transition to Adams State, Aztec High will turn to a cohort of younger players she has helped mentor this season. Her statistical legacy, multi sport involvement, and commitment to collegiate play will be part of the narrative local sports leaders use to promote participation and to advocate for facilities and coaching support. For residents who follow high school sports, her story is both a point of pride and a reminder of the civic value of school athletics in developing talent and community connection.