ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO – Two Belen High School students are set to make history this season as the first female athletes to compete in Gridiron’s co‑ed 7‑on‑7 football league in Los Lunas.
Sophomore Jazmine Nanez, 15, and junior Yasmine Fernandez, 17, are joining the Los Lunas‑based team after competing as varsity basketball players for Belen. Their coaches say the pair will be stepping into a traditionally male‑dominated space as Gridiron expands opportunities for co‑ed competition.
The team will open play with three games in El Paso on March 14, giving both athletes their first chance to test their roles on the field ahead of league competition. The official Gridiron season begins March 28 at Mariposa Park.
Nanez and Fernandez are expected to take on key positions as the team prepares for its spring schedule. Their participation marks the first time female athletes have competed in Gridiron league play in Los Lunas, signaling a shift as more girls show interest in joining 7‑on‑7 football programs.
The team will continue preparations leading into the season opener later this month.
