Cats seek to extend state track streaks

With the chances of ending La Cueva’s string of seven-straight boys state titles a long shot at best, the Clovis Wildcats have a pair of streaks of their own at stake.

The Wildcats have finished in the top five at the Class 5A meet the last four years, including a runner-up finish to La Cueva last year. Clovis has also won at least one relay the last four years.

The three-day meet begins today at the University of New Mexico’s track and field stadium in Albuquerque.

“I told the kids Monday to go up there and run their best and see what happens,” Clovis coach Darren Kelley said. “The kids have looked really relaxed this week and all they have to do is go out and compete.”

The Wildcats are coming off a dominating performance at last week’s district track meet, which further enhanced Kelley’s belief Clovis has a shot at winning a trophy (top three finish).

“I wasn’t expecting us to do what we did last week,” Kelley said. “So who knows what’s going to happen up there?”

Led by Kenyan distance standout Shadrack Kiptoo and depth in almost every event, La Cueva is considered the overwhelming favorite, although Kelley believes Highland has an outside chance of upsetting the Bears.

Highland is led by sprinter Ben Marshall and javelin throw Anthony Fairbanks. Jay White and the Alamogordo Tigers are another team to watch.

Unlike previous seasons when Clovis had gold-medal favorites in several events, only one individual (Phillip Williams in the long jump) and one relay (1,600 medley) is ranked going into the meet as high as second. Junior Jacob Jones (400) and senior Charles Purdy (shot) are seeded third.

Kelley thinks Williams also has an outside chance in the 100 meters, while Jones gives Clovis its first state-caliber quarter-miler in a long time.

Williams and Jones will also run legs on relays.

“Those two guys are our workhorses this year,” Kelley said. “In the 100, Phillip has beaten a lot of those guys in front of him the last four weeks and Jacob is right there.”

Purdy, who throws today, thinks it will take an effort similar to his school-record throw of 57-feet, 2 1/2 inches in the first meet of the season to contend for the shot title.

“It’s my last track meet,” said Purdy, who noted he threw 59 feet in practice recently. “I started the season on a good note and I’d like to end the season on a good note.”

Brandon McKinney of Rio Rancho has the top throw in 5A this season at 58-10.