Lady Rams come up short in district

ROSWELL — The Portales High girls golf team is hoping for a strong performance in next week's Class 1A-3A golf tournament at Socorro.

Lady Rams standout Paige Hartman didn't have her usual stellar outing in Monday's District 3 tournament at the New Mexico Military Golf Course, although she finished second individually. She struggled at times, and Portales finished third in a field of three full teams at 357, trailing Lovington (336) and Texico (354).

Hartman will be among the top golfers in next week's event at the New Mexico Tech golf course. She finished third in state as a sophomore and eighth last year.

The rest of the Lady Rams played fairly well on Monday, coach Loy Hampton said, led by freshman Bailey Rowley with an 84.

"I was real happy with the rest of the girls," Hampton said. "They did what they had to do for us."

Texico senior Laura McFarden was the individual champion, shooting a 76.

Meantime, the PHS boys closed out their season with a solid effort, one of their best of the spring. The Rams shot a four-man tally of 330 for second place, just 13 shots behind Lovington.

Sophomore Ty Bergman shot a season-best 37-42 — 79, while seniors Jackson Powers (40-41 — 81) and Brandon Weringa (39-43 — 82) were close behind.

"It was good to see some people shoot well," Rams coach Keith Durham said. "I think if we'd had another week or two we could've done even better."

Six teams, including the three in District 3, will participate in the girls state meet on Monday and Tuesday. Host and defending champion Socorro goes in as a top-heavy favorite for team honors.

SUMMARY

District 3/1A-3A tournament

Monday

At New Mexico Military G.C., Roswell

Par 72

Boys

Team standings: 1. Lovington 317; 2. Portales 350; 3. Dexter 420.

Top individual: Zach Lambert, Lovington 77.

Portales results: Ty Bergman 37-42 — 79, Jackson Powers 40-41 — 81, Brandon Weringa 39-43 — 82, Jory Nix 49-39 — 88, Andrew Underbrink 47-43 — 90.

Girls

Team standings: 1. Lovington 336; 2. Texico 354; 3. Portales 357.

Top 5 individuals: 1. Laura McFarden, Texico 76; 2. Paige Hartman, Portales 80; 3. Leslie Avila, Lovington 81; 4. (tie) Kylee Cunningham, Lovington and Jalyssa Valencia, Lovington 82.