Clovis claims team win at Hobbs

HOBBS — The Clovis High boys golf team gave themselves a shot in the arm heading into the state golf tournament with a team win Wednesday at Hobbs.

The boys, with Kolt Bennett and David Maldonado in the top five, grabbed a team score of 319 to top Carlsbad (324), the host Eagles (328) and Artesia (337).

Interim boys coach Dale Fullerton felt the boys had some chances to knock some shots off the score, but had a good day overall.

“It started off cold and windy,” Fullerton said, “and by the back nine it warmed up and got nice toward the end.”

Clovis got qualifying legs from both Bennett (77), who finished third after a playoff, and Maldonado (78), who tied Hobbs’ David Cox for fifth.

The Wildcats long ago earned their three necessary team legs for state, but Fullerton said grabbing another never hurts. The target team score was 324.

“Getting a leg moves you up as far as standings,” Fullerton said. “Our team is high enough, and we play with the top four in the state. You’re playing with better competition, so obviously you’ll play better.”

Other shooters for Clovis were Christian Fontanilla (81), Blaine Casey (83), Dakota York (86) and Josh Gutierrez (88).

The Clovis girls weren’t nearly as successful, finishing 38 strokes out of second place with a 403.

Artesia claimed the team title with a 349, beating out Hobbs (365). Clovis just topped Carlsbad (405) and Lovington (407). Artesia’s Josey Jackson was the medalist with a 79, leading three Bulldogs in the top five.

Logan Clayton picked up a qualifying leg with a 91, but the only other three players Clovis brought shot triple digits.

“It was a tough day. They struggled today, and I don’t know if it’s because we were tired from traveling to Albuquerque on Monday or if it was just one of those days.”