CHS runners chasing trophy

CLOVIS — The Clovis High boys cross country team had hopes of earning a trophy (top-three finish) in last year's Class 6A state meet at Rio Rancho, but the Wildcats had a tough day and ended up eighth.

With much of the same cast back this season, though, they're ready to try it again.

"We've got some potential to be pretty good if we can get everybody healthy," CHS coach Mark Bussen said as the Cats and Lady Wildcats prepare to open the season in Friday's Clovis Invitational at Ned Houk Park.

The boys, though, will likely be without two of their top runners this week in juniors Jon Fuentes and Jose Salas. Both are nursing knee injuries.

The Cats return six of their top eight runners from last fall, also including junior Bailey Goodgame, sophomore T.J. Gregg, senior Dominic Moreno and freshman Bryce Lentz.

Gregg acknowledged it'll take a strong overall effort for the team to reach its goals.

"A lot of things need to fall in place for us to be really good, but we do have a lot of guys back," he said. "It'll take all of us to do it."

Goodgame posted the Cats' top time at state last year, placing 26th in 17 minutes, 15.85 seconds. Fuentes, Moreno and Gregg also came in under 18 minutes.

Gregg, already beginning his third season in the program, wants to do better than that this year.

"I'm trying to be top-10 in every meet," he said. "And I want to keep all my times in the 16s."

Bussen said the Cats could be better than last season. How much better is yet to be determined.

"We'll be as good as we were a year ago," Bussen said. "I think we can compete for a (District 2-6A) title and contend for top-5 at state."

The Lady Cats are led by senior Kelsey McNaughton, their only representative at state last season. She finished eighth in the meet with a 5K time of 19:31.30.

She and junior Faith Hays have the most varsity experience, although senior Samantha Castro, juniors Karli Windham and Morgan Edwards and sophomores Avery Arnett and Sidney Stratton all have spent some time at the varsity level.

"I'm hoping we can do pretty well," Hays said. "Hopefully, we'll be able to make it to state (as a team)."

Bussen said he's counting on McNaughton and Hays to help bring along a relatively young group.

"They're really the two mainstays (back) from last year," he said.

Hays said she's ready to step into more of a leadership role.

"It's a little bit of pressure," she conceded. "But I think I'll do just fine."

Around 10 schools are expected to participate in today's event. The girls varsity race is scheduled to begin at 3 p.m., followed by the boys varsity and boys and girls junior varsity competitions.