Eagles, Texico looking for titles

CLOVIS — Clovis Christian boys golf coach Trent McKay and Texico girls coach Kristen Scanlan are hopeful their teams can win state Class 1-3A golf tournament championships on Monday at Albuquerque’s Los Altos Golf Course, but they don’t expect it to be easy.

The Eagles and Lady Wolverines, each seeking a first title, have played well all year. Now they have to do it one more time.

Brothers Dawson and Carter Teune have been splitting time between golf and track all season for CCS. Now, with the Class 1A state track meet behind them, they can hone in on golf.

“Carter and Dawson haven’t practiced for a while, it feels like,” CCS coach Trent McKay said Friday. “But we’ll have everybody (available), and we have a couple of days to prepare.”

Both teams were slated to play at practice round today at Los Altos. All state tournaments — Class 5A at Arroyo Del Oso, Class 4A at Ladera Golf Course and the 1-3A meet — are in Albuquerque and slated for 8 a.m. shotgun starts.

CCS and Texico were slated to play practice rounds today at Los Altos.

Senior Tyler Lingnau and freshmen Bodee Bratcher and Noah McKay, the coach’s son, round out the CCS quintet. The school revived its program four years ago, and Lingnau and Dawson Teune have been in it from the start.

“If we play like we can, we should be OK,” coach McKay said. “There’s some pressure on the seniors, because they know it’s over (after Monday).”

The Eagles appear to be in good shape. On average, only about six shots separate their five players, coach McKay said.

McKay said Socorro, Sandia Prep and Mesilla Valley are probably the other top contenders. But, he added, if his squad can shoot in the 325 range, it stands a good chance of winning.

He said Los Altos compares to Rockwind Golf Course in Hobbs and Spring River Golf Course in Roswell, courses the Eagles have played during the season.

Texico’s girls are a senior-laden squad, with freshman Liz Elam the only non-senior. Grace McDaniel has been the Lady Wolverines’ top player most of the season.

McDaniel is playing in her third state event, while senior Emily DelaRosa is in her second. Meantime, it’s the first trip to state for Elam and senior twins Anneke and Libby Douma.

Scanlan said Sandia Prep and Socorro should be among the contenders. Mesilla Valley beat Texico by four shots for the state title in 2019

Scanlan said a team score in the 360s or low 370s should give the Lady Wolverines a chance to win.

The single-day, 18-hole format is also a factor.

“It’s hard to (compare) scores because the courses they play are different than ours,” she said. “One thing with a one-day tournament — you can’t have a bad day.

“I don’t think we’re going in with the notion of winning. We’re just going in with the intent of playing our best.”

Lady Cats set for Class 5A meet — Clovis High’s girls earned a berth in the Class 5A meet, and coach Joe Dvozenia said it will be a good test for his young squad.

“It’s going to be a packed course, and a long day,” he said. “The girls are happy to be participating in a state tournament. It’s a good atmosphere.”

Sophomore Jolei Atkins has been the Lady Wildcats’ top player most of the year.

“She’s a workhorse,” Dvozenia said. “I don’t know of anybody who works as hard as she does. She wants to be great.”

Atkins will be joined by fellow sophomores Gracie Beevers and Kiaya Gallegos, junior Cara McWilliams and senior Madison Harmon.

Individually, Clovis will send junior Taylor Martin to the 5A boys meet. Meantime, in Class 4A at Albuquerque’s Ladera Golf Course, the Portales boys have qualified seniors Nate Cota and Valon Low.