Eagles capture 1-3A title

ALBUQUERQUE — Clovis Christian’s boys wrapped up a solid golf season with a state Class 1-3A championship on Monday. Meantime, Texico’s girls came up just short in their bid for a title.

CCS posted three of the day’s top eight scores en route to a four-man total of 328 and a 13-shot victory over Socorro at Los Altos Golf Course. St. Michael’s was third at 375.

Freshman Noah McKay shot six-over-par 78 for the Eagles, finishing third in medalist competition behind New Mexico Military’s Jackson Hicks (75) and Socorro’s J.J. Avery (76). Eagles senior Tyler Lingnau was fourth with a 79, while freshman Bodee Bratcher finished in a three-way for sixth at 82.

“They had to play to win,” said CCS coach Trent McKay, who is Noah’s father. “They all had some little things (go wrong), but they came through. They were able to right the ship.”

Brothers Dawson and Carter Teune, who split time this spring between track and golf, each shot 89 to round out the Eagles’ card.

In girls competition, Socorro shot 328 and finished three strokes ahead of the Lady Wolverines in another two-team battle at the top. Dexter and Sandia Prep tied for third at 431.

Seniors Grace McDaniel and Emily DelaRosa led the way for Texico, with McDaniel shooting a 79 for third place individually and DelaRosa carding a 90 to finish sixth. Other scores for the Lady Wolverines included senior Libby Douma at 94, freshman Liz Elam at 98 and senior Anneke Douma at 101.

While they went in with high hopes of winning, it took a lot for defending champion Socorro to outlast the Lady Wolverines.

“I’m just super-proud of the girls,” Texico coach Kristen Scanlan said, noting McDaniel’s score was a school record at a state meet. “They did a great job this year. They worked their tails off and really bought into the team concept.”

Santa Fe Prep’s Karen Tian was the individual winner with a 74, one shot ahead of Socorro’s Harley Richardson.

CHS girls finish seventh in 5A — At Arroyo del Oso Golf Course, Clovis High’s girls were seventh in a 10-team Class 5A field, shooting a four-person tally of 417.

Piedra Vista took the team championship at 328, followed by La Cueva at 337 and Centennial at 347. District 4-5A champion Hobbs was fifth at 379.

Sophomore Jolei Atkins paced the Lady Wildcats with a 95, followed by sophomores Gracie Beevers at 104 and Kiaya Gallegos at 106, senior Madison Harmon at 112 and junior Cara McWilliams at 114.

“We hit the ball well, but we didn’t putt very well,” Lady Cats coach Joe Dvozenja said. “They cut the greens a little short.

“We wanted to shoot around 405. The young ones will work hard and I think we’ll get better next year.”

Medalist honors went to Centennial’s Alex Armendariz at 1-under-par 71, two shots ahead of Eleanna Carris of La Cueva and Shandiin Harper of Piedra Vista.

Junior Taylor Martin represented CHS in the boys’ portion of the meet. Martin had a couple of rough holes, coach Dale Fullerton said, before finishing the day with a score of 85,

“For the most part, he hit the ball pretty good,” Fullerton said.

Martin played a practice round at the course on Sunday and shot 79.

“He didn’t play too bad,” Fullerton said. “He had one really bad hole where he got into the trees and then 3-putted the hole.”

Hobbs cruised to the 5A boys team title at 290, 11 strokes ahead of runnerup Piedra Vista. The Eagles posted three of the top six scores.

Portales’ boys were represented by seniors Valon Low and Nate Cota in Class 4A competition at Ledara Golf Course. Low finished with an 81 while Cota came in at 82.

Albuquerque Academy shot 297 to take team honors by four strokes over Lovington. Belen’s Grady Cox and Academy’s Tay Hwang tied for medalist honors at 4-under 68.

Academy also took the girls 4A team title at 312, 10 shots over St. Pius. Academy’s Anya Parasher and Callia Ward shared medalist honors with round of 3-under 69.