Cats notch surprise wins

CLOVIS - Jeremiah Johnson surprised himself a bit in Friday's District 4-5A track meet at Leon Williams Stadium.

So did Sammy Fuentes.

Both notched somewhat unexpected wins for the Clovis High boys track team, and in the process earned berths in those events to this week's Class 5A state competition at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque.

Johnson, a sophomore, exceeded his previous best by about five feet in winning shot put competition with a distance of 47 feet, 7 inches. Fuentes, a freshman, topped his personal best in the 1,600 by about five seconds, posting a time of 4 minutes, 39.80 seconds.

The Wildcats finished third in the four-team event with 58 points, trailing Carlsbad by four. Hobbs dominated the competition, winning eight events and scoring in virtually everything to finish with 136 points.

Hobbs also won the girls division easily with 116 points to 72 for the runnerup Lady Wildcats.

Johnson, who led a 1-2-4 Cats showing in shot put, got his top mark on his second throw in the finals.

"When I threw it, it felt great," he said. "I was trying to get first or second and help the team.

"My goal (at state) is to beat that. I want to get at least 48 (feet)."

In the 1,600, Fuentes tried to keep pace with Hobbs' Adrian Villegas and Diego Vega, putting on a sprint during the final lap to pass both of them.

"I usually try to go out (with the leaders) and can't keep up with them," he said. "But I wanted to keep within about three seconds of them, and with about 500 meters left I just went ahead and took them."

His previous top time in the event was 4:44.99. Fuentes, who also helped the Cats win the 3,200 relay in a season-best 8:46.74, believes he can do even better this weekend.

"I think I can cut a little bit of time," he said of the 1,600. "Now I have some confidence, and I think I can keep going."

CHS boys coach Mark Sena moved some people around, including his top athlete, R.J. Nora. The junior passed on some of his usual events in this meet and added high jump and pole vault to the list of events he's qualified for after winning both on Friday.

Sena and his staff were to decide early this week how best to use the five events he can compete in at state to help the team score.

"I was very proud of the kids," Sena said. "Having success in shot put was great to start the day. You expect your best athlete to be really good, and (Nora) was today."

Nora also helped qualify the Cats' 1,600 relay team, running the lead leg in that event as Clovis finished second to Hobbs. That allowed a couple of runners to qualify who otherwise wouldn't have made it.

"They did a tremendous job," Sena said. "We were trying to get some kids that (state) experience."

Hobbs' depth was just as apparent on the girls' side as the Lady Eagles won half of the 20 events. The Lady Cats picked up two wins from freshman Gabrielle Foggie (200 and 400) and one each from sophomore Aja Gonzales (high jump) and junior Zoe Linn (300 hurdles).

"We had several good performances today," CHS girls coach Darrel Ray said. "(Freshman Amanda) De La Rosa (second in javelin at 106-9) has gained 27 feet from where she started.

"(Freshman) Kira (Tree) making it to state (in the 3,200) was great, and Aja winning high jump (4-10) was a little bit of a surprise."

Clovis' girls will be entered in about 10 events in this week's 5A girls competition.