CHS takes four events in meet at Cleveland

RIO RANCHO – Clovis High’s boys and girls each won two events in Friday’s Cleveland Invite track meet.

For the boys, senior R.J. Nora posted a win in triple jump (44 feet, 2 inches) while sophomore Sammy Fuentes took first in the 1,600 (4 minutes, 38.92 seconds). On the girls’ side, sophomore Gabrielle Foggie came in first in the 400 (1:01.14) while senior Madison Parkin took pole vault competition (9-6).

The Wildcats finished fourth in boys team standings with 52 points, trailing host Cleveland with 93 and Albuquerque Academy and Eldorado with 63 apiece. Academy took girls team honors with 100 ¾ points to 62 for Cleveland, while the Lady Cats were seventh with 30.

A total of 14 boys teams and 13 girls squads were represented.

“We’re working on our depth in a few areas,” CHS boys coach Mark Sena said. “We had some guys in different events to see where we are in those areas.

“R.J. has already qualified (for the Class 5A state meet) in the 100 hurdles, long jump and triple jump. The last time I checked he was No. 1 (in 5A) in all three events.

Clovis also got a second-place finish from Jaydin Fenstermaker in pole vault, while senior Gregorio Cordova set a personal best in shot put, where he finished third at 45-3 ½. Meantime, the Cats placed third in the 400 and 800 relays.

Sophomore Amanda De La Rosa qualified for the state meet in javelin, where she finished second with a throw of 111-4. “I’m happy she’s off to such a good state,” CHS girls coach Darrel Ray said.

“We’ve got a few other things to get (qualified),” Ray said. “It’s just going to take some time to get there.”

The Lady Cats return to action on Saturday in Alamogordo’s White Sands Invite. The next outing for the boys is March 24-25 in the Amarillo Relays.

Tennis – Clovis High’s boys finished fourth with 21 points in the Cavern City Invitational on Friday and Saturday at Carlsbad.

The Cats placed in seven of nine divisions, led by a second-place showing in No. 2 from sophomores Taksh Patel and Landon Wolf, who lost in the finals to Alamogordo’s Brayden Money and Reese Gentry 6-3, 6-3.

Patel and junior Drex Carter were third in No. 3 and No. 5 singles, respectively, while Wolf at No. 4 singles and Carter and junior Cooper Harriman at No. 3 doubles placed fourth and seniors David Cast at No. 1 singles and Gerald Gonzales at No. 2 rebounded from first-round losses to take fifth place.

“We had the opportunity to play everyone in our district (except Roswell High),” CHS boys coach Tristan Pautler said. “Hobbs and Carlsbad are great to play during the season. It gives us an idea of what to expect when district comes, and now we can start to prepare.”

Meantime, the Lady Cats were sixth with four points. Artesia took team honors with 64 points to 49 for Artesia and 42 for Hobbs.

Two freshmen finished fourth in singles for Clovis – Gigi Greer at No. 4 and Emily Bjorkland at No. 5. The Lady Cats got a fifth-place showing in No. 1 doubles with seniors Niliyaah Hall and Odalys Olivas.

“This was a great tournament for us to be in,” Lady Cats coach Rylie Garza said. “We faced amazing teams, and I am so proud of this team for going out and giving it their all.”

Next up for the Cats and Lady Cats is a quadrangular meet on Friday and Saturday at Alamogordo.