Lady Cats second, Cats third in George-Love Relays meet

PORTALES – Clovis High senior R.J. Nora is tuning up for Class 5A state track competition next month.

Nora took first place in the 110 hurdles, third in triple jump and long jump and ran on two relays to help the Wildcats finish third in Portales High's George-Love Relays track meet on Thursday at Greyhound Stadium.

Clovis finished with 58 ½ points in the 12-team event, trailing Artesia (93 ½) and Hobbs (88 ½). Meantime, the host Rams were seventh with 34 points.

In girls' competition, the Lady Wildcats were second with 78 ½ points, behind Hobbs (106 ½). Portales scored 41 points for sixth place.

Nora won the hurdles race on Thursday in 15.27 second, but was well off his personal bests in the jumps, going an even 20 feet in long jump and 43 feet, 1 inch in triple. He won the 110 hurdles last year at state in 14.58 seconds while placing second in triple jump (43-8 ¼) and fourth in long jump (21-6).

"I wasn't as happy with my jumps as I would like," he said. "I thought I did good in the hurdles today for running into the wind."

He also tried to help get the Wildcats' 400 and 1,600 medley relays qualified. The medley relay qualified, winning the event in a time of 3:39.41.

"The whole plan on the relays was just to get them qualified," Nora said. "We got the 4-by-4 (1,600 relay) qualified last week, and the medley today. We're just .12 seconds off in the 400 (relay)."

Senior Jeremiah Johnson added a win for the Cats in shot put (46-5 ½). Also in that event, senior Gregorio Cordova tied for third at 43-5 and sophomore Brayden Golden was fifth at 43-2 ¾.

"We accomplished what we set out to accomplish," CHS boys coach Mark Sena said. "We're kind of taking (the relays) one by one. And I was pleased with shot put; we couldn't get a qualifier out of that, but 1-3-5 isn't bad."

Highlights for PHS boys were wins by senior Michael Riess in the 1,600 (1:59.60) and by junior Manny Chavez in javelin (170-6). Riess also finished second in the 1,600 (4:41.51).

"What can you say about Michael?" PHS coach Quintin Wilson said. "He just works his tail off. We might try him in the 400. He's run 52 (seconds) before, and qualifying is 51.51."

Chavez, who also ran both hurdles races, had to deal with a brisk wind, but ended up winning his event by more than 18 feet. It was his fifth win in five meets for the Rams this spring.

"It was a little windy," said Chavez, who was third in javelin in last May's Class 4A state meet. "It felt great when it started out. I wanted to (win) today more than any other day because it's at home. The main goal for me is to try to win state."

Portales also qualified Leo Ramirez in boys pole vault and Irene Cruz in girls discus. Tommy Lopez (12-0) and Ramirez (11-6) went 2-3 in pole vault for the Rams.

Senior Emma Hurren grabbed a win for the Lady Rams in the 800 (2:32.08).

"We ran about how I thought we would," Wilson said. 'We still have a long ways to go."

Sophomore Gabrielle Foggie was a double winner for the Lady Cats, taking the 200 (27.03) and 400 (59.80). She is the defending 5A champion in the latter (58.33), and her time on Thursday was a season best.

"This year I want to run in the low 58s," said Foggie, who also was in two relays for the Lady Cats. "I certainly liked having people running with me (pushing her).

"I really want that school record (in the 400). It's going to be a long shot, but I think by my senior year I can definitely get it."

Senior Madison Parkin, the defending 5A champion in pole vault, won the event on Thursday at 10-0. Portales' Kadynce Reeves tied for second, clearing 9-0.

CHS was second to Portales in the 1,600 relay and to Hobbs in the 400 and 800 relays. Meantime, the Lady Cats posted third-place finishes in the 3,200 and medley relays.

"Gabby got a new qualifying time in the 400," CHS girls coach Darrel Ray said. "We qualified the medley and 4-by-1 today. I'm happy with what we did."

Portales will be in Clovis on Friday for the Wildcat Relays at Leon Williams Stadium.