Lady Rams capture 4-4A district team title

LOVINGTON – Portales High’s girls notched a District 4-4A track championship on Friday – and they qualified a few more events for this week’s state meet in Albuquerque as well.

PHS compiled 122 points to 97 for Artesia in the four-team get-together. Coach Quintin Wilson said it was the first district crown for the Lady Rams “in a while.”

“They competed,” Wilson said. “They went out and earned this district championship.”

Portales finished third on the boys’ side with 47 points, behind Artesia (137) and Lovington (99).

The Lady Rams captured 11 event victories in the meet, including four relays. Individually, double-winners included Kadynce Reeves (200 and 400) and Emma Hurren (800 and 1,600).

Freshman J’Lynn Maestas qualified for this week’s Class 4A state meet in Albuquerque, winning long jump at 14 feet, 9 inches. Junior Daniella Rivera qualified with a second-place finish behind Hurren in the 800, while Reeves (1:03.86) and Hurren (104.22) both qualified with a 1-2 finish in the 400.

Portales won every relay except the 3,200, which it did not run. The 1,600 medley relay team of Skyler Massey, Rivera, Ja’Niah Johnson and Annabelle Ortega earned a trip to state, winning in 4:38.98.

For the boys, senior Manny Chavez threw a season-best 181-9 to win javelin competition, the Rams’ only event win. Senior Michael Riess was second in the 800 (2:01.94) and 1,600 (4:35.72).

Junior Nehemiah Yorfee claimed second in shot put (44-6 ½), while sophomore Tommy Lopez and junior Leo Ramirez were 2-3 in pole vault, both clearing 11-6.

“Artesia and Lovington just have so much more depth than we do,” Wilson said. “They’re just faster than us.”

One of the highlights for the Rams was a second-place finish in long jump by sophomore Jase Hightower, who went 20-5 ¾. Teammate Xavier Tarpeh came in third at an even 20 feet.