Chavez gearing toward repeat title in 4A javelin

Manny Chavez appears to be rounding into form.

The Portales High junior is the defending Class 4A state boys javelin champion, winning by nearly 27 feet at 177 feet, 2 inches, and he's already easily surpassed that mark this season.

On Thursday, Chavez posted his third consecutive personal best with a throw of 192 feet in Portales' George-Love Relays at Greyhound Stadium.

It was the highlight for the Rams, who finished 10th in the 14-team meet with 25 points.

"We had better weather conditions today (than in previous meets)," said Chavez, who also helped PHS reach the state 4A football finals last fall as a linebacker.. "It (relatively low wind) helped keep the javelin straight."

Chavez also placed in the 110 and 300 hurdles and ran the third leg of Portales' 1,600 relay. But he clearly makes his money in javelin.

If he's able to repeat his state title, Chavez plans to compete in some regional and national meets during the summertime. Still, he definitely has bigger fish to fry.

"My goal is to go to a college that supports me for the javelin," he said. "My ultimate goal is to make it to the Olympics one day."

Artesia and Hobbs took the top two team finishes on both sides, the Bulldogs winning the boys' team title with 105 1/3 points to 82 1/3 for Hobbs while the Lady Eagles nipped Artesia by two points (114 ½-112 ½) in girls competition.

Clovis was fourth in boys team standings with 52 2/3 points while CHS (57) and PHS (55) claimed third and fourth, respectively, for the girls. Meantime, Texico's girls were eighth of 13 teams (26 ½) and the boys finished 11th of 14 (21 ¾).

Kadynce Reeves paced the Lady Rams, winning pole vault competition at 9 feet and taking second in the 400 (1:04.65). PHS added four other runnerup finishes, including the 400 and 800 relays, while Molly Ainsworth and Clovis' Joanna Miranda were part of a three-way tie for second in pole vault.

Savana Heflin (13.08 in the 100) and Ainsworth (52.72 in the 300 hurdles) posted thirds.

"We competed," PHS track coach Quintin Wilson said. "We had kids missing for (state) powerlifting and for grades. But the kids we had, I was pleased with the way they competed."

Antonio Bonila placed in three field events, including a personal-best 41 feet for third in triple jump.

"We haven't had anyone go that far in a long time," Wilson said.

Clovis' boys claimed the 3,200 relay in 8 minutes, 51.89 seconds, while junior Sammy Fuentes ran 4:30.51 and was edged by Zane Baize of Artesia (4:30.22) in the 1,600. The Wildcats posted four third-place finishes as well.

The Cats also had less than a full squad, but coach Mark Sena said they generally accomplished what they set out to do.

"The 4x8 team ran this race for the first time this year," he said. "Our other relay teams have been pretty solid. Overall, I think we improved on some of our times."

For the Lady Cats, the 1,600 relay team won in 4:14.83 while the 3,200 relay placed second in 10:40.30. Individually, the top finish was with junior Amanda De La Rosa in javelin with a throw of 105-9 ¾.

Lady Cats coach Avery Rasher noted that the team's 3,200 relay improved its time by more than 30 seconds, adding that his contingent held its own against District 4-5A rivals ... except, of course, for Hobbs.

"The girls have done really well today," he said. "I enjoy competing against our district teams. Hobbs is a talented team, Carlsbad has a lot of talent and Roswell has some good athletes, too."

Junior Taye Smith led Texico's boys with second-place efforts in shot put (46-2) and discus (143-6 ½). For the Lady Wolverines, Macy Cline placed second in high jump (4-8) and third in the 400 (1:04.82).

Clovis hosts the Wildcat Relays on Friday at Leon Williams Stadium, which will also include PHS and possibly a few athletes from Texico. The Wolverines and Lady Wolverines are slated to be in Fort Sumner on Saturday for the Fox/Vixen Relays.