ENMU's Gerleve wins again in javelin

For the second consecutive meet, freshman Zach Gerleve posted the only win for Eastern New Mexico University as he took men’s javelin competition on Saturday in the David Noble Relays in San Angelo, Texas, hosted by Angelo State.

Gerleve threw 177 feet, 4 inches to win the event by 2 1/2 feet over Mike Bragg of Texas A&M-Kingsville. Price Carter, a sophomore from Fort Sumner, placed sixth for the Greyhounds in the event with a throw of 156-4.

ENMU’s men finished 11th out of 18 teams in the meet with 22 points. The women scored five points and were tied with New Mexico State for 18th in a field of 21 squads.

Other men’s points came on a fourth-place finish by Cody Grady in triple jump (44-11 1/2), a sixth-place effort by Warren Nuckols in hammer throw (143-6) and an eighth-place showing by Tyrone Sharpe in high jump (6-0).

For the women, Charlotte Sanchez placed sixth in javelin at 111-3, while Karissa Huskey was eighth in the 5,000 in 19:43.42 and Jayme Williams notched eighth in discus at 118-1.

Softball rained out — Eastern New Mexico University’s softball squad was rained out of a doubleheader on Saturday against Oklahoma Panhandle State at Goodwell, Okla. First-year ENMU coach Kevin Blaskowski said he got the call from OPSU around 5 a.m. Saturday morning, about an hour before the team was scheduled to leave from Portales.

Blaskowski said Sunday that the teams will try to reschedule the games.

The Zias (10-27) have struggled to a 1-11 mark in Lone Star Conference South Division play, but are coming off a solid performance on Tuesday in a 1-0 loss to New Mexico in Albuquerque. Senior Maegan Rhoten (3-11) pitched a three-hitter against the Lobos, allowing just an unearned run in the bottom of the sixth.

ENMU has its final home series of the season this weekend, hosting Tarleton State in noon doubleheaders on Friday and Saturday at Zia Softball Field.

Spring football awards — ENMU football coach Bud Elliott has announced winners of the team’s spring practice awards.

Junior defensive end Larry Roybal and junior linebacker Jeff Howard shared “Top Weightlifter” honors, while “Top Newcomer” awards went to quarterback Michael Benton on offense and linebacker Brandon Harper on defense, both redshirt freshmen.

Junior lineman Chris Valdez was selected “Most Improved” on offense while sophomore strong safety Kwame Darko earned that honor on defense.

The Hounds are scheduled to return 18 of 22 position starters next fall. Elliott is entering his 11th season at ENMU with a record at the school of 62-44-2, including 42-22 over the past six seasons.