Clovis grad succeeding at Hagerman

BERNALILLO —A veteran coach he’s not, but Clovis High grad Anthony Mestas is finding some success very early in his coaching career.

Mestas, who graduated from CHS in 1998, was named head coach at Hagerman before the 2004-05 school year. At the end of the basketball season, as of Wednesday, the Bobcats are still in the running for a state title as Hagerman knocked Melrose out 61-54 in a state quarterfinal.

Mestas played football and basketball for Clovis and only seven years ago at that. After his team’s win, he said his youth hasn’t been a factor with his slightly younger team.

“I’m learning every day. There’s great coaches out there, like Mark Gallegos in Portales, coach (Johnny) Casaus in Hobbs, those are the guys who inspired me to become a coach. I’m just trying to follow in their footsteps,” Mestas said.

Living in the small community south of Roswell, Mestas conceded he might be a little isolated from his old hometown these days.

“But that’s allright. We’re just going to try to build a good program at Hagerman, just keep on winning ballgames,” Mestas said.