PHS golf squads have new coaches

CMI sports writer

[email protected]

It was a long season last spring for the Portales High boys golf team.

The Rams never got anyone close to qualifying for the Class 1A-3A state meet, but first-year coach and PHS alum Matt Hunton said things should be better this season.

“There’s some good talent,” said Hunton, who graduated from PHS in 2001. “I think over the course of the season we’ll see a lot of improvement.”

Senior Jory Nix, junior Ty Bergman and freshman Andrew Underbrink were all regulars from a year ago. Hunton said Jonathan Randall should also help, while junior Jordan Barros will be the No. 5 player today.

At this point, he’s not sure what to expect.

“No doubt, we’ll learn a lot about the team (today),” Hunton said. “Our fourth and fifth spots are kind of up for grabs.”

Meantime, the Lady Rams won’t open the season until Tuesday, when both squads travel to Roswell for the Spring River Classic. Portales finished sixth in last year’s 1A-3A girls state meet at Socorro under longtime coach Loy Hampton.

Charity Gomez, wife of first-year Eastern New Mexico University baseball coach David Gomez, is the new coach for the Lady Rams this season.

Portales graduated its top golfer from last season, senior Paige Hartman, who finished seventh in the state meet last spring. The five-player roster includes sophomores Bailey Rowley and Kambrey Blakey, who both competed at state last season, along with freshmen Alexis Montoya and Kelsey Montiel and eighth-grader Janae Hale.

Gomez could not be reached for comment.

SCHEDULE

March

28 — Great 8 tournament at Ruidoso.

April

1 — Spring River Invite at Roswell; 7 — at Clovis Invite; 14-15 — Leroy Gooch Invitational at Ruidoso; 21-22 — Spring Classic at Roswell; 30 — at Lovington Invite.

May

2 — Last Chance Open at Roswell; 5s — District meet at New Mexico Military, Roswell.