Cats edge Hobbs for Lovington team title

LOVINGTON — Clovis High’s boys had just enough on Friday to edge out longtime rival Hobbs.

The Wildcats posted five event wins and finished with 116 points to 115 for the Eagles in the Lovington Invitational track meet. Meantime, the Lady Wildcats scored 92 points to take second place behind former district rival Carlsbad (121 1/2).

Junior Jonathan Williams posted wins in long jump (22 feet) and triple jump (43-10) for the Cats. He was also third in high jump.

Other wins were posted by Burgin Foster in pole vault (13-6), Skyler Wadas in javelin (160-0) and the 400 relay (44.07) with Seth Lopez, Austin Fuentes, Micah Gray and Montez Wright.

Williams qualified for Class 6A state competition in both his winning events. He led a 1-4-5 finish in long jump, with Wright (21-8) and Guillermo Montanez (21-6) also earning state qualifying marks.

“He had a good day,” CHS boys coach Darren Kelley said. “Leroy (Wilson had a phenominal day.

“It was nice to have good weather. Right now, the biggest thing we have to improve on is a couple of legs in each of our relays.”

The Cats were second in the 800 and 1,600 relays, and finished third in the 1,600 medley relay.

For the girls, senior Brittany Reed won shot put at 37-5 while senior Monay Phillips led a 1-2-3 finish in discus at 116-0, with Reed (110-6) and sophomore Zamaurie Spillman (107-10) following.

Junior Kelsey McNaughton posted the Lady Cats’ other win, taking the 3,200 in 12:04.86. She was also third in the 1,600 in 5:46.47.

Spillman in discus and fellow sophomore Pajvionna Johnson (16-11 1/2 for fifth in triple jump) earned new state-qualifying marks.

Lady Cats coach Dawn Coleman said her young squad is quickly making strides this season.

“I’m really proud of how the girls are progressing,” she said. “I’m looking forward to the next couple of meets to see what they can give me.”

CHS teams return to action on in the Amarillo Relays next weekend.