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Clovis captures crowded Colt Classic

Bennett takes first overall; Portales boys finish third with 324.

ROSWELL — Friday’s Colt Classic in Roswell proved to be a tight battle at the top for several boys golf teams, but once again, it was the Clovis Wildcats coming out on top.

The Wildcats (316) finished just nine strokes ahead of fourth place Artesia (325), and just 18 strokes ahead of seventh place Socorro (334).

Ultimately, Clovis beat out Hobbs (320) and Portales (324) at the top of the leader’s board, as Wildcat golfer Kolt Bennett placed first amongst individuals with an outstanding score of 72 — despite 30-plus mile an hour winds, off and on.

“Kolt Bennett, that was a really good round today,” Clovis coach Dale Fullerton said. “He was 2-under heading into the final two holes, but he bogeyed (because of those) tough winds.

“David Maldonado (78) also had a really good round, and even the guys who shot 83 (Christian Fontanilla and Dakota York) had good rounds with those kinds of conditions. Overall, I was real happy with how our kids played. Mentally, they had to stay focused, and they did that.”

The Clovis girls, meanwhile, placed in second with a team score of 362, losing out only to Artesia (325). Sydni Hill and Logan Clayton shot 84 and 85, respectively, and overall coach Steve Speck was pleased with his team’s performance on Friday.

“(I thought we did) really, really good. The weather was crazy, but the girls didn’t let it bother them,” Speck explained.

“(Logan and Sydni) have a competition amongst themselves. They both want to be the No. 1 golfer, and they’re always making each other better.”

Portales, on the other hand, got an impressive individual round from Janae Hale. Hale shot a 37 on the front nine, en route to an overall score of 78 — good enough for third overall.

As for the boys, their aforementioned 324 was just eight strokes shy of taking the tournament. Valen Low finished with a 75, good enough for a tie for third overall.

Austin Davis (81) and Talon Payne (82) also had solid days in tough conditions.

“Janae continued where she left off on Monday,” Portales boys/girls coach Matt Hunton said. “She was 4-under through six holes, but slowed a little. Her 78 was solid (but) we need to work on eliminating her big scores from the card. Valen continues to be very solid without his emotions going up or down much. That’s why I call him T. Smooth.”

Both Portales and Clovis will end their regular seasons next week. Portales boys have a state preview in Albuquerque on Monday, before both the boys and girls return to Roswell again next Thursday for the Last Chance Tournament.

As for Clovis, the boys and girls teams will finish at the Black Murphy Tournament in Lovington, instead of going back to Roswell. The main reason — better preparation for state.

“Fast greens (in Lovington). It’s similar to what we see at the state tournament in Farmington,” Fullerton explained.

Speck added, “We like to play there. It’s always fast and it’s a dress rehearsal for state.”