Cats earn title in Ross Black Relays

LOVINGTON – Hopefully, the Clovis High boys track team is peaking at the right time.

On Friday, the Wildcats took first place in Lovington’s Ross Black Relays, finishing with 97 ½ points to 88 for Artesia. Coach Mark Sena said it was their first team championship since taking the Plainview Invitational in 2019.

“I really feel like we’ve got more kids running well,” Sena said on Saturday. “Some of the times we had last night were unbelievable.”

Senior R.J. Nora continues to lead the way for the Cats. At Lovington he posted individual wins in long jump (21-5 ½), the 100 (11.01 seconds) and the 110 hurdles (14.19), and also helped the Cats win the 800 relay (1 minute, 32.47 seconds).

He blew away his previous personal best (14.50) in the hurdles. “That’s flying,” Sena said.

Portales was fifth in the eight-team meet with 49 points. Meantime, Clovis scored 74 points on the girls’ side to finish a distant second to Hobbs (144), while Portales took fourth at 48 ½.

Clovis teams compete in the District 4-5A meet on Friday at Carlsbad while PHS travels to Lovington in 4-4A competition the same day.

Sophomore Sammy Fuentes added a win for the Cats in the 3,200 (10:13.29), while senior Jeremiah Johnson paced a 1-2-6 Clovis finish in shot put (47-10).

Clovis’ girls were hurt by the fact the pole vault, featuring defending Class 5A champion Madison Parkin, was canceled due to the gusty conditions. Parkin did finish third, though, in the 300 hurdles and fourth in the 100 hurdles.

Junior Nicole Patton led a solid showing in the distance events for the Lady Cats, winning the 800 in 2:40.31.

“Our little distance group did a pretty good job,” CHS girls coach Darrel Ray said, noting that eighth-grader Brooke Newcomer ran second in the 3,200 and freshman Jarelly Navarete was third in the 1,600.

Sophomore Gabrielle Foggie won the 400 (1:00.94) and placed second in the 200 (27.01), while the Lady Cats were second in three relays.

Ray said his contingent just can’t match up with the balance from Hobbs.

“They’re a good, talented team,” he said of the Lady Eagles. “They’ve got some good kids, and they’ve done a pretty good job of developing them.”

Portales coach Quintin Wilson said his teams had a bit of a tough day, but they did add a pair of state qualifiers in sophomore Xavier Tarpeh (boys long jump) and junior Olivia Lowe (girls shot put).

“We had some personal bests, even though the wind was a factor,” Wilson said. “Each day we run faster and faster. I hope we’re peaking at the right time.”

Tarpeh has been pushing Nora a bit in long jump lately, and finished second to him in this meet at 20-6 ½. Junior Manny Chavez had the Rams’ only win of the day, throwing 168-6 in javelin.

Meantime, Low was third in shot put (32-7) and discus (99-1) for the Lady Rams, while senior Emma Hurren ran second in the 800 (6:13.83) and fourth in the 400 (1:03.39).