PICTURED: Tootie McNeil competes in the boys' 110-meter hurdles during Saturday's Artesia Invitational at Bulldog Bowl.
(Photo by Artesia Bulldog Paw Prints)

MOST RECENT SPORTS WRAPS
• Runnin' 'Dogs finish as 4A state runners-up; baseball, softball solid in first tournaments; cheer places fourth in state; tennis tops in Santa Fe
• Bulldogs run it back to state title game with 71-52 semifinal win over Hope Christian
• Runnin' 'Dogs off the leash: Artesia storms into state semifinals
• Runnin' 'Dogs punch ticket to state quarterfinals; baseball and softball open with big wins; track already racking up state qualifications; tennis dominant vs. 5A competition; cheer wins final pre-state event
• Bulldog hoopsters win D4 Tourney, set sights on state; swim, wrestling bring home hardware from state events; cheer powering through final pre-state competitions; tennis opens season with strong results

BULLDOG BASEBALL

vs. NMMI

PICTURED: Derrick Warren delivers to the plate after coming on in relief of starter Diego Morales in the fifth inning Tuesday against NMMI at Brainard Park.
(Photo by Artesia Bulldog Paw Prints)

The Bulldog baseball team welcomed 2025 Class 3A State Champion NMMI to Brainard Park Tuesday for what was ultimately a close single-game outing that saw the 'Dogs manufacture the runs they needed in a 4-1 win.

By earned runs alone, the bout would've ended as a 1-0 victory for the boys in orange. Artesia seniors Diego Morales, Derrick Warren and Charlie Campbell -- all fresh out of basketball -- combined for a four-hitter on the evening, with the Colts' lone run coming via an error in the top of the sixth. NMMI sophomore Juan-Carlos Hurtado and senior Grant Maloney, meanwhile, allowed just a trio of hits between them as the Bulldogs took three unearned runs out of the first two innings before rounding out the final in the sixth.

Morales surrendered only three hits in his four innings of work on the mound, striking out seven and walking none. NMMI left runners aboard in all four of those at-bats but only one reached scoring position. Offensively, the 'Dogs led off the bottom of the first with back-to-back walks by Jett Fuentes and Daelon Pacheco. And though they'd lose the latter to a 6-4-3 double play, a throwing error during a pick-off attempt of Jack Byers -- also on with a walk -- saw Fuentes home to make it 1-0.

PICTURED: Jett Fuentes crosses the plate on a throwing error during a pick-off attempt as Brant Usherwood looks on.
(Photo by Artesia Bulldog Paw Prints)

Two more runs would come around in the bottom of the second after Warren reached to lead off as a hit batsman. He'd advance to second on an error, then to third amidst a double-steal by Morales' courtesy runner, Logan Rodriguez. A throwing error during the theft would send him home, and Rodriguez followed on a two-base error at short to make it 3-0.

The Colts got on the board in the top of six when catcher Nicolas Barcero was struck by a pitch and his courtesy runner, Connor Kent, moved to second on a walk and home on a throwing error. Artesia then closed out the 4-1 contest with an RBI fielder's choice from Jett Whitmire that scored Warren -- on with a bunt single down the third-base line -- and Campbell striking out the side in the top of the seventh.

STAT BOX

NMMI 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1
Artesia 1 2 0 0 0 1 - 4

Artesia (5-4)
Batting: Jett Fuentes 0-3, 1-BB; Daelon Pacheco 1-2, 1-BB; Elijah Carrasco 0-3; Jack Byers 0-1, 2-BB; Brant Usherwood 1-2, 1-HP; Derrick Warren 1-2, 1-HP; Diego Morales 0-3; Charlie Campbell 0-1, 2-BB; Jett Whitmire 0-3, 1-RBI
Pitching: Morales, sr.: 4-IP, 3-H, 0-R, 0-ER, 7-K, 0-BB; Warren, sr.: 2-IP, 1-H, 1-R, 0-ER, 2-K, 2-BB; Campbell, sr.: 1-IP, 0-H, 0-R, 0-ER, 3-K, 0-BB
Team: 3-H, 3-E, 2-SB, 1-RBI, 6-LOB

NMMI (2-5)
Batting: Rodolfo Anaya 0-3, 1-SAC; Brock Spear 1-4; Grant Maloney 1-4; Nicolas Barcelo 1-2, 1-HP; Konsantino Scopelitis 0-3; Makihi Phillips 0-2, 1-BB; Michael Ortega 1-3; Juan-Carlos Hurtado 0-2, 1-BB; Caden Carter 0-3
Pitching: Hurtado, so.: 2 2/3-IP, 2-H, 3-R, 0-ER, 0-K, 4-BB; Maloney, sr.: 3 1/3-IP, 1-H, 1-R, 1-ER, 0-K, 2-BB
Team: 4-H, 4-E, 1-SB, 0-RBI, 8-LOB

Sal Puentes Memorial

There wasn't going to be any such thing as an easy game at the Sal Puentes Memorial Baseball Tournament. Rio Rancho's annual event consistently features some of the premier teams in the state, and this season's docket was once again loaded with highly ranked clubs from New Mexico's two largest classifications: the top four squads in last year's 5A State Tournament -- Rio Rancho, Cleveland, La Cueva and Carlsbad -- along with defending 4A State Champion Artesia, 4A semifinalists St. Pius and Goddard, and 4A quarterfinalist Albuquerque Academy.

Even so, it was the Bulldogs who got the toughest draw of the first round, opening Thursday against 5A No. 1 and undefeated Cleveland (13-0). With the 'Dogs still settling into a rhythm after incorporating their basketball athletes just prior to last week's Artesia Invitational, it was a big ask. And although the boys in orange competed hard against the Storm, they were unable to get any offense going versus senior southpaw Xavier Vasquez, who threw a five-inning no-hitter in Cleveland's 10-0 victory.

The Storm also got an immediate leg up in the ballgame when Oklahoma University-bound Anthony Del Angel sent the first pitch he saw from Bulldog starter Jack Byers over the fence. Cleveland then made it 2-0 when Caleb Budagher -- aboard with a walk -- scored on a two-out single by Caleb Sandoval. Byers seated the Storm in order in the second on two straight strikeouts and a ground ball back to the mound, but the boys in electric blue would tack on three more in the third when Budagher, Benjamin Herman and Treven Polanco, on as a hit batsmen and via bases on balls, respectively, all produced runs on a two-RBI base hit by Sandoval and a Santino Williams sacrifice fly. Cleveland then made it 8-0 in the fourth on a three-base, two-run throwing error and a Francisco Hernandez RBI ground out before putting the run rule on the table with two in the fifth on a two-RBI triple by Peyton Noel.

Artesia put runners on base in four of their five at-bats on the afternoon via walks, but all were left stranded. Byers only allowed four Storm hits himself through four complete, striking out five. Vasquez K'd six and walked five, while Sandoval went 3-3 at the plate for Cleveland with three RBI.

Friday's consolation bracket found the 'Dogs taking on 4A second-ranked Albuquerque Academy (8-4), and the Artesia boys put together an all-around solid showing in a re-energized 3-1 win over the Chargers. Defensively, the Artesia boys all but shut down Academy's bats, with senior Daelon Pacheco going the distance on the hill in a three-hitter bolstered by 10 strikeouts. The Bulldog offense, meanwhile, got the hits they needed when they needed them, overcoming a brief deadlock to secure the win.

After a 1-2-3 top of the first, the Bulldogs got on the board early when Jett Fuentes set up shop at second following a leadoff two-base error, advanced to second on a fly out, and scored on a liner to left by Byers. The Chargers needed just one swing to tie things up, however, that coming in the top of the third on a leadoff homer to left by pitcher and No. 9 batter Daniel Candelas. The 'Dogs were able to regain control in the bottom of the fourth, getting a leadoff double down the left-field line from catcher Brant Usherwood and a single to shallow right from Derrick Warren. Both would cross home plate on a hard base hit up the middle by Campbell. The 'Dogs' defense then went to work in Academy's final three at-bats. Usherwood erased a walk with a pick-off throw to first in the fifth, Pacheco fanned two with an athletic pop-up catch in foul territory by second-baseman Warren in between in the sixth, and a ground ball to Pacheco, pop-up to Fuentes at short, and strikeout swinging closed things out in the seventh.

The win put Artesia back on the plus side at 6-5 and into the tournament's fifth-place game, where they found themselves in a District 4-AAAA preview matchup against Goddard. The Class 4A top-ranked Rockets -- who fell 8-1 to La Cueva in the first round and defeated St. Pius 11-0 in their next game -- ultimately got the W, 3-1, but if not for an anomalous defensive half-inning by the Bulldogs in the top of the first, the contest would've been heading to extras tied at 1-all.

As it was, the 'Dogs saw the top of the first extended by an error that -- combined with a single up the middle from Cameron Brown and a hit batsman -- loaded the bases with two away. A second E then sent a pair of runs across the plate to spot Goddard an early 2-0 lead. Artesia had a great chance at an immediate response in the home half following a leadoff infield single by Jett Fuentes. But although two quick outs were followed by a base hit off the pitcher by Daelon Pacheco to move Fuentes to second, a fielder's choice ended the threat. From there, the Bulldogs were unable to get anything going offensively against Rocket senior Brown and his defense, which went error-free on the day. The 'Dogs went down in order in their next four trips to the plate, while the Rockets added an insurance run in the fifth on a sacrifice fly to Jett Whitmire in center.

Artesia was able to trim its deficit to two, 3-1, in the bottom of the sixth when Charlie Campbell -- on with a walk -- advanced to second on a ground out and scored on a base hit to left-center by Byers. The Bulldogs were unable to pull off a comeback in the bottom of seven, however, despite coming just a few feet away: a two-out blast to center by Whitmire with two out and one on took Goddard outfielder Jaden Fuentes all the way to the wall, but the senior was able to make an over-the-shoulder grab to end the game.

Brown allowed just three hits on the mound for the Rockets, striking out six. Junior Elijah Carrasco and senior Diego Morales combined for six hits and one earned run allowed for Artesia, fanning six total.

In other action on the final day of the tournament, Academy edged St. Pius 9-8 in the seventh-place game, Rio Rancho finished third with a 6-2 win over Carlsbad, and Cleveland stayed undefeated, taking the tourney title with a 6-2 victory over La Cueva.

Next up for the Diamond 'Dogs will be their first non-tournament road action of the season: a 4:30 and 6:30 p.m. double header Tuesday, March 31, against Class 5A Hobbs at Veterans Memorial Complex in Hobbs. The Eagles are currently 6-8 on the season. Tickets may be purchased via the Hobbs Municipal Schools ticketing portal. The Bulldogs will then have a week off before resuming their schedule Tuesday, April 7, against Roswell at Brainard Park.

STAT BOX

Round One

Cleveland 2 0 3 3 2 - - 10
Artesia 0 0 0 0 0 - - 0

Artesia (5-5)
Batting: Jett Fuentes 0-2, 1-BB; Jack Byers 0-1, 2-BB; Daelon Pacheco 0-2; Hayden Moser 0-2; Brant Usherwood 0-1, 1-BB; Elijah Carrasco 0-2; Derrick Warren 0-2; Charlie Campbell 0-1, 1-BB; Jett Whitmire 0-2
Pitching: Byers, sr.: 4-IP, 4-H, 8-R, 5-ER, 5-K, 3-BB; Lucas Atkins, jr.: 1-IP, 3-H, 2-R, 2-ER, 2-K, 1-BB
Team: 0-H, 2-E, 0-SB, 0-RBI, 5-LOB

Cleveland (14-0)
Batting: Anthony Del Angel 1-4 (1-HR), 1-RBI; Caleb Budagher 0-1, 2-BB, 1-HP; Benjamin Herman 0-3, 1-BB; Francisco Hernandez 0-2, 1-HP, 1-RBI; Treven Polanco 0-2, 1-BB; Caleb Sandoval 3-3 (1-2B), 3-RBI; Santino Williams 0-2, 1-SAC, 1-RBI; Noah Segura 1-3 (1-2B); Peyton Noel 2-3 (1-3B), 2-RBI
Pitching: Xavier Vasquez, sr.: 5-IP, 0-H, 0-R, 0-ER, 6-K, 5-BB
Team: 7-H, 0-E, 0-SB, 8-RBI, 5-LOB

Losers' Bracket Semifinal

Albuquerque Academy 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1
Artesia 1 0 0 2 0 0 - 3

Artesia (6-5)
Batting: Jett Fuentes 0-2, 1-HP; Daelon Pacheco 1-3; Jack Byers 1-3, 1-RBI; Hayden Moser 1-3; Brant Usherwood 1-3 (1-2B); Derrick Warren 2-3; Diego Morales 1-3; Charlie Campbell 2-3, 2-RBI; Jett Whitmire 0-3
Pitching: Pacheco, sr.: 7-IP, 3-H, 1-R, 1-ER, 10-K, 2-BB
Team: 9-H, 1-E, 3-SB, 3-RBI, 6-LOB

Albuquerque Academy (8-5)
Batting: Aiden Schum 0-3; Langston Leigh 0-2, 1-BB; Ryan Williams 0-3; Jace Gabaldon 1-3 (1-2B); Joseph Rounds 1-3 (1-2B); AJ Lenhart 0-2, 1-HP; Thomas Whitten 0-2, 1-BB; Parker Hanson 0-3; Daniel Candelas 1-3 (1-HR), 1-RBI
Pitching: Candelas, so.: 6-IP, 9-H, 3-R, 2-ER, 2-K, 0-BB
Team: 3-H, 1-E, 0-SB, 1-RBI, 5-LOB

Fifth-Place Game

Goddard 2 0 0 0 1 0 0 3
Artesia 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1

Artesia (6-6)
Batting: Jett Fuentes 1-3; Jack Byers 1-3, 1-RBI; Hayden Moser 0-3; Daelon Pacheco 1-3; Brant Usherwood 0-3; Elijah Carrasco 0-1; Derrick Warren 0-2, 1-HP; Jett Whitmire 0-3; Charlie Campbell 0-1, 1-BB; Diego Morales 0-2
Pitching: Carrasco, jr.: 4-IP, 5-H, 3-R, 1-ER, 3-K, 2-BB; Morales, sr.: 3-IP, 1-H, 0-R, 0-ER, 3-K, 2-BB
Team: 3-H, 3-E, 0-SB, 1-RBI, 4-LOB

Goddard (9-2)
Batting: Brady Duer 0-2, 2-BB; Cameron Brown 2-4; Airell Aguilar 1-4; Jadon Herrera 1-3, 1-HP; Jaden Fuentes 0-3, 1-BB; Marcos Rodriguez 0-4; Donovan Davis 0-3, 1-SAC, 1-RBI; Cohdy Seely 0-2, 1-BB; Oliver Wakefield 2-3
Pitching: Brown, sr.: 7-IP, 3-H, 1-R, 1-ER, 6-K, 1-BB
Team: 6-H, 0-E, 0-SB, 1-RBI, 10-LOB

AHS TRACK AND FIELD

PICTURED: At top, Jenna Whitmire prepares to launch a 133-foot throw in the javelin today at Morris Field. Whitmire top state-qualifying mark is currently 140'4", just 10'4" away from the boys' state standard in that event. Above, Caiya Olivas runs her leg of the 800-meter relay.
(Photos by Artesia Bulldog Paw Prints)

In their first home appearances of the 2026 season, the Bulldog and Lady Bulldog tracksters went all out Saturday before an enthusiastic local crowd at the 56th Annual Artesia Invitational. Both squads placed second behind only Class 5A -- and, on the boys' side, defending state champions -- Cleveland out of fields of 13 teams that also included 5A Carlsbad and Roswell High, 4A Espanola Valley, Goddard, Lovington, Silver, St. Pius and Taos, 3A East Mountain and St. Michael's, and 2A Capitan. And individually, 14 state-qualifying marks were earned, including five new qualifications and one re-qualification with a season-best result on the boys' side and three season-best re-qualifications for the girls.

Qualifying for the first time this season on their home turf were Cael Houghtaling in both the triple jump and javelin with second- and third-place marks of 43'2" and 155'10", respectively; Marco Soto in the discus with a fourth-place throw of 131'3.5"; and the boys' 800- and 1,600 medley relay teams with respective first- and second-place times of 1:32.10 and 3:41.71. Re-qualifying with season-best results were Soto in the boys' shot put with a massive top throw of 53'3.5"; Ellie McGaughy in the girls' pole vault with a top vault of 9'6"; Harper Murray in the girls' shot put with a first-place throw of 37'; and Gracen Kuykendall in the girls' javelin with a second-place throw of 114'2". Also re-qualifying for the third time on the season were Marcos Ornelas in the boys' 110-meter hurdles (second, 15.39); Jayden Leyva in the boys' javelin (second, 169'7"); Jenna Whitmire in the girls' javelin (first, 133'11"); and Brooklynne Ivans in the girls' shot put (second, 34'10.5"); while Derek Lopez qualified for the second time this year in the boys' shot put with a fifth-place throw of 46'9".

Also turning in runner-up finishes at the Artesia Invite were Noah Beardsley in the boys' 200-meter dash (23.06, .30 off the state mark); the boys' 400-meter relay team (44.05, .16 off); the girls' 400-meter relay (51.61, .50 off); and the girls' 1,600-meter relay team (4:21.77). Picking up bronze medals were Beardsley in the 100-meter dash (11.61, .36 off); Ulises Montanez in the boys' 400-meter dash (52.45); Dylan Quiroz in the boys' triple jump (40'8"); Caiya Olivas in the girls' 100-meter dash (13.42, .34 off); Quinley Murray in the girls' triple jump (32'4.5"); and McGaughy in the 100-meter hurdles (17.43); while Tootie McNeil was just .31 off the state standard in the competitive boys' 110-meter hurdles with a seventh-place time of 16.51.

The new qualifications Saturday bring Artesia's state contingent to 12 individuals or teams qualified in 10 different events for the Bulldogs and seven individuals qualified in five different events for the Lady Bulldogs. Next up for the teams will be the Gene Wells Relays at 3 p.m. Thursday, April 2, at Watson Stadium in Hobbs. Tickets may be purchased via the Hobbs Municipal Schools ticketing portal.

Artesia Invitational Boys' Results
• 100-Meter Dash
- Noah Beardsley, 3rd, 11.61
- Fabian Moya, 6th, 11.67
- Colt Moziejko, 8th, 11.95
- Josiah Carrillo, 15th, 12.15
- Alexander Hendricks, 18th, 12.25
- Dylan Quiroz, 20th, 12.54
- Brody Parra, 32nd, 13.93
- Dustin Yaste, 33rd, 14.07
- Nathan Baine, 34th, 14.91
- Dexter Crosby, 35th, 16.27
• 200M Dash
- Noah Beardsley, 2nd, 23.06
- Ayden Kenyon, 6th, 23.70
- Moises Corza, 10th, 24.31
- Ulises Montanez-Acosta, 11th, 24.38
- Colt Moziejko, 12th, 24.56
- Dylan Quiroz, 20th, 25.09
- Nathan Perez, 22nd, 25.22
- Alexander Hendricks, 24th, 25.34
- Brody Parra, 36th, 28.22
- Nathan Baine, 39th, 32.10
- Dexter Crosby, 40th, 33.65
• 400M Dash
- Ulises Montanez-Acosta, 3rd, 52.45
- Nathan Perez, 11th, 56.19
- Moises Corza, 13th, 56.32
- Layton Whitmire, 15th, 56.42
• 800M Run
- Xadrian Puentes, 15th, 2:17.33
- Aaron Allison, 18th, 2:20.26
- Cameron Devenport, 22nd, 2:26.04
- Aedyn Moralez, 23rd, 2:26.65
• 1,600M Run
- Edwin Villarreal, 16th, 5:15.22
- Wyatt Knudsen, 20th, 5:29.76
- Hector Maldonado, 21st, 5:34.75
- Aedyn Moralez, 25th, 5:46.44
• 3,200M Run
- Cameron Devenport, 10th, 11:18.85
- Edwin Villarreal, 11th, 11:54.83
• 110M Hurdles
- Marcos Ornelas, 2nd, 15.39 *
- Tootie McNeil, 7th, 16.51
- Xavian Hernandez, 12th, 17.72
- Jared Rone, 15th, 19.91
• 300M Hurdles
- Jared Rone, 8th, 46.95
• 400M Relay
- Artesia "A", 2nd, 44.05
• 800M Relay
- Artesia "A", 1st, 1:32.10 *
• 1,600 Medley Relay
- Artesia "A", 2nd, 3:41.71 *
• 1,600M Relay
- Artesia "A", 4th, 3:38.81
• 3,200M Relay
- Artesia "A", 5th, 9:23.00
• High Jump
- Cael Houghtaling, 5th, 5'10"
- Ulises Montanez-Acosta, 6th, 5'8"
- Jared Rone, 10th, 5'6"
• Long Jump
- Moises Corza, 6th, 19'5"
- Dylan Quiroz, 7th, 19'5"
- Fabian Moya, 8th, 19'2.5"
• Triple Jump
- Cael Houghtaling, 2nd, 43'2" *
- Dylan Quiroz, 3rd, 40'8"
- Layton Whitmire, 8th, 38'10"
- Jared Rone, 9th, 38'5.5"
• Pole Vault
- Colt Moziejko, 4th, 11'
- Brody Parra, 10th, 9'
- Alexander Hendricks, 11th, 8'6"
• Discus
- Marco Soto, 4th, 131'3.5" *
- Derek Lopez, 6th, 123'3.5"
- Silas Bush, 13th, 100'9"
- Jonah Deason, 18th, 84'
- Jayden Leyva, 19th, 81'6"
- Jesse Johnson, 22nd, 71'2"
• Shot Put
- Marco Soto, 1st, 53'3.5" *
- Derek Lopez, 5th, 46'9" *
- Silas Bush, 8th, 40'1"
- Brandon Baeza, 10th, 38'4"
• Javelin
- Jayden Leyva, 2nd, 169'7" *
- Cael Houghtaling, 3rd, 155'10" *
- Jordan Gonzalez, 8th, 137'5"
- Joziah Murdoch, 20th, 64'1"

Artesia Invitational Girls' Results
• 100-Meter Dash
- Caiya Olivas, 3rd, 13.42
- Alani Escareno, 9th, 13.75
- Olivia Bunt, 11th, 13.83
- Chloe Caley, 20th, 14.44
- Molly Mathews, 21st, 14.56
• 200M Dash
- Caiya Olivas, 8th, 28.85
- Ashton Craft, 15th, 30.51
- Olivia Bunt, 17th, 30.63
- Molly Mathews, 23rd, 31.34
- Quinley Murray, 27th, 31.93
• 400M Dash
- Gabriela Aguilar, 5th, 1:04.51
- Kaylee Berdoza, 6th, 1:04.78
- Marlyn Corza, 9th, 1:05.86
- J'Lee England, 10th, 1:07.70
- Chloe Caley, 14th, 1:08.74
- Ashton Craft, 15th, 1:08.89
• 800M Run
- Aubrey Allison, 8th, 2:44.13
• 1,600M Run
- Caylee Shockey, 15th, 6:50.84
- Katherine Lewis, 19th, 7:48.33
• 100M Hurdles
- Ellie McGaughy, 3rd, 17.43
- Kaidence Hnulik, 9th, 19.43
• 300M Hurdles
- Kaidence Hnulik, 5th, 52.92
- Allie Elkins, 6th, 53.14
• 400M Relay
- Artesia "A", 2nd, 51.61
• 800M Relay
- Artesia "A", 5th, 1:55.78
• 1,600 Medley Relay
- Artesia "A", 5th, 4:59.15
• 1,600M Relay
- Artesia "A", 2nd, 4:21.77
• High Jump
- Elena Melendez, T-5th, 4'6"
- Quinley Murray, 11th, 4'6"
• Triple Jump
- Quinley Murray, 3rd, 32'4.5"
- J'Lee England, 5th, 31'9"
• Long Jump
- Alani Escareno, 5th, 15'2.25"
- Elena Melendez, 15th, 13'10.5"
- J'Lee England, 16th, 13'9.5"
• Pole Vault
- Ellie McGaughy, 1st, 9'6" *
• Discus
- Peyton Barela, 6th, 84'1.5"
- Natalie Medrano, 8th, 82'7"
• Shot Put
- Harper Murray, 1st, 37' *
- Brooklynne Ivans, 2nd, 34'10.5" *
- Lily Klingshirn, 4th, 31'0.5"
- Leila Irvin, 8th, 27'6"
• Javelin
- Jenna Whitmire, 1st, 133'11" *
- Gracen Kuykendall, 2nd, 114'2" *
- Ashton Craft, 5th, 92'

* denotes state qualification

AHS TENNIS

PICTURED: The Lady Bulldog and Bulldog varsity tennis teams pose for photos following their first District 4-A-4A dual of the season March 26 in Lovington.

The Artesia High School tennis teams kicked the doors down on the second season Thursday, March 26, sweeping Lovington on the road in their inaugural District 4-A-4A duals. The Lady Bulldog netters blanked the Lady Wildcats 9-0 on the afternoon, while the Bulldogs dropped just a single doubles match to the 'Cats, 8-1.

The Artesia girls were dominant in their dual, only twice allowing more than three points in a set. Senior Kirklyn Miller went 6-0, 6-1 in her No. 1 singles set, while sophomore sister Breckyn Miller won 6-3, 6-4 in No. 2 singles. It was more of the same from there, as senior Adrienne Harvey and junior Abigail Jowers bested their No. 3 and No. 4 singles opponents by identical scores of 6-2, 6-1; junior Renee Irvin won 6-1, 6-1 in No. 5 singles; and senior Sadie Morris capped things off with a 6-1, 6-3 win in No. 6 singles. With the dual already in hand for Artesia, the Lady Bulldogs and Lady 'Cats went to pro sets for doubles play, with Miller and Miller winning 8-0, Irvin and Jowers 8-4, and Morris and junior Chloe Aguilar 8-3.

The Bulldogs, meanwhile, got their most lopsided result ever against Lovington, with Coach Phillip Jowers pointing out that last season was the Artesia boys' first to beat the Wildcats in recent memory. The 'Dogs' top five singles players got the job done in straight sets Thursday. Seniors Cutter Summers and Damian Lopez defeated their Lovington opponents 6-1, 6-1 and 6-4, 6-3, respectively, while junior Joshua Martinez got a 6-4, 6-4 win in No. 3 singles, junior Paul Miller a 6-2, 6-1 victory in No. 4 singles, and senior Jackson Hollinger a 6-4, 6-1 win in the No. 5 slot. In No. 6 singles, Ediel Miranda was forced to put up a fight, but the junior came out on the plus side of it, winning 6-1, 3-6, 6-3. With doubles play in pro sets due to the 6-0 advantage, Summers and Lopez blanked their opponents 8-0 and Miller and Martinez won 8-2, with Miranda and Adan Alva coming up just short, 6-8.

Elsewhere, boys' individual results from the teams' March 9-10 trip to Santa Fe from the March 23 Sports Wrap were as follows:

Bulldogs vs. St. Michael's
Singles
• Cutter Summers def. Mason Glatz (6-1, 6-2)
• Damian Lopez def. Sebastian Portillo (6-3, 6-4)
• Joshua Martinez def. Ethan Rehrer (6-2, 6-1)
• Paul Miller def. Jose Ortega (6-0, 6-1)
• Jackson Hollinger def. Robbie Bocanegra (6-0, 6-0)
• Ediel Miranda def. Dominic Jameson (6-0, 6-0)
Doubles
• Summers/Lopez def. Glatz/Portillo (6-4, 6-2)
• Martinez/Miller def. Rehrer/Ortega (6-1, 6-0)
• Miranda/Adan Alva def. Bocanegra/Dylon Visser (6-0, 6-0)

Bulldogs vs. Santa Fe Prep
Singles
• Cutter Summers fell to Holden Hirsch (0-6, 2-6)
• Damian Lopez fell to Noah Friendland (2-6, 2-6)
• Joshua Martinez fell to Leif Scott (4-6, 6-4 (8-10))
• Paul Miller def. Gabriel Bleichmar (6-1, 6-1)
• Jackson Hollinger def. Thomas Leon-Lubowitz (6-0, 6-4)
• Ediel Miranda def. Jack Smucker (6-3, 6-2)
Doubles
• Summers/Lopez fell to Hirsch/Friendland (2-6, 2-6)
• Hollinger/Miller def. Scott/Bleichmar (6-7 (2-7), 6-3 (10-6))
• Miranda/Adan Alva def. Leon-Lubowitz/Smucker (6-4, 3-6 (10-8))

With the Artesia netters' final non-district dual against Moriarty -- scheduled for Friday, March 27, at the Mack Chase Athletic Complex -- cancelled due to weather, the teams will now be playing out their District 4 slates, beginning at 3 p.m. Tuesday, March 31, in Portales. The Bulldogs and Lady Bulldogs will host their final D4 duals at 3 p.m. Thursday, April 9, and Tuesday, April 14, against Goddard and NMMI, respectively, with the District Team and Individual Tournaments to follow April 21-23 and April 27-28.

AHS GOLF

Artesia High School golf announced its presence with authority Tuesday, March 24, in the Bulldogs' and Lady Bulldogs' long-awaited season opener at the Lovington Country Club. The Artesia boys topped the field at the Lovington Invitational with a first-place 295, four strokes ahead of the host Wildcats, while the Lady Bulldogs came in fourth out of eight with a team 377, just two strokes behind third-place Carlsbad.

The 'Dogs were led on the day by senior dual-spring-sport athlete Jack Byers, who shot a one-under-par 70 on the day to finish second overall individually behind Lovington's Ramon Orosco (69). Not far behind him in fourth overall was younger brother Beau Byers with a round of 73, followed by Joel Ochoa (75), Locklyn Gray (77) and Steven Williams (80). Golfing individually, Lucas Atkins shot a 79. For the Lady Bulldogs, senior Ashton Craft finished fourth overall with a round of 84, followed by Danyela Munoz (93), Hayli Greenwood (95), Nykol Duncan (105) and Karli Horner (107), while Sophie Elsing, golfing individually, turned in a round of 97.

Next up for the AHS golfers will be the 4A Preview Tournament at the site of this year's Class 4A State Tournament -- the New Mexico Tech Golf Course in Socorro -- at 9 a.m. Monday, March 30, followed by the Roswell Invitational at 9 a.m. Tuesday, March 31, at Spring River. The teams will host the 2026 Bulldog Classic at 9 a.m. Monday, April 6, at the Artesia Country Club.

Lovington Invitational Boys' Team Placements
1. ARTESIA - 295
2. Lovington - 299
3. Goddard - 322
4. Carlsbad - 335
5. Roswell High - 389
6. Portales - 424

Lovington Invitational Girls' Team Placements
1. Lovington - 336
2. Goddard - 372
3. Carlsbad - 375
4. ARTESIA - 377
5. Clovis - 383
6. Gateway Christian - 409
7. Texico - 433
8. Clovis Christian - 453

JV ROUND-UP

"A" Baseball

The Bulldog JV "A" baseball team opened its 2026 season Feb. 27-28 at the Hobbs JV Invitational, making a strong statement in their debut by way of a 13-1 run-rule victory over Goddard. Artesia took total control of the contest in the second with an eight-run at-bat that saw sophomore Jarod Flores and freshman Kolton Hamilton each deliver a two-RBI double. Freshman Logan Rodriguez added a one-RBI double, junior Lucas Atkins an RBI single, and sophomore Hayden Moser a pair of RBI base hits in an inning that saw the 'Dogs bat around. Goddard recorded its lone run in the fourth on an error, and the 'Dogs secured the run rule in the bottom of five, plating five more runs on a three-RBI triple from Flores, an error, and a sac-fly. Junior Destin Pacheco got the win on the mound, giving up two hits in his three innings of work.

Artesia came up short of Carlsbad, 11-5, in Game Two of the tournament. The Cavemen took three out of the top of the first, but the Bulldogs answered in kind in the home half, scoring on a steal of home by Flores, an RBI double by Hamilton, and a wild pitch. Carlsbad added six runs to their tally in their fourth, fifth and sixth trips to the plate, however, while the 'Dogs were only able to take one apiece out of the fifth and sixth on an error and a Rodriguez sac-fly.

The Bulldogs then closed out the tourney with a runaway win over Clovis, 24-0. Hamilton came a double away from hitting for the cycle despite the game only lasting four innings. After bringing seven around in the first, the 'Dogs scored a devastating 18 in the second, getting a two-RBI double from Caden Corbell and one-RBI two-bagger from Atkins, in addition to a host of RBI singles and bases-loaded walks and hit batsmen.

The 'Dogs split a double-header with Alamogordo March 3 in Alamo, falling 4-2 in the opener and winning 6-3 in the nightcap. In Game Two, Artesia went up 2-1 on the Tigers in the top of the third on a two-RBI single by Moser, who was 2-3 on the game. Atkins got the win on the hill with four hits and no earned runs allowed through four.

A March 10 double-dip against Roswell High saw the JV "A" pick up two more wins over the Coyotes, 12-4 and 8-2. The boys in orange plated nine in the bottom of the first in Game One with help from an Atkins RBI double, two-RBI singles from Patrick Corbell and Rodriguez, and one-RBI base hits by Moser, FLores and Kaden Chavarria. Chavarria, Atkins and Hamilton all had RBI singles in the third as well, with Atkins going 3-3 on the game. It would be the Coyotes who drew first blood in Game Two, and Roswell led 2-0 after two complete. But the Bulldogs turned the tables with a five-run third and rounded out the final with three more in the fourth. A Caden Corbell two-RBI triple, Moser RBI triple, and Egeland RBI single contributed to the scoring in the third, and Flores got the W in relief, giving up no hits through two-and-two-thirds innings.

The 'Dogs were swept by Hobbs in their third double-header of the year March 12 in Artesia, 19-3 and 9-6, and suffered the same fate March 17 in Carlsbad, falling to the Cavemen 9-2 and 12-3. They'd bounce back March 24 against Alamogordo, however, winning Game One of a home double-header over the Tigers, 11-1, before tying the Tigers 7-7 in Game Two. Artesia plated at least one run in all four at-bats in their 11-1 run rule, with Rodriguez racking up five RBI on the contest with help from an inside-the-park grand slam in the second. The Bulldogs also got an RBI double from Pacheco and run-scoring singles from Chavarria, Egeland and De'Angelo Catano. Hamilton was 3-3 at the plate in the game and Egeland 2-3, while Atkins threw a five-inning one-hitter, striking out five.

Next up for the JV "A" will be a 4:30 and 6:30 p.m. double header against Hobbs Tuesday, March 31, at Veterans Memorial Complex in Hobbs. Tickets can be purchased here.

"B" Baseball

The Bulldog JV "B" has been on a tear through the first portion of its 2026 season, suffering just one loss in eight games. The Artesia boys opened March 5 with a sweep of Dexter, 13-1 and 5-4, before also sweeping Roswell High March 9 in Artesia, 5-2 and 16-2. The 'Dogs then split with Lovington March 16 on the road, 19-0 and 12-13, before taking two more from the Coyotes March 23 in Roswell, 7-1 and 10-1. The team has been led at the plate by Juan Galindo, Chase Collins, Kadyn Quiroz and Drake Thurman with respective batting averages of .857, .778, .667 and .667, while Colt Griffith has posted 10 RBI and Collins eight on the season. Donovan Wisen and Brody Smithson both have two wins on the mound thus far with ERAs of 1.800 and 3.938.

"A" Softball

The Artesia JV "A" team opened its year March 13-14 at the Hobbs JV Tournament, where the Lady 'Dogs got off to an excellent start with an 8-3 win over the host Lady Eagles. The Artesia girls followed with a 12-3 victory over Roswell High Saturday morning and closed out their unbeaten tourney run Saturday afternoon with a 13-1 run rule of Lovington that saw Deni Jensch deliver a pair of home runs. The Lady Bulldogs suffered their first losses of 2026 at the hands of 5A Carlsbad March 16 on the road, 17-7 and 14-4, but stepped up to the plate March 19-21 to compete with the varsity in the Lady 'Dog Invitational. The JV "A" fell short of Los Lunas in their opener, 10-0, but got a big comeback win over Bernalillo, 5-4, that saw Jaelynn Stroud deliver the game-winning hit to plate Arianny Munoz in the sixth. On Tuesday, the team hosted Eunice for a double-header at The Mack, sweeping the Lady Cardinals 15-5 and 14-6, with Arianny Avitia clocking a walk-off homer in Game One. The Artesia girls will have a rematch with the Cards at 5 and 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 31, in Eunice.

"B" Softball

The Lady Bulldog JV "B" got its new season off to a dominant start during a March 2 double-header in Hobbs, sweeping the Eagles' "C" team by identical scores of 18-0. The squad then hosted Carlsbad for another double-dip March 9, unfortunately running into a Cavegirl offensive buzzsaw that resulted in 19-1 and 10-2 losses. They'll have another shot at the girls in blue, however, at 4:30 and 6:30 p.m. Monday, March 30, in Cave Country.

Track and Field

The Artesia Invitational was the varsity track teams' first action since the March 7 Albuquerque Academy-Los Alamos Co-Op Meet, but the JV squads had a pair of outings in between: the March 12 Eddy County Qualifier in Carlsbad and the Dexter Demon Relays Friday evening.

The Bulldogs and Lady Bulldogs both earned a pair of state qualifications at the Eddy County Qualifier, three of those new. Dylan Quiroz qualified for the first time in both the long jump and triple jump in Carlsbad with respective first-place marks of 21'3.5" and 42'11". And for the Lady Bulldogs, Gracen Kuykendall qualified for the first time this season in the javelin with a second-place throw of 109'6", while Jenna Whitmire blew her previous qualifying mark in that event (109'10") out of the water with a first-place, 140'4" throw.

The teams also got first-place finishes from Jared Rone in the boys' 400-meter dash (56.46), Hector Maldonado in the boys' 800-meter run (2:21.08), Chance Hocker in the boys' pole vault (10'), the boys' 1,600-meter relay team (3:50.57), Ashton Craft in the girls' 400-meter dash (1:08.29), Nori Larsen in the girls' 800 run (3:01.24), Allie Elkins in the girls' 300 hurdles (54.73), and Quinley Murray in the girls' triple jump (32'5").

At the Dexter Demon Relays March 27, Artesia entered just a handful of athletes in seven total events but still came away with some solid results, particularly on the girls' side. Adianez Renteria placed first in both the 100-meter hurdles (19.23) and the triple jump (31'2.5"), along with a third-place finish in the 300 hurdles (56.10), while Sammi Medrano was runner-up in the 100 hurdles (19.97).

Eddy County Qualifier Boys' Results
• 100-Meter Dash
- Alexander Hendricks, 10th, 12.24
- Daven Osburn, 24th, 12.77
- Brody Parra, 45th, 13.92
- Nate Leyva, 46th, 14.31
• 200M Dash
- Layton Whitmire, 5th, 24.83
- Alexander Hendricks, 9th, 25.40
- Santos Calderon, 17th, 25.97
- Andres Ortiz, 19th, 26.06
- Daven Osburn, 35th, 27.34
- Nate Leyva, 45th, 30.00
- Brody Parra, 48th, 30.70
• 400M Dash
- Jared Rone, 1st, 56.46
- Layton Whitmire, 5th, 58.25
- Alexander Hendricks, 11th, 1:00.67
- Jonathan Corza, 13th, 1:02.87
• 800M Run
- Hector Maldonado, 1st, 2:21.08
- Saile Herrera, 6th, 2:26.30
- Justin Rodriguez, 10th, 2:43.02
• 1,600M Run
- Gabriel Garcia, 2nd, 5:09.57
- Aedyn Moralez, 8th, 5:27.14
- Sterlin Sheffield, 11th, 6:07.42
• 110M Hurdles
- Braxton Norman, 4th, 19.06
- Ever Najera, 5th, 20.43
• 300M Hurdles
- Jared Rone, 3rd, 47.61
- Braxton Norman, 5th, 49.27
- Ever Najera, 6th, 50.34
• 400M Relay
- Artesia "A", 2nd, 47.38
• 800M Relay
- Artesia "A", 3rd, 1:39.45
• 1,600M Relay
- Artesia "A", 1st, 3:50.57
• High Jump
- Jared Rone, T-2nd, 5'6"
- Andres Ortiz, T-2nd, 5'6"
• Long Jump
- Dylan Quiroz, 1st, 21'3.5" *
- Moises Corza, 3rd, 20'8.25"
- Fabian Moya, 4th, 20'3.5"
- Jonathan Corza, 11th, 16'0.5"
• Triple Jump
- Dylan Quiroz, 1st, 42'11" *
- Layton Whitmire, 2nd, 41'5.25"
• Pole Vault
- Chance Hocker, 1st, 10'
- Brody Parra, 2nd, 9'
• Discus
- Jonah Deason, 5th, 96'10.5"
- Jesse Johnson, 18th, 60'5"
• Javelin
- Austin Norton, 6th, 99'9"
• Shot Put
- Daniel Cortez, 5th, 35'4"
- Kaden Mendoza, 15th, 27'4"

Eddy County Qualifier Girls' Results
• 100-Meter Dash
- Braelynn Gurrola, 11th, 14.48
- Annaly Zuniga, 21st, 15.07
- Cheyenne Cook, 32nd, 15.62
• 200M Dash
- Ashton Craft, 4th, 30.33
- Braelynn Gurrola, 6th, 30.73
- Annaly Zuniga, 32nd, 33.88
- Cheyenne Cook, 36th, 34.91
• 400M Dash
- Ashton Craft, 1st, 1:08.29
- Layla Shipman, 2nd, 1:09.91
- Quinley Murray, 9th, 1:14.63
• 800M Run
- Nori Larsen, 1st, 3:01.24
- Desiray Savoie, 2nd, 3:03.08
• 100M Hurdles
- Adianez Renteria, 4th, 20.12
- Sammi Medrano, 5th, 20.13
- Tynlee Whitmire, 7th, 21.31
- Demri Box, 8th, 22.39
• 300M Hurdles
- Allie Elkins, 1st, 54.73
- Adianez Renteria, 3rd, 58.40
- Demri Box, 6th, 1:02.54
- Tynlee Whitmire, 8th, 1:08.08
• 400M Relay
- Artesia "A", 3rd, 57.27
• 1,600M Relay
- Artesia "A", 2nd, 4:51.47
• High Jump
- Quinley Murray, 4th, 4'4"
• Triple Jump
- Quinley Murray, 1st, 32'5"
- J'Lee England, 2nd, 32'2.5"
- Elena Melendez, 4th, 31'
• Discus
- Gracen Kuykendall, 3rd, 83'2.5"
- Natalie Medrano, 6th, 77'2"
- Desiray Savoie, 11th, 58'6"
• Javelin
- Jenna Whitmire, 1st, 140'4" *
- Gracen Kuykendall, 2nd, 109'6" *
- Natalie Medrano, 7th, 78'6"

* denotes state qualification

Dexter Demon Relays Boys' Team Placements
1. Ruidoso - 100.5
2. Hagerman - 79.5
3. Portales - 64
4. NMMI - 49
5. Loving - 34
6. Eunice - 33
7. Fort Sumner - 31
8. Gateway Christian - 30.5
9. Hatch Valley - 22.5
10. Dexter - 18
11. Roswell High - 7
12. Goddard - 6
13. Jal - 5
14. ARTESIA - 4
15. Elida - 1
T-16. Tularosa - 0
T-16. Lovington - 0
T-16. Tatum - 0
T-16. Lake Arthur - 0

Dexter Demon Relays Boys' Results
• 400-Meter Relay
- Artesia "A", 5th, 47.71
• 800M Relay
- Artesia "A", 5th, 1:41.18

Dexter Demon Relays Girls' Team Placements
1. Portales - 65
2. Gateway Christian - 54
3. Ruidoso - 48.5
4. NMMI - 44
5. Eunice - 35
6. Fort Sumner - 34
7. ARTESIA - 32
8. Roswell High - 31
9. Jal - 30
10. Hagerman - 19
11. Elida - 17.5
T-12. Tularosa - 14
T-12. Dexter - 14
T-14. Goddard - 12
T-14. Tatum - 12
16. Hatch Valley - 8
17. Loving - 5
T-18. Lovington - 0
T-18. Lake Arthur - 0

Dexter Demon Relays Girls' Results
• 400-Meter Dash
- Layla Shipman, 5th, 1:09.91
• 100M Hurdles
- Adianez Renteria, 1st, 19.23
- Sammi Medrano, 2nd, 19.97
- Alison Rodriguez, 5th, 21.07
• 300M Hurdles
- Adianez Renteria, 3rd, 56.10
- Sammi Medrano, 5th, 58.39
• 400M Relay
- Artesia "A", 9th, 58.08
• Triple Jump
- Adianez Renteria, 1st, 31'2.5"
- Sammi Medrano, 4th, 29'11"

* denotes state qualification

Golf

Opening their season in mid-February, long before their varsity counterparts, it's been a productive year already for the AHS JV golf team as they prepare to wrap up their 2026 slate.

Up first was the developmental Artesia Nine-Hole Feb. 16 at the Artesia Country Club, where the Bulldogs came in third (191) behind Carlsbad (180) and Dexter (188). Comprising the five-man team were sophomores Alejandro Bahena (44), Peyton Troost (46) and Lucas Luna (50), along with freshmen Beau Hendricks (51) and Garyn Usherwood (57). Golfing individually were sophomores Brantley Burnell (45), Carter Atkins (57) and Aaron Vasquez (64); freshmen Jack Worley (53), Colton Hesser (58), James Felker (59) and Demitrius Vasquez (67); and eighth-grader Colton Sandmann (58). The girls' division was an all-Eddy-County affair, with Carlsbad shooting a team 228 to Artesia's 247. Competing were freshmen Hailey Zacher (54), Ella Thomas (57), Kaydence Klontz (68) and Bailey Purcell (68), and sophomore Aspen Livingston (68).

The teams travelled to the NMMI Golf Course in Roswell Feb. 19 as Dexter hosted a Nine-Hole event. The Bulldogs came in fourth as a team (198) behind NMMI (156), Dexter (189) and Carlsbad (197), led by Burnell's 46, Hendricks' 48 and Usherwood's 49. Luna and Troost rounded out the team scoring with rounds of 55 and 58, respectively. Individual results included: Ethan Valencia (47), Worley (50), Hesser (52), Sandmann (54), Atkins (61), Vasquez (61) and Felker (63). The Lady Bulldogs came in second (219) behind Carlsbad (201) and ahead of NMMI (239), led by Thomas (50), Zacher (53), Livingston (58), Purcell (58) and Klontz (61). Sophomore Adilyn Holmes turned in an individual 47.

The Carlsbad Kickoff Feb. 23 saw the teams competing for the first time against full tournament fields, with excellent results. The Lady Bulldogs got the win as a team with a 406, 12 shots better than second-place Lovington. Coming in third was Roswell High (450), followed by Goddard (466). The girls in orange also got a first-place overall individual finish from sophomore Adaleine Bratcher with her round of 91. Sophomore Izzy Jones was fifth with a 99, followed by Holmes (107), junior Miley Chavez (109) and Thomas (120). The Bulldogs also came out strong for a second-place overall finish (338) behind Lovington (325). The nine-team lineup also included Dexter (356), Hobbs (359), Alamogordo (371), Goddard (375), Carlsbad (388), Roswell High (451) and Jal (466). Leading the charge for the 'Dogs was sophomore Veer Bhakta with a fifth-place round of 80, followed by sophomore Hudson Gibb (81), sophomore Mason Fox (88), junior Landon Hendricks (89) and junior Isaac Guerrero (95), with junior Jonathan Chavez shooting a 113 individually.

The AHS teams were back in Cave Town the following day for a Par 3 tournament. The 'Dogs defeated both Carlsbad and Dexter, while the Lady 'Dogs were second to Carlsbad by just three strokes. Another Par 3 Feb. 26-27 at Rockwind Community Links in Hobbs saw the Lady Bulldogs finish fourth (348) behind Lovington (326), Hobbs (337) and Goddard (345), and the Bulldogs come in seventh (348) behind Lovington (260), Goddard (283), Hobbs (299), Dexter (310), Roswell High (329) and Jal (340). Overall individual placements included:

Boys
• Vasquez, 16th, 76
• Worley, 37th, 89
• Felker, 39th, 90
• Sandmann, 42nd, 93
• Starnes, 44th, 94
• Hesser, 45th, 95
Girls
• Holmes, 4th, 81
• Purcell, T-13th, 87
• Zacher, T-13th, 87
• Klontz, 20th, 93
• Livingston, 27th, 98

On their home course March 2 for the Artesia JV Invitational, the Artesia squads powered to a sweep, with the boys topping the nine-team field with a 331, 16 shots ahead of runner-up Lovington, and the girls placing first out of six with a 397, 27 shots ahead of Lovington. Bhakta led the Bulldogs with a first-place 75, followed by Landon Hendricks and Bradley Duncan (85), Gibb (86) and Fox. Golfing individually were Isaac Guerrero (91), Bahena (95), Burnell (95), Valencia (103) and Luna (110). Bratcher and Jones tied for second overall with rounds of 94 for the Lady 'Dogs, followed by Thomas (102), Holmes (107) and Chavez (116). Golfing individually were Zacher (112) and Purcell (117).

The very next day, the squads were off to Rockwind yet again for the Hobbs JV Extravaganza, where the Bulldogs came in second only to host Hobbs with a 347 and the Lady Bulldogs did the same with a 428. Bhakta came in second overall with his round of 80, followed by Gibb (82), Duncan (90), Guerrero (95) and Landon Hendricks (98), with Usherwood and Fox turning in individual rounds of 86 and 96, respectively. Bratcher was fourth for the Lady Bulldogs with a 101, followed by Jones (105), Chavez (109), Thomas (113) and Holmes (121). Purcell and Zacher tied for 25th individually with rounds of 117.

Roswell's JV Spring Classic -- a two-day event with a four-day gap in between -- saw the 'Dogs open March 5 at Spring River with a first-place finish (355), three strokes ahead of Goddard. Gibb was fourth overall with an 85, Bhakta fifth with an 87, and Duncan sixth with an 89, followed by Guerrero (94) and Usherwood (105). Fox was 10th individually with a 91. The Lady Bulldogs also topped the girls' division with a 402, 30 strokes in front of Clovis, getting a top finish overall from Jones (94) and a bronze from Bratcher (97), followed by Klontz (100), Chavez (111) and Thomas (111). Part II of the Classic was held March 10 at the NMMI course, with the Lady 'Dogs adding another team victory to their record with a 386, 57 shots under NMMI. It was Bratcher's turn to take top honors in this tourney with an 88 and Jones' turn to place third with a 95, followed by Thomas (99), Emma Morrisett (104) and Holmes (106). The Bulldogs had a tougher day in Roswell the second time around, coming in ninth as as team with a 412. Burnell finished 25th with a 97, followed by Bahena (100), Beau Hendricks (102), Troost (113) and Chavez (116).

Lovington's JV Invitational March 12 saw the 'Dogs bounce back with a big win in the nine-team field, 347-372 over runner-up Carlsbad, and the Lady 'Dogs (430) come up short only of the host Lady Wildcats (415). The boys got a first overall finish from Bhakta with his 79, followed by Hendricks in third (86), Duncan in fifth (88), Gibb in 11th (94) and Fox in 27th (104). The Artesia girls were led again by Bratcher (second, 97) and Jones (fourth, 101). Holmes finished with a round of 114, Morrisett a 118, and Thomas a 126.

Following a well-deserved 11-day breather, the Artesia teams were back at it March 23 at the Riverside Country Club in Carlsbad, where the Bulldogs and Lady Bulldogs once again swept the event. The 'Dogs finished 10 strokes better than Lovington (340-350), led by Landon Hendricks in first (80), Duncan in second (81), Fox in fifth (88), and Gibb and Guerrero in ninth (91), with Usherwood and Chavez turning in individual rounds of 93 and 115, respectively. The Lady 'Dogs came in eight strokes ahead of Lovington, with Bratcher placing first with a round of 89, Jones third with a 96, Morrisett and Thomas ninth with 102s, and Holmes 14th with a 107. Golfing individually, Zacher came in 16th with a 109 and Purcell 20th with a 116.

Most recently, the Hobbs JV hosted a girls' tournament March 26 at Eunice's Coyote Crossing, with the Lady Bulldogs coming in third behind Lovington and Hobbs. Thomas led the way with a fifth-place 97, followed by Holmes (113), Purcell (119) and Klontz and Zacher (126), with Livingston recording an individual 111. The Bulldogs will compete in the Hobbs JV's boys' event at that same course at 9 a.m. Thursday, April 2. After that, just one tournament remains on the JV golf schedule: the April 7 Play the Rock JV Tournament at the Lake Carlsbad Golf Course.

SPORTS TICKETING

Available online ticketing options for next week's scheduled sporting events:

Bulldog Baseball
vs. Hobbs
4:30/6:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 31
Veterans Memorial Complex, Hobbs
Click here to purchase

Lady Bulldog Softball
vs. Roswell High
5/7 p.m. Thursday, April 2
The Mack
Click here to purchase

AHS Track and Field
Gene Wells Relays
3 p.m. Thursday, April 2
Watson Stadium, Hobbs
Click here to purchase

JV "A" Baseball
vs. Hobbs
4:30/6:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 31
Veterans Memorial Complex, Hobbs
Click here to purchase

JV "A" Softball
vs. Roswell High
5 p.m. Thursday, April 2
The Mack
Click here to purchase