Española’s bowling team represents multiple schools.
Jacob Samaniego attends McCurdy as a senior, but bowls with the Española team. But on the lanes, he is fully a teammate.
“I’ve played with them since eighth grade, so I’m used to it,” Samaniego said.
Samaniego and the Española Valley bowling team took first place at the high school bowling tournament at Big Rock Bowling inside the Santa Claran Casino on Dec. 9, besting many top teams. The team, coaches and parents were excited to host the tournament in Española for the second-straight year.
“We have more support here,” said Raymond Archuleta. “A lot more of our family showed up, a lot more friends came by.”
The top Española team consists of Archuleta, Samaniego, Nick Sandoval, Nathaniel Suazo and Jaydon Warner.
“It was really exciting,” said Española coach Jeanie Brito, who was emotional after the tournament. “I think they’re very united this year. And I’m really proud of them.
“We had a lot more parents come out and support,” she said. “Most of our tournaments are in Albuquerque. So, it’s hard for the parents to get out there.”
In attendance were many of the top 5A teams. Defending 5A champion Cleveland finished third at the tournament.
After the two “regular series” — where five bowlers each bowl two complete games and add up the scores — Española trailed Rio Rancho by 76, 1862-1786.
Española’s Archuleta led the team with a 387 in two games (189 and 198), and Warner bowled a 386 (181 and 205). Archuleta said the lanes they bowled those games on were tougher.
But Española stormed back through the “Baker series.” Five bowlers alternate frames for seven full games. After five games, Rio Rancho still led by 81 pins. The Sundevils closed strong. Their sixth game was a 212, besting Rio Rancho by 61. Then they finished the day with a 197, and Rio Rancho a 160, giving Española the win by 17.
“The Baker games, it’s so fast paced, that they don’t have to sit and think about their shot,” Brito said. “They just go out there and they do it.”
The Española team also won earlier in the season at Rio Rancho. A week ago, they finished closely behind Rio Rancho.
“This is probably the best team I’ve bowled with,” Archuleta said. “I was confident in every frame, that everyone was going to pull through.”
When the computer awarded Española an extra point for a pin that had not fallen, Archuleta did not hesitate to fix the score despite knowing that it could come down to a single pin.
The Española Valley 2 team, led by Jacob Martinez (369 in the individual series), finished the top of the Intermediate level teams in attendance, besting Del Norte. Española Valley’s 3 team finished lower in the standings, led by Emillio Samaniego’s score.
On Saturday, the New Mexico High School Bowling Association tour returns to Albuquerque’s Silva Lanes.
“I expect a lot, I think they’re going to do really well this season,” Brito said. “They’re united, and as long as they stay together, I expect that they’re going to be really successful.”