Tennis teams have strong weekend in Taos
Española tennis continued its historic run with fantastic performances at district pool play in Taos on April 19-20.
This weekend, the Sundevils will go for a district title.
The boys team finished second, and the girls team first in the four-team pool. Team coach Nancy Suazo said she could not recall an Española team ever winning a pool in this format.
The girls team defeated Taos 7-2, St. Michael’s 7-2, and perennial contender Los Alamos 5-4. Against Los Alamos, the Sundevils won two of the three doubles matches, and won in the 2, 4 and 5 singles matches.
Española coach Nancy Suazo said she was most impressed with the perseverance they showed in the close match with Los Alamos, getting wins where they were both needed.
Jennifer Gallegos had a 5-0 weekend, while Isabella Archuleta went 5-1, losing a doubles match in a third set to Los Alamos.
Española’s girls could match up for the district championship against Robertson. On April 12, Española lost 8-1 to Robertson, but they were missing key players.
“It will be interesting how we match up when we have a full team,” Suazo said.
The boys team defeated Taos 8-1 and won 5-2 over St. Michael’s, but they lost 6-0 to Los Alamos.
Even in that loss to Los Alamos, though, multiple matches went into the third set and others were close.
Both teams will first play Santa Fe Prep in the district tournament, which will be played on Friday and Saturday at Capital.
Santa Fe Track
Española and Pojoaque were among the competitors at the Capital City Invitational track meet on April 20 at Santa Fe High.
Mikayla Calabaza led Pojoaque with first-place finishes in the discus and the shot put. Marisela Bowie finished third in the discus and third in the shot put, and Pojoaque also had Lauryn Branch second in shot put and Lilia Gonzales fifth.
Pojoaque’s girls sprint medley relay team with Adaya Garcia, Cadence Chavez, Mathea Bowie and Elizabeth Towles, finished third.
Steven Dolcine finished fourth in the 200-meter dash, fifth in the 100, and third in the long jump. Alan Padilla was third in the javelin. And their 4×400 relay team finished fifth.
Española Valley’s best finisher was Elijah Martinez, who placed third in the 3200-meter run. Victor Parra was fourth in the long jump and the 400-meter dash.
For the girls, Neveah Cachora was fourth in the 1600 meters, and Averi Schultz finished fifth in the long jump.