ARTESIA — Clovis High’s boys had enough of a lead that even a bad final four holes couldn’t prevent them from winning Monday’s Artesia Invitational.
It did, however, keep the Wildcats from earning the first of three legs needed to qualify for the Class 5A state tournament in May.
Senior Ethan Peterson shot 34-36 — 70, one under par, and the Cats finished with a team score of 316 for a three-stroke margin over Roswell Goddard.
The Clovis girls, meantime, did earn a state leg in finishing second at 376, behind Goddard at 359.
Boys coach Cal Fullerton said that with about four holes left, the Cats were on pace to shoot the 309 score they needed for a team leg.
Still, he was looking at the bright side.
“We won the tournament and we were close to getting a leg,” Fullerton said. “It’ll help us get some confidence.”
Peterson captured his first individual state leg. Junior Matt Justus was second for the Cats at 40-39 — 79, the fifth-best score of the day, and he missed a leg by two strokes.
CHS junior Haley Berry shot 40-44 — 84 for the Lady Cats for the second-best score of the day on the girls’ side.
Lady Cats coach Steve Speck was pleased with his team’s showing, noting that junior Heather Steinle shot a season-best 91.
“We’re working harder in practice, and it shows,” Speck said. “They’ve (Lady Cats) gained a lot of confidence.”
Texico’s girls came in fourth in the eight-team girls field at 389, five strokes behind third-place Lovington. Junior Laura McFarden led the way with an 89, tied for the fourth-best score of the day.
Clovis squads return to action on Friday in the Great 8 tournament at Ruidoso. Texico’s next outing will be April 16-17 in the Spring River Classic at Roswell.