PICTURED: The Lady Bulldog softball team's five seniors pose for a photo following a Senior Night ceremony April 2 at the Mack Chase Athletic Complex. They are, from left, Miranda Perez, Michelle Loya, Leslie Molina, Jenna Whitmire and Kayden Apodaca.
(Photo by Artesia Bulldog Paw Prints)

MOST RECENT SPORTS WRAPS
• Tennis earns big district sweep; track teams runners-up at home invite; Bulldog golfers get the W in varsity opener; baseball finishes sixth at Sal Puentes
• 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

PICTURED: Bulldog third-baseman Jack Byers flips the ball to first-baseman Daelon Pacheco (9) as starting pitcher Diego Morales (3) looks on prior to the start of an inning during Artesia's game against NMMI March 24 at Brainard Park.
(Photo by Artesia Bulldog Paw Prints)

The Bulldog baseball team got off to a rough start Tuesday, March 31, in its double-header against Class 5A Hobbs. But after falling 14-2 in five innings in the opener, the boys in orange turned it around in the nightcap with an offensive clinic of their own, defeating the Eagles 15-6 to earn the split on the road.

It was the 'Dogs who took the early lead in Game One Tuesday. Shortstop Jett Fuentes led off the top of the first with a single up the middle but was erased by a 4-6 fielder's choice. Another base hit by third-baseman Jack Byers, however, advanced Derrick Warren -- who'd stolen second -- to third, and a ground out to second by Daelon Pacheco brought him home. Hobbs responded, however, with a two-out rally in the bottom of the second. A FC and back-to-back singles from the bottom of the order loaded the bases for the Eagles, and consecutive base hits up the middle by Jayden Taylor and Jason Fuentes for two and one RBI, respectively, gave Hobbs the lead. They'd then expand it to 5-1 in the third on another two-out flurry, this time with help from a two-base error by the Bulldogs. That and a walk put two on for No. 8 batter John Curtis, who came through for Hobbs with his second hit of the game: a two-RBI double down the right-field line.

It wasn't that the 'Dogs weren't making good contact against Eagle senior starter Allen Utajara. Hard ground balls and line drives either went directly to Eagle fielders or were negated by athletic defensive plays in all five of Artesia's at-bats in the contest. Byers finally eliminated that possibility by sending a bomb over the massive wall in dead center to lead off the fourth inning and bring Artesia within three, 5-2. But Hobbs would work their way through two Artesia relief pitchers in the bottom of the the inning, propelling themselves to an 11-2 lead on back-to-back home runs to opposite fields by Jayden Hernandez and Cole Kesner and another two-out rally that ultimately saw three more cross on Hobbs' third tater of the at-bat by Curtis.

Artesia opened the fifth with consecutive base hits by Elijah Carrasco and Jett Whitmire, but after the latter was picked off at first, things fizzled from there. The Eagles then secured the walk-off run-rule win in the home half, 14-2, on a three-run homer by Kesner, his second of the game. Hobbs racked up 14 total hits -- six of those for extra bases, including four HRs -- and 14 RBI in the contest, committing no errors. Curtis went 3-3 at the plate, a triple shy of the cycle, with five RBI, Taylor was 3-4 with a triple and two RBI, and Hernandez and Kesner both went 2-4 with three home runs and six RBI between them.

But while the Eagle bats may have been prolific in the opener, the Bulldog defense would all but shut them down in the nightcap, twice flirting with a run rule before finally earning the split in seven, 15-6. And they threw down that gauntlet just one half-inning in.

The Diamond 'Dogs would bat the lineup twice in the top of the first, accumulating 13 runs on 10 hits off of Hobbs starter Taylor and initial reliever Karsyn Phillips. Artesia did the bulk of that damage with just one away, not surrendering the final two outs of the at-bat until the Nos. 8 and 9 batters made their second appearances at the plate. It all started with a one-out walk by Warren, whose stay on the bases was brief thanks to another towering homer over the wall in center by Byers. Consecutive singles by Pacheco, Brant Usherwood and Carrasco then loaded the pond for sophomore Hayden Moser, who plated two on a base hit. A stolen-base-turned-error added another, Whitmire, Charlie Campbell and Warren singled in three more, and Fuentes, back at the top of the order, came home on a passed ball to make it 9-0. The 10th run came home when Usherwood was struck by a pitch with the bases loaded, No. 11 on a single to left by Carrasco, and Nos. 12 and 13 on Moser's second two-RBI base knock of the inning.

The shell-shocked Eagles weren't able to muster a response against starting pitcher Campbell and the Artesia D until the bottom of the third when Phillips -- aboard with a leadoff triple down the line in right -- scored on a wild pitch. By then, the 'Dogs had tacked on a 14th run in the top of the second on an RBI double to left by Pacheco. Artesia subsequently headed into the bottom of the fourth three outs away from a 14-1 run rule, but the Eagles weren't going quietly. A walk, hit batsman, and single to left by Fuentes loaded the bases, and Hobbs made it 14-3 on a pair of walks. They'd then take the run rule off the table, 14-5, on an error and an RBI single from Curtis.

With a run in the top of six on a two-out dinger over the fence in left by Whitmire, Artesia went back up by the necessary 10, 15-5, giving them a second shot at ending the evening early. Phillips singled to lead off the home half for Hobbs, however, stole second and advanced to third on a ground out, and came around on an RBI base hit by Hernandez. The game would still end slightly ahead of schedule when -- with two on and two away for the Eagles in the bottom of the seventh -- a disagreement between the home-plate umpire and the selector of Hobbs' extremely risqué ballpark music ultimately led the official to call the contest with Phillips still at the plate.

Campbell gave up just four hits and four earned runs to Hobbs in the 15-6 victory, striking out a whopping 13. Lucas Atkins, on in relief in the bottom of six, had three hits, one earned run, and three Ks to his credit. Carrasco was 2-3 at the plate on the game with one RBI, while Warren, Byers, Pacheco, Moser and Whitmire all went 2-4 with a combined 10 RBI between them.

The Artesia boys will now have a week off before heading into the final days of their 2026 regular-season schedule. They'll host Class 5A Roswell High in a single game at 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 7, at Brainard Park before welcoming county rival Carlsbad to Bulldog Country for an 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. double header Saturday, April 11. Artesia will kick off District 4-AAAA play April 16-17 against Portales with a 5 p.m. game that Thursday at Brainard and a 5 and 7 p.m. double header the following Friday in P-ville. Tickets to Tuesday's game against the Coyotes can be purchased here and tickets to next Saturday's double dip with Carlsbad can be purchased here.

STAT BOX

Game One

Artesia 1 0 0 1 0 - - 2
Hobbs 0 3 2 6 3 - - 14

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

Hobbs (8-9)
Batting: Jayden Taylor 3-4 (1-3B), 2-RBI; Jason Fuentes 1-4, 1-RBI; Jayden Hernandez 2-4 (1-HR), 2-RBI; Cole Kesner 2-4 (2-HR), 4-RBI; Trystan Montez 1-3; Cope Greebon 0-2, 1-BB; Luke Parrish 1-2, 1-BB; John Curtis 3-3 (1-2B, 1-HR), 5-RBI; Karsyn Phillips 1-3
Pitching: Allen Utajara, sr.: 5-IP, 5-H, 2-R, 2-ER, 2-K, 1-BB
Team: 14-H, 0-E, 0-SB, 6-EBH, 14-RBI, 4-LOB

Game Two

Artesia 13 1 0 0 0 1 0 15
Hobbs 0 0 1 0 4 1 0 6

Artesia (7-7)
Batting: Jett Fuentes 0-3, 1-BB, 1-HP; Derrick Warren 2-4, 1-BB, 1-RBI; Jack Byers 2-4 (1-HR), 1-BB, 2-RBI; Daelon Pacheco 2-4 (1-2B), 1-BB, 1-RBI; Brant Usherwood 1-4, 1-HP, 1-RBI; Elijah Carrasco 2-3, 1-BB, 1-RBI; Hayden Moser 2-4, 4-RBI; Jett Whitmire 2-4 (1-HR), 2-RBI; Charlie Campbell 1-3, 1-BB, 1-RBI
Pitching: Campbell, sr.: 5-IP, 4-H, 5-R, 4-ER, 13-K, 4-BB; Lucas Atkins, jr.: 1 2/3-IP, 3-H, 1-R, 1-ER, 3-K, 1-BB
Team: 14-H, 1-E, 1-SB, 3-EBH, 13-RBI, 5-LOB

Hobbs (8-10)
Batting: Jayden Taylor 0-1, 1-BB, 1-HP; Jason Fuentes 2-4; Jayden Hernandez 1-2, 1-BB, 1-HP, 2-RBI; Cole Kesner 0-4; Trystan Montez 1-2, 1-BB, 1-HP, 1-RBI; Luke Parrish 0-4; John Curtis 1-3, 1-BB, 1-RBI; Hendrix Sullivan 0-3; Karsyn Phillips 2-2 (1-3B), 1-BB; Cope Greebon 0-1; Chase Brister 0-1
Pitching: Taylor, jr.: 1/3-IP, 7-H, 8-R, 8-ER, 0-K, 1-BB; Phillips, jr.: 3 2/3-IP, 5-H, 6-R, 6-ER, 6-K, 4-BB; Curtis, jr.: 3-IP, 2-H, 1-R, 1-ER, 2-K, 1-BB
Team: 7-H, 2-E, 1-SB, 1-EBH, 4-RBI, 7-LOB

LADY BULLDOG SOFTBALL

PICTURED: BYU-bound senior pitcher Kayden Apodaca sends her third home run of Thursday's double header against Roswell High flying over the fence in right field to plate two in Game Two.
(Photo by Artesia Bulldog Paw Prints)

There were plenty of stories to be told Thursday, April 2, at the Mack Chase Athletic Complex. Those of five seniors competing in their last regular-season home double header. The memories flooding back to their proud -- and tearful -- parents who joined them on the field during a Senior Night ceremony. And then, of course, the tale of the utter domination on display during a pair of run-rule victories by a team locking in and laser focused on securing its first state championship since 2021.

The Lady Bulldogs defeated Class 5A Roswell High by scores of 10-0 and 12-2 in the pair of five- and six-inning outings, racking up 21 hits in the process, 13 of those of the extra-base variety. All five of those seniors were featured prominently on the night: Kayden Apodaca, who'll be competing for the BYU Cougars in the fall, controlled the narrative from the circle for both contests, with Jenna Whitmire as her battery mate in Game One. Miranda Perez got on base with a bunt and scored a run in the first game, and Michelle Loya came inches away from a home run in the fifth inning of Game Two before making it 10-2 in the sixth with a sacrifice fly. And Leslie Molina contributed four hits on the night, going 3-4 with a double in Game One.

Apodaca, meanwhile, penned another story all her own. Pitching all 11 innings, she tossed a five-inning no-hitter in Game One and allowed only four in Game Two, striking out a total of 16 and walking just three. At the plate, Apodaca went 5-7 combined with four of those hits for extra bases and dealt the walk-off blow in both run rules via a two-run homer in the opener and an RBI base hit up the middle in the nightcap. Apodaca had three total taters on the evening, two in the first outing for five RBI and another two-runner in the second, and she tacked on a two-run double in the bottom of the third in Game One to bring her RBI tally to 10.

To sum up, a Lady Bulldog softball fan couldn't have wanted more heading into the Easter weekend. And it all started with a strikeout looking from Apodaca in the top of the first of Game One.

Roswell High's only two baserunners of the bout came in the top of the first on a one-out walk and in the second on an error. Neither advanced past first, and it was nothing but seven Ks, a fly ball, two pop-ups on the infield, and five ground outs from there. Offensively, the Lady 'Dogs got half of the necessary 10 in their first two at-bats, scoring on bases-loaded walks by Brooklyn Fuentes and Jade Hammond in the first, then adding three in the second when Danyela Munoz and Molina -- on via an error and a double, respectively -- joined Apodaca in crossing the plate on the senior's first homer of the night.

Artesia went up 8-0 in the third on an error and Apodaca's two-RBI double, and the senior ended the game with one away in the fifth with a HR that also scored Molina, on with a base hit. Apodaca and Molina were both 3-4 in Game One.

PICTURED: Kayden Apodaca delivers a pitch, at top, and her first home run of the day, above center. Above, she high-fives head coach Sandra Pulido on her way around third.
(Photos by Artesia Bulldog Paw Prints)

The Lady Coyotes had only slightly more luck against Apodaca and her defense in the nightcap. First-baseman Lillian Lucero found a rhythm at the plate, going 3-3 on the game with a double. She'd personify Roswell's first run of the night in the top of the first when she reached on a ground-ball single to left and advanced to the next three bases on passed balls. Her ground-rule double to left-center in the third followed a base hit from Mireya Patino and gave the Coyotes two in scoring position. But Apodaca had already secured a K and a diving catch of a pop-up, and a ground out to Munoz at short ended the threat. Artesia then seated Roswell High in order in their fourth and fifth at-bats -- with Apodaca striking out the side in the fifth -- before the Lady Coyotes logged their second run in the sixth on a walk and a base-hit-turned-two-base-error from Lucero.

The Artesia girls, meanwhile, took three runs out of the first when third-baseman Katrin Marquez reached on a one-out double to right-center, then joined Apodaca -- aboard with a walk -- in heading home on another double to right-center, this one for two RBI by catcher A'dyn Levario. Levario would score on a ground out by Molina when the Coyotes mishandled an attempt to throw back across the diamond to third. The Lady 'Dogs then went up 5-1 in the third on Apodaca's final homer of the double dip, a two-run shot to right that left the park in a hurry. Loya just missed parking one to lead off the fifth on a deep ball to center that was caught at the fence. But a double down the left-field line by Munoz was followed by a two-run bomb to left-center by Marquez that made it 7-1.

Roswell High pushed the run-rule marker a bit further away in the sixth with their second run, but the Lady Bulldogs were not to be deterred. Artesia kicked off the home half of the sixth with three consecutive base hits from Molina, Fuentes and Hammond, and the first two would score on a two-RBI double to left-center by Janae Molina. Hammond tagged up and came home on a Loya sac-fly to right and Molina crossed on a double to the left-field fence by Munoz before the latter scored the game-winner on Apodaca's base knock up the middle.

Apodaca was 2-3 with a homer and three RBI in Game Two, while Munoz and Marquez both went 2-4, the former with two doubles and an RBI and the latter with a double, a HR, and two runs batted in.

Next up for the Lady Bulldogs will be the lone Eddy County War outing of the season: a 4:30 and 6:30 p.m. double header Tuesday, April 7, in Carlsbad. Tickets can be purchased online via GoFan. The team will head to Hobbs Friday, April 10, for a 5 p.m. single game against the Lady Eagles. Tickets for that contest can be purchased through the Hobbs Municipal Schools ticketing portal.

STAT BOX

Game One

Roswell High 0 0 0 0 0 - - 0
Artesia 2 3 3 0 2 - - 10

Artesia (9-4)
Batting: Danyela Munoz 0-3, 1-BB; Leslie Molina 3-4 (1-2B); Kayden Apodaca 3-4 (1-2B, 2-HR), 7-RBI; A'dyn Levario 1-3; Jenna Whitmire 0-2, 1-HP; Brooklyn Fuentes 1-2, 1-BB, 1-RBI; Jade Hammond 1-2, 1-BB, 1-RBI; Janae Molina 1-2, 1-SAC; Miranda Perez 0-3
Pitching: Apodaca, sr.: 5-IP, 0-H, 0-R, 0-ER, 7-K, 1-BB
Team: 10-H, 1-E, 0-SB, 4-EBH, 9-RBI, 7-LOB

Roswell High (4-9)
Batting: Mireya Patino 0-2; Lillian Lucero 0-1, 1-BB; Bella Ornelas 0-2; Aubrey Jaramillo 0-2; Avrielle Sanchez 0-2; Nevaeh Saenz 0-2; Azlynn Fuentez 0-2; Daniela Hernandez 0-2; Jaydynn Quezada 0-1
Pitching: Hernandez, sr.: 4 1/3-IP, 10-H, 10-R, 6-ER, 2-K, 3-BB
Team: 0-H, 2-E, 0-SB, 0-EBH, 0-RBI, 2-LOB0

Game Two

Roswell High 1 0 0 0 0 1 - 2
Artesia 3 0 2 0 2 5 - 12

Artesia (10-4)
Batting: Danyela Munoz 2-4 (2-2B), 1-RBI; Katrin Marquez 2-4 (1-2B, 1-HR), 2-RBI; Kayden Apodaca 2-3 (1-HR), 1-BB, 3-RBI; A'dyn Levario 1-3 (1-2B), 2-RBI; Leslie Molina 1-3; Brooklyn Fuentes 1-3; Jade Hammond 1-3; Janae Molina 1-3 (1-2B), 2-RBI; Michelle Loya 0-2, 1-SAC, 1-RBI
Pitching: Apodaca, sr.: 6-IP, 4-H, 2-R, 1-ER, 9-K, 2-BB
Team: 11-H, 1-E, 0-SB, 7-EBH, 11-RBI, 0-LOB

Roswell High (4-10)
Batting: Mireya Patino 1-2, 1-BB; Lillian Lucero 3-3 (1-2B); Bella Ornelas 0-3; Aubrey Jaramillo 0-3; Avrielle Sanchez 0-2; Jaydynn Quezada 0-3; Azlynn Fuentez 0-2; Daniela Hernandez 0-1; Nevaeh Saenz 0-2; Aylin Gutierrez 0-0, 1-BB; Maritza Villa 0-1
Pitching: Sanchez, jr.: 4 1/3-IP, 5-H, 7-R, 5-ER, 3-K, 1-BB; Gutierrez, jr.: 1 1/3-IP, 6-H, 5-R, 5-ER, 0-K, 0-BB
Team: 4-H, 2-E, 0-SB, 1-EBH, 0-RBI, 4-LOB

AHS TRACK AND FIELD

PICTURED: Gracen Kuykendall competes in the javelin during the Bulldog Relays March 5 at Morris Field.
(Photo by Artesia Bulldog Paw Prints)

The Bulldog track and field team won its first meet of the season Thursday, April 2, topping the 15-team field at the Gene Wells Relays in Hobbs and racking up 11 state-qualifying marks in the process. The Lady Bulldogs came in a solid fifth overall with five qualifications in the varsity teams' fourth outing of 2026.

Qualifying for the first time at the Gene Wells were Marcos Ornelas -- who became the 'Dogs' first sprinter to qualify -- in the 200-meter dash with a second-place time of 22.43; Tootie McNeil in the 110 hurdles with a sixth-place 15.78; and the boys' 400- and 3,200-meter relay teams with fifth- and second-place times of 43.83 and 8:32.89. The Artesia boys had three athletes notch season-best marks with their state re-qualifications: Ornelas in the 110 hurdles with a first-place 15.00; Dylan Quiroz in the long jump with a first-place 21'5"; and Cael Houghtaling in the javelin with a second-place 168'5". The Lady Bulldogs delivered two season bests: Ellie McGaughy in the pole vault with a second-place 10-foot vault, and Harper Murray in the shot put with a first-place throw of 37'5.5".

Also re-qualifying for the Bulldogs were Marco Soto in the shot put and discus with a first-place throw of 53'1.5" and a second-place throw of 131'1.5", respectively; Jett Whitmire in the javelin with a third-place throw of 160'4"; and Derek Lopez in the shot put with a second-place 47'9" put. Re-qualifying for the Lady Bulldogs were Elena Melendez in the high jump with an eighth-place mark of 4'10"; Gracen Kuykendall in the javelin with a first-place 110'10"; and Brooklynne Ivans in the shot put with a third-place throw of 35'8".

Quiroz also placed second in the triple jump with a 41'8", 4" off the state mark, as did the girls' 1,600-meter relay team with a 4:30.41. Coming in third were Ulises Montanez in the boys' 400-meter dash (52.53), McNeil in the boys' 300-meter hurdles (41.80, .63 off), and the girls' 3,200-meter relay team (11:25.74). The 'Dogs also had three sprinters -- Ayden Kenyon, Colt Moziejko and Alexander Hendricks -- finish just .04, .27 and .42, respectively, off the state standard, and the girls' 400-meter relay team was .34 off the mark.

Next up for the Artesia tracksters will be the George/Love Invitational at 3 p.m. Friday, April 10, in Portales.

Gene Wells Relays Boys' Results
• 100-Meter Dash
- Ayden Kenyon, 10th, 11.29
- Colt Moziejko, 18th, 11.52
- Alexander Hendricks, 22nd, 11.67
• 200M Dash
- Marcos Ornelas, 2nd, 22.43 *
- Josiah Carrillo, 13th, 24.00
• 400M Dash
- Ulises Montanez, 3rd, 52.53
- Aden Garcia, 6th, 54.31
- Santos Calderon, 19th, 57.44
• 800M Run
- Wyatt Knudsen, 20th, 2:20.00
- Aaron Allison, 24th, 2:21.06
- Edwin Villarreal, 27th, 2:24.74
• 110M Hurdles
- Marcos Ornelas, 1st, 15.00 *
- Tootie McNeil, 6th, 15.78 *
- Xavian Hernandez, 12th, 17.20
• 300M Hurdles
- Tootie McNeil, 3rd, 41.80
- Xavian Hernandez, 9th, 43.86
- Jared Rone, 14th, 46.05
• 400M Relay
- Artesia "A", 5th, 43.83 *
• 800M Relay
- Artesia "A", 7th, 1:35.25
• 1,600 Medley Relay
- Artesia "A", 8th, 3:59.39
• 1,600M Relay
- Artesia "A", 6th, 3:43.67
• 3,200M Relay
- Artesia "A", 2nd, 8:32.89 *
• High Jump
- Jared Rone, T-14th, 5'6"
- Cael Houghtaling, T-14th, 5'6"
- Ulises Montanez, T-14th, 5'6"
• Long Jump
- Dylan Quiroz, 1st, 21'5" *
- Fabian Moya, 10th, 19'9.75"
- Moises Corza, 15th, 19'4"
• Triple Jump
- Dylan Quiroz, 2nd, 41'8"
- Cael Houghtaling, 4th, 40'11.5"
- Layton Whitmire, 13th, 38'6.5"
• Pole Vault
- Colt Moziejko, 8th, 11'
• Discus
- Marco Soto, 2nd, 131'1.5" *
- Derek Lopez, 6th, 123'1"
- Silas Bush, 17th, 104'8.5"
• Javelin
- Cael Houghtaling, 2nd, 168'5" *
- Jett Whitmire, 3rd, 160'4" *
- Brant Usherwood, 5th, 145'10"
• Shot Put
- Marco Soto, 1st, 53'1.5" *
- Derek Lopez, 2nd, 47'9" *
- Silas Bush, 12th, 38'6"

Gene Wells Relays Girls' Results
• 100-Meter Dash
- Braelynn Gurrola, T-28th, 14.32
- Kaitlyn Addington, T-28th, 14.32
• 200M Dash
- Gabriela Aguilar, 7th, 27.56
- Caiya Olivas, 18th, 29.32
- Olivia Bunt, 20th, 29.53
• 400M Dash
- Kaylee Berdoza, 10th, 1:06.28
• 800M Run
- Maralie Garcia, 21st, 3:04.41
• 100M Hurdles
- Ellie McGaughy, 6th, 17.64
- Kaidence Hnulik, 11th, 18.58
- Adianez Renteria, 14th, 18.87
• 300M Hurdles
- Kaidence Hnulik, 9th, 52.29
- Allie Elkins, 12th, 53.11
- Adianez Renteria, 14th, 54.62
• 400M Relay
- Artesia "A", 5th, 51.45
• 800M Relay
- Artesia "A", 8th, 1:56.86
• 1,600 Medley Relay
- Artesia "A", 7th, 5:09.46
• 1,600M Relay
- Artesia "A", 2nd, 4:30.41
• 3,200M Relay
- Artesia "A", 3rd, 11:25.74
• High Jump
- Elena Sanchez-Melendez, 8th, 4'10" *
- Kaitlyn Rose, T-16th, 4'6"
- Quinley Murray, T-16th, 4'6"
• Triple Jump
- Quinley Murray, 9th, 31'4.5"
- J'Lee England, 12th, 30'6"
- Adianez Renteria, 13th, 30'1.5"
• Pole Vault
- Ellie McGaughy, 2nd, 10' *
• Javelin
- Gracen Kuykendall, 1st, 110'10" *
- Ashton Craft, 7th, 83'5"
• Shot Put
- Harper Murray, 1st, 37'5.5" *
- Brooklynne Ivans, 3rd, 35'8" *

* denotes state qualification

AHS TENNIS

PICTURED: The Bulldog and Lady Bulldog tennis teams pose for a photo following their district dual against Portales Tuesday on the road.

Just two duals into the second season, the Artesia High School tennis teams have already firmly established themselves as the top contenders in District 4-A-AAAA in 2026.

After the Lady Bulldogs and Bulldogs notched big wins over Lovington in their opening dual March 26 in Wildcat Country -- 9-0 and 8-1, respectively -- the teams headed to Portales Tuesday, March 31, looking to improve to 2-0. They accomplished that aim via a complete sweep, with the Lady 'Dogs besting the Ramettes 9-0 and the 'Dogs topping the Rams by the same tally.

The boys in orange were dominant in doubles play Tuesday. The No. 1 team of Cutter Summers and Damian Lopez defeated Portales' Erik Valenzuela and Xavier Alarcon 6-1, 6-1 to open, followed by a 6-0, 6-3 victory over Jorge Trujillo-Ruiz and Jonathon Viera by Paul Miller and Joshua Vazquez-Martinez and a 6-1, 6-2 win over Adrian Trillo and Alberto Sanchez by Ediel Miranda and Adan Alva. The Bulldogs also took their Nos. 1-4 singles matches in straight sets, with Summers topping Valenzuela 6-1, 6-1; Lopez defeating Trujillo-Ruiz 6-4, 6-1; Vazquez-Martinez besting Alarcon 6-1, 7-5; and Miller winning over Trillo 6-0, 6-0. Artesia and Portales played a pro set for their final two singles bouts, with Jackson Hollinger defeating Viera 8-0 and Alva topping Sanchez 8-2.

In girls' competition, the Lady Bulldogs gave up just nine total points to the Ramettes in their Nos. 1-5 singles matches. Breckyn Miller and Abigail Jowers both blanked their opponents -- Kylie Campbell and Natalie Valenzuela -- in the Nos. 2 and 4 bouts, 6-0, 6-0. Kirklyn Miller notched a 6-1, 6-0 victory over Bella Lopez in No. 1 singles, Adrienne Harvey bested Kelly Blackwell in the No. 3 match, 6-1, 6-1, and Renee Irvin and Sadie Morris won over Shaila Saiz and Ainsley Horton in the Nos. 4 and 5 matches, 6-0, 6-1 and 6-4, 6-1, respectively. Chloe Aguilar and Portales' Adrianna Garza played a pro set for No. 6 singles, with Aguilar winning 8-6, and the teams also went pro sets in doubles play with the following results:
• Miller/Miller def. Campbell/Lopez: 8-0
• Harvey/Jowers def. Blackwell/Saiz: 8-2
• Irvin/Morris def. Horton/Garza: 8-5

Artesia also played and won two exhibition matches during Tuesday's dual.

The Bulldogs and Lady Bulldogs will now prepare to close out their district duals on their home courts at the Mack Chase Athletic Complex, starting at 3 p.m. Thursday, April 9, against Goddard, followed by a 3 p.m. Tuesday, April 14, outing against NMMI. The District 4-A-AAAA Team Tournaments will run April 21-28.

AHS GOLF

The Artesia Bulldog golf team won its second consecutive tournament of the young season Monday, and it was a biggie: the Class 4A State Preview.

The March 30 event was held at the New Mexico Tech Golf Course in Socorro, the site of this year's Class 4A State Tournament, and featured all eight of the teams that comprised last year's state competition -- defending champ Albuquerque Academy, runner-up Artesia, Lovington, Goddard, Deming, Los Alamos, St. Pius and Kirtland Central -- plus Silver, Belen, and three individual golfers from Valencia. The 'Dogs topped the field with a team 316, three strokes ahead of Academy and seven in front of third-place Los Alamos. Other team finishes in the heated battle included Silver, 331; Goddard, 334; Lovington, 335; Deming, 340; Belen, 353; St. Pius, 355; and Kirtland Central, 403.

Leading the way for the boys in orange was sophomore Beau Byers, whose round of 76 earned him a spot in a three-way tie for second place individually, just behind Academy junior Alex Hanna (75). Also shooting 76s were Los Alamos' Michael Velasquez-Saiz and Silver's Uriah Gonzales. The second half of the Byers Bros., senior Jack, tied for fifth individually at the event with his 77, alongside Belen's Eli O'Canna and Lovington's Ramon Orosco. Rounding out Artesia's winning performance were freshman Locklyn Gray in 12th with an 81, senior Steven Williams in 16th with an 82, and senior Joel Ochoa in 21st with an 84. Junior Lucas Atkins, golfing individually, shot a 25th-place 86.

The Lady Bulldogs, meanwhile, were part of a seven-team girls' field that included all squads but Los Alamos that competed in last year's 4A State Tournament -- defending champion Academy, Kirtland, Lovington, St. Pius, Goddard, Deming and Artesia -- plus one individual from Silver. The Artesia girls finished sixth with a team 394 behind Academy (330), Lovington (372), St. Pius (378), Kirtland Central (380) and Goddard (385), and ahead of Deming (417). The Lady 'Dogs placed three golfers in the Top 20: junior Danyela Munoz, 15th, with a round of 93; senior Hayli Greenwood, 19th, with a 99; and senior Ashton Craft, 20th, with a 100. Junior Karli Horner finished in 24th with a 102 and senior Sophie Elsing in 30th with a 114.

The next tournament on Artesia's schedule will mark the 'Dogs' and Lady 'Dogs' first home competition of the season: the 9 a.m. Monday, April 6, Bulldog Classic at the Artesia Country Club. They'll head to Lovington Thursday, April 9, for the Black/Murphy Invitational at the Lovington Country Club.

JV ROUND-UP

"A" Baseball

The JV "A" Bulldogs matched their varsity counterparts in earning a split Tuesday, March 31, on the road against Hobbs, falling in five innings in Game One, 12-2, but bouncing back for a thrilling 6-5 win in the nightcap.

Artesia outhit Hobbs 11-9 in the opener, but the Eagles were able to manufacture a host of runs. The first came in the bottom of the first on a sacrifice fly, and Hobbs plated three more in the second on a bases-loaded hit by pitch, another sac-fly, and an RBI single from Bradan Dunlap. A double play stymied the 'Dogs in the top of three, and the Eagles would go up 6-0 in the home half on a pair of errors. The Bulldogs finally got on the board in the fourth, notching their first run on a De'Angelo Catano RBI double and their second on an RBI base hit to right by Kai Greathouse. Hobbs bumped their advantage to 9-2 in the bottom of the inning, however, on a Dunlap RBI triple, a bases-loaded walk, and an RBI single from Ryan Granillo, and the Eagles secured the run rule in the bottom of the fifth on a bases-loaded walk and a two-run error.

The JV boys avenged the loss in Game Two despite tumbling into an early hole when Hobbs scored two in the bottom of the first in a Dunlap RBI double to left and a sac-fly. It would take the Bulldogs until the fourth to respond, but when they did, they made it count. Logan Rodriguez sent a liner to center to plate Greathouse -- on with a leadoff walk -- to get the ball rolling. Tyler Egeland, on via catcher's interference, scored on a single to left by Kolton Hamilton, and Rodriguez crossed on a bunt single from Catano. Artesia then doubled up on the Eagles, 4-2, on an error.

The Eagles were able to tie things up in the home half on an error and a sacrifice fly to Egeland in center, but Greathouse would send a two-RBI base hit to left in the top of the sixth to score two and put Artesia back up 6-4. Hobbs was able to pull within one in the bottom of the inning on a passed ball, but the 'Dogs would hold on for the 6-5 win. Rodriguez got the W on the mound.

Next up for the JV "A" will be a 4:30 and 6:30 p.m. double header against Roswell High Tuesday, April 7, in Roswell. The Bulldogs will host Carlsbad at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Saturday, April 11, at The Mack. See below for online ticketing links for both double headers.

"A" Softball

The JV "A" Lady Bulldogs hosted a single game against Roswell High Thursday, April 2, at The Mack, coming away with a dominant 22-0 victory. In amidst those 22 runs were a trio of homers launched by Izzy Cruz, Chrisyla Aguilar and Deni Jensch.

SPORTS TICKETING

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

Bulldog Baseball
vs. Roswell High
6 p.m. Tuesday, April 7
Roswell
Click here to purchase
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vs. Carlsbad
11 a.m. / 1 p.m. Saturday, April 11
Brainard Park
Click here to purchase

Lady Bulldog Softball
vs. Carlsbad
4:30 / 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 7
Carlsbad
Click here to purchase
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vs. Hobbs
5 p.m. Friday, April 10
Hobbs
Click here to purchase

JV "A" Baseball
vs. Roswell High
4:30 / 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 7
Roswell
Click here to purchase
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vs. Carlsbad
11 a.m. / 1 p.m. Saturday, April 11
Artesia
Click here to purchase

JV "A" Softball
vs. Jal
5 / 7 p.m. Monday, April 6
The Mack
Click here to purchase
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vs. Hobbs
4:30 / 6:30 p.m. Friday, April 10
Hobbs
Click here to purchase

JV Track and Field
Carlsbad JV Tri-Meet
3 p.m. Tuesday, April 7
Carlsbad
Click here to purchase

JV "B" Baseball
vs. Goddard
4:30 / 6:30 p.m. Monday, April 6
Artesia
No ticket link yet available
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vs. Dexter
4:30 / 6:30 p.m. Thursday, April 9
Artesia
No ticket link yet available

JV "B" Softball
vs. Hobbs
4:30 / 6:30 p.m. Thursday, April 9
The Mack
No ticket link yet available