CHS’s Bluth, Antiporda 4th at State-Wide Tourney

By Don Eskins

Carlsbad High’s Cavemen and Cavegirl Tennis teams traded strokes with some of the state’s most talented teams at the State-Wide Invitational in Albuquerque on Friday and Saturday, February 21-22.

Singles play took place on Friday afternoon and Saturday morning in three separate brackets, one for No. 1s and No. 2s, one for No. 3s and No. 4’s, and one for No. 5s and No. 6s. Doubles play took place on Saturday with the No. 1, No. 2 and No. 3 teams all competing in separate brackets.

“This was a tough tournament,” said CHS assistant coach Diamond Morrill. “But it’s one we felt would benefit our kids a lot, and it did.”

“It’s important for us to make sure our kids get an opportunity to play against teams from around New Mexico. That’s especially true for northern teams, teams that they often don’t get to see,” she said. “The things they learned at the State-Wide tournament in Albuquerque, besides toughening them up for our district schedule, will go a long way in helping them to prepare for state.”

Top performers for CHS at the State-Wide tourney were Cavemen Lucas Bluth and Evan Antiporda, who both placed fourth in their respective singles divisions. They also teamed up to place fourth in doubles.

“Despite having taken the court against some of the best players in the state, our kids played hard,” said Morrill. “Coach Galindo and I were very proud of them all.”

Other teams competing in the event, alongside Carlsbad, were Albuquerque Academy, Piedra Vista, Farmington, Alamogordo, Capital, Rio Rancho, and Cleveland.

The Cavemen and Cavegirl tennis teams will be in Amarillo, TX, on Friday and Saturday, February 28 to March 1, to compete in the Longhorn Invitational.

State-Wide Invite Results:

Cavemen Singles:

No. 1 Lucas Bluth: 2-2 (4th)

No. 2 Gavin Otto: 2-2

No. 3 Evan Antiporda: 2-2 (4th)

No. 4 Alex Burns: 2-2

No. 5 Steven Pham: 2-2

No. 6 Jose Gomez: 1-3

Cavegirls Singles:

No. 1 Olivia Glissen: 2-2

No. 2 Claire Navarrete: 1-3

No. 3 Myka Char: 1-3

No. 4 Sara Jones: 2-2

No. 5 Ethni Florez: 2-2

No. 6 Nakia Thomas: 2-2

Cavemen Doubles:

No. 1 Lucas Bluth/Evan Antiporda: 1-2 (4th)

No. 2 Gavin Otto/Alex Burns: 1-2

No. 3 Jose Gomez/Steven Pham: 1-2

Cavegirl Doubles:

No. 1 Olivia Glissen/Sara Jones: 1-2

No. 2 Claire Navarrete/Myka Char: 1-2

No. 3 Ethni Florez/Nakia Thomas: 1-2