Mike Smith
Artesia Daily Press
msmith@currentargus.com

Before a standing room only crowd last Saturday, Jan. 18, the Artesia High School bowling team won the advanced and intermediate team titles in a tournament held at Artesia Lanes and Games.

Artesia was the lone entrant representing southern and southeastern New Mexico, taking down schools from the northern and central regions of the state.

Teams traveling to Artesia, where the host Bulldogs have built a reputation for bowling prowess by winning nine state championships, were Rio Rancho High School, Rio Rancho Cleveland, Espanola Valley, Bernalillo, Pojoaque High School and five schools from Albuquerque.

In the advanced division, Artesia claimed first place as the No. 2 team finished first with 3,402 points. Artesia’s No. 3 advanced team finished third with a score of 3,249. Albuquerque El Dorado took second with 3,354 points.

Artesia’s No. 2 advanced team is made up of Jace Miles, Mason Jeter, Damian Lopez, Chase Collins, and Brenden DePew.

“I did pretty good today,” said Collins who had a decisive point total of 387.

“The individuals are not my best strong suit,” Collins said. “But the Baker team games, my team and I really shined. I closed all of my frames which is a strike or spare. I did pretty good, and we ended up winning the whole thing.”

Baker competitions are unique because they are always bowled as a team and every member must work together on the same bowling game, according to the National Federation of State High School Associations.

Collins, 15, is a sophomore and Artesia head coach Ken Clayton expects wonderful things from him heading into the regular season finale this weekend and the state tournament Feb. 1 in Albuquerque.

“Between him and Jace (Miles) we’ve got a lot to look forward to,” Clayton said. “Jace is a sophomore and has been on the team that has five wins.”

Collins is seventh on the team with a 183 average. Miles is sixth with a 191 average and DePew is first with a 207 average.

Clayton has coached the Artesia bowling team for 18 years and has 38 members on the squad.

Artesia’s No. 5 team claimed first place in the intermediate division with an overall score of 2,878. Artesia’s No. 3 squad took second with 2,850 points while Albuquerque High School finished third with 2,792 points and Artesia’s No. 4 team finished fourth with 2,785 points.

In the novice division, Rio Rancho Cleveland finished first with 2,524 points. Artesia’s No. 6 team finished second with 2,354 points and Artesia’s No. 7 squad came in third with 2,310 points.

Mike Smith can be reached at 575-308-8734 or email at msmith@currentargus.com.