Sports

RUIDOSO, N.M. — There will be a chance for a Triple Crown winner this year in quarter horse racing for 2-year-olds.

Reigning Cup champion Ryan Blaney returned to the site of his first career NASCAR Cup Series win and pulled away from the field in the closing laps of Sunday’s The Great American Getaway 400 at a sold-out Pocono Raceway to deliver a strong reminder to the competition that he’s primed to contend for another season trophy.

The Artesia juniors little league all-stars won the state tournament, and will now play in the regional tournament. Team manager Donovan Garcia lost his voice in the excitement as Artesia defeated Silver City’s Copper Little League in the championship 18-2.

A rainbow shone over Jaycee Park as a drizzle let up just before the start of the game. That may have symbolized good things to come for Artesia Little League as they battled for a spot in the state tournament.

Former Carlsbad High School head football coach Oliver Soukup has a new job with New Mexico Military Institute’s college football team. He was hired June 18 replacing former Bronco football coach Kurt Taufa’asau who resigned in May to become the new head coach at New Mexico Highlands University in Las Vegas, according to a press from New Mexico Military Institute (NMMI).

Football season is under way! For the first time, this year the New Mexico Activities Association is allowing a limited number of full-contact practices in helmets and pads over the offseason. Roughly 160 prospective Bulldogs, according to athletic director Brian Taylor, are working through the hot summer heat to help the Bulldogs defend their back-to-back state titles. Check out Artesia football on Thursday night at the Bulldog Bowl as they take on Deming in a 7-on-7 scrimmage at 6:30 p.m.

LAS VEGAS — New Mexico sports fans will see at least two names they recognize when they turn on the Olympic Games later this month. Former University of New Mexico track and cross country star Weiti Kelati will be representing the United States in the 10,000-meter run, while former Los Alamos High School star Chase Ealey Jackson will represent the United States in the shot put.

By ARI LEVIN For the Daily Press Over 100 players were whittled down to 12. About 115 players were in the Artesia minors little league.