St. Michael’s looking to dash Hope

Hope Christian’s quest for a fifth straight Class 1A-4A boys state golf championship fell through last year when Socorro beat the Huskies to the blue trophy.

Hope returns this week as the prohibitive favorite, although St. Michael’s might have something to say about it as the two-day tournament tees off Monday morning at Piñon Hills Golf Course in Farmington. The Horsemen are one of only four teams to qualify on the boys’ side, joined by Portales and Ruidoso.

Marshall Spingler and Allen Sanchez anchor the lineup for St. Michael’s, a team whose roster includes Cameron Gonzales, Ryan Vigil and Angelo Baca.

Spingler and Sanchez each recorded five qualifying legs earlier this season. Sanchez broke 80 four times, hitting a season-low 75 at a tournament in Los Alamos on April 17. Spingler’s five qualifying legs were a sign of his consistency as each was between 75 (also in Los Alamos) and 78, which he hit three times.

Hope’s Slater Sivage is the favorite in the individual competition. He broke 70 twice, including a 68 at a recent tournament at Arroyo del Oso in Albuquerque.

The girls’ pairings include St. Michael’s as a darkhorse in the team competition. Carissa Padilla is the only Lady Horsemen player to be considered a contender in the individual pursuit. Her average score of 84.4 in eight tournaments between the fall and spring

Ruidoso and defending state champion Silver will be the top teams in contention for the title.

No golfers from Santa Fe High qualified in the 6A tournament, which will be played at Spring River in Roswell. Likewise, no Capital boys or girls made it into the 5A tournament held at the Canyon Club in Albuquerque.

Los Alamos will be in the 5A field for both boys and girls. Artesia is expected to repeat as the girls’ 5A champion while the Los Alamos boys will be among the top teams alongside Artesia and Farmington.