By James Yodice / Journal Staff Writer
At Piñon Hills Golf Course, Albuquerque Academy’s boys and girls both are leading following the first round.
The Chargers’ 306 leads Lovington’s boys by 12 and Artesia by 13, with Los Alamos (324) and Goddard (325) looking to win a trophy as well.
There are nine boys within five shots of the lead, held Monday by senior Riley Apodaca of Deming, who was at 71. Albuquerque metro champ Thomas Whitten of Academy, an eighth-grader, and Lovington senior Landon Trevino, were two shots back of Apodaca.
The 4A girls standings are tight, with Academy’s 341 four shots lower than Kirtland Central, and third-place Lovington was looming, just 12 shots behind the Chargers on Monday.
Senior Rylee Salome of Belen on Tuesday will be looking to win her fourth state championship in a row. She shot 73 Monday, a stroke in front of Hayden Dan of Kirtland Central and two ahead of Academy sophomore Addy Haas, the metro champ.