By Glen Rosales
Special to the SUN

This could be a special year for Española Valley golf boys and girls.

For the girls, coach James Flores thinks the Lady Sundevils have the potential to reach the state tournament as a team, for what may be the first time in school history, he said.

“The girls side has had a very successful season so far,” he said. “Back in the fall, we played in three tournaments and finished first in two of them as a team. We have high expectations for seniors Jessie Trujillo and Michelle Herrera.”

Add in sophomore Kyla Moore, who has been playing out of the No. 1 slot and Española suddenly looks like it could be factor in the state tournament.

Trujillo, who also plays softball and is on the cheerleading squad, “is right now playing her best golf,” Flores said.

Herrera, who also is a power lifter who qualified for the state meet, “is our best natural balls striker,” he said. “And that’s boys or girls. She’s only been playing for a year, but right away, she was finding the middle of the club face and finding the middle of the fairways.”

Moore, who won the recent Legacy Academy Tournament in Albuquerque, also is in her second year swinging the sticks and she was a natural from the get-go, Flores said.

“She’s developing quite nicely,” he said. “We think there is even more room for improvement, but right now, she’s performing like a true No. 1.”

Senior Jonelle Chavez rounds out the roster right now, although Flores is expecting a bit more help from injured players who are returning to the course.

“The girls are in a good position, as long as they keep performing,” he said. “They have an opportunity to get into the state tournament and from there, let’s see what happens. That’s always the goal, to be playing your best at the right time of year.”

Even if the Lady Sundevils make it, it’s no easy task from there.

“The Class 4A boys and girls, it’s a tough class,” Flores said. “A lot of good teams, a lot of quality golf. These girls are tough, but I always like our chances when we have the three of them. They have put in the hard work and it would be something if they could accomplish it.”

The boys are also eyeing a state tournament run, but Flores said that might be a bit more difficult, although they are also led by a strong threesome: Seniors Marcus Calvert and Daniel Purdy, as well as junior Matthew Abeyta.

“Last year, we graduated four seniors, but we had elevated a couple of younger guys who we hoped we can develop. But this year, we have three really strong boys on the team,” Flores said.

Purdy, who is part of the spirit squad, wrestles and plays football, along with Calvert, in particular, look like they will make a run at the state tournament as individuals. And that would be the first Sundevils boy to do so since 2010, Flores said.

“They’re all pretty experienced, have been playing for awhile,” he said. “Daniel has been playing since he was a freshman and he’s one of the better golfers in 4A. He’s playing what I consider so far, his best golf. He’s a very productive young man. I’m excited to see what he does after this year. He’s a go-getter. He gets stuff done. I’ve enjoyed interacting with all through high school.”

Calvert, who also has gridiron experience, “has been playing for about year,” Flores said. “He transferred over from football and he has really taken off since last summer. He’s really figured out his swing. Every time he plays, he’s putting up personal bests. He’s right behind Daniel. He’s playing at a high-quality level.”

Abeyta is in his third year on varsity and “he’s another one, he’s putting in work, improving every day,” Flores said. “He’s been putting up good numbers. He shot his personal best last week. So these are three boys who are carrying a heavy load for us.”

After that, it’s a matter of which of the newcomers is going to perform well and make the jump to contributing golfer on the back end, he said.

Still, Flores sees the Sundevils making a push.

“Our expectations are to finish strong,” he said. “I want them to be really peaking at the end of April. Finish strong in district and put us in a good position in a very competitive 4A.”