Local high school individuals, teams qualify for state tennis meet

The Belen Eagles will lead the charge for area teams this week at the State Tennis Championships, which will be held in Albuquerque at Jerry Cline Tennis Center, Sierra Vista West Tennis Complex and Albuquerque Academy.

Both the BHS boys’ and girls’ teams captured District 5-4A titles, advancing to the 1-4A team competition Friday and Saturday at Sierra Vista.

The BHS boys’ seeded fifth, will play Silver while the No. 5 Belen girls will open against Los Alamos.

Valencia’s boys are also in the team championship as a sixth seed, and will face Lovington.

The tournament for individuals began Wednesday, after the VCNB deadline.

In 4A singles at Albuquerque Academy, Valencia’s Danny Altobello is seeded sixth, while Belen’s Luke Austin also qualified.

Last week, Altobello won the district title for the second consecutive year, defeating Austin in the finals.

In 4A boys’ doubles, the Eagles’ Dylan Jaramillo and Cole Rodriguez are seeded fifth after winning district.

Belen’s Ava Fragua and Gabby Jaramillo teamed up to win doubles at district, and are seeded fifth at the state championship. Teammates Ella Wilson and Ashtyn Carillo-Lovato also qualified for state.

After finishing second at District 5-5A, the Los Lunas girls’ doubles team of Sienna Cordova and Preslee Lamb, and the boys’ pairing of Alex Covarrubia and Aron Sanders advanced to the 5A championship at the Cline Center.